The Congo: Gorillas of the Rainforest

11-Day Trip
Martin Gregus

with Martin Gregus

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Table of Contents
Guided trip

The Story

The Congo Basin is one of the last great rainforests on Earth. It is older, denser and far less travelled than the safari landscapes most people know. Here, the wildlife is not lined up on open plains. It is hidden in green shadow, heard before it is seen, revealed slowly to those willing to move at the forest's pace.

Join multi award-winning wildlife photographer Martin Gregus on a 10-night journey through Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Republic of the Congo, one of Central Africa's most important rainforest wildernesses. This expedition follows Kamba's classic Odzala route, moving between Ngaga, Lango and Mboko lodges, each revealing a different side of the forest.

At Ngaga, the focus is western lowland gorillas. Three gorilla tracking permits are included, with expert guides and trackers leading small groups into closed-canopy forest where habituated gorilla groups move, feed and rest. Between tracks, forest ecology walks, nocturnal safaris and time with the local guiding team begin to open up the rainforest in a different way.

From there, the journey moves to Lango Bai and the waterways around Mboko: kayaking the Lekoli River, walking through bai, forest and savanna, searching for forest elephants, buffalo, monkeys, birds, bongo, hippos and the traces of animals you may never see directly but will feel everywhere around you.

With Martin beside you, this becomes more than rare wildlife access. It is a chance to learn how to observe patiently, work with low light and dense forest, and create images in one of the most complex ecosystems on the planet.

Ten nights. Three Kamba lodges. Three gorilla tracks. Limited to just 8 guests. One of Africa’s least understood wild places.

The Highlights

• 10-night Odzala-Kokoua rainforest expedition
• Stay at three remote Kamba lodges: Ngaga, Lango and Mboko
• Forest ecology walks, night drives, kayaking, and river cruises
• Three gorilla tracking experiences with expert local guides and trackers
• Elephants, buffalo, bongo, monkeys and rare birdlife
• Guided by wildlife photographer Martin Gregus

More Than a Trip

The Congo rewards a different kind of traveller. You don't come here for predictable sightings or polished safari theatre. You come because the forest still feels alive in a way few places do.

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11 Days, 10 Nights

The Congo: Gorillas of the Rainforest

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“I have had the almost unparalleled privilege to experience iconic wildlife in a way few people have ever had."

- Martin Gregus

Meet Your Guide

Why Travel With Martin?

Martin Gregus grew up in Bratislava, Slovakia, in a household full of artists. He learned photography from his father and was exploring local wildlife with a camera before most kids had decided what they wanted to do with their lives. The hundreds of National Geographic magazines stacked around his home did the rest.

Nineteen years later, his work has taken him across all seven continents and some of the most remote ecosystems on the planet. He has earned two wins and two nominations at Wildlife Photographer of the Year, and his 2022 polar bear project, 33 Days Among the Bears, became an international story after National Geographic coverage. His cinematography has since contributed to productions for Disney, BBC, and Netflix.

Now based in Canada, Martin is recognised internationally for his work in polar regions and remote wilderness, and for his ability to create extraordinary images in some of the most extreme environments on earth.

What Sets Martin Apart
  • Nearly two decades of expedition work across the planet's most extreme environments: Arctic, Antarctic, Patagonia, and the Himalayas
  • A network of expert local guides and trackers in each destination, built over years of repeat fieldwork, giving guests access that cannot be replicated
  • Technical mastery developed in the harshest conditions on earth: polar ice, high altitude, dense wilderness, and open ocean
  • A teaching approach grounded in patience and preparation, with a belief that the best wildlife images are earned, not stumbled upon

20+

Years Experiences

200+

Global Expeditions

730k+

Followers

What Fuels Martin

"When you're standing on polar ice at sunrise, you don't need convincing that this planet is worth protecting."

It started in a living room in Slovakia, surrounded by his father's photographs and stacks of National Geographic. That childhood wonder never faded. It grew into a drive to reach the most remote corners of the planet and bring back images that make people care. For Martin, every expedition carries a purpose: show people what's out there, so they want to protect it.

Day By Day

Your Itinerary

Day

1

Brazzaville to Ngaga Lodge

Begin with Kamba airport assistance and the scheduled charter flight to Odzala. From Mboko Airstrip, transfer by open 4x4 through savanna and rainforest to Ngaga Lodge. That evening, meet the guiding team for a conservation and gorilla tracking briefing.

Day

2-4

Gorilla Tracking at Ngaga

Three western lowland gorilla permits are included. Tracks are led by expert guides and trackers through the closed-canopy forest around Ngaga. Between tracks, join ecology walks, nocturnal safaris, night drives, village visits on request and photography sessions with Martin.

Day

5

Ngaga to Lango Bai

After breakfast and a final forest morning, travel through Odzala-Kokoua National Park toward the waterways. Continue by kayak along the Lekoli River, watching for monkeys, forest buffalo, elephants and birdlife before arriving at Lango Lodge.

Day

6-7

Lango Bai

Explore Lango's wetlands, bai and surrounding forest on foot and by water. Walk elephant trails through streams and forest clearings, watch for green pigeons, forest buffalo, bongo and shy forest elephants, and listen for chimps in the distance.

Day

8

Lango to Mboko

Begin with an early walk before transferring to Mboko Lodge, where forest, savanna and river meet. After lunch, enjoy a forest walk, time on the river deck or a late afternoon river cruise.

Day

9-10

Rivers, Forest and Savanna

Walk, boat and kayak through some of Odzala's most varied habitats. Search for birdlife, forest elephants, buffalo, monkeys, spotted hyenas, bongo and hippos, then return to quiet evenings by the Lekeni River.

Day

11

Return to Brazzaville

Final breakfast at Mboko, then a game drive back through the savanna to the airstrip for your Kamba charter flight to Brazzaville. The team coordinates your return so the logistics feel calm, with the included Brazzaville city tour scheduled around the group routing.

You leave with the forest still in your ears, memory cards full of green shadow and rare encounters, and the feeling that the Congo will take a while to fully land once you’re home.

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Guest Review

The Congo

"To be in the presence of a unique visionary like Martin Gregus and be welcomed into his home away from home in the middle of nowhere is truly a once in a lifetime event right up there with getting married or having a child."

- Anne Prather, United States

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FAQ

Have Questions?

What's included

• 10 nights Kamba lodge accommodation
• 4 nights at Ngaga Lodge
• 3 nights at Lango Lodge
• 3 nights at Mboko Lodge
• Scheduled Kamba charter flights between Brazzaville and Odzala
• 3 western lowland gorilla tracking permits
• Guided gorilla tracking with expert local guides and trackers
• Guided rainforest, bai, river and savanna activities
• Kayaking, river cruises, forest ecology walks, night drives and birding
• All meals, snacks, tea, coffee, filtered water and soft drinks at Kamba lodges
• House wines, local beer and selected spirits
• Laundry and WiFi where available
• Road transfers within Odzala
• Brazzaville airport assistance
• Half-day Brazzaville city tour with lunch
• Letter of Invitation for Republic of the Congo entry
• Medical evacuation, Odzala park fees, community and conservation levy
• Photography guidance with Martin Gregus
• Dedicated Airguides expedition leader

Final itineraries are determined by guides based on daily weather, conditions and other factors.

What's not included

• International flights to and from Brazzaville
• Republic of the Congo visa and passport fees
• Brazzaville hotel accommodation unless arranged separately
• Private luxury vehicle transfers in Brazzaville
• Travel insurance
• Tips and gratuities
• Personal expenses
• Imported spirits, connoisseur wines and champagne
• Mboko spa treatment
• Additional gorilla permits or optional activities
• Any extra transfers, meals, drinks or services not listed in the inclusions

Wildlife encounters are never guaranteed, but this itinerary is built around expert local knowledge, habituated gorilla groups and time across three different rainforest ecosystems.

What level of fitness is required?

Moderate to good. You should be comfortable walking in warm, humid and sometimes muddy rainforest conditions. Activities are guided and adapted to the group, but gorilla tracking and bai walks can involve uneven ground, wet areas and time on foot.

Can I do this trip if I’m not a photographer?

Yes. The expedition focuses on wildlife and landscape - the photography is layered on top, not the foundation. Martin's masterclasses and editing sessions are there for anyone who wants them, but guests who simply want to be in one of the wildest places on earth and experience all it has to offer are also welcome.

Do I need a visa?

Yes. Most travellers need a visa for the Republic of the Congo. Kamba provides a Letter of Invitation, and a passport copy is required at least 8 weeks before departure. Travellers should apply at least 4 weeks before travel.

Is there a single supplement for solo travellers?

Yes. Solo travellers can request a private room for an additional fee. We may also be able to pair solo travellers in shared rooms on a first-come-first-served basis. Contact us for details and availability.

Can I speak to someone about this trip or get help with flights?

Yes. Our team can help with flight options and travel routing. Call, text or WhatsApp us at +61 402 552 918. You'll speak directly with an Airguides team member who knows this trip inside out. We're here for any questions, big or small, from planning your adventure to arriving back home.

Reviews

What They Say About Us?

Airguides were exceptional hosts for our Raja Ampat liveaboard dive trip. Seamless, professional and incredibly well organised from start to finish. A special mention to Brooke and Prashanti Pyke for their warmth, expertise and attention to detail. They truly made the experience unforgettable.

Highly recommend Airguides.

Adam McKnight, Raja 2025

A truly unique experience that you will cherish for the rest of your life.

This experience is not for the faint of heart or someone who is looking for Instagram moments for clout. You are being given a unique opportunity to go to a place that will only be accessible to a handful of mere mortals.

To be in the presence of a unique visionary like Martin Gregus is truly a once in a lifetime.

Anne Prather, Fireweeds 2025

The Airguides trip to Tonga to swim with humpback whales was the experience of a lifetime. I have traveled all over the world, and nothing compares to being in the wild, rustic, deep blue waters of the South Pacific while interacting with whales and their calves. A wonderful and caring team made our adventures stress free.

Mb Myers, Tonga 2024