Wildlife in the Republic of Congo

Western Lowland Gorillas

Western Lowland Gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) are a remarkable and endangered subspecies of the Western Gorilla, found in the dense forests of the Republic of the Congo. They inhabit lowland rainforests, swamp forests and secondary forest areas, with the Odzala-Kokoua National Park being one of their most important strongholds.

Males can reach up to 180 cm in height and weigh as much as 200 kg, making them the largest primates on Earth. Mature males, known as silverbacks, are identified by the distinctive silver-grey saddle on their backs, a sign of their dominance within the group. Their diet is almost entirely plant-based, consisting mainly of leaves, fruits and roots.

Characteristics

Western Lowland Gorillas have impressive physical traits that help them survive in their challenging environment. Their massive strength enables them to defend themselves against predators, while their grey-brown fur with a reddish crown blends into the forest. Although they spend most of their time on the ground, males can climb trees up to 40 metres.

They live in harem-style social groups led by a dominant silverback, who protects several females and their young. Most groups consist of four to eight individuals.

Behaviour

These gorillas are highly adaptable and live across various forested regions of the Republic of the Congo. Their social structure is more flexible than once assumed, allowing young animals to move between groups. They travel up to 1.2 kilometres a day in search of food and build new leafy nests every evening.

Their plant-based diet can include up to 200 different plant species, and they occasionally feed on insects such as termites.

Viewing Western Lowland Gorillas

Odzala-Kokoua National Park is the best place in the Republic of the Congo to see Western Lowland Gorillas in the wild. Gorilla tracking excursions, led by expert guides and trackers, visit habituated groups such as the Neptuno and Jupiter groups. Tracking can take two to eight hours, with a maximum viewing time of one hour.

Maintaining distance is essential to avoid disturbing the gorillas and to minimise disease transmission. Responsible tourism is vital for the protection of this species, and visitors joining licensed activities contribute directly to their conservation.

Forest Elephants

Forest Elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) inhabit the tropical rainforests of Central Africa, including the Republic of the Congo. Smaller than their savannah relatives, they are perfectly adapted to the dense forests of the Congo Basin. They play a key ecological role by dispersing seeds and shaping the forest. Sadly, they are critically endangered due to poaching and habitat loss.

Characteristics

Forest Elephants are more compact than Savannah Elephants, standing 180 to 280 cm at the shoulder. They have rounder ears and straighter, thinner tusks that help them navigate the forest and strip bark from trees. Their darker, smoother skin blends into the shadows of the rainforest.

They move using a lateral gait known as pacing, which helps them move quietly and efficiently through dense vegetation. They live in small family units, often just a mother and calf, due to limited food resources.

Behaviour

Forest Elephants roam deep rainforest regions and gather at forest clearings called bais. These mineral-rich clearings are key feeding areas and social hubs. While they usually travel in small groups, larger herds can form temporarily at these sites.

Their diet includes leaves, fruits, bark and seeds. By dispersing seeds across large areas, Forest Elephants are crucial to the regeneration and diversity of the Congo Basin.

Viewing Forest Elephants

Several national parks in the Republic of the Congo offer excellent chances to see Forest Elephants. Odzala-Kokoua National Park is a highlight, especially at Lango Bai, where elephants come to drink and feed. Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, part of the UNESCO Sangha Trinational, is another prime location, particularly at Mbeli Bai. More intrepid travellers may also spot elephants in the remote Ntokou-Pikounda National Park.

Responsible tourism and collaboration with park authorities help protect these endangered giants.

Chimpanzees

Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) are the closest living relatives of humans, sharing around 98% of our DNA. They inhabit tropical rainforests and woodland-savannah habitats in the Republic of the Congo. Known for their intelligence and tool use, they live in complex social systems and can reach an age of up to 40 years in the wild.

Characteristics

Chimpanzees in the Republic of the Congo show distinctive adaptations that help them thrive in forest environments. Their strong upper bodies and long arms make them excellent climbers. Their powerful hands and feet with opposable thumbs and big toes allow them to skillfully manipulate branches and tools. Their dark coats offer natural camouflage, and their physical strength is roughly double that of an average human.

In the Bili-Uéré region, they have been observed using a unique technique of smashing termite mounds against trees to access insects. They also use sticks to harvest ants, with behaviours varying regionally.

Behaviour

Chimpanzees are omnivores, feeding mainly on plants, fruits and insects. They are expert tool users: during the dry season they fish for algae with long sticks or crack nuts with stones. In the Republic of the Congo, different regions show distinct foraging traditions.

They live in communities of up to 150 individuals, splitting into smaller groups for feeding and reuniting for social interaction. Males patrol their territories to protect resources.

Viewing Chimpanzees

The Republic of the Congo offers excellent chimpanzee tracking opportunities. Odzala-Kokoua National Park is the key destination, with Ngaga Camp as the main base for tracking habituated chimpanzee groups. Walks last between two and eight hours and are limited to four guests per group.

Visitors must follow strict guidelines, including keeping a minimum distance of seven metres and booking only licensed activities. The best tracking seasons are June to August and December to February.

Bongos

The Bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus) is the largest and most striking forest antelope in Africa. It thrives in the dense tropical forests of the Republic of the Congo and prefers areas with thick undergrowth. Their chestnut-red coats with 10 to 16 white stripes offer remarkable camouflage. In the Republic of the Congo, Bongos belong to the western subspecies, which is considered potentially vulnerable.

Characteristics

Both males and females carry long spiral horns that can grow up to one metre. Males can reach 1.30 metres at the shoulder and weigh up to 405 kg. Their strong bodies and short legs allow them to move swiftly through tangled vegetation, while their large ears enhance their hearing. Bongos are predominantly nocturnal and elusive, helping them avoid predators.

Behaviour

Bongos live in small groups of five to twenty individuals, mainly females with calves. Males are usually solitary or form bachelor groups. Being crepuscular and nocturnal, they stay hidden during the day and emerge at dusk to feed on leaves, shoots, fruits and herbs. They regularly visit mineral-rich salt licks. When running through dense forest, they tuck their horns back to avoid snagging.

Viewing Bongos

Although elusive, Bongos can be seen in several protected areas. Odzala-Kokoua National Park is one of the best places, especially at forest clearings where wildlife gathers. Dzanga-Sangha National Park is also known for Bongo sightings at dusk. Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park within the Sangha Trinational is another strong location.

Patience and an experienced guide are essential, with increased activity from June to August during the calving season.

Forest Buffalo

The Forest Buffalo (Syncerus caffer nanus), also called the Dwarf Buffalo or Congo Buffalo, is the smallest subspecies of African buffalo. It inhabits the rainforests of Central and West Africa, including the Republic of the Congo. With a shoulder height of around 120 cm and an average weight of 270 kg, it is much smaller than its savannah relatives.

Characteristics

Forest Buffalo are well adapted to dense forests. Their small size and backward-curving horns, measuring 30–40 cm, allow them to move easily through thickets. Their reddish-brown coat offers natural camouflage.

They live in herds of 3–30 animals, smaller than those of Savannah Buffalo due to limited food resources. They can be active both day and night.

Behaviour

Forest Buffalo live across forest and savannah mosaics, preferring wetlands and forest edges. They feed mainly on grasses along old forest paths and clearings. Herds typically include one or two bulls, several females and calves. Unlike Savannah Buffalo, bulls stay with the herd year-round.

During hot hours they rest in shaded areas or wallow in mud to cool down.

Viewing Forest Buffalo

Odzala-Kokoua National Park is excellent for observing Forest Buffalo, particularly around bais. Nouabalé-Ndoki and Conkouati-Douli National Parks also offer good opportunities.

The best viewing times are early morning or late afternoon. During the dry season (December to February), sightings are more frequent near water sources.

Giant Forest Hogs

The Giant Forest Hog (Hylochoerus meinertzhageni) is the largest of all wild pig species, living in the dense rainforests of the Republic of the Congo. Males can reach 210 cm in length and weigh up to 275 kg. They favour areas with dense vegetation and nearby water sources and play an important role in seed dispersal.

Characteristics

Their dark coat blends into the forest shade, and their robust bodies help deter predators. They have a distinctive snout disc and large cheek pads used for foraging on soft grasses and shoots. Unlike many pig species, they rarely dig for roots.

They live in groups called sounders, usually led by a dominant male with several females and young. A group’s home range can span up to 10 square kilometres.

Behaviour

Giant Forest Hogs are mostly nocturnal or crepuscular and rest in dense vegetation during the day. Males defend the group against predators like leopards and hyenas.

Females build nests of vegetation to protect their young during the first weeks after birth.

Viewing Giant Forest Hogs

The best places to see them are Odzala-Kokoua and Nouabalé-Ndoki National Parks, especially at bais where animals gather. Early morning or late afternoon safaris offer the highest chances. Visiting these protected areas helps preserve this species, which is threatened by hunting and habitat loss.

Sitatunga

Sitatungas (Tragelaphus spekii) are remarkable swamp antelopes adapted to the wetlands of the Republic of the Congo. They thrive in papyrus swamps, reed beds and mangroves, using the dense vegetation as both habitat and protection.

Characteristics

Their long, splayed hooves distribute weight across soft ground and prevent them from sinking. Flexible joints provide stability in marshy terrain. Their oily, shaggy coat repels water. Males carry backward-curving horns, ideal for navigating thick vegetation. When threatened, Sitatungas can submerge almost completely, revealing only their eyes and nostrils.

Behaviour

Sitatungas are shy and prefer remote, marshy areas. They are active at dawn and dusk and rest during the day on platforms of trampled vegetation. Their diet includes papyrus shoots, reeds, leaves and grasses.

Males are mostly solitary. Females may form loose groups with calves, and small family groups of up to three are common. In some regions, herds of up to fifteen females and young have been recorded.

Viewing Sitatungas

The best places to spot them are Odzala-Kokoua and Nouabalé-Ndoki National Parks. Forest clearings and swamp excursions offer good chances, especially at sunrise or dusk. Their preference for dense vegetation makes sightings challenging, so patience and skilled guides are essential.

Conservation work in the Republic of the Congo focuses on protecting wetlands to safeguard this species’ habitat.

A Paradise for Nature Lovers

The Republic of the Congo is an extraordinary destination for travellers eager to discover Africa’s rich wildlife. From Western Lowland Gorillas to Sitatungas, the country’s forests and wetlands offer a rare and authentic window into wild nature. Each species tells a story of adaptation, resilience and the importance of protection.

By supporting responsible tourism and visiting conservation areas such as Odzala-Kokoua and Nouabalé-Ndoki National Parks, travellers help ensure the survival of these remarkable species. Encountering them in their natural habitat is not only unforgettable, but also a reminder of how delicate and precious our wild spaces are.