The two Congos have a lot of potential as holiday destinations. They share the mighty river that gives them their name. They have mountain gorillas and chimps and all manner of other primates. Beyond their natural attractions, they have fascinating cultures and intriguing – if harsh – recent histories. But… Continue reading
The Republic of Congo curls inland around Gabon in central Africa. It stretches from the Atlantic city of Pointe-Noire to the very heart of the continent. Historically dominated by tropical rainforest, it should not be confused with its largest neighbour – the Democratic Republic of Congo. For this reason, it… Continue reading
Ever since Sir David Attenborough famously sat with gorillas in the late 1970s for the BBC, gorilla trekking has topped bucket lists. At the time it was unheard of and a pretty DIY affair. The good news is that seeing wild mountain and lowland gorillas has never been easier. Here… Continue reading
The road to Congo is more like a country track, a little wider than a single lane, and composed of earth. At one of several Gabonese checkpoints a woman says to me: “And now you have to pay to cross the frontier”. “How much is it?” I ask, I’m not… Continue reading
I’ve been in Libreville quite long enough, a week, or almost 2 percent of my entire planned trip length. And I have a psychic taxi driver: “You’re going to Lambarené.” I don’t manage to find out how he knows. The road is pitted for a good couple of hours. There… Continue reading
