At its simple camps, amid untouched jungle, you'll meet few or (more likely)no other travellers and it's an adventure just to get there. Created in 1993, Nouabalé-Ndoki lies in the north of the Republic of Congo (formerly Congo-Brazzaville). The Wildlife Conservation Society works with the Congolese government to manage the 4000km2 park - part of three contiguous protected areas spanning Congo, the Central African Republic and Cameroon. This ecological bloc is internationally recognised as a key conservation site. Resident animals, elephant in particular, travel freely across borders. Management is coordinated between countries, to ensure that the region is protected from threats such as poaching and logging.

Rich in flora and fauna, Nouabalé-Ndoki supports elephant, western lowland gorilla, chimpanzee, leopard, over 300 bird species and 1000 different plants. Its varied vegetation zones include both closed- and open-canopy forest and swamps favoured by animals such as sitatunga, red river hog and black-fronted duiker.

Natural forest clearings (known locally as bais) provide the best game-watching locations, frequented by Nouabalé-Ndoki's large mammals, such as gorilla, buffalo, bongo and elephant. Wait long enough and a live wildlife movie unfolds, as animals and birds emerge silently or burst noisily from the surrounding foliage.

This remote jungle will fill you with a potent cocktail of anticipation and elation.

Travel Advisory
The FCO, www.fco.gov.uk, currently advises against non-essential travel to the Republic of Congo. However Mark Gately, Director of the Nouabalé-Ndoki Project, says: "The situation on the ground is generally okay; we receive small groups of tourists and other visitors."

Getting There
Most visitors charter light aircraft from Libreville to Kabo (near the park headquarters), but it's also possible to fly from Brazzaville to Ouesso (the regional capital) on a domestic flight. Travel in a group or via an operator, as the park doesn't accept individual visitors for logistical reasons.

Discovery Initiatives, www.discoveryinitiatives.com runs a Heart of Darkness tour, including six nights at Nouabalé-Ndoki, costing £4365 per person, including flights.

When to go
Nouabalé-Ndoki's dry season runs from December to February, while the main rainy season is August to November. There is also a small rainy season in May. The average daily temperature seldom varies from 26 °C.

Information
www.wcs.org