Trip Report: Republic of Congo and Central African Republic Western Lowland Gorilla Safari

May 31 to June 12, 2008

This tour focused on seeing the only two habituated groups of western lowland gorillas in the world, one in the ROC's Nouabale-Ndoki National Park and the other in CAR's Dzanga-Ndoki National Park; as well as on forest elephant, densities of which are some of the world's highest in the Central African Republic. Dzanga-Ndoki has been open to visitors longer than Congo's Nouabale-Ndoki - all names of rivers by the way - but suffice it to say that the few hundred visitors a year which have made it thus far to the parks, primarily Europeans and South Africans, don't change their status much as the newest and most adventurous wildlife experience in Africa. If you come, you could definitely count yourself as among the first.

I have long followed the Central African exploits of J Michael Fay in the National Geographic Magazine beginning in the early 90s with his transects of the rainforests with Ba'aka (pygmie) guides and other local trackers. NGM's latest article on Nouabale was in January of this year on Kingo, the patriarch of the habituated gorilla family we trek to see at Mondika Camp. Kingo's habituation process took over seven years. As kingpin of the family, he was essential to the process; without his cooperation, his females wouldn't allow researchers to approach. In gorilla habituation, there is always the risk that the silverback will be toppled by a new and distrusting male who would then vanish into the forest with the women and children. Kingo, therefore, now benefits from the constant presence of researchers and visitors. A wild male will stay away out of fear of man's proximity. The researchers following Makumba and his family in CAR's Dzanga-Ndoki NP believe that their gorillas may be taking advantage of their protection by an increased pregnancy rate. (When a silverback is overthrown, the new male will kill babies sired by his predecessor.) An interesting observation in Makumba's group too is that one of their youngsters who was born under scientific scrutiny likes to walk upright. It is believed that he is copying us!

Please join me for this unique wildlife experience. For more information please request by email the document Information Congo Central African Republic Tour.

Please also see two new photo shows under Gallery on the website highlighting photos taken in Nouabale-Ndoki and Dzanga Bai National Parks: Dzanga Bai Elephants and Mbeli Basi Gorillas. www.mamatembotours.com/gallery.html

27-07-2008