PLEASE NOTE: Don't book flights yet, the DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE (up tp 6 weeks in either direction!)

Each year I do one or two WILD trips that I personally have on my bucket list, and that you guys can join. THIS IS THAT! Bonobos are our closest living relatives. The closest thing to humans on our beautiful planet. They are only found in the wild in the Democratic Republic of Congo, south of the Congo River. They’re unique in that their societies are far more peaceful and cooperative than chimpanzees, with strong social bonds, female-led groups, and remarkably human-like emotional behaviour. They love, they grieve, they have sex for leisure, homosexual partners, depression, love and joy.

And trekking with bonobos is a rare chance. 99% of people who end up in the DRC (democratic republic of congo) want to see Bonobos, get taken to ‘sanctuaries’ near Kinshasa, the capital. THIS IS NOT THAT. We go to the wild. To camp. To see them free.

So, Africa is calling. THE REAL AFRICA. Kenya and Tanzania, this is not. Thankfully, I’m in a position these days that I only create group trips to places that I’m DYING to go to. I scour the globe until something grabs me. And this did just that. The only place on earth that you can trek with wild bonobos. And it’s in the Democratic Republic of Congo of all places. Not only that, but to access it, it’s easier (and safer and cheaper) to start the trip in Brazzaville, the Republic of Congo.

And of course, it wouldn’t be a real adventure, without adding another option to one of the least visited countries in the world, Central African Republic. Home to one of the least visited, but most beautiful, national parks in the world, Dzanga Sangha. And, whilst there, we’ll trek with lowland mountain gorillas. Ooooph. Now THAT is an itinerary!

• And a super bonus? We can visit both DRC, and CAR on this tour WITH NO VISAS due to our connections. You only need an Republic of Congo visa (which we also help with).

The Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, and Central African Republic are some of the last truly wild places left on earth.

This isn’t a polished safari Africa, it’s far from that in fact. This is raw and deep jungle, overland travel on buses, forest elephants, lowland gorillas, hectic cities, endless rivers, and PROPER adventure travel.

As you guys know, we don’t visit these countries for luxury resorts or perfect infrastructure. We go because they still feel unexplored. Watching gorillas in the Congo Basin or elephants emerge silently at Dzanga Bai feels like stepping into another world entirely.

Travel here can be tough, unpredictable, and uncomfortable at times, but honestly, that’s exactly what makes it so special

Not really. But there is some walking/hiking to find them. If you’re not a strong hiker, don’t worry. Just make sure you have good footwear, walking poles etc. And maybe just do a few walks before you come. All good. Expect early mornings, humid rainforest conditions, muddy trails, and up to few hours walking through jungle terrain. You do not need it, but a decent level of fitness helps.

Yes, when done properly with experienced local teams and guides. This is an expedition-style trip to remote parts of Central Africa, so flexibility and common sense are important.

Bonobos, lowland Gorillas, endless elephants The Congo Basin is packed with wildlife including monkeys, birds, forest elephants, and countless rainforest species.

THE BEAUTY OF THIS TRIP IS THAT WE WILL VISIT DRC AND CAR with NO VISA due to our connections. Most nationalities will require visas for the Republic of Congo, which we can also help with.

We meet in Brazzaville, the Republic of Congo. We stay in one of the nicest hotels in the city (we have enough time to suffer later!). Dinner and drinks, and anticipation for one of the best upcoming trips of our lives.

Today we explore one of Africa’s most overlooked capitals. Brazzaville is relaxed, chaotic, musical, and full of life. We visit the Congo River, local markets, colonial architecture, street food spots, and soak up the atmosphere before heading deep into the Congo Basin tomorrow. Final comforts tonight before the real adventure begins.

Did you know there were TWO CONGOS?

Into the Congo Basin. Early departure for a long overland drive north through remote Congo. Six hours later we reach Mpouya, before crossing the mighty Congo River by traditional pirogue into the Democratic Republic of Congo. Border formalities done, we continue another two hours through remote jungle roads to reach our bonobo camp deep in the rainforest. This is proper expedition travel now.

THE ONLY PLACE ON EARTH YOU CAN DO THIS! We wake before sunrise and head into the jungle at 5am to track bonobos, our closest living relatives on earth. Watching them move through the rainforest, socialise, and interact in the wild is one of Africa’s rarest wildlife experiences. We spend the day with them in the forest, returning to camp exhausted, muddy, and buzzing from what we’ve witnessed.

Here you have a choice. If you're tight on time, and money, and trekking with WILD LOWLAND GORILLAS in CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC doesn't appeal, then. you have your one final morning in the rainforest before retracing our route back through the Congo Basin. We cross the river once more, re-enter the Republic of Congo, and drive back to Brazzaville. Hot showers, cold drinks, comfortable beds, and the strange feeling of trying to process the last few days.

If you're on the extended trip (with me!), we'll cross the river and border back into ROC (Republic of Congo), and then have a road trip through half of the Congo.  It’s a long, tiring travel day, but this is real Central Africa, wild villages, endless jungle, rough roads, and almost zero tourists. North to a non-descript town of Ouesso, where we have a guest house break and some beers (knowing the shorter travelers are now in a 5* in Brazzaville while our suffering continues!)

On the shorter trip, this is your last day. You'll have airport transfers organised and you're outta here. See you on the next one!

For the people with me doing the whole Indiana Jones overland into Central African Republic, our adventure continues. This morning we continue toward Bomassa before boarding a speedboat deep into the Sangha region. For the next seven hours we travel through one of the most remote rainforest environments on earth, eventually arriving at Doli Lodge in Dzanga Sangha, CAR. This place feels like the edge of the world. Remote jungle lodges, forest sounds all night long, and barely another traveller in sight.

Dzanga Baï Forest Elephants!

Today we visit the legendary Dzanga Baï, one of the greatest wildlife experiences anywhere in Africa. Deep in the rainforest, dozens of forest elephants emerge silently from the jungle into the mineral-rich clearing below. It feels prehistoric. Sit quietly, watch the chaos unfold, and witness one of the last truly untouched wildlife spectacles left on earth.

Another day deep in the Congo Basin rainforest. Today we track mangabeys through dense jungle with local trackers who know every sound and movement of the forest. The biodiversity here is insane. Birds, primates, insects, elephants, and signs of gorillas everywhere. This is one of the least visited wilderness regions on the planet.

One of the highlights of the entire expedition, and perhaps our lives.

Today we trek deep into the rainforest searching for western lowland gorillas. Unlike gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda, tourism numbers here are tiny, and the experience feels raw, intimate, and genuinely wild. Coming face to face with a silverback in this remote jungle is something none of us will ever forget.

Last luxury breakfast at the lodge, then a brutal day ahead to be honest! This is where travel stories are made.

We leave the Central African Republic today and retrace our route back by speedboat and overland through the Congo Basin to Ouesso. Another long travel day, but by now we’re fully immersed in expedition mode.

Tonight we rest, recharge, and begin processing everything we’ve experienced over the last week.

aaaaaaand BREATHE! We did it, and we are officially legends. THE REAL AFRICA!

Final overland journey back south toward Brazzaville (they are rumours of a flight starting back up, and if so, I’ll book that for us but expect an overland journey!).

Expect a long day on the road through remote Congo landscapes before arriving back into the capital. Hot showers, comfortable beds, cold beers, and civilisation again after an unforgettable journey through three of Africa’s wildest countries.

What a f*cking ride. These kind of trips are amongst the best weeks of my life, and I hope yours too. This is living life. See you on the next one.

 We say goodbye after one of the most unique and remote wildlife adventures on earth. Bonobos, gorillas, forest elephants, endless rainforest, river crossings, and deep expedition travel through the heart of Central Africa.

Very few people on earth will ever experience a journey like this.