The Nouabale Ndoki National Park in the Republic of Congo offers something special: it is an area with untouched forest (no lumbering) surrounded by swamps difficult to access by poachers, therefore providing a safe habitat for a wide range of animals. Here the principal activities are watching animals in the Bai, especially the lowland gorillas that are attracted here by their favourite food, a unique type of vegetation only found in and around this bai. Mbelli Bai also allows the unique opportunity to watch gorillas in their natural habitat and to learn more about their behaviour. 
Mbelli Bai also offers viewings of other species of mammals such as elephants, sitatunga, buffalo, red river hogs, otters, crocodiles, etc.
We will also spend two days tracking lowland gorillas - this is a fantastic experience as anyone who has been to Uganda or Rwanda to see mountain gorillas will know. There aren't too many people who get to see lowland gorillas as well though.
We finish this expedition by crossing the Congo River to the Democratic Republic of Congo and staying very close to Kinshasa, where we then spend four days with another of the seriously endangered great apes, the bonobos. If you saw our photographs in this month's December-January Wanderlust (see below) you will appreciate the charisma of these loving apes. We will spend pretty much all day for each of the four days viewing, photographing and in some cases holding and playing with the bonobos. Everyone who has been on this trip has fallen in love!
This trip offers the opportunity to see two magnificent endangered great ape species. The expedition is a real adventure and a lot of fun. There is not alot of time before the trip and there are visas to organise which tends to be a slow process. The expeditionis not inexpensive on account of these countries having poor tourist infrastructure. This of course does mean that you will get a genuine travel and wildlife experience, you will not meet tourist buses or indeed many other tourists on the expedition which makes for a magical trip of a lifetime. If you would like to join this expedition please email or call and we will be delighted to answer your questions.
We are off to India tomorrow and in the meantime, please have a very pleasant seasonal break.
Julie and Adam
Lowland Gorillas in The Republic of Congo 10 days followed by Bonobos in The Democratic Republic of Congo 4 days in July 2010
