Named after the world’s second largest river and its deepest, the Republic of Congo is a land of verdant and tropical rainforest punctuated by slivers of savannah. Its capital, Brazzaville, lies along the Congo River’s banks, while the largest rainforest on the globe after the Amazon can be found in this Central African country. This vast expanse of forest is home to the critically endangered western lowland gorilla in Odzala-Kokoua National Park – a recognised UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve.

Odzala’s 1,350,000ha landscape in a remote north-western corner of the country is a myriad of savannah, forest, and rainforest, fed by the Lekoli and Kokoua rivers. Apart from its gorillas, the park is home to Central Africa’s largest elephant population along with forest buffalo, chimpanzee, mangabey, and over 400 different bird species. Visitors can enjoy gorilla tracking, forest walks, day and night game drives, and boat safaris. 

The nation’s capital and gateway to the country is sprawled along the western banks of the Congo River. Named after a Franco-Italian explorer, Brazzaville is an important port city and transport hub for the Congo. The Maya Maya Airport, mere minutes from the city centre, services flights from around the country and far-flung destinations such as Paris, Johannesburg, and Nairobi.