Odzala-Kokoua NP is situated in the north-west of the Republic of Congo, in the heart of the world's second largest tropical rainforest, second only to the Amazon.

The park is managed by African-Parks and covers 13546 km2 of pristine wilderness rain forest which is home to an incredible biological diversity.

Among the 16 known primate species living in the park, the most well-known are the western lowland gorilla, the chimpanzee, the black and white colobus, the mangabey and the De Brazza's monkey.

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The western lowland gorillas are one of four species of gorilla.  The eastern lowland gorilla and the bonobo monkeys reside in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The mountain gorilla resides in a very small area in Uganda and Rwanda. The cross river gorilla lives in a very small area bordering Cameroon and Nigeria.

The park also host the largest population of forest elephants.  The other species of mammal found are the forest buffalo, the bongo antelope, the sitatunga, the giant forest hog, the bush pig, the giant pangolin, the aardvark, and the spotted hyaena.

Birdlife abounds in rainforest ecosystems. A total of 444 avian species have been recorded in the Odzala region alone.

Botanically, this area is also one of the world's most diverse, with more than 4400 plant species recorded.

And of course all these insects... and spiders... so a lot of macro, like in my old days...

I will try to post some photos during my stay in the park if the internet at the base camp allows it... otherwise, check here in a month for the full report on this trip.

Now already packing for the trip...

And a special thank to Nikon South Africa for letting me a gorgeous NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II lens with dedicated teleconverter TC-20E III.