See Another Africa - Central Africa #2:

Central African Gorilla Safari and Cameroon x 18 nights

Facts:

• Departing from: Douala, Cameroon
• Transport: private 4 x 4 vehicle, motorized pirogue
• Accommodation: three star hotels; local hotels; research camps; simple tourist lodge. Camps in ROC's Nouabale-Ndoki National Park have limited room for guests, in some cases only four at a time.
• Adventure meter: off the meter
• Suitable for: adventurers; the physically fit; those prepared to rough it.
• When to go: You can visit the Central African Republic's and the Republic of Congo's habituated gorillas all year round, and elephants collect at Dzanga Bai daily in the CAR, but there are better times than others to visit. July through November, the rainy season just above the equator, is when river levels are high and it is easier to get around by pirogue. Cameroon's dry season is just beginning in late October, early November. I prefer the month of October.

Summary:

Accessing the Central African parks of Dzanga-Ndoki and Nouabale-Ndoki with their western lowland gorilla tracking through Cameroon is a good idea, since there are often issues arising in Brazzaville (in the ROC) with fuel shortages and flight cancellations. It doesn't mean that travel is any easier than going through Brazzaville. You must still travel overland from Douala to the parks, a three day journey each way on rough roads followed by local motorized pirogue ride. However, this allows you a look at West Africa too, not to mention Cameroon's most remote eastern province. Then there is the bonus of a relaxing three days at the end of the safari on one of Cameroon's finest stretches of beach – Kribi – only a few hours driving distance from Doula, your entry and exit point. Flights into Douala with Air France tend to be less expensive too than to Brazzaville.

Price: from $7050.00 USD pp. Includes: accommodation and full board; border formalities; bottled water; park entry fees; gorilla tracking permits and other activities in ROC and CAR national parks; airport transfers; transportation in 4 x 4 vehicles; all boat transfers. Excludes: international flights; visas to Cameroon, Central African Republic and the Republic of Congo; gratuities (a payment to be settled in advance before tour commences);alcoholic drinks; laundry.

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