Odzala-Kokoua National Park is located in north-western Congo Brazzaville, covers 13,500 kilometers squared, was originally protected in 1935, made a biosphere reserve in 1977, and was formally designated in 2001. It is managed by African Parks and the Ministry of Forest Economy, Sustainable Development and the Environment, and its tourist concession is managed by the Congo Conservation Company (CCC). Odzala Kokoua National Park is one of Africa's oldest national parks located in the middle of the Congo Basin, the world's second biggest rainforest after the Amazon.

The Congo Basin covers more than two million square kilometers and is home to 18% of the world's surviving rainforest. Despite the fact that humans have occupied the area for over 50,000 years, it remains one of the most ecologically varied and species-rich locations on the globe, while the basin provides clean water, food, and shelter to more than 75 million people.

To safeguard this internationally renowned park, African Parks signed a 25-year agreement with the Republic of the Congo's Ministry of Forest Economy, Sustainable Development, and Environment in 2010. The government confirmed their management agreement in 2020, expanding the cooperation for the remaining 15 years of its life and including the Lossi Gorilla Sanctuary, after 10 years of good management and recognizing Odzala-Kokoua's ecological and socio-political worth.

Lossi, a 380 square kilometer area south of Odzala Kokoua, contributes to major wildlife corridors in the region. The Odzala Kokoua-Lossi Foundation was founded by Odzala Kokoua and Lossi to maintain one of Africa's most biodiverse environments, involving people, and ensuring natural resources are protected for future generations. While bushmeat poaching remains a continual concern within the park, our highly trained law enforcement squad, together with education and conservation based community entrepreneurship possibilities, has managed to stabilize unlawful activity. Odzala has become a beacon in the forest, not only for its plentiful and valuable species, but also for the people who see the need of preserving this area.

Flora and Fauna

The park itself is home to 4,500 plant and tree species, and is composed of several ecosystems, including wet and dry forest, and savannah habitats. The forest is largely open canopy Marantaceae, though it includes closed canopy Marantaceae and terra firme forest.

The Odzala-Kokoua savannas are home to grazers like as buffalo, bushbuck, and Grimms' duiker. Buffalo, forest elephant, big forest hog, and gorilla may also be found in the park's woods. De Brazza's monkey, Angolan talapoin, mantled guereza, and Tana River mangabey are among the primates that live in the marshy woodlands. There are also hippo, dwarf forest crocodiles, and slender-snouted crocodiles in the park's waterways. Along with the animals and reptiles, there are some spectacular birds.

Odzala-Kokouais a home to over 100 mammals, to 440 species of bird, and too many species of reptile, amphibian, fish, and insect. Some remarkable birds include White crested tiger-heron, black dwarf hornbill, chestnut wattle-eye, lyre-tailed honey guide. For avid birders, the park surely has a lot of interest. Don't forget to bring your binoculars!

Odzala Kokoua National Park is known for its diversity, and in particular for being home to an extraordinary number of primate species. As well as the western lowland gorilla, for which it is famous, these include: chimpanzee, Angolan talapoin, two species of mangabey, moustached guenon, DrBrazza's monkey, crested mona monkey, and mantled guereza. Other prominent species of mammal include forest elephant, bongo, buffalo, two types of forest hog, several types of antelope, and sitatunga. Less abundant species include leopard, spotted hyena, serval and African golden cat. Birdlife is absolutely legion.