The most beautiful natural sites to discover Congo Brazzaville

Founded in 1952, the Brazza Zoo was one of the most important in Africa, but the wars of the 1990 s, during which most animals were sacrificed to feed the population, and the growing urbanization of the capital, gradually watered down its land, reduced it to a sad state of mouroir for less than ten animals. Some great apes have long been transferred to quieter areas, such as the famous chimpanzee Grégoire, resident of the zoo from 1997 to 1944, which was transported to the helicopter to the Tchimpounga reserve in the Bay where he sank last quiet days. 

From Iboubikro, a beautiful walk to Lake Sampion where it is easy to bathe given the shallow depth of water on the lake.

One of the particularities of the park is to be one of the largest nesting centres in the world of leatherback and olivâtres turtles. The WCS organizes night trips from 19 h during the nesting period from November to February. Cost: 20 000 FCFA.

A very beautiful canoe exit to the mouth of the lagoon, where it mingle with the ocean, is proposed. Sandy beach and coastal forest after a navigation of about 40 minutes through the lagoon of Conkouati dotted with islands and islets, the banks bordered by mangrove trees. It's memorable and costs CFAF 5 000, which is not too expensive. 

Along the vast circle of the presidential villa and turning left at the corner, we find ourselves on a «beach» overlooking the Boumediene, a small, gagné space. Here, there are canoes unloading the shells and their leaves, which are braided, to isolate a little of the sheet toits of the sun. These kinds of mats are made on the ground under the wall of the president. A few piroguiers regularly make a palm wine. After paying the tour, we can negotiate a trip to a canoe, but beware: in a country recently released from monopartisme, civil war, non-existent tourism, and a fortiori on the chief's land, some rules of caution are required. Do not picture the residences of the president and his family, nor the facilities that even present a very distant, very unlikely strategic interest. Specifically, in the case of the rental of canoes, given the proximity of the presidential residence which gives on the river, a sensitive site if any, will warn the gendarmes, otherwise perfectly vendors, of your intention and request their consent. The opposite would make you a suspect. A White, alone, in canoe, which has not made itself known and which drags around the house of the leader, bad script, really…

The particularity of this saltworks is to host a large population of gorillas (more than 30 families identified). The area is well attended, which explains the presence of researchers studying their behaviour. 

The most famous saltworks in the national park. From platforms, there is a richer and diverse fauna (elephants, monkeys, gorillas, sitaguntas, céphalophes…). The lucky ones can even see lions and hyenas. 

Access by canoe. It will surprise elephants and buffalo.

Classified as a biosphere reserve by Unesco in 1988, the Mayombe forest is a veritable green lung for the planet, with its varied and remarkable species of wood. However, it is seriously threatened by the illegal deforestation that goes on there without anyone saying a word, and to a considerable extent by the activities of gold miners. Auberge Vigoureux organizes walks through the reserve, to a lovely waterfall, for example. A breath of fresh air.