#Eco-tourism in Congo-Brazzaville

[lionheartlr]

Travel Guide to the Republic of the Congo

The Republic of the Congo, often referred to as Congo-Brazzaville, is a destination in Central Africa filled with a rich cultural heritage, lush rainforests, and vibrant wildlife. Below is a comprehensive travel guide, offering insight into its history, tourism, safety, and more. Brief History of the Republic of the Congo The Republic of the Congo has a long and complex history, with early…

[reasonsforhope]

"Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo has a lot to celebrate.

The park, which celebrated its 30th anniversary on December 31 of 2023, also shared an exciting conservation milestone: 2023 was the first year without any elephant poaching detected.

“We didn’t detect any elephants killed in the Park this year, a first for the Park since [we] began collecting data. This success comes after nearly a decade of concerted efforts to protect forest elephants from armed poaching in the Park,” Ben Evans, the Park’s management unit director, said in a press release.

Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park was developed by the government of Congo in 1993 to maintain biodiversity conservation in the region, and since 2014, has been cared for through a public-private partnership between Congo’s Ministry of Forest Economy and the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Pictured: Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park. Photo courtesy of Scott Ramsay/Wildlife Conservation Society

Evans credits the ongoing collaboration with this milestone, as the MEF and WCS have helped address escalating threats to wildlife in the region. 

This specifically includes investments in the ranger force, which has increased training and self-defense capabilities, making the force more effective in upholding the law — and the rights of humans and animals.

“Thanks to the strengthening of our anti-poaching teams and new communication technologies, we have been able to reduce poaching considerably,” Max Mviri, a park warden for the Congolese government, said in a video for the Park’s anniversary. 

“Today, we have more than 90 eco-guards, all of whom have received extensive training and undergo refresher courses,” Mviri continued. “What makes a difference is that 90% of our eco-guards come from villages close to the Park. This gives them extra motivation, as they are protecting their forest.”

As other threats such as logging and road infrastructure development impact the area’s wildlife, the Park’s partnerships with local communities and Indigenous populations in the neighboring villages of Bomassa and Makao are increasingly vital.

“We’ve seen great changes, great progress. We’ve seen the abundance of elephants, large mammals in the village,” Gabriel Mobolambi, chief of Bomassa village, said in the same video. “And also on our side, we benefit from conservation.”

Coinciding with the Park’s anniversary is the roll-out of a tourism-focused website, aiming to generate 15% of its revenue from visitors, which contributes significantly to the local economy...

Nouabalé-Ndoki also recently became the world’s first certified Gorilla Friendly National Park, ensuring best practices are in place for all gorilla-related operations, from tourism to research.

But gorillas and elephants — of which there are over 2,000 and 3,000, respectively — aren’t the only species visitors can admire in the 4,334-square-kilometer protected area.

The Park is also home to large populations of mammals such as chimpanzees and bongos, as well as a diverse range of reptiles, birds, and insects. For the flora fans, Nouabalé-Ndoki also boasts a century-old mahogany tree, and a massive forest of large-diameter trees.

Beyond the beauty of the Park, these tourism opportunities pave the way for major developments for local communities.

“The Park has created long-term jobs, which are rare in the region, and has brought substantial benefits to neighboring communities. Tourism is also emerging as a promising avenue for economic growth,” Mobolambi, the chief of Bomassa village, said in a press release.

The Park and its partners also work to provide education, health centers, agricultural opportunities, and access to clean water, as well, helping to create a safe environment for the people who share the land with these protected animals. 

In fact, the Makao and Bomassa health centers receive up to 250 patients a month, and Nouabalé-Ndoki provides continuous access to primary education for nearly 300 students in neighboring villages. 

It is this intersectional approach that maintains a mutual respect between humans and wildlife and encourages the investment in conservation programs, which lead to successes like 2023’s poaching-free milestone...

Evans, of the Park’s management, added in the anniversary video: “Thanks to the trust that has been built up between all those involved in conservation, we know that Nouabalé-Ndoki will remain a crucial refuge for wildlife for the generations to come.”"

-via Good Good Good, February 15, 2024

[onhisowntrip]

Most Interesting Facts About Gabon | On His Own Trip

Gabon is a Central African country that lies along the Atlantic coast bordering Congo-Brazzaville, Cameroon, and Equatorial Guinea. The country boasts of hilly terrain and is full of lush green rainforests. Surrounded by dense forests, a great diversity of wildlife, pristine impressive landscapes, white beautiful beaches, raging rivers, and many more natural attractions, it is the best place to visit if you are interested in eco-tourism. Here are some interesting facts about Gabon! There is an amazing 550 miles (885 kilometers) of coastline to explore here, with incredible sandy beaches and beautiful blue seas. We want to go!

[congopositif]

Republic of Congo: Places to visit that aren’t Pointe Noire

The Republic of Congo is a country filled with riches and scenic views. Lying on the equator, it provides consistent sunny weather all year round and opportunity for adventure. However if you are looking for that perfect Instagram shot you may be inclined to visit Pointe Noire. Being a port city, it has the advantages of providing beaches and resorts for tourists to relax on. Now there is more than one way to visit Congo and enjoy all it has to offer. The Republic of Congo is on the edge of becoming a major eco-tourist destinations in Africa; boasting half the world’s lowland gorillas, forest elephants and much more. Join us as we outline some of Congo’s hidden gems:

Parc National Conkouati-Douli

Go here for: coastal exploration, turtle nesting, great ape conservation sites

National Park of  Conkouati-Douli was launched in 1999 (recognised by UNESCO) and is the most biodiverse park in the Republic of Congo. It rests along the border of Gabon and Congo and covers over 500,00 hectares of land with the river Noumbi running through it. Because the park is an active area of conservation it is divided into three zones, only one of which is open to tourists. But there is still so much available to see in this zone. December to February is the best time to visit the beaches of the Parc National Conkouati-Douli where one can watch sea turtles nest as well as watch dolphins swim. Further into the rainforest, the park houses forest elephants, gorillas and chimpanzees which can all be seen living in their natural habitat. These attractions are best seen during June to December.

2. Ouesso

Go here for: economic tourism, pygmy population, national parks

Ouesso is a town in the Republic of Congo lying on the Sangha River. It is the third biggest town in the country after the capital Brazzaville, and beach town Pointe Noire. Ouesso’s main attraction is its economic opportunities, often being referred to as an eco-tourist spot. Ouesso boasts a great equatorial forest full of natural resources such as coffee, cocoa and palm oil. One can enjoy the fruit of all these natural restaurants in many of the town’s restaurants (such as Restaurant Le Nzalangoye) that offer fresh fish and vegetables. The town of Ouesso is highly focused on economic development, with many major corporations settling offices here. Therefore this town may not be for those looking for a picture perfect holiday. The population of Ouesso is very young, with a significant pygmy population living nearby.

3. Brazzaville

Go here for: nightlife, ambiance, education

Now this option may seem obvious as Brazzaville is the capital city of the Republic of Congo. But this bustling city can often be overlooked for its more “scenic” neighbor, Pointe Noire. Brazzaville offers something for every kind of tourist. Whether you’re looking to relax by the water or get down and dirty with nature, Brazzaville will most certainly provide all your needs. Brazzaville holds the advantage of providing urban city life in a tropical environment. The city provides an array of culinary experiences from Chinese (Restaurant Mandarin) to French and local. Tourists can walk across La Corniche which provides wonderful views of the historic Congo River and neighboring city, Kinshasa. At the end of the night one can unwind at a karaoke bar or dance the night away in a local club. For those who prefer to have their fun in the daytime, Brazzaville holds some beautiful and educational sights such as the Basilique Sainte-Anne-du-Congo de Brazzaville, Institution Francais du Congo and the National Museum of Congo.

To learn more about the Republic of Congo, follow Congo Positif