Tour Highlights Departure Dates Travel Map Travel Overview Travel Itinerary Pricelist Book Now !

Gorilla Tracking Tour "The Best Kept Secret" - 13 days

Preparing for Your Adventure

Please also have a look at: connecting International Flight Schedule

Visa

Country Type of Visa Arrangements Cost
Cameroon Transit visa Arrangements will be made upon arrival in Douala by the Africa’s Eden representative. N/A
Central African Republic Single entry visa Arrangements can be made upon arrival in Bayanga assisted by an Africa's Eden representative. Included in quotation
Gabon Single entry visa A visa for Gabon is obligatory (unless you have a South African passport) and needs to be arranged prior to your arrival in the country. This can be done at the Gabonese Embassy using the invitation letter that you will receive from Africa’s Eden upon receipt of the deposit for your trip to Gabon. Please take approximately 2 weeks into account to organise your visa and note that it is only valid for 3 months from date of issue. Dependent on country of residence
Principe Single entry visa This can be arranged by sending us a scan of your passport (preferably by email) before your departure date. $ 60, to be paid in cash upon arrival

Travel Advice Central African Republic

We are aware that most governments have expressed caution about travelling in the Central African Republic. The areas concerned are the northern and western parts of CAR, bordering Chad. It is advised not to travel throughout the country by road. Africa's Eden agrees with the advice for those parts of CAR and will never put our clients' safety at risk. The Dzanga-Sangha Reserve where our programme takes place is located in the south of CAR, a peaceful area where there has been no turmoil in over 5 years. In addition, to guarantee the safety and comfort of our clients, we fly clients directly in and out of the Reserve by private jet.

We always recommend clients to obtain travel and medical insurance before travelling, and to carefully check it for any exclusions, to be sure that the policy covers for all the activities.

Age Restrictions

The Park Administration of the Dzanga-Sangha Reserve has fixed a minimum age of 16. The Park Administration of Loango National Park has fixed a minimum age of 14 (however, children are allowed to stay at Loango Lodge). Especially for For Gorilla Tracking, one needs to be fit enough to hike for several hours on uneven terrain.

Rules Gorilla Tracking Dzanga-Sangha Reserve

All participants have to take responsibility for any risk themselves. The Park Administration has fixed a minimum age of 16. Visitors are informed of the rules of conduct at the camp. No one with diarrhoea, a cold or other transmittable diseases are allowed to participate, this is so as not to endanger the gorillas’ health. The role of the dominant male gorilla, the silverback, is to defend his family, preventing the group from overly dispersing and other males from leaving with resident females. This role partly explains the mock charges against the “pursuing humans”. If this occurs, one must wait in a knelt position with the head declined. Charges can be up to only a few meters away. Most of the time, researchers and tourists are within 15 or 20 meters of the animals.

Rules Fernan-Vaz Gorilla Project

Remember gorillas are very susceptible to stress and human diseases. The following are ways to minimize the risk your visit might pose to them:

  • Follow the advice of the veterinarian and the keepers at all times.
  • Maximum 6-8 people per visit; maximum of 1 visit per day; maximum of 45 minutes per stay
  • If you are feeling ill, or you are carrying a contagious disease, volunteer to stay behind.
  • Keep a distance of at least 5-7 meters from the gorillas. You are not allowed to touch the gorillas, or the fence behind which the gorillas are staying.
  • Do not stare into the eyes of the gorillas, and do not wear sunglasses.
  • Do not use flash photography.
  • Do not smoke, drink or eat when you are with the gorillas.
  • To minimize stress, keep your voice down.