Conkouati douli national Game Park is one of the new national parks of the Democratic republic of Congo, found on the Atlantic coast in the southwestern part of the country in the Nzambi and Madingo-Kayes villages, the park is a glorious wonder, being the richest ecologically diverse national park in the republic of Congo.
Conkouati douli national park is gifted with coastal Savannahs, mountains, rivers, swamps, mangroves, beaches, coastal habitats, and many more this makes it a habitat for wildlife some of these forests and rivers inspired the nomination of Avatar.
Conkouati national Game Park covers an area of 5,045 square kilometers and was first gazetted as a game reserve in 1980 but in 1989 part of the reserve was degazetted and land was given to the logging companies, on the 14th of August 1999 Conkouati Douli national park changed its status to a national park.
Conkouati douli national park is divided into three zones an eco-development zone with all legal human activities and accommodations, and an integrally protected zone that is only accessible by the park’s staff, researchers with valid permits, and tourists. Conkouati douli national park is the place where the forest meets the sea infact the sceneries are very striking, making it one of the planet’s most beautiful places.
Activities at Conkouati douli national park
Game viewing
Wildlife at Conkouati douli national park is in abundant some of the examples of animals to be seen are forest elephants, leopards, buffalos, chimpanzees, gorillas, civets, monkeys, glowing fish and mandrills, among the rest.
Fishing
There are special designated areas where tourists can enjoy fishing activity; there are various fish species to be seen and also aquatic birds.
Cultural experience
Tourists can also visit the people by visiting the villages, acquire locally made crafts, get entertained and learn about their unique ways of life. There are about thirty villages within and outside the park; these people survive on farming and fishing and rely on the forest’s resources to earn a living. These groups of people surrounding the park are said to have been here since the 13th century.
Marine life
Tourists at Conkouati douli national park can view a lot of aquatic life apart from land animals some of the Marine animals are orcas, dolphins, whales, humpbacks, Marine turtles and manatees, to mention a few.
A combined safari of seeing the wildlife and the Marine life offers a real adventurous experience of Marine life meeting bush animals this combined Congo safari will make your stay in Africa unforgettable.
Boat cruises
Boat cruises are another way of exploring this gem, as you come across a lot of aquatic life, including birds, not forgetting the breathtaking views of the magnificent flora and fauna.
Birdwatching
Tourists can go on birdwatching and see birds such as the grey parrot, hairy slit-faced bat, pied kingfisher, African harrier hawk, lesser striped swallow, swamp greenbul, Carmelite, blue-breasted bee-eater, Senegal coucal, red-eyed dove, orange-cheeked waxbill, yellow-throated longclaw, common bulbul, bronze manikin and sooty chat, among others.
Best time to visit
Conkouati douli national park can be visited all year round; however, the best time is in the dry season when the trees are not thick and the grass is short, making it easy to view wildlife. Visitors can also enjoy sunbathing during the this time
How to get there
The park is located in a remote area, making access somewhat challenging; however, tourists can use either air or road transport, as the park is 100 kilometers from Pointe-Noire, the capital of Congo.
Where to stay
The accommodation units are a bit limited due to the areas remoteness but tourists can still find comfortable places to sleep, like bungalows and lodges.
