Congo Basin -

Overview

The rainforests of the Congo Basin makes up one of the most important wilderness areas left on the planet. Comprising of 500 million acres (200 million ha), it covers an area larger than the state of Alaska and ranks as the second-largest tropical rainforest in the world. Spanning across six countries – Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic and Gabon – the rainforest of the Basin contributes to the wellbeing of all living things on earth.

For over 50,000 years, the Congo Basin has been inhabited by humans. It provides fresh water, food and shelter to over than 75 million people. Approximately, 150+ distinct ethnic groups dwell in this region alongside approximately 10,000 species of tropical plants (30% endemic to the region) as well as 1,000+ species of birds, 400 or so species of mammals and over 700 species of fish.

Western Lowland Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Forest Elephants, Forest Buffalo and Bonobos inhabit this lush, pristine ecosystem. Some of the pivotal parts of the Congo Basin include the Odzala-Kokoua National Park and Sangha Trinational Protected Area. The Congo Conservation Company is an ecotourism pioneer in the region proudly offering a unique, life-changing opportunity to visit these forests, in safety and comfort and enjoy of one the greatest wildlife locations in West Africa.

As you explore the Basin’s tropical forests, pristine rivers and lush savannahs experience an unforgettable journey deeply rooted in conservation, community and research. By choosing to visit this remote area of Africa with The Wildside, each of our guests would form a part of this incredible history and help to protect the heritage and importance of the Congo Basin.