CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC AND CAMEROON

Dzanga Sangha Reserve and Baka pygmies

Duration: 14 days / 13 nights

Best season to travel: from November to July

Fitness level required: average

SHORT DESCRIPTION

We propose a trip that combines two amazing countries that are safe, extremely diverse, and still virgin! Fly to Bangui, the capital of Central African Republic, and be driven to Dzanga-Sangha Reserve. The Dzangha-Sangha is a jewel in the crown of the Northwestern Congolian Lowland Forest Ecoregion. The reserve is home to one of the largest intact forest elephant populations in Africa, western lowland gorillas, 16 out of the 20 primate species that live in the country, hundreds of birds and thousands of plant species.

From this protected area, cross to Cameroon to meet the Baka pygmies, the last nomadic hunter-gatherers in Central Africa. After spending one night with this traditional people, move to the Cameroonian coast. End up this adventure on the white-sand beaches of Kribi before returning home.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS: Bangui, Sangha and the Oubangui Rivers- DzangaSangha National Park- western lowland gorillas, mangabeys, forest elephants- BakaBantu culture- and the beaches in Kribi.

ITINERARY:

Day 1:Paris- Bangui
Arrival in Bangui where a guide will welcome you. Transfer to the hotel and supper (at the hotel or restaurant in the city). Accommodation at Azimut or Somba Hotel. B&B
Day 2: Bangui- Oubangui river- Bangui
Breakfast. Tour around the most interesting areas of the city: crafts art centre, colonial constructions, etc.. Excursion by canoe along the Oubangui River (lunch on board included). Accommodation at Azimut or Somba Hotel. HB
Day 3: Bangui- Boda (6-7h)
Breakfast. Departure to Boda. Nice jungle and rural scenery along the way. Walk around Boda village, sit in a bar with the local people and have a drink to observe how central-african people live. Accommodation at Boda hostel (very simple). B&B
Day 4:Boda- DzangaSangha Reserve (6-7h)
Early breakfast and departure to Bayanga, the last town before DzangaSangha Reserve. Stay at Sangha Lodge, a really beautiful rustic accommodation made of local materials and an excellent view to the forested banks of the Sangha River. It has a modern toilet, hot water, and provides good services, cold drinks and food. Accommodation at Sangha Lodge, owned by a South-African specialised in ornithology. FB
Day 5:DzangaSangha National Park
Early breakfast. Introduction to the Kingdom of western gorillas. Thanks to the help of the Baka guides, clients will be able to get close to a gorilla family that is habituated to human presence. In early 1990’s, a gorilla research station was placed next to the BaiHokou clearing. Every day, observation teams study these animals at ever decreasing distances. It takes 2-hour drive by 4x4 from the Lodge to BaiHokou and 1-2 hour walk (approx.) to meet the gorillas. In the afternoon, visitors will be searching a group of lively mangabeys- they can be up to 200 and even 300! It takes (approx.) an hour walk to find these primates. Accommodation at Sangha Lodge. FB
Day 6:DzangaSangha National Park- DzangaBai.
Breakfast at the lodge in front of the Sangha River. It is an amazing experience to reach the Dzangabai (clearing) where you can often observe between 50 and 100 forest elephants that meet in this area to consume the mineral-rich soil, an unique opportunity to study their social behaviour. It takes 45 min drive plus 45 min by foot to arrive to Dzangabai. Bongos, sitatungas, forest buffaloes and many bird species can also be observed in the Dzangabai. Accommodation at Sangha Lodge. FB
Day 7:DzangaSangha National Park
Breakfast. Day to explore other parts of the Reserve. Boat trip down Sangha River and visit a Bayanga village (wooden houses, fisherman’s lifestyle, drinking bars, little shops, etc). After this visit, return to the lodge and time for lunch. In the afternoon, time to relax or have a walk around. This day is also reserved in case an activity such as the visit to gorillas or mangabeys cannot be done on the allocated days due to external conditions. Accommodation at Sangha Lodge. FB
Day 8:Bayanga – Lidjombo – Libongo– SalaPoumbe – Baka camp
After breakfast, departure from Sangha Lodge by pirogue (3 hrs) or 4x4 (2h drive). Cross the Sangha River by pirogue (15 min ride) to reach Cameroon, and from Libongo village be driven by 4x4 to SalaPoumbé, a small Bantu village along the road to Yokadouma. From SalaPoumbé, you will walk to one of the hunters and gatherers Baka Pygmies camps. Walking tour (1h approx.) through the tropical forest. Get to know their lifestyle, habits and culture and have an opportunity to participate in the collection of medicinal plants, honey and other interesting elements from the forest. Accommodation in tents at the Baka camp. FB
Day 9:SalaPoumbe – Yokadouma- Bertoua (or Lomie)(approx. 8h).
Breakfast with the Bakas in the middle of the forest, an amazing experience!. Continuation to Yokadouma and then to Bertoua, capital of Eastern Cameroon. This area resembles the ‘Far West’, it has colonial towns, crowded with new settlers, some confused pygmies in the middle of the street and timber lorries. Accommodation at Cristiana Hotel or similar. B&B
Day 10: Bertoua- Ayos- Yaoundé(6h aprox).
Breakfast. Drive to Yaoundé, the political capital of Cameroon. Few stops along the way to visit some local markets and other interesting landmarks. City tour in Yaoundé. Accommodation at Azur Hotel or similar. B&B
Day 11: Yaoundé- Edea- Kribi (4h)
Breakfast and departure to Kribi, a Cameroonian seaside destination. City tour visiting some interesting colonial heritage sites. Accommodation at the hotel and relax on the beach. In the evening, you can visit the city centre where you can find many dancing bars. Accommodation at Tara Plage Hostel or similar (in front of the beach). B&B
Day 12: Kribi
Breakfast. Morning walk along the beach to the Lobé Waterfalls. Free day to relax at the beach or visit some fishing communities along the beach. Kribi has an interesting offer of seafood restaurants where visitors can enjoy the famous Cameroonian shrimps or 'camarones'. Accommodation at Tara Plage Hostel or similar. B&B
Day 13: Kribi- Douala- Paris
Breakfast and relax on the beach. After lunch, transfer to Douala. Final shopping at the handicraft centre. Transfer to the airport.
Au revoir le Cameroun!

Day 14: RRIVAL HOME

END OF OUR SERVICES

Contact: Joan Riera. Manager. Anthropologist and African Tourism Expert

Email:

Phone: +34 935.174.917 / 637.814.624Skype:middle.africa