Odzala-Kokoua National Park
Odzala-Kokoua is a remote rainforest park in northern Congo, known for wild western lowland gorillas and forest elephants.
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Odzala-Kokoua National Park is a large protected area in the northern Republic of Congo, in Central Africa. It covers rainforest, swamps, rivers and open forest clearings. It is one of the places in the Congo Basin where travelers can see western lowland gorillas in the wild. Forest elephants, sitatunga and many bird species also live in the park. Clearings known as bais draw animals onto open ground, where they are easier to see.
The park suits travelers who want remote wildlife viewing and can accept a slow pace. Trips center on guided walks and gorilla tracking. Logistics take planning: access is by light aircraft or a long overland drive, and most visitors stay in lodges that arrange their transport. June to August is the main dry season and the usual time to plan, when trails are easiest to walk. Travel in takes much of the first day, so allow several days.
Odzala-Kokoua National Park in five
- Get a yellow fever certificateBorder staff check for proof of yellow fever vaccination on arrival. Carry the card in your hand luggage, not in checked bags.Visas and entry
- Book the charter flight earlyMost visitors reach the park by small charter plane from Brazzaville or Ouesso. Get the seat and luggage limit confirmed in writing by your lodge before you travel.Getting around
- Carry CFA francs in cashPlan to pay lodge bills and tips in cash. Bring clean, undamaged banknotes in CFA francs and settle your bill in the currency the lodge asks for.Money and costs
- Book gorilla tracking through your operatorHabituated gorilla groups are followed on foot with a guide, and permits are arranged through your park operator. Ask how many people go in each group before you book.Tours and tickets
- Carry evacuation coverThe nearest hospitals are far from the park, so a medical emergency usually means an air evacuation. Check that your policy covers remote-area evacuation from the park.
Things to do in Odzala-Kokoua National Park
See all attractions in Odzala-Kokoua National Park
Need to know
- Currency
- Central African CFA franc (XAF)
- Entry
- Visa needed by most passports; yellow fever certificate required
- Emergency
- Confirm numbers with your lodge; keep its radio or satellite phone contact
- Tipping
- Customary for guides and trackers; ask your lodge for the norm
- Time
- UTC+1, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryMixed, wet spells
- FebruaryMixed, wet spells
- MarchHeavy rain
- AprilHeavy rain
- MayRains easing
- JuneDrier season starts
- JulyDry, easiest trails
- AugustDry season
- SeptemberDrying out
- OctoberRains return
- NovemberRainy season
- DecemberShort dry spell
Right now in Odzala-Kokoua National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
21
- Feels like
- 23°
- Humidity
- 85%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 61%
Odzala-Kokoua National Park
04:22 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today33°21°61%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 33°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 61%.
- Wed33°21°79%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 33°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 79%.
- Thu31°21°69%Thursday: Rain. High 31°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 69%.
- Fri31°21°69%Friday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 69%.
- Sat31°21°76%Saturday: Rain. High 31°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 76%.
- Sun29°21°84%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 84%.
Updated 02:09 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 586 XAF
Rates from Nov 3, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Odzala-Kokoua National Park
Rules for Odzala-Kokoua National Park, checked
- Do not buy, carry or export ivory, skins or other wildlife products; trade in protected species is controlled under CITESSource
- Follow your guide's instructions at all times near gorillas and forest elephants, and do not walk the forest trails alone
Plan around Odzala-Kokoua National Park
Charter flights from Brazzaville or Ouesso
Read the guideVisas and entryVisa, yellow fever certificate and border steps
Read the guideMoney and costsWhy you need cash in CFA francs
Read the guideWhere to stayLodges in and around the park
Read the guideTours and ticketsGorilla tracking and guided walks
Read the guideAll of Republic of CongoEntry, money and the wider country
Read the guideOdzala-Kokoua National Park FAQ
Do I need a visa for Odzala-Kokoua?
Most passports need a visa for the Republic of Congo, and every traveller needs a yellow fever certificate. Check the rules with the Congolese embassy before you book.
How do I get to Odzala-Kokoua National Park?
Most visitors fly by charter from Brazzaville or Ouesso to a park airstrip, then transfer to the lodge. Confirm the flight and luggage limit in writing with your lodge.
How many days do I need?
Plan several nights. Charter flights set your arrival and departure times, and gorilla tracking depends on where the groups are found that week.
When is the best time to visit?
June to August is the main dry season, when trails are easiest to walk. Rain can fall in any month, so confirm dates with your operator.
Can I see gorillas without a guide?
No. Gorilla tracking is done on foot with a guide from the park operator, and you cannot go into the forest alone.
Is there mobile signal in the park?
Coverage is patchy to none. Download offline maps and tell family your schedule before you fly in.