Experts in H igh Quality Services in a complex part of Africa
The Green Abyss - 8 days
ECO-ETHNOGRAPHIC TOUR IN CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
(+34) 935 174 917 / (+34) 637 814 624 / info@thehiddenafrica.com / www.thehiddenafrica.com
Experts in H igh Quality Services in a complex part of Africa Nature safaris in virgin territories • Photography trips in West and Central Africa Bird-watching tours in the best spots in Africa • Ethnographic expeditions to remote tribal areas
The Green Abyss - 8 days
ECO-ETHNOGRAPHIC TOUR IN CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
We propose a trip to the best place to spot Western Lowland Gorillas, Bongos, and Forest Elephants in the heart of Africa. We fly to Bangui, capital of Central African Republic, and we drive with a 4x4 to Bayanga, the last ‘urban’ centre before entering Dzanga-Sangha, kingdom of the Silverback Gorilla and the Baka Pygmies. Dzangha-Sangha Reserve is the jewel in the crown of the Sangha Tri-National Park in the North-western Congolian Lowland Forest Eco-region. The Reserve is home to one of the African continent’s largest intact forest
elephant populations, western lowland gorillas, 16 of the country’s 20 primate species, hundreds of bird species and thousands of plant species. This protected area has been recently named (2012) a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Education, Science, and Cultural Organization, UNESCO. This is the first World Heritage site that spans three nations, the Sangha Tri-National Protected Area complex covers 10,000 square miles (25,000 km2) stretching across the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville), Cameroon, and the Central African Republic.
TRAVEL HIGHLIGHTS:
Bangui and the Oubangui river, Dzanga Sangha National Park, Western Lowland Gorillas, Mangabeys, Forest elephants, Sangha river, and Baka & Bantu culture.
(+34) 935 174 917 / (+34) 637 814 624 / info@thehiddenafrica.com / www.thehiddenafrica.com
y r a r e n i t I Day 1 (Wednesday):-----Paris - Bangui
Day 2: --------------------Bangui - Boda
Day 3: --------------------Boda - Bayanga - Sangha Lodge Day 4: --------------------Sangha Lodge - Dzanga Bai
Day 5: --------------------Sangha Lodge - Western Lowland Gorillas + mangabeys Day 6: --------------------Sangha Lodge - Activities with the Baka pygmies Day 7: --------------------Sangha Lodge - Boda
Day 8: --------------------Boda – Bangui – Canoe tour - Bangui Day 9 (Thursday): -------Bangui-France
(+34) 935 174 917 / (+34) 637 814 624 / info@thehiddenafrica.com / www.thehiddenafrica.com
The Green Abyss
8 days ECO-ETHNOGRAPHIC TOUR IN CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
Day 1
PARIS - BANGUI
International flight via Paris to Bangui. Arrival in Bangui where the English-speaking guide will welcome you. Transfer to the hotel and supper (in hotel or in a restaurant in the city) Accommodation in Hotel Azimut or Somba Hotel
Day 02
BANGUI – BODA (6h) Early breakfast.
We leave the capital and we drive into the wild Central African interior. On the way to Boda we will cross small villages of AdamwaUbangui speakers dedicated to subsitance agriculture and small hunting. Arrival at Boda town and transfer to the hostel (best option in this remote bush town). Accommodation in the Boda hostel (very simple) B&B
Day 03
BODA – DZANGA SANGHA RESERVE (7 min) Early breakfast.
From Boda we continue to Bayanga, last town before Dzanga Sangha Reserve.
Long drive to this former logging town now oriented towards subsistence agriculture, small hunting, some mining, and ecotourism. The people living in the region are Bantu speaking groups, Baka Pygmies (semi-nomadic), and migrant loggers from up North. We reach to Sangha Lodge, a rustic lodge really beautiful made of local materials, with a modern toilet, hot water, good services and food, cold drinks and an excellent view of the forested banks of the Sangha River. Accommodation at Sangha Lodge FB
Day 04
DZANGA SANGHA NATIONAL PARK DZANGA BAI Breakfast in the lodge in front of the Sangha River
One of the major experiences is to reach (45 min drive plus 45 min walk) the Dzanga bai (clearing) where one can often observe between 50 and 100 forest elephants that come to consume the mineral-rich soil, giving an opportunity to study their social behaviour. Other animals that can be observed in the Dzanga bai are: bongos, sitatungas, forest buffaloes and many bird species Accommodation at Sangha Lodge FB
(+34) 935 174 917 / (+34) 637 814 624 / info@thehiddenafrica.com / www.thehiddenafrica.com
Day 05
DZANGA SANGHA N.P. - WESTERN LOWLAND GORILLA AND MANGABEY TREKK Early morning breakfast
This day we will be introduced to the western gorilla’s realm Thanks to the help of the Baka guides we’ll be able to get near to one of the gorilla families habituated to the presence of humans Since early 1990’s, next to the Bai Hokou clearing can be found a gorilla research station where observation teams follow these animals daily at ever decreasing distances. From 2001, the first
found in the forests around the Sangha Tri-National Park: Central African Republic, Congo-Brazzaville, and Cameroon. We get to know their life style habits and culture and have an opportunity and participate in the collecting of medicinal plants, honey and other interesting things of the forest. Accommodation at Sangha Lodge FB
Day 07
BAYANGA – BODA (7h)
Departure from Sangha Lodge after breakfast
group could be visited by tourists
Drive with the 4x4 vehicle to Boda.
In the afternoon we’ll search a group of agile mangabeys (they
Stop along the way in small Bantu villages and have a fresh
can be up to 200 and even 300!) habituated to the presence of
(maybe cold if you’re lucky) beer in Boda’s town centre.
visitors.
Accommodation in the Boda hostel (very simple)
2h with 4x4 vehicles from the Lodge to Bai Hokou and about
B&B
1-2h –aprox.- walk to meet gorillas. For the mangabeys about
Day 08
1h –aprox.- to find them Accommodation at Sangha Lodge FB
Day 06
DZANGA SANGHA N.P. – BAKA PYGMIES
BODA – BANGUI (6h)
Breakfast and drive to Bangui We will reach the capital around mid-day. Transfer to the hotel. Canoe ride along the Oubangui River in the afternoon.
Breakfast
Accommodation in Hotel Azimut or Somba Hotel
If the first 2 days inside the protected area have been oriented
Day 09
towards fauna observation, this day is more anthropological. We will be guided to one of the Baka Pygmy settlements near the Park to get to know this aboriginal culture that thanks to the creation of the Sangha Tri-National Park has a brighter future. The Baka depend on the forest in all senses: Ejengi, or Mother Jungle, offers food, medical plants, and shelter. Without the tropical forest the Baka culture would become extinct. The Baka are also known as Bayaka or Ba’Aka and can be
BANGUI - PARIS Breakfast
Morning transfer to the airport. Departure of the AF flight to Paris. Au revoir la Centrafrique!
END OF OUR SERVICES
(+34) 935 174 917 / (+34) 637 814 624 / info@thehiddenafrica.com / www.thehiddenafrica.com
SERVICES INCLUDED
Transport during all the route (with driver, gasoline
SERVICES NOT INCLUDED
International flight
and toll gates)
Domestic air taxes (15 â‚Ź)
English speaking guide (*)
Food not specified in the tour
Local guides in the Reserves
Drinks and bottled mineral water
Canoe in the Oubangui River
Visa (120 â‚Ź)
Lodging (bed and breakfast, and half or full board
where indicated)
All tickets for the Dzanga-Sangha Reserve
Excursions to the Dzanga Bai (1 day), to search
gorillas and mangabeys (1 day)
Activities with the Baka Pygmies
(+34) 935 174 917 / (+34) 637 814 624 / info@thehiddenafrica.com / www.thehiddenafrica.com
NOTES
(*) Guide: A member of The Hidden Africa team will receive the clients in Bangui and stay with them until they departure from Bangui. A driver will take the clients from Bangui to Dzanga-Sangha. Inside Dzanga-Sangha Reserve the clients will have a local guide that will accompany them to visit the animals and to meet the Baka Pygmies. -There is laundry service at Sangha Lodge. -Meals will be offered in Sangha Lodge’s restaurant or in form of pic-nic during the excursions. - Dzanga Sangha Reserve can be visited all year around though the best season is from November to July. Heavy rains in September and October. - Middle-Africa can take care of the clients’ C.A.R. Visa but a scanned copy of the client’s passport is required. -The following items are useful to bring with you: a pair of robust (walking) shoes, sandals are likewise useful, if possible made of a quick-drying material (rubber or plastic), shorts and trousers, a strongly built long-sleeved shirt (to protect against the mosquitoes and lianas), t-shirts, a duffle bag or small back-pack for excursions in the forest. insect repellent (cedar oil, Autan) is recommended for the evenings, rain gear may be needed even in the dry season. -No telephone network from Boda up to Bayanga. There is the possibility to call at 2€ / minute from a satellite phone in Bayanga (but not always in working). -Electricity in Bayanga, Sangha Lodge, and most parts of C.A.R. is powered by generator.
(+34) 935 174 917 / (+34) 637 814 624 / info@thehiddenafrica.com / www.thehiddenafrica.com
Experts in H igh Quality Services in a complex part of Africa (+34) 935 174 917 / (+34) 637 814 624 / info@thehiddenafrica.com / www.thehiddenafrica.com