The Congo
The Congo Basin remains one of Africa’s last true wilderness frontiers, a realm of towering rainforests, elusive wildlife, and timeless natural spectacles. At Wali Bai, elephants gather in remarkable numbers at the mineral-rich clearings, creating an unforgettable tableau of wild Africa. Gorilla trekking here is unlike anywhere else—venturing deep into the forests, you walk softly through dappled light until you come face to face with these powerful yet gentle primates. And then there is the Odzala experience: an immersion into raw, untouched Congo, where every walk, canoe, and forest trail reveals hidden wonders, from rare birds to secret clearings alive with life. This is Africa at its most primal, where each moment carries the thrill of true discovery.
Wali Bai
A bai submerged in crystal clear water, visited by shy colobus and forest elephant
Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla trekking for western lowland gorilla with the By’aka
There and back again...
One of the worlds most fascinating countries that are seldom trodden. We experienced things here that words do not do justice. The feeling of an elephant finally emerging into Wali Bai after hours of silence and contemplation or finally locking eyes with a gorilla in Noubale Ndoki is simply indescribable!
Who is this for?
Are you adventurous and relatively physically fit?
Have you seen a lot of Africa and want to see something different?
Are you interested in encounters with rare species such as gorillas, bongos, forest elephant and giant forest hogs?
Is the forest calling you?
Join a group trip
Design your own
Founders thoughts…
On a recent journey through the Congo, I was reminded just how transformative travel to this part of Africa can be. Odzala is a place of raw wilderness—thick rainforests alive with birdsong, shimmering rivers, and hidden clearings where wildlife gathers in remarkable numbers. Trekking for western lowland gorillas here is an experience of intimacy and awe, but what struck me most was standing at Wali Bai, a vast forest clearing where elephants, bongo, sitatunga, and flocks of colorful birds emerge from the trees to drink and feed. It felt like stepping into an ancient gathering place of Africa’s wild heart, a living theatre of life that few people are privileged to witness. For me, Odzala is one of the continent’s most extraordinary safari destinations—remote, pristine, and endlessly rewarding.