Odzala-Kokoua National Park

Cuvette-Ouest & Sangha Regions, DR Congo

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Odzala-Kokoua National Park, located in the Cuvette-Ouest and Sangha regions of the Republic of Congo, is one of Africa's oldest and largest protected areas, covering about 13,500 square kilometers in the heart of the Congo Basin rainforest.

Established in 1935, it features diverse ecosystems including dense tropical rainforest, savanna, rivers, and marshy forest areas. The park is a critical habitat for endangered species such as western lowland gorillas, forest elephants, chimpanzees, bongos, and over 430 bird species. Known for its nutrient-rich forest clearings called baïs, Odzala-Kokoua is a rare site where visitors can observe a variety of wildlife congregating.

Managed in partnership with African Parks since 2010, it plays a key role in biodiversity conservation, local community engagement, and eco-tourism, offering guided treks, boat tours, and wildlife tracking experiences. Access is mostly by charter flights and the park has several lodges catering to eco-tourists and researchers.