Odzala-Kokoua

Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Republic of Congo is one of Africa’s oldest national parks, designated in 1935 and receiving Biosphere Reserve status in 1977. Covering 13,546 km2 in the heart of the Congo Basin, it is one of the world’s largest remaining intact forest systems. The Congo Basin accounts for 18% of the world's remaining rainforest and is one of the most biologically diverse and species-rich areas on the planet. As such, Odzala’s mosaic of swamp forest, savannah-forest landscapes, and maze of river systems is a biological hotspot. It is home to a rich variety of species, including the elusive forest elephant, primate species such as chimpanzee and the Critically Endangered western lowland gorilla, as well as various antelope like bongo, sitatunga, and yellow-backed duiker, and over 440 bird species. 

An estimated 12,000 people live within 10 km of the park, representing diverse communities and cultures including autochthone communities and Bantu ethnic groups, all dependent on the vital ecosystem services provided by the forest. 

In 2010, African Parks entered into a 25-year management agreement with the Republic of the Congo’s Ministry of Forest Economy, Sustainable Development and Environment to safeguard this globally significant landscape. After ten years of management partnership and recognising Odzala-Kokoua’s ecological and socio-political value, the government reaffirmed African Parks’ management agreement in 2020, strengthening the partnership and incorporating the Lossi Gorilla Sanctuary. Lossi, a 35 km2 area situated to the south west of Odzala-Kokoua, contributes to important wildlife corridors within the region. 

• Regular surveys have shown that key wildlife species populations such as forest elephant and western lowland gorilla are growing.
• 97% of Odzala-Kokoua’s permanent staff members are Congolese nationals, and over 65% come from communities on the immediate park periphery.
• An ethno-anthropology report on the autochthone communities provided insights that inform an Indigenous People’s Plan, incorporated into the overall community development plan.
• Camp Imbalanga promotes ecotourism at a national level, increasing sustainable revenue sources and alternative livelihood opportunities for local communities.

Odzala-Kokoua National Park is managed by the Odzala-Kokoua-Lossi Foundation – a partnership between African Parks and the Government of the Republic of Congo. Through this agreement, African Parks began managing  Odzala-Kokoua in November 2010, with the addition of the Lossi Gorilla Sanctuary in 2020.