Mysteries of Going on a Safari in the Republic of Congo

There are long-standing stories from local trackers and remote forest patrols about creatures in the Congo that sound like something out of a forgotten world. Giant spiders, enormous snakes, even whispered rumors of dinosaur-like animals deep in the rainforest. Whether myth or misidentification, the point is: much of the Congo remains a mystery. This is one of the last vast wildernesses on Earth where true exploration still exists.

That mystery was what pulled me in. When I started planning a safari in the Republic of Congo, I wasn’t looking for a traditional Big Five game drive. I wanted to see what it felt like to walk through untouched rainforest, to hear animals I couldn’t name, and to get that primal sense that maybe—just maybe—there are still secrets left in the world.

It wasn’t an easy trip to plan, and it definitely wasn’t cheap. But it turned out to be one of the most unforgettable experiences I’ve ever had. In this post, I’ll walk you through what it was like, what I learned, what surprised me, and what I wish I had known before going.

If you’re drawn to wild, off-grid travel—and the kind of place where the line between science and myth still feels thin—a safari in the Republic of Congo might be exactly what you’re looking for.

Key Points

• Plan your entry carefully. There are limited flights and tight logistics getting into Odzala-Kokoua National Park.
• You’ll need to be physically fit. Gorilla trekking and walking safaris involve real exertion, humidity, and mud.
• This is a forest safari, not a savanna safari. Expect dense trees, wildlife adapted to thick jungle, and a different rhythm of tracking animals.

What to Expect on a Safari in the Republic of Congo

The most well-known safari experience in the Republic of Congo centers around Odzala-Kokoua National Park. This park is in the northwest of the country, bordering Gabon, and it’s part of the second-largest rainforest on Earth after the Amazon. Instead of wide-open plains, you move through narrow forest trails and open baï ecosystems—natural clearings where animals gather to feed on mineral-rich soil.

Most safaris here are organized by just a few eco-focused operators. I went with Congo Conservation Company, which offers small-group trips centered around gorilla trekking, forest elephant tracking, and time in tree-canopied camps. It felt remote in the best way—like stepping into a forgotten world.

For a breakdown of other African safari countries, this trip felt closest in spirit to a safari in Gabon or safari in Uganda, but even wilder.

Wildlife You Might See

The big draw here is the western lowland gorilla. Tracking them wasn’t easy—we started early each morning, following fresh signs through thick underbrush, led by expert trackers who knew the terrain like a second language. The moment we finally saw them, sitting peacefully in a small forest clearing, was almost dreamlike. The silverback glanced at us, unbothered, while juveniles climbed nearby trees and mothers kept a watchful eye. We stayed quietly at a distance, just observing. It felt like we were guests in someone else's home.

Beyond the gorillas, we came across forest elephants—smaller, quieter, and much harder to spot than their savanna cousins. I only caught a glimpse of one as it disappeared silently into the trees. On another morning, we saw a family of bongos (those reddish-brown antelopes with white stripes) crossing a baï, and later, I watched a group of forest hornbills swoop overhead in pairs, their wings loud and rhythmic in the still air.

The jungle doesn't shout its presence the way the savanna does. You don’t see herds stretching across the horizon. Instead, you listen. You wait. And when something moves, it's usually close, and always thrilling.

To get familiar with the wide range of wildlife across Africa, here's my African safari animals list.

Logistics: Getting There and What It Costs

This is not a budget safari. In fact, it was one of the most logistically complex and expensive trips I’ve ever taken—but also one of the most memorable. You start by flying into Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo. I flew in from Paris, which was one of the few reliable international routes. From there, we boarded a small charter flight (about 2 hours) that took us to the airstrip near Odzala-Kokoua National Park.

The charter alone cost roughly $1,000 round-trip, per person. Most safari packages are handled by a single operator (I went with Kamba, African Rainforest Experiences), and the cost for a 7-day trip started at around $7,000 per person. That price included everything from the charter flights and transfers to the camps, all meals, permits, and guided activities like gorilla trekking.

While the daily rate hovered around $1,000 per person, it covered so much. The level of care, the remote locations, and the caliber of guides all made it feel worth it. I rarely spend that kind of money on a single experience, but I’ve never regretted this one.

If you're curious how this stacks up to other trips, here’s a full breakdown of how much safaris cost across Africa. And if you're looking for more all-inclusive experiences in other countries, I’ve also put together this guide on all-inclusive African safari vacations.

The Best Time to Go

There are two main dry seasons: December to February and June to September. I went in early July and found it ideal—a little muddy, yes, but teeming with activity. The wet seasons (March-May and October-November) make logistics harder and trekking more challenging.

Accommodations in the Forest

Don’t expect a luxury lodge with infinity pools. This isn’t that kind of trip. What I got instead was a kind of rustic elegance that made me feel like I was truly living inside the rainforest rather than just observing it. The rooms were open-air, screened in with mosquito nets, and lit by lantern light. Falling asleep to the sound of insects and distant primate calls was honestly one of the best parts of the experience.

The food was way better than I expected—freshly made, mostly local, and served in beautiful communal settings where you get to connect with other travelers. In one camp, the shower water was heated over a wood fire, and you’d pour it into a canvas bucket that hoisted up for a warm rinse under the trees. That kind of simplicity sticks with you.

If you're curious about accommodations across the continent, here's a collection of African safari hotels I’ve reviewed.

Comparing Congo to Other African Safaris

If you’re weighing your options, a safari in Tanzania, Kenya, or Kruger will feel more accessible and better known. I’ve done those too, and they’re incredible in their own way—great for first-time safari travelers, easier logistics, and wide-open savanna where animals are easy to spot from a vehicle. You wake up, hop in a jeep, and by breakfast you’ve seen lions.

But Congo offers something they don’t: solitude, mystery, and a sense of adventure I hadn’t felt on any other safari. There were days where we didn’t see another human being outside our small group. Tracking gorillas on foot through thick forest, listening for distant thuds or subtle movements—it made me feel deeply connected to the environment in a way I never experienced in more traditional safaris.

If you’re the kind of person who wants something raw and different, this is it. It’s not about volume of sightings—it’s about the intimacy of each one. You can compare options on my best places to go on safari in Africa guide.

For those concerned about safety, I keep this guide to the safest countries in Africa to visit updated with practical notes and travel advice. I traveled with a licensed operator the whole time and never once felt unsafe.

Mysteries of the Congo

There are long-standing local accounts and stories from remote forest patrols describing creatures that feel like they belong in a lost world—from massive snakes and giant spiders to whispered legends of dinosaur-like beings deep within the jungle. Whether fact, myth, or a combination of the two, they speak to just how little of the Congo rainforest has been explored. This is one of the last places on Earth where true scientific exploration is still limited by access.

When I was trekking through the denser areas of Odzala, it wasn’t hard to imagine massive, undiscovered species lurking just beyond the trees. We passed through stretches of forest so thick we had to hack our way through, and I remember one night hearing a low, guttural call in the dark that none of the trackers could identify. One of them, a local guide who’d spent his whole life in that forest, just shrugged and said, “Some things aren’t meant to be seen.”

The combination of political tension, outbreaks of disease, impassable roads, and almost vertical humidity keeps vast areas completely isolated. But that’s also what draws explorers, scientists, and curious travelers like me. There's something magnetic about a place that still holds mysteries. The Congo pulls you in with the promise that not everything in the world has been mapped, photographed, and made safe—and that maybe, if you're lucky, you might glimpse something no one else has.