The Dzanga Sangha Reserve, a wild and primordial corner of the world, stretches over a triangle of land wedged between the borders of Congo and Cameroon, occupied by intricate primeval nature, criss-crossed by waterways navigable by small wooden boats and inhabited by a surprising array of wildlife.
The reserve, an ideal destination for eco-tourists, is the cradle of an explosive nature, inhabited by ancient pygmy peoples, the first to settle in the impenetrable mazes of Central Africa, those mazes that reach as far as the Congo and where Conrad set his “Heart of Darkness”.
Here, the Baka Pygmies are still the sole custodians of the forest’s secrets, moving in symbiosis with the dense equatorial vegetation between the Lobaye and Sangha-Mbaeré regions. It is not surprising, therefore, that on the trail of the gorillas, elephants, crocodiles and hippos that inhabit these green lands, the Baka hunters are the pathfinders, the only ones able to move nimbly in the environment surrounding their camps of huts, knowing how to interpret every minimum signal of nature.
A silent march through the maze of dense forest leads to the Bai Hokou area, home to families of gorillas that have been quietly acclimatised to human presence, thanks to the patience and skilful research work of a team of experts who have been studying their behaviour for a decade. It’s an incredible and exciting experience, which starts with observing how the Baka guides move perfectly at ease on the tracks of these beautiful silver-backed animals, explaining the secrets of the natural habitat in which they live. The rules for reaching them are strict, as they are a protected species at risk of extinction. For example, it is not possible to take part in the excursion if you are suffering from flu-like symptoms. It is necessary to wear protective masks and follow a very discreet code of conduct, following the instructions given by the guides to the letter.
Shorter, but just as respectfully silent, is the walk that leads instead to the splendid salt clearing that suddenly opens up to a panoramic view, amidst the vegetation of the Dzanga Shanga, frequented especially in the afternoon by herds of elephants in search of mineral salts. This is a unique spectacle that can embrace up to fifty or sixty pachyderms in a single view.
Thanks to the support of the WWF, the Dzanga Sangha Reserve is now a natural environment preserved in its integrity as a humid equatorial forest, where, in addition to gorillas and elephants, numerous primates, an impressive variety of colourful birds, gazelles, hippos and crocodiles glide undisturbed over the waters of the Sangha River and its tributaries. They are always accompanied by the vigilant and expert Baka hunters, the “people of the forest”, who will contribute to an authentic and participatory approach to the surrounding environment, explaining the countless properties of the plants and essences that grow in the park. The nature adventure will be rounded off with a visit to one of the pygmy camps for a tasting of artisanal palm wine and a traditional Baka song.
