The Republic of Central Africa (RCA) is a country with staggering rare natural beauty and some of the world’s most amazing wildlife. It’s one of the best places in Africa for encounters with forest elephant and lowland gorillas, and the best places in the world, some say, to see butterflies. It’s also one of the most impoverished and least developed countries on the continent.
The Republic of Central Africa is a landlocked nation within the interior of the African continent. It is bordered by the countries of Cameroon, Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo.
Much of the Republic of Central African consists of flat, or rolling plateau savanna, typically about 500 metres (1,640ft) above sea level. Covering some 618,135 km², the Republic of Central African (RCA) has dry ‘Sudan’ savanna in the north of the country. At its centre there is a band of wetter ‘Guinea’ savanna. In the south are a mosaic of farms, secondary grasslands and rainforests. Heading still further southwest, into the distinctive ‘V’ shaped base of the country, close to the borders of the Republic of Congo and Cameroon exists two blocks of continuous lowland tropical rainforest covering 40,200 km² and swamp. From the sandstone Ubangui Plateau, waters flow south to the Congo and north to basins in Chad and Lake Chad itself. In the south west, where the Sangha River flows close to the Republic of Congo, in the Sangha-Mbaere prefecture, exists a truly unique and special expanse of rainforest. This is the world of the Dzanga-Ndoki National Park. The 122,000-ha area and the adjacent faunal reserves are part of a tri-national park project with Cameroon and Congo. This protected area has gained international importance and it contains the last unlogged forest and intact fauna in the country. Two thirds of the country lies in the basins of the Ubangi River, which flows south into the Congo River, while the remaining third lies in the basin of the Chari River, which flows north into Lake Chad.
RCA has four national parks with fantastic natural attractions, and it is hoped that they can be the key to successful sustainable tourism for the country. Features include Chutes De Boali; waterfalls of a height of 50m (164ft) near the capital city Bangui, primate safaris with gorilla watching, elephants and buffaloes as well as pristine rainforests in untouched settings. In the southwest, Dzanga-Sangha National Park is located in a rain forest area and has gorillas and elephants. The Ba’Aka people live in this area. Bayanga beside the Sangha River is the main village near to the national park. The country is noted for its population of forest elephants and western lowland gorillas. In the north, the Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park is well-populated with wildlife, including leopards, lions, cheetahs and rhinos, and the Bamingui-Bangoran National Park is located in the northeast of RCA. The parks have been seriously affected by the activities of poachers, particularly those from Sudan, over the past two decades.
The Republic of Central Africa is home to many different species from the beautiful blue headed doves to the sleek and slender serval. In the savannah regions you can find lions, cheetahs, leopards, baboons, antelope, buffalo, and other species of insects, amphibians and reptiles. In the dense Congo jungle you can find the smaller forest elephants, lowland gorillas, chimpanzees, leopards, and other primates. Located in the rivers you cannot forget the crocodiles, hippos and large variety of fish species.
Dzanga-Sangha National Park
In the midst of the ravaging armed conflict which tore The Republic of Central Africa apart, elephants, gorillas, leopards and chimpanzees found safety in an extraordinary place: Dzanga Sangha, a true natural sanctuary for the emblematic species of the Congo Basin. Hidden in the middle of the tropical forest, this World Heritage Site endured and prevailed, thanks in great part to the continuous technical and financial support WWF provided to the eco-guards protecting the park. This is the story of those who made it possible for Dzanga Sangha to triumph and recently – on July 1, 2014 – reopen for tourists.
Situated in the Northern part of the Congo basin, the Dzanga Sangha Protected Areas (APDS) are internationally known for their beautiful rainforests, host to a remarkable diversity of wildlife, comprising western lowland gorillas, forest elephants, bongo antelopes, forest buffalos and a multitude of bird species. Furthermore, a rich local culture, comprising the Sangha Sangha fishermen as well as hunting and gathering Ba’Aka, are present in the area. Apart from conservation and local development efforts, Dzanga Sangha operates as an eco-tourism and research centre.
The Dzanga Bai
Nestled in the extreme southwestern corner of the country between Cameroon and the Congos, the Dzanga Bai is the Republic of Central Africa’s major natural attraction and enticing area for tourists to visit, fully capturing the remarkably unspoilt and pristine beauty that the destination has to offer. One of Africa’s best kept secrets, the park forms part of the wider Sangha Tri-National Park, which was established in 1990 and covers an incredible 6,865 miles of virgin rainforest. The park is home to an astonishing array of biodiversity, with the forest elephant population particularly healthy and presenting the best opportunity to track western lowland gorillas in Africa.
Dzanga Bai is a Garden of Eden; a clearing in the middle of nowhere, with a tree platform where large herds of up to 200 Forest Elephant (especially bulls in musth ready to fight and looking for fertile females) and other species, such as sitatunga, bongo, leopard, red forest buffalo and western lowland gorilla, come to drink, feed, search for salt and socialize. It is quite an amazing spectacle for even the most seasoned African traveller.
About the Western Lowland Gorilla
Western lowland gorillas are endangered, but they remain far more common than their relatives, the mountain gorillas. They live in heavy rain forests, and it is difficult for scientists to accurately estimate how many survive in Cameroon, the Republic of Central Africa, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Western lowland gorillas tend to be a bit smaller than their mountain cousins. They also have shorter hair and longer arms. Gorillas can climb trees, but are usually found on the ground in communities of up to 30 individuals. These troops are organized according to fascinating social structures. Troops are led by one dominant, older adult male, often called a silverback because of the swath of silver hair that adorns his otherwise dark fur.
About the Forest Elephants
Forest elephants differ in several ways from the savannah elephants. Smaller in stature, forest elephant females average 2 meters in height and males 2.4 meters. Savannah elephants are at least 50 centimeters taller than the forest species for the two sexes. Forest elephant ivory is harder and differs in color from savannah ivory, making it the preferred material by artisans. Forest ivory is known as hot or pink ivory.
Socially forest elephants organize themselves into family groups consisting of adult females and their offspring. Groups observed in the clearing range from two to ten. The leader of these bigger groups is the matriarch, the oldest and most experienced female of the group. She leads the group and passes her knowledge on to the younger family members.
Elephants of different colors are observed at Dzanga and this is a result of mudbathing in different color clays found in the forest and in the bai. Elephant skin is naturally gray but elephants mud bathe to protect themselves against parasites and perhaps because it feels good. Entire elephant families are seen mud bathing on the edges of the clearing in its yellow clay.
Safari Overview
Journey to the rainforests of the remote Dzanga Sangha Reserve, on this pioneering safari to the Republic of Central Africa. Dzanga Sangha is one of the few places in the world where you can track habituated western lowland gorillas, and is also home to forest elephants and the elusive bongo antelope. Join the local Ba’Aka people as they hunt and gather medicinal herbs, and trek through the pristine rainforest in search of colourful birdlife and mangabey monkeys. This safari is perfect for adventurous travellers hoping to get off the beaten track for incredible wildlife experiences.
What makes this trip extraordinary?
- Track endangered western lowland gorillas in their natural habitat.
- Visit the Dzanga Bai to observe large herds of the elusive forest elephant.
- Experience the lifestyle of the Ba’Aka people on a net hunt.
- Trek through primary rainforest in search of unique wildlife.
- The biodiverse forests of Dzangha Sangha are home to the highest concentration of lowland gorillas and forest elephants in the world.
About Origins Safaris
At Origins Safaris we are passionate about wildlife, cultural heritage, adventure and exploration. We customize each and every safari to your personal requirements and expectations, ensuring an exclusive, unique and authentic experience every time.
Origins Safaris is a family business, founded in 1963 by Don and Margaret Turner. It is managed today by two subsequent generations of the family, and predominantly by Don’s son, Steve. We are so much more than just a travel broker – our years of experience, professionalism and reliability means that we go the all important extra mile, to make sure your dream safari is safe, memorable, educational and most of all great fun. We are renowned for our meticulous safari planning from start to finish, and the highest standards of natural history interpretation.
Origins Safaris provide that crucial “sound advice and impeccable service” so seldom found by other companies. We have 50+ years of authentic African safari experience and the know-how to make your trip run as smoothly as possible. Use our website (www.originsafaris.com) to find the trips that inspire you and add them to your bucket list. As you use the arrows to browse through the various countries we do safaris to, bear in mind that the further you go into the website the more adventurous, specialized and remote the trips become. We are offering you a lifetime of travel, beginning with the easiest and ending with the hardest as you find your Africa feet and wish to do more exciting trips.
Central Africa is the ultimate adventure experience. If you would like to travel to RCA and experience some or all of the amazing attractions highlighted above, please contact us on the following: https://originsafaris.com/dzanga-bai-rca/
Origins Safaris – Authentic African Experiences Since 1963
STEVE TURNER
SELEMPO EDWIN LESOINE
STANLEY KARITHI
ZACHARY METHU MBUTHIA
PETER LIECH ADEDE
FELIX WAMBUGU
JOSHUA SONKOYO
HENRY MIWANI
