UNTAMED NATURE AND GORILLAS

The Popular Republic of the Congo is a heavily forested oil-rich country where tourism is still in its infancy shoes, which can make it additionally interesting for intrepid travellers. Also known as “Congo Brazzaville”, in order to distinguish it from its giant eastern -and more unstable- neighbour “the Democratic Republic of Congo”, the country is trying to follow the model set up by Gabon and has started to take serious steps towards the protection of its tropical forests. Travellers will find a virgin country with a magnificent jungle where just a few humans have explored so far.


10 REASONS TO VISIT CONGO BRAZZAVILLE

1. The jewel of the crown is without doubt Nouabalé Ndoki National Park, in North-eastern Congo. It’s a major part of the Sangha Tri-National Park System, conformed by Dzanga-Noki National Park in the Central African Republic and the Lobeke National Park in Cameroon.
2. The Kongo tribal group gives name to this country and its rites of passage, where the young men cover their bodies in blue paint, are one of the most spectacular local traditions one can experience.
3. Not far from Nouabalé Ndoki National Park you can meet the last nomadic culture in Africa, the Babenzelé pygmies, also known as Baka.
4. Tchimpounga Primate Sanctuary was created by the Jane Goodall Institute in a jungle area not far from Congo’s economic capital, Pointe Noire. Its main aim is to rescue captivated chimps and release them into the wild again. This sanctuary can be visited and one can even actively participate in one of its local projects.
5. Tiger Fish Congo Camp: capture the biggest tiger fish in the world. The Camp record is 56 kg. The camp is located about 2 hours up the majestic Congo River. There is a clear river located 50 meters from the camp called the “Mai Pili” where you can practice harpoon and fly fishing
6. The Bateke Plateau, at the border with Gabon. This little-explored area of tropical savannahs is inhabited by the Bateke ethnic group, famous for its witchcraft and fetishes.
7. The French colonization left some interesting examples of colonial architecture in Brazzaville like the Basilique of St. Anne, the Charles de Gaulle House and the more recent Temple Mosque, distinguished by its architecture and reputation as the most important Muslim religious site in the city
8. Art lovers can search for well carved masks and statues at Libreville artisan market. Those ones looking for older objects should ask in the Kongo villages along the coast.
9. Oil-rich city Pointe Noire enjoys the benefit of the high international prices of the black gold! Interesting colonial architecture can be found at the railway station and the seashore avenue. There are many nice restaurants in the central area of the city where both Western and African dishes can be enjoyed.
10. Long, white sand beaches all along the Congolese coast invite to relax after some tough days in the country’s forested interior.