KONGOU WATERFALLS  TRIP

The Kongou Falls, on the Ivindo river in the Ivindo National Park, 45 kilometres from the village of Makokou, are among the most spectacular in the whole of Africa. They stretch for 3 kilometres and are laid out in a series of higher and lower falls. To get there, you take a dug-out canoe and travel 3-4 hours by river from Makokou.
The waters of the Ivindo descend slowly between two great walls of virgin forest: the different types of forest make the journey really breath-taking and the chance to be on one of the last African rivers un-spoilt by Man is once in a lifetime. There are many species of birds to be seen, besides the elephants in the forest, the marshbuck and the bushpig. The Kongou camp, which is behind the falls, means you will have the chance to pass the night in an un-spoilt equatorial forest. A visit to the falls lasts three days (two nights).
A shorter stay of two days and one night is available. When the river is swollen, a day trip to the Kongue falls can be made.

By taxi brousse or Bus:
There are a number of buses and taxis brousse that depart everyday from Libreville for Makokou. The Société gabonaise de Transport runs 1 or 2 50-seater buses to Makoko everyday. The société Etoile Transport, JC Transport, Dino Transport, and others leave from Libreville to Makoko everyday. Allow about 10-12hours journey time. Tickets about cost 15-20.000 Fcfa/person.

By train:
train from Libreville to Boué (night train, arriving at 3am), then taxi brousse booked in advanced for Makokou (3-4 hour).

By Plane:
flight from Libreville – Makokou (not available since 2015, but could be an option).

Long dry season (July-September):
infrequent rainfalls, mild temperatures (22/25°C), not much sunlight: poor photographic opportunities owing to scarce daytime illumination.

Short dry season: (December-February):
scarce rainfalls and plenty of sunlight.

Wet season (rest of the year):
frequent rainfalls, variable temperatures and abundant sunlight for photos.

• Medical and Travel Insurance are required for the trip
• strong (soles) walking boots, a supply of socks (especially in the rainy season as they get wet easily)
• light-weight long trousers (easy to dry), long-sleeved shirts; avoid brightly coloured clothes (green, grey, beige and brown are best)
• swimming costume
• Poncho or lightweight rain-jacket (especially in the rainy season, but also in the short dry season)
• small capacity backpack (30-40 litre)
• sun cream
• insect repellent
• torch
• anti-malaria pills

DAY 1
morning departure from Makokou (Station de Recherche IRET or Loaloa village) to the Kongou Falls, journey time 3 to 4 hours along the river. In the afternoon, an excursion to the canyon, 2 hours on foot there and back, a visit to the falls, return to camp.

DAY 2
excursion to the falls « Bouilla N’a Ngondé », the biggest in the Kongou expanse. A 90-minute walk to get to a dug-out canoe at the bottom of the falls. Ivindo River crossing at the bottom of the falls, half an hour on foot to get to the Bouila N’a Ngondé falls.

DAY 3
Excursion of 4-5 hours on foot in the virgin forest. The chance for our guides to tell you about their life in the forest and meet some animals. Return to Makokou in the afternoon.