Untouched wilderness

Whilst not on many peoples travel radar, Central African Republic (CAR) houses some of Africa’s most wonderful specials. There is an untouched wilderness in the far south-western corner of the CAR known as the Sangha Special Reserve which forms part of the wider Sangha Tri National Park and covers and incredible 6,865 miles (750,000 ha) of unspoilt and pristine rainforest in the heart of the Congo. It is here, within this wilderness that some of Africa’s most astounding wildlife encounters happen. Western Lowland gorillas roam the forest floors and in open clearings, called Bai’s, normally wild forest elephant and bongo congregate in large numbers for some spectacular viewing and photography. Prolific birdlife flits around the lodge and tree pangolins are probably the most unexpected animal you will expect to encounter - but here in the Congo, you will see them.

Much of the forest is completely unaffected by human activity and features a wide range of humid tropical forest ecosystems with rich flora and fauna. Forest clearings support herbaceous species and Sangha is home to considerable populations of forest elephants, critically endangered western lowland gorilla, and endangered chimpanzee.

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The Bai’s of the park offer the best wildlife sightings, with the Dzanga Bai being the most famous. A favourite of the forest fauna, this remains one of the most jaw dropping sites you will have the privilege to visit in Africa. Roughly translated to “the village of the elephants”, Dzanga offers viewing of some tremendous wildlife interaction from the comfort of a treeline hide. Predominantly populated by the grunts and snorts of hundreds of forest elephants, gorillas are occasional visitors to the fringes of the Bai, congregating on this forest clearing in order to access mineral salts and clay from the earth - there can often be hundreds of elephants in the Bai at any one time.

Other wildlife includes chimpanzees, often seen and heard whilst tracking through the rainforest, sitatungas, giant forest hogs, red river hogs, forest buffalos and duikers, making it an exceptional place for wildlife enthusiasts to get up close and personal with central Africa’s revered wildlife.

Odzala-Kokoua is another National Park with incredible Bai’s and gorilla trekking on offer. Between the two locations, you have the opportunity of immersing yourself into the heart of the Congo rainforest. This is a location made for the traveller who is keen to see an amazing wildlife experience, photograph unique and diverse scenes and who is happy without other tourists around.

C4 Photo safaris hosts an annual scheduled safari to Sangha Bai each year. Additionally, we plan a number of private and custom options into the rain forests, going beyond the locations listed above.