CONGO CONSERVATION COMPANY

Transcription

1 CONGO CONSERVATION COMPANY Dense, complex and remote, the 4-million-square-kilometre Congo Basin is perhaps the continent s least explored wilderness. Congo Conservation Company has combined two pivotal areas in this magnificent sphere the km2 Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the north west of the Republic of the Congo, and the km2 Sangha Trinational, a UNESCO World Heritage site, a collaborative protected area from the Republic of the Congo, Cameroon and Central African Republic. Within the Sangha Trinational is Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve. Both Odzala and Sangha are part of the tropical rainforest ecosystem with rich fauna and flora, including the critically endangered western lowland gorilla, forest elephant, forest buffalo, and bongo to name but a few. Accommodations between Odzala Discovery Camps and Sangha Lodge differ, but the ethos res the same to protect and conserve the land and its inhabitants, making it commercially viable through low-impact tourism. Location & Access International arrivals/departures: Maya-Maya Airport, Brazzaville. Mondays + Thursdays: scheduled flight Brazzaville/Odzala-Kokoua National Park (2 hours). Sundays + Wednesdays: scheduled flight Odzala/Kabo (40 minutes) + boat transfer Kabo/Sangha Lodge (4-6 hours). 4-, 7-, 10- and 11-night Discovery packages have been designed for optimal use of the scheduled flights. Please note: Maximum 12 guests per flight. Hand and hold luggage weight restriction: 15kg per person. Enquire for additional weight charge and/or storage. Owners & Managers Odzala Discovery Camps is owned by Sabine Plattner and the camps are managed by Haingo and Joel Romeu. Sangha Lodge is owned and managed by Rod & Tamar Cassidy. South Africa Cape Town: South Africa Franschhoek: United Kingdom London: United States Denver: Page: 1 of 7

2 Classic Factors ODZALA DISCOVERY CAMPS Gorilla protection hotspot: Home to the pioneering research of the western lowland gorilla. Leading conservation initiative: Preserving a vulnerable rainforest, the lungs of our planet. Outstanding adventure: With minimal impact on the ecosystem: tracking gorilla on foot, forest walking trails, kayaking, river walks. Discover rare species: Forest elephant, forest buffalo, bongo, sitatunga, various monkey species and rare birds habituate this pure wilderness. SANGHA LODGE Dzanga Baï: Lose track of time from the platform, witnessing hundreds of animals as they visit this mineral-rich clearing. Pangolin research: Be inspired by the research and conservation work done at Sangha Lodge to save pangolins. Hunt with the Ba Aka: Understand an ancient way of life as this tribe allows you into their daily routine. Explore more: See trees taller than you have ever imagined in the Valley of the Giants, rare picathartes bird species, waterfall hikes. Giving Back ODZALA DISCOVERY CAMPS Conservation & Research Congo Conservation Company has collaborated with the government to protect habitat and ecologically important resources that benefit the critically endangered western lowland gorillas around the Odzala-Kokoua National Park, supporting a very successful research centre at Ngaga Camp in the Ndzehi Concession. Community Congo Conservation Company supports the Sabine Plattner Africa Charities (SPAC) conservation work around Odzala-Kokoua National Park, home to around people who rely on the rainforest as their environment, source of food, shelter, and medicine. SPAC follows a comprehensive and sustainable approach to conservation and works to strengthen the people, so they become protectors of their own families as well as of the rainforest. Protection and conservation of the national park creates jobs and each staff salary may feed up to 10 family members. SPAC has built community and early childhood development centres. Odzala Discovery Camps is the only tourism business creating employment in a region where ely 10% of the population has a regular income from paid labour. SANGHA LODGE Conservation & Research Sangha Lodge s pangolin research and conservation program began as a small rescue-and-release effort of orphaned animals from the bush meat markets. Pangolins of two species have been the most successful simply because they are often kept alive after being caught and adults are easily rehabilitated into the wild, usually on the same day in a secure location. The Sangha Pangolin Project aims to protect as many pangolins as possible in Central African Republic through local support, knowledge, awareness and fighting against trafficking. Community Sangha Lodge supports two local schools and clothes over 20 indigent children attending those schools. They support local farmers with seeds for vegetables and also buy as much of the produce locally as possible. Page: 2 of 7

3 Odzala Discovery Camps Ngaga Camp Republic of the Congo Ngaga Camp is in the Ndzehi Forest on the western boundary just outside of Odzala-Kokoua National Park. It consists of 6 rooms beautifully constructed from natural materials such as locally woven raffia palm panels. The rooms are raised on 3- to 4-meter stilts and have 360 wraparound viewing walkways that connect with the area. The camp has a dining room, lounge, and area all on a raised deck looking out into the rainforest. Pre-dinner drinks are served on the star deck with fire pit which is a level below the area. Guests can enjoy postforest walk drinks, cocktail parties or private dinners on the river deck which is located in the Ngaga stream. CAMP FACILITIES ROOM FACILITIES Number of rooms 6 Electricity 220V Extra beds Bath Maximum guests 12 Plugs SA & European ü Standing fans ü Indoor shower ü Fenced Private dinners Wi-Fi area ü Air-conditioning Outdoor shower on Mosquito nets ü Separate WC Check in N/A Swimming pool Private deck ü Hairdryer Check out N/A Spa facilities In-room safe Ngaga Camp Activities & Game Viewing Highlights safe Laundry included ü* The activity at Ngaga Camp is tracking western lowland gorillas. PLEASE NOTE: For gorilla viewing guests need to produce a medical certificate to show they have been vaccinated against polio and measles and are free from tuberculosis. A guide and skilled local tracker lead guests to 2 groups of habituated western lowland gorillas. Please note that although every effort is made, gorilla viewing is not guaranteed. Birding walks and night drives are also possible. Gorilla tracking ü Ndzehi forest trails ü Western lowland gorilla ü Forest duikers ü Bird watching ü Ombo village visit ü Crowned monkeys ü Black-casqued hornbill ü Night drives ü Conservation talks ü Putty nose monkeys ü Great blue turaco ü Moustached monkeys ü Butterflies (over 4 species) ü Pangolin ü Page: 3 of 7

4 Odzala Discovery Camps Mboko Camp Republic of the Congo Located inside the Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Mboko Camp is the largest of the Odzala Discovery camps. It has 12 canvas cabins set along the Likeni river. The spacious area has a dining room, lounge, and star deck all overlooking the wide-open grasslands. There is a river deck on the Likeni River. CAMP FACILITIES ROOMS FACILITIES Number of rooms 12 Electricity 220V Extra beds Bath Maximum guests 24 Plugs - European ü Standing fans ü Indoor shower ü Fenced Private dinners Wi-Fi area ü Air-conditioner Outdoor shower on Mosquito nets ü Separate WC Check in N/A Swimming pool Private deck ü Hairdryer Check out N/A Spa facilities In-room safe safe Laundry included ü* Mboko Camp Activities & Game Viewing Highlights Most activities are a combination of walking and boating, while some driving may be required to get from one place to another. River activities are done in aluminium boats or kayaks. Mountain biking between Mboko Camp and Lango Camp is available on for guests who are fit and active. Adventure trails along the edges of forested areas give insights into the arboreal world. Look out for hyena, aardvark and serval on savannah game drives by day and night. Boating ü Adventure walks ü Forest elephant ü Harnessed bushbuck ü Kayaking ü Board walk ü Forest buffalo ü Putty-nosed monkey ü Mboëbe Baï walk ü Sundowner cruises ü Bongo ü Spotted hyena ü 4x4 Drives ü Birding ü Western sitatunga ü Red river hog ü Swimming in Likeni River ü Cycling On Serval ü African grey parrot ü Savannah sundowners ü Chimpanzees ü Great blue turaco ü Page: 4 of 7

5 Odzala Discovery Camps Lango Camp Republic of the Congo Lango Camp is in the south-central part of the Odzala-Kokoua National Park, allowing easy access to a variety of habitats. There are 6 double rooms in camp all built on 3- to 4-meter stilts overlooking the Lango Baï. The rooms are constructed of natural materials including locally woven raffia palm panels. Rooms are connected by a series of raised walkways creating a treehouse-like atmosphere. There is a dining, lounge and area overlooking the baï, as well as a star deck where guests can relax and enjoy pre-dinner drinks or spend days watching the wildlife in front of camp. CAMP FACILITIES ROOM FACILITIES Number of rooms 6 Electricity 220V Extra beds Bath Maximum guests 12 Plugs SA & European ü Standing fans ü Indoor shower ü Fenced Private dinners Wi-Fi Air-conditioning Outdoor shower on Mosquito nets ü Separate WC Check in N/A Swimming pool Private deck ü Hairdryer Check out N/A Spa facilities In-room safe Lango Camp Activities & Game Viewing Highlights safe Laundry included ü* Main activities focus on the baï, some driving may be required to get to more remote places. River activities involve wading through streams and baïs. Adventure trails along the edges of forested areas give insights into the arboreal world. Look out for hyena, aardvark and serval on savannah game drives by day and night. Baï walks ü Bird watching ü Forest buffalo ü Western sitatunga ü Wading ü Kayaking ü Forest elephant ü Red river hog ü Swimming in the baï ü Savannah sundowners ü Flocks of green pigeon ü Giant forest hog ü Adventure trails ü 4x4 drives ü Flocks of African grey parrot ü Pygmy hippo ü Observation deck ü Bongo ü Otters ü Harnessed bushbuck ü Guereza Colobus monkey ü Forest duiker ü Putty-nosed monkey ü Spotted hyena ü Grey-cheeked mangabey ü Great blue turaco ü Butterflies ü Dwarf kingfisher ü Page: 5 of 7

6 Sangha Lodge Central African Republic Located 5 kilometres from the Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve, Sangha Lodge is situated on the banks of the Kadei River. The lodge consists of 7 well-appointed bungalows; 5 are stand-alone with en-suite bathroom and 2 with a shared bathroom (bungalow 4 and 5). The area has a well-stocked that always has cold beers and drinks. A small kitchen produces simple yet tasty Western and African foods. LODGE FACILITIES Number of rooms 7 ROOM FACILITIES Electricity European plugs ü Extra beds Bath Maximum guests 14 Wi-Fi limited ü Standing fans ü Indoor shower ü Mobile service Air-conditioning Outdoor shower Fenced Private dinners Mosquito nets ü Separate WC Check in N/A Swimming pool Private deck Hairdryer Check out N/A Spa facilities In-room safe Laundry included ü* Sangha Lodge Activities & Game Viewing Highlights The river and birding experiences are dynamic and engaging and guests may enjoy a cultural opportunity of witnessing the indigenous Ba Aka (pygmies) practicing traditional net hunting, hut building and collecting medicinal plants. Visits to the Dzanga Baï with the abundance of forest elephant, red river hog and bongo are always a treat or take a hike the waterfalls and the valley of the giants. Dzanga Baï visit ü Gorilla tracking ü Forest elephant ü Mangabey monkeys ü Ba Aka experience ü Mangabey tracking ü Pangolin ü Western lowland gorillas ü Valley of Giants ü Palm wine experience ü Bongo ü Chimpanzees ü Waterfall hike ü River cruises ü Red River Hog ü Guereza Colobus monkey ü Baï walks in the park ü Forest trails around camp ü Otters ü Birds (over 411 species) ü Page: 6 of 7

7 Travel Information OPERATING SEASON Open all year WEATHER The climate is tropical, with a relatively heavy rainfall during certain periods of the year. The average minimum temperature is 20 C, while the average maximum temperature is 32 C. Average Annual Rainfall (mm) RAINFALL Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Odzala-Kokoua National Park Dzanga-Sangha National Park During the wetter months, tropical rainstorms contrast with sustained periods of clear blue skies and beautiful light for photography. Jan - Mar Apr - Jun Jul - Sep Oct - Dec TEMPERATURE Average day 34 C / 94 F 32 C / 90 F 30 C / 86 F 32 C / 88 F Average night 18 C / 65 F 22 C / 72 F 21 C / 70 F 20 C / 68 F Ngaga Camp Mboko Camp Lango Camp Sangha Lodge GPS COORDINATES Latitude ºN ºN ºN ºN Longitude ºE ºE ºE ºE MALARIA YELLOW FEVER VACCINATIONS CURRENCY TRAVEL VISA Yes protection recommended. Please seek advice from your health care professional. Yellow fever vaccination records required for both the Republic of the Congo and Central African Republic. For gorilla viewing, a medical requirements form must be completed by the guest s doctor to confirm that they are free from measles, polio and tuberculosis, and in good health. Euro, US Dollar & Central Africa Franc are accepted in Brazzaville and Odzala Discovery Camps. Please note US Dollar notes from before 2009 are not accepted in the Republic of the Congo. Euro and Central African Franc are accepted at Sangha Lodge. There are no credit card facilities at Odzala Discovery Camps or Sangha Lodge. Required. Congo Conservation Company will provide guests with a letter of invitation to the Republic of the Congo (RoC), which must be presented to the nearest RoC embassy to obtain a travel visa prior to arrival. An access authorisation document is required before obtaining a visa on arrival into Central African Republic (CAR). The visa is then included in the border control formalities and services charge and a Congo Conservation Company representative will assist with all customs between the RoC and CAR. Page: 7 of 7