Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve

Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve in the southwestern Central African Republic is one of the most extraordinary wildlife destinations in Africa. The reserve protects a vast swathe of pristine tropical rainforest in the Congo Basin and is famous for its habituated western lowland gorillas — distinct from the mountain gorillas of Rwanda and Uganda and equally magnificent. The highlight of any visit is the Dzanga Bai — a massive forest clearing where up to 100 forest elephants gather simultaneously to drink mineral-rich water, creating one of the most spectacular wildlife concentrations in the world. The reserve also supports populations of bongo, giant forest hog, sitatunga, 11 primate species, and over 380 bird species. Safari here means walking through dense tropical forest with expert Ba’Aka pygmy trackers whose traditional knowledge is integral to both conservation and the visitor experience. This is frontier ecotourism at its most authentic and rewarding.