Conservation and Gorilla Encounters in Congo

Bushmeat hunting and timber harvesting in the Congo Basin have significantly threatened the survival of the western lowland gorilla. These gorillas—the smaller, less shaggy relatives of mountain gorillas—inhabit lowland swamps, primary and secondary forests, and are classified as critically endangered.

Through primate research and gorilla trekking tourism, local communities around Odzala-Kokoua National Park have begun to recognize the importance of conservation. Tourism and research initiatives have created jobs and attracted investment, encouraging sustainable practices that benefit both people and wildlife. The park itself is a sanctuary for around 100 mammal species and hosts one of Africa’s most diverse primate populations.

Getting up close to a gorilla family, observing their social rituals, and gazing into their warm, intelligent eyes creates one of the most intimate and transformative wildlife experiences in Africa—truly a once-in-a-lifetime encounter.