Sangha Lodge

Constructed mostly from wood, the main area has fabulous views of the tumbling Sangha River. There’s plenty of outdoor and indoor seating from which to enjoy the view, and the well-stocked bar will quench your thirst as you gaze. Meals are served together in the communal dining area and food is a mixture of African and Western flavours, with plenty of fish on the menu.

The wooden bungalows are all positioned along the riverbank and sitting outside on your private deck, cold beer in hand and watching the sun set over the jungle has to be up there with one of life’s best experiences. Inside the bungalows you’ll find mosquito-netted beds and ensuite bathrooms with hot and cold running water and flushing loos. Two of the rooms share a bathroom and there are also two family rooms if you’re travelling with kids (but remember that only those aged 16 and over can trek with the gorillas). The interiors are bright and cheery and you won’t want for much at all.

One of the main activities at Sangha is trekking to the western lowland gorilla accompanied by a local pygymy tracker. The trackers know the gorillas better than anyone and your chances of a sighting are excellent – and once you find them, you’ll spend a mesmerising hour in their company. A visit to the unique Dzanga Bai, a mineral clearing in the heart of the forest, to watch forest elephant is also an absolute must. Other than that, you can walk to the nearby waterfalls, cruise down the river at sundown, learn about the flora on a walk, and hunt with the local Ba’Aka.