Dzanga Sangha is a protected area located in the Central African Republic, near the border with Cameroon. It is known for its diverse wildlife, including elephants, gorillas, chimpanzees, and forest buffaloes, as well as its stunning rainforests and savannas. The area is also home to several traditional Bantu villages, where visitors can learn about the culture and way of life of the local people.
A tour of Dzanga Sangha typically begins with a visit to the Dzanga Bai, a large clearing in the forest where elephants gather to drink mineral-rich water. Visitors can observe the elephants from a raised platform and also have the chance to spot other wildlife such as gorillas, chimpanzees, and forest buffaloes. The tour can be continue to Mount Cameroon, which is the highest mountain in West Africa and offers an unforgettable hiking experience. The mountain is also home to a variety of endemic flora and fauna and offers beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. The tour then continues to Brazzaville, Makoua, Ouesso, Bayanga, Libongo, Yaoundé, Douala and Buea.
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Visiting the Dzanga Sangha Reserve
The Dzanga Sangha Reserve is a protected area located in the Central African rainforest and is known for its diverse wildlife, including gorillas, elephants, chimpanzees, and many other primates. Visitors can take guided walks through the forest to see these animals in their natural habitat and learn about the conservation efforts being undertaken to protect them. One of the highlights of a visit to the reserve is the chance to witness the elephants coming to the clearings to drink mineral salts, a sight that is not seen anywhere else in the world. The reserve is also home to the BaAka people, the forest dwellers, and visitors can learn about their traditional way of life and culture.
Hiking to the summit of Mount Cameroon
This is a challenging but rewarding experience that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes, wildlife and vegetation. Mount Cameroon is an active volcano and the highest mountain in West Africa, standing at over 4,000 meters. It is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and home to a diverse range of plant and animal species. Hikers will need to be well-prepared for the steep climb and unpredictable weather conditions, but the experience of reaching the summit and taking in the spectacular views is truly unforgettable.
You will be picked up from your hotel in Kinshasa and driven to the beach for exit formalities. You will then board a rapid canoe to cross the Congo River to Brazzaville. Your guide will be at the harbour to assist you with entry formalities and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. In the afternoon, you will go for a sightseeing tour of Brazzaville, visiting the basilica, the Poto Poto market, and other lively venues in the city. Overnight stay at Villa Monama.
In the morning, you will go for a boat excursion to the Malebo pool for a couple of hours before heading northwards to Makoua towards the Dzanga NP. You will spend the majority of the day driving through picturesque habitats and forests until you reach Makoua after a 600km drive on a tarred road. Overnight stay at the Akoua Guest House, a basic accommodation site for visitors.
You will depart Makoua in the early hours of the morning and continue your journey to Ouesso, which is about 200km away. From Ouesso, you will board a powered canoe and spend the entire day sailing upstream on the Congo River to Dzanga Sangha, making stops at Bomassa, Libongo, and Lindjombo. After a 10 hour voyage, you will reach Dzanga Sangha in the late afternoon and spend the night at the Doli Lodge.
Spend the day exploring the incredible wildlife of Dzanga-Sangha National Park. Go on a guided lowland gorilla tracking excursion at BaïHokou and search for the elusive agile mangabey.
In the morning, we depart Dzanga Sangha National Park and embark on a boat ride down the Sangha River to Libongo. After completing exit formalities and entering Cameroon, we continue on to Yokadouma. This picturesque village is known for its proximity to the Kadey River where it is possible to spot hippopotamus. We expect to arrive at the Elephant Guest House in the late afternoon.
Today’s journey will be a long and challenging one as we drive on a poorly maintained dirt road, encountering overloaded timber trucks. Despite the difficult road conditions, the journey is made interesting by the picturesque villages and towns of Ndelele. We will make a stop for refuelling or lunch in Batouri, if time permits. The drive is approximately 300km and we expect to arrive in Bertoua at the Mansa Hotel after 9 hours of driving.
Begin the day with an early breakfast before setting off for a sightseeing tour of Yaoundé. If time permits, we may visit the Mfou Wildlife Reserve, located 40km from the city, to see a variety of primate species and other wildlife. Afterwards, we’ll hit the road and head west towards Buea, passing through the bustling city of Douala and viewing the picturesque Sanaga Old Bridge in Edea. This 350km journey takes about 6 hours and gives us the chance to see various tropical cash crops such as rubber, banana, and papaya. Overnight in Chariot Hotel.
Summit Wake up early for a heavy breakfast before heading to the Mt Cameroon CEO office to collect entry permits and organize camping logistics including porters, a cook, and a local eco-guide. Mt Cameroon is the highest peak in West Central Africa and the second highest in sub-Saharan Africa after Kilimanjaro. As an active volcano, it last erupted in 1999. The ascent is a physically demanding trek through rocky pathways, passing through the Upper Farm, rainforest, and savannah vegetation. For birders, this is a great opportunity to spot a variety of bird species, including the endemic Mt Cameroon Francolin. Overnight in Hut 2.
In the morning, we set off after a hearty breakfast and head to the Mt Cameroon office to obtain our entry permit and gather necessary camping equipment, including porters, a cook, and a local eco-guide for our ascent of the mountain. Mt Cameroon is the highest peak in West Central Africa and the second highest mountain in sub-Saharan Africa, following Mount Kilimanjaro. As an active volcano, it last erupted in 1999. Climbing this peak, referred to as the « chariot of gods » by ancient Carthaginian explorers, is a physically challenging trek through rocky terrain, including the Upper Farm (1090m), rainforests, and savannah vegetation. For bird enthusiasts, this route offers the opportunity to spot a diverse range of bird species, including the endemic Mt Cameroon Francolin.
After breakfast, we continue our ascent towards the summit, located approximately 3 hours away from our previous night’s camping spot. The summit of Mt Cameroon stands at 4090m in altitude and is characterized by low temperatures ranging from 0° – 8°C, along with strong winds (8 – 10 m per second) in the morning. After spending some time at the summit, we begin our descent and collect our certificates (if available). We then board our vehicle and head to Douala, arriving in the afternoon. If time allows, we may visit a handicraft market before it closes, before driving to the airport for your return flight home.
We are a unique adventure tour compagny, specialising in taking clients into little-known, but spectaculary beautiful locations in West and Central Africa.