Nests for the Night
Ensconced in the Congo’s lush rainforest, Ngaga Lodge is a gorgeous nest-like base for gorilla trekking. Raised boardwalks connect six thatched, vaulted-roof huts with wraparound balconies, a firepit deck in the forest canopy, and an open-air lounge where a breeze takes the edge off the humidity.
A Walk on the Wild Side
It’s here that you’ll meet the team who study and monitor the western lowland gorillas of the surrounding forest. They’ll give you a briefing before your early morning adventure to meet the neighbours. Visits are more tightly controlled than other places – the team take the welfare of primates really seriously – and groups are usually capped at four plus a ranger.
Western lowland gorillas are smaller than the mountain gorillas of Rwanda or Uganda and spend more time in trees than on the ground – it’s common to see them swinging around the branches, casually hanging by one hand in a way that makes our pull-up attempts look frankly pathetic. There might be a baby draped across mum’s back, openly gazing at you with those big shiny eyes, or a silverback who drops heavily from a tree before crashing across the forest floor, making the undergrowth shimmy. An hour disappears like spinach in a pan – our top tip is to get all your photos, then put the camera down and just watch.
Then it’s back to the lodge for a leisurely breakfast and time to reflect on the dreamlike experience.
One More Thing
When you’re not trekking or hanging out with the gorillas, there’s still plenty to do around here! An absolute must if you’ve got the time, is a visit to Mbomo and Ombo, the local villages. Meet the incredible community that has called the Congo Basin home for generations. Go on a nature walk to learn more about magic of the Congolese rainforest, and even wonder the firefly-lit paths after dark!
