Visiting Bai Hokou

Activities available at Bai Hokou, consist of: Western Lowland Gorilla tracking, Agile Mangabey tracking, and a Bai Tour. Individual fitness levels may limit the activities available, depending on their ability to walk long distances, and their tolerance of elephants, dense vegetation, and insects such as sweat bees. Arrangements to visit Bai Hokou can be made through several tour operators, at info@dzanga-sangha.org, or directly at the Welcome Centre in Bayanga Lodging is not available at Bai Hokou camp; visitors can find lodging at either Doli Lodge or the local auberges in Bayanga. Visitors wishing to see the gorillas are recommended to book in advance with a minimum of 2 nights stay. Personnel at the Welcome centre can organise other activities in the Park or Reserve, such as BaAka Net Hunting and Palm Wine tours.

Gorillas: At present visitors have the unique opportunity to observe the Makumba group, one of only two habituated western lowland gorilla groups in existence across their range. Limitations on age, health, fitness, and group size are strictly enforced for both the safety of the visitors and the gorillas.
Agile Mangabeys: This exceptionally large group of Agile Mangabeys at Bai Hokou has been followed since 2004. Individuals of the group now tolerate human presence to within 5-10m, permitting close and un-interrupted observation of their behaviour. The agile mangabey one of the most poorly known species of monkey in Central Africa.
Bai Tour: Ranging in size, vegetation and animal life, salines or “bais” are characteristic of the region. At Bai Hokou, it is possible to go on a scenic tour of several of the larger bais found in the area. Bais attract a diverse array of otherwise elusive forest wildlife, with a little chance, providing excellent observation opportunities of: forest elephants, forest buffalo, bongos, red river hogs, giant forest hogs, sitatunga, and a variety of birds.

Rules for Visitors to Bai Hokou

Visitors to the gorillas must be 16 years and older
To help prevent disease transmission, sick persons will not be allowed to visit the gorillas or the managbeys.
Group size is limited to three visitors, twice per day.
Visits to the gorillas and mangabeys are limited to 1 hour.
Visitors must always closely follow the instructions set by the guide or trackers to ensure safety of the visitor and animals. Visitors must remain behind the habituation team at all times. Any person deemed to disregard these instructions will be asked to return to the camp without refund.
To minimise stress on the animals and reduce the risks of disease transmission, a distance of 7m from the animals is strictly enforced.
Flash photography is not allowed with the gorillas or mangabeys.
To reduce the risk of disease transmission, we ask that visitors avoid defecating, vomiting and spitting in the forest. Visitors needing to sneeze or cough in the presence of the gorillas must use a handkerchief or clothing to cover their nose and mouth.
All items brought into the forest must return with the visitor. Littering is strictly not permitted.
Visitors participating in Bai Hokou activities do so entirely at their own risk.

Park Fees and Lodging

Please refer to the section in the header (English: Tarifs / French: Tarifs / German: Tarife) for the actual fees for park entry and lodging.

Equipment

Visitors are recommended to bring binoculars. Long trousers and long-sleeved shirts in neutral colours are ideal. Closed walking shoes are useful, although crossing small streams is common. Rain-jackets during the wet season are essential.

A typical gorilla sighting

Habitats around Bai Hokou vary significantly from open bais, open mono-dominant Gilbertiodendron forest to mixed forest and dense herb/liana forest. As a consequence, viewing gorillas can vary throughout the day. Gorillas spend most of their time on the ground but also a substantial amount in trees. Trees can provide fantastic views of several members at the same time, although sometimes the gorillas can climb up to 25m or more, making viewing more difficult. Western lowland gorilla groups can be quite spread, often limiting visitors to viewing one or two individuals at a time. However occasionally visitors are treated to spectacular views of the whole group when they visit bais. Several of the gorillas’ staple foods are found in dense vegetation, particularly during the dry season (Nov-Feb). Consequently, visibility can be restricted. Visitors may have to walk significant distances both in reaching the gorillas and during observation time. Vegetation can be extremely dense with thorny vines; visitors may have to cross water. The forest is a naturally dark, making photography challenging. Charges and displays are a natural part of the gorillas’ behavioural repertoire. If the gorillas charge, it is important not to move, and remain quiet, with eyes averted. While following the gorillas, moving quietly through the forest, is essential to ensure optimum viewing.