Odzala National Park: More about wildlife watching

To know more about wildlife watching

Particular features of Odzala :

Being a forest habitat wildlife is not always immediately visible : often the best chance of seeing wildlife is to wait patiently in one spot (e.g in a hide) until the animals emerge from the forest.

Since the forest is in a phase of expansion and is currently re-colonising the savannahs, typically savannah species such as lion, hyena, bushbuck and Grimm's duiker are found here.

This is an area with one of the highest densities of gorillas, small primates and forest elephant in central Africa.

It has a great diversity of fauna : 430 bird species, and well over 100 mammal species from which ± 50 medium and large mammals.

Several spectacular large mammals can be observed here : lowland gorilla, forest elephant, bongo, sitatunga, giant forest hog, bush pig, forest buffalo, leopard.

Up Mambili River :

Travelling up the river is a spectacle in itself with a special atmosphere of its own : elephants, gorillas, buffalos and forest antelope can often be seen at the water's edge. Groups of monkeys, and occasionally chimpanzees, can be spotted in the canopy. This is an area rarely visited by man. Monitor lizards, crocodiles, snakes, otters and many birds can also be seen. In December butterflies are particularly abundant and the bright red of the young leaves of the trees light up the canopy.

Several salines can be visited near each camp :

At M'boko : Lango and M'bouebe.

These are reached by dug-out canoe, ideally at the break of day when elephant, buffalo and sometimes bongo can be spotted in the early morning mists.

At Ekania : Ambere et Moungali

These are reached by canoe after an early start from camp.

Buffalo, elephant, forest antelope, gorilla, are often seen. When walking from Ekania to Maya north (12km) visitors will almost certainly come across fresh gorilla trail and it is by no mean uncommon to encounter a family. Groups of small monkeys are very common. The trail skirts around two salines (« Maya sud » and « Maya centre ») where buffalo, giant forest hog and sitatunga are common and where gorillas and elephant are also occasionally seen

At Maya :

Maya north is the Park's most famous saline because of the exceptional quality of wildlife viewing. Two 4 metre high observation platforms have been built at the forest edge. Elephant, gorilla, sitatunga, buffalo, giant forest hog are all commonly seen here. Remarkably spotted hyenas are also occasionally seen. (see also "the Maya North Fauna").

In other salines, you may see same species but with more luck. Lions are rarely observed. You may see leopards and hyenas if you are lucky.

On the trail from Maya camp to Maya north saline (1.5km) groups of monkeys are often seen, as are forest duiker, bush pig, giant forest hog, forest buffalo and gorillas, particularly on the edges of the saline. By contrast the elephant avoid trails frequently used by man.

At Lokoué : The Lokoué is the most recently discovered saline. Over 30 gorillas groups are regularly observed in this saline, which has the highest rate of frequentation by gorillas.

Scientists are studying population dynamics and behaviour in this saline.

Lossi

In the company of local trackers visitors can follow a group of 19 gorillas led by the silverback Apollo. Progress through the dense Marantaceae undergrowth is slow. Visitors need to be in good physical condition as one is on the move all day (often on all fours).

Observation conditions are less good than in the saline because of the dense vegetation but on the other hand the gorilla family can be approached to within 3 or 4 metres, and it is this closeness which makes the visit so special. With a bit of luck, especially in the main fruiting season (July), the gorillas can be observed feeding in the trees. A charge from the silverback, albeit rare, is always an impressive moment and it is important to follow the advice of the guide at all times.

	To know more about wildlife watching
	Particular features of Odzala : Being a forest habitat wildlife is not always immediately visible : often the best chance of seeing wildlife is to wait patiently in one spot (e.g in a hide) until the animals emerge from the forest. Since the forest is in a phase of expansion and is currently re-colonising the savannahs, typically savannah species such as lion, hyena, bushbuck and Grimm's duiker are found here. This is an area with one of the highest densities of gorillas, small primates and forest elephant in central Africa. It has a great diversity of fauna : 430 bird species, and well over 100 mammal species from which ± 50 medium and large mammals. Several spectacular large mammals can be observed here : lowland gorilla, forest elephant, bongo, sitatunga, giant forest hog, bush pig, forest buffalo, leopard.