Mboko Camp | Odzala-Kokoua National Park

The place

We arrive at night, surrounded by the nocturnal sound of the forest, a ringing, primordial sound that fills us with a sense of excitement. We’re among few to journey into the Congo Basin, a tangled, jungle-like web of mystery and intrigue. The jet-black sky seems as if it’s weeping stars, and we can hear the gush of flowing water nearby as we’re guided along wooden pathways to our cabin. The stomp and snort of an animal nearby wakes me up early the next morning and I gaze out the window to see forest buffalo on the river’s edge. In the soft dawn light, the camp is a revealed – several wooden cabins nestled in the belly of the forest, which is gloriously lush and abundant next to this life-giving river.

We arrive at night, surrounded by the nocturnal sound of the forest, a ringing, primordial sound that fills us with a sense of excitement. We’re among few to journey into the Congo Basin, a tangled, jungle-like web of mystery and intrigue. The jet-black sky seems as if it’s weeping stars, and we can hear the gush of flowing water nearby as we’re guided along wooden pathways to our cabin.

The stomp and snort of an animal nearby wakes me up early the next morning and I gaze out the window to see forest buffalo on the river’s edge. In the soft dawn light, the camp is a revealed – several wooden cabins nestled in the belly of the forest, which is gloriously lush and abundant next to this life-giving river.

The room

Our cabin is decorated in traditional safari style using sustainable materials, with no comfort spared. As I lie in our bed, I feel as if I’m cocooned in warmth and happiness. Although I could stay here forever, enjoying the weight of my partner’s arm flung across me, the sound of my stomach rumbling alerts me to a need for breakfast. I pad off into the shower, and only nudge my partner awake when I’m dressed so I can enjoy some quiet time alone on the verandah. As I sit motionless on one of the lounge chairs on the deck, I watch in delight as butterflies flutter past and brilliantly-coloured parrots soar between the trees. We arrive at the dining hall and enjoy a completely different vista: uninterrupted views into the lush, meadow-like savannah before us, which is studded with grass-covered termite mounds. After a hearty breakfast it’s time for our forest walk, and we join our guides Karl and Adie wandering through the jungle as they point out ancient trees, some up to 15 stories high, with trunks that have been gouged out by elephant. Tiny saplings and ferns sprout everywhere in this fertile soil, plus a multitude of fungi and flowers. Skirting a busy ant colony, we discover the tracks of a civet and disturb a group of putty-nose monkeys playing in the forest canopy.

Our cabin is decorated in traditional safari style using sustainable materials, with no comfort spared. As I lie in our bed, I feel as if I’m cocooned in warmth and happiness. Although I could stay here forever, enjoying the weight of my partner’s arm flung across me, the sound of my stomach rumbling alerts me to a need for breakfast. I pad off into the shower, and only nudge my partner awake when I’m dressed so I can enjoy some quiet time alone on the verandah. As I sit motionless on one of the lounge chairs on the deck, I watch in delight as butterflies flutter past and brilliantly-coloured parrots soar between the trees.

We arrive at the dining hall and enjoy a completely different vista: uninterrupted views into the lush, meadow-like savannah before us, which is studded with grass-covered termite mounds. After a hearty breakfast it’s time for our forest walk, and we join our guides Karl and Adie wandering through the jungle as they point out ancient trees, some up to 15 stories high, with trunks that have been gouged out by elephant. Tiny saplings and ferns sprout everywhere in this fertile soil, plus a multitude of fungi and flowers. Skirting a busy ant colony, we discover the tracks of a civet and disturb a group of putty-nose monkeys playing in the forest canopy.

What sets it apart

Mboko Camp allows you to explore the world’s second-biggest rainforest, on foot and in boats and canoes. Odzala-Kokoua National Park is renowned as the richest forest block in Central Africa for primate species, and indeed we spotted putty-nose, colobus and even colourful moustached monkeys. Drifting along the river on our boat safari, we watched wildlife drinking at the water’s edge, including forest elephant, buffalo and the tiny dwarf crocodile, and identified an incredible array of bird species such as forest ducks and kingfishers. Some of our favourite experiences included walking along the 700m wooden walkway into the semi-flooded forest, and mulling over the day’s events at the star pit and fire deck, only to see a spotted hyena darting right past us!

Mboko Camp allows you to explore the world’s second-biggest rainforest, on foot and in boats and canoes. Odzala-Kokoua National Park is renowned as the richest forest block in Central Africa for primate species, and indeed we spotted putty-nose, colobus and even colourful moustached monkeys.

Drifting along the river on our boat safari, we watched wildlife drinking at the water’s edge, including forest elephant, buffalo and the tiny dwarf crocodile, and identified an incredible array of bird species such as forest ducks and kingfishers. Some of our favourite experiences included walking along the 700m wooden walkway into the semi-flooded forest, and mulling over the day’s events at the star pit and fire deck, only to see a spotted hyena darting right past us!

AT A GLANCE

Intimate camp with 12 luxury cabins nestled along the Lekoli River, at the interface between tropical forest and savannah in Odzala-Kokoua National Park.
Exclusive location, river and savannah experience, flexible activities, ability to see wildlife from camp and opportunities to explore rainforest and bias.
Forest walks, canoeing, kayaking, boat safaris, swimming, stargazing and cultural experiences.
Children welcome with two family cabins available. Younger children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Intimate camp with 12 luxury cabins nestled along the Lekoli River, at the interface between tropical forest and savannah in Odzala-Kokoua National Park.
Exclusive location, river and savannah experience, flexible activities, ability to see wildlife from camp and opportunities to explore rainforest and bias.
Forest walks, canoeing, kayaking, boat safaris, swimming, stargazing and cultural experiences.
Children welcome with two family cabins available. Younger children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Prices

Not only do African safari lodge prices shift with the seasons, they also change based on your length of stay, room type, travel party composition, special offers, if your trip involves stays at sister lodges – and for more reasons besides.
It’s worth noting that depending on your itinerary, your lodge cost will make up about 75–85% of your total safari trip cost.
Our safaris are tailor-made to match your personal safari dream, we’d be delighted if you’d allow us to create a bespoke proposal for you. Simply enquire now – our quotes are complimentary and obligation-free.
However, to help you get an idea of safari lodge prices we’ve created three safari-lodge categories with various price ranges, to find out more click here.

Not only do African safari lodge prices shift with the seasons, they also change based on your length of stay, room type, travel party composition, special offers, if your trip involves stays at sister lodges – and for more reasons besides.
It’s worth noting that depending on your itinerary, your lodge cost will make up about 75–85% of your total safari trip cost.
Our safaris are tailor-made to match your personal safari dream, we’d be delighted if you’d allow us to create a bespoke proposal for you. Simply enquire now – our quotes are complimentary and obligation-free.
However, to help you get an idea of safari lodge prices we’ve created three safari-lodge categories with various price ranges, to find out more click here.