Where to stay in Odzala-Kokoua National Park
3 hand-picked glamping camps and lodges in and around the park.
Odzala-Kokoua National Park guide
Overview
Odzala-Kokoua National Park covers about 13,546 km² of rainforest and savanna in the north-west of the Republic of the Congo. It was first protected in 1935, which makes it one of the oldest national parks in Africa, and it lies in the Congo Basin, the second-largest rainforest on Earth. In 2023, UNESCO inscribed the Forest Massif of Odzala-Kokoua as a World Heritage Site.
Since 2010, the park has been managed by the conservation organisation African Parks in partnership with the Congolese government. Odzala is now one of the best places in Africa to see western lowland gorillas, forest elephants and the forest’s many primates.
Odzala is different from a savanna safari. Days are spent tracking gorillas through the forest, wading along streams, kayaking or boating on the rivers, and walking into bais: marshy forest clearings where elephants, buffalo, sitatunga and red river hogs come to drink and feed on minerals.
Visiting takes planning. Access is by charter flight from Brazzaville to the park’s airstrips, and most trips are run as set itineraries that combine a forest camp with a savanna or river camp.
Wildlife & Biodiversity
Primates
Western lowland gorillas are the main draw, and habituated groups can be tracked on foot. Chimpanzees, black-and-white colobus, crowned and moustached monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys and other forest primates also live here.
Forest mammals
Forest elephants, smaller and darker than their savanna cousins, are seen in the bais and along the rivers. Forest buffalo, sitatunga, red river hog and several forest duikers are present, and spotted hyena and leopard live in the park, though they are rarely seen.
Birds
More than 400 bird species have been recorded, including grey parrots flocking at forest clearings, great blue turacos, hornbills and many Congo Basin forest specialists.
Best Time to Visit
Short answer: December to February and June to September, the drier spells, for easier forest walking and gorilla tracking. Odzala is open all year.
| Months | Season | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Dec – Feb | Short dry season | Less rain and good conditions on forest trails. |
| Mar – May | Rains | Heavy afternoon showers, high humidity and lush forest. Rivers rise. |
| Jun – Sep | Main dry season | Cooler and drier. A popular time to visit, with good access to the bais. |
| Oct – Nov | Heavy rains | The wettest months. Trails get muddy, and some trips are scheduled around the weather. |
Odzala is a high-risk malaria area, and a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter the Republic of the Congo.
Getting There
By air
| Airport | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maya-Maya International (BZV), Brazzaville | International arrivals | Connections via Paris, Addis Ababa, Casablanca and Johannesburg, among others. |
| Park airstrips | Charter flights | Charters from Brazzaville to the park take about two hours and are usually part of the itinerary. |
By road
It is possible to drive from Brazzaville to the park, but the journey takes a full day or more and is only practical with local logistics. Almost all visitors fly in by charter as part of a set trip.
Entrance & Fees
Park and conservation fees are charged per person per night. For international visitors, they are normally included in the price of a set trip, so most travellers never pay them separately.
Gorilla tracking is a separately priced activity. Check what is included before you book.
Fees last checked October 2026 against the African Parks Odzala-Kokoua page.