RE-wilding AfRica - 2023
Paradise Reborn - A Conservation safari
Re-wilding is the large-scale restoration of ecosystems to the point where nature can take care of itself - sustaining communities and tackling the species extinction crisis and climate emergency. On this journey you will be immersed in ambitious projects to restore some of Africa's most ancient conservation landscapes back to their former glory. Joining wildlife veterinarians and conservationists, we will trace these efforts across the savannah, forest and mountains of Mozambique, Rwanda and the Republic of Congo. Expect thrilling wildlife encounters, to be actively involved in wildlife translocations and conservation efforts, and to meet the communities who benefit from the rehabilitation of these landscapes. This trip will take in some of Africa's most impressive, culturally diverse and wildlife-rich landscapes.
Republic of Congo - Odzala-Kokoua National Park
Lying between the snow-capped peak of Mt Kenya, and the Great Rift Valley, Laikipia is a flagship for conservation sustaining 80% of endangered Grevy’s zebra, half of Kenya’s critically endangered black rhinos and globally important populations of wild dogs
Mozambique - Gorongosa National Park
Gorongosa National Park represents perhaps Africa's greatest wildlife restoration story. At the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Lab, we will join scientists studying the park's ecological dynamics and restoration of its ecosystems.
Rwanda - Akagera National Park and Virunga Volcanoes Conservation Region
The gateway to Kenya's vast Northern hinterland is a spectacular landscape of sprawling savannah and desert, interspersed with wildlife-rich forest-clad mountains. The area is dominated by community-owned conservancies, which incentivize sustainable land management and the preservation of wildlife. Our trip to Akagera will coincide with the reintroduction of white rhino to the park, giving hands-on experience of a rhino translocation.
ITINERARY
Day 1
12.2
Gorongosa
We begin in Moputo - Mozambique's vibrant capital city - where a concierge will be waiting to transfer you to your private air charter. From here, we fly north to Gorongoza National Park. Ravaged by war up until 2004, the rehabilitation of this park represents the greatest wildlife restoration effort in history.
We will stay at the Muzimu Tented Camp. This brand new bush camp sits on a remote bend of the Mussicadzi River, in the heart of the park's 4,000 square km, and is an ideal base from which to explore the park's stunning floodplains, savannah, woodlands and wildlife.
After settling into the camp, enjoy lunch and a dip in the pool before heading out on an afternoon game drive with one of the park's experienced guides, followed by sun-downers. Once the sun has set, we will search for nocturnal wildlife on the return to camp.
Day 2
12.3
Gorongosa
Ngorongosa is renowned for its biodiversity, and today we will explore it in full.
The day begins early with a walking safari from camp in search of animals, birds ands the park's botanical wonders. This is an excellent opportunity appreciate the thousands of species of smaller animals – insects, spiders, lizards and frogs – that play an integral role in maintaining the park's ecosystem. After stopping for breakfast in the bush, we will continue exploring the park's landscape on foot, before returning to camp for an early lunch.
The early afternoon will be spent relaxing at camp, before we take to the water on a canoe safari. Drifting quietly down the Pungué River on the lookout for animals and birds, we will pass sandy beaches, reed beds and riverside forests. Enjoy sundowner drinks at the end of the trip, before heading back to camp for dinner on a game drive.
Day 3
12.4
Gorongosa
Research is at the heart of Gorongosa's restoration success story, and today we will be immersed in the science that has helped return the park to it's former glory.
We leave camp after breakfast to visit the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Lab, which is located in the heart of the park and hosts world renowned scientists from across the globe who are coming to study Gorongosa’s uniquely diverse wildlife, plants, and ecosystems.
The rest of the day - including lunch - will be spent with scientists who are documenting Goronogosa's biodiveristy, and conducting long-term monitoring of the recovery of wild dog, lion and elephant populations. You will have the unique opportunity to join scientists from the E.O. Wilson lab, as they conduct diurnal and nocturnal surveys for large mammals, insects and bats.
Day 4
12.6
Virunga
We leave Muzimu Tented Camp after breakfast, and transfer by private air charter to the town of Musanze in Rwanda, which lies at the foothills of the Volcanoes National Park. This park is part of the great Virunga volcano conservation region, which is Africa's oldest protected area and home to more than half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas.
After checking into Virunga lodge - which is perched on the edge of a cliff with dramatic views of the Virunga Massif - the afternoon will be spent at leisure.
We will be joined for dinner by a veterinarian from Gorilla Doctors, which is the only organization dedicated to conserving mountain and eastern lowland (Grauer's) gorillas through veterinary medicine. The life-saving work of these veterinarians can be directly linked to the recovery of this species and other animals that inhabit the Virunga massif.
Days 5 and 6
12.7
Virunga
Today is your opportunity to meet a family of mountain gorillas on foot - a once-in-a-lifetime experience that is difficult to find anywhere else.
After an early breakfast and transfer to the park headquarters, you will begin your hike up the steep slopes of the volcanoes through spectacular rainforest and bamboo covered slopes. Once sighted, you will be guided to within six meters of the gorillas, and allowed to remain with the group for an hour, before retracing your steps down the mountain. Although relatively brief, sitting in the dense cloud forest surrounded by these creatures is an extraordinary feeling that you will never forget.
We will return to the lodge for a late lunch. Something linked to community conservation and culture - e.g. https://www.mgahinganationalpark.com/things-to-do/batwa-trail.html
Day 7
12.8
Akagera
Today we will transfer by private air charter to Akagera National Park.
Akagera was established in 1934 and is in the process of being restored to its former glory through an ambitious rewilding project led by Africa Parks. Over 30% of the park is made up of lakes and interconnected papyrus swamps, which together form one of the largest protected wetlands in Africa.
After checking in to the beautiful Magashi Camp for lunch, we will embark on a game drive to the park headquarters, during which you will have a chance of spotting a variety of large mammals and birds such as buffalo, rhino, elephants, lions, giraffes and zebra. We will then join one of Akagera's rhino rangers on a ‘behind-the-scenes’ tour of the park's security and data management systems, including a demonstration by the K9 unit. The rest of the afternoon will be spent with these rangers - who are responsible for monitoring the recently reintroduced Southern white rhinos - as they track these animals deep into the bush.
We will return to the lodge for dinner, stopping for sundowners on the way. At dinner, we will be joined by a representative of African Parks, who will speak about their organization's efforts to rehabilitate twenty two of Africa's most biodiverse landscapes in partnership with governments and local communities.
Day 7
12.8
Akagera
Rhino translocation
Day 7
12.8
Odzala-Kokoua
Today we depart East Africa, traversing the African Continent to a biological hotspot of global importance that is situated in the heart of the second-largest tropical rainforest in the world.
Arriving in Brazzaville from Kigali, we take a private air charter to Odzala-Kokoua National Park. Covering an expansive 13,546 square km, this park - also managed by Africa Parks - lies in the heart of the Congo Basin and is home to critically endangered western lowland gorillas, elusive forest elephants, lions and bongo, and over 440 bird species.
A three hour drive through the park's rainforest takes us to Ngaga Camp, where the rooms have been designed as treehouses that overlooking the forest canopy, at eye-level with a huge array of birds and butterflies.
After dinner, you will will have an opportunity to learn about the world-famous primate research that takes place in Odzala-Kokoua from the park's Western Lowland Gorilla research team.
Day 7
12.8
Odzala-Kokoua
Today will be a go-slow day.
After an early breakfast, we head out into the forest to track gorillas with a guide and tracker from the gorilla research team. The tracker will provide .
We will return to camp to have relax and have lunch.
In the afternoon, we will head out on a forest walk to explore the parks incredible diversity of birds and plants, spot some of the forest's more illusive mammals, and enjoy sundowners next to the river.
Returning on foot to the camp after dark, we will have the opportunity to view nocturnal forest life.
Day 7
12.8
Odzala-Kokoua
After a relaxed morning, we transfer by road through the Odzala-Kokoua National Park to Mboko Camp for lunch.
From here, we travel onward to Lango Camp and baï, drifting by kayak through a maze of thickly forested waterways on the lookout for birdlife, forest elephants, antelope and forest buffalo.
Lango Camp sits on the edge of Lango Baï, offering one of the most arresting views of any camp in Africa. The Baï is a magnetic attraction for huge flocks of Green Pigeons and African Grey Parrots as well as herds of forest buffalo, giant forest hogs, bongo and forest elephants.
In the afternoon, either relax at camp or prepare to get a little wet as we explore the forest streams and marshes around the Baï on foot.
Sundowners will be spent on the camp's deck overlooking the Baï, seeing what emerges from the forest. to drink. After dinner, head out on a guided night walk or stargaze from the camp's deck.
Day 7
12.8
Odzala
Our final full day will begin with an early breakfast, followed by a guided walk through Lango Baï and it's surroundings. As the temperature picks up, take a dip or cool your feet in one of the crystal clear streams to escape the humidity of the rainforest.
After returning to camp for lunch and a nap, either spend the afternoon relaxing at camp, or join one of the expert guides on a forest, savannah and baï walk, to observe and learn more about the park's diverse flora and fauna.
Sundowners will be spent on the camp's deck overlooking the Baï, seeing what emerges from the forest. to drink. After dinner, head out on a guided night walk or stargaze from the camp's deck.
Day 7
12.8
Odzala
After breakfast at camp, we bid farewell to Odzala-Kokoua, and depart for Brazaville on a private air charter.