projet

protection

des gorilles

The Lésio-Louna

Gorilla Reserve

South-west Léfini

It is illegal to kill, eat, sell,buy or own a gorilla, chimpanzee or bonobo

There are however peoplewho violate this internationallaw and who may try to sell youbushmeat and orphaned apes,you may even see them beingoffered for sale in the street….

If you wish to act to protectany animal you may see offeredfor sale, do NOT buy it. Instead,report the situation to the “Di-

rection Departementale de l’Economie Forestiere deBrazzaville” (DDEF Brazzaville) or to PPG staff immediatelyand we will take the necessary action.

Access to the sitesand means of transport

To access the reserve, you mustfirst obtain an entry permit from theMinistry of Forestry. This process canquickly be arranged once your visit tothe reserve is confirmed.

All three sites are permanently ac-cessible.

Access into the reserve is possibleby taxi from the Iboubikro base camp.

For people travelling in a 4x4 vehicle, we suggest stayingovernight at the Iboubikro camp and heading out to Abiocamp early the following morning.

The Confluent camp can be reached by canoe from Abiocamp or from the village of Mbouambe-Lefini.

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37PPG contact :

Phone number : 668 12 62 / 555 03 62 / 531 37 96E-mail : gorille.congo@gmail.com / jafcongo@gmail.com

Website : http//: www.ppg-congo.org

The Western Lowland Gorilla is threatened with ex-tinction due to habitat destruction, the threat of theEbola virus, and the illegal bushmeat trade.

Together we can help to protect this species !

PPG – The Lesio Louna Project

Projet Protection des Gorilles (PPG) is a collaborativeproject between the Government of the Republic ofCongo and The Aspinall Foundation (TAF) that managesa protected area of 170 000ha located 140 km north ofBrazzaville. The aim of this project is to protect threate-ned ecosystems in Congo-Brazzaville, as well as otherspecies living there - particularly gorillas. Since 1986, PPGhas been working to decrease the trade in great apes.PPG works with the Ministry of Forest Economy whoconfiscates orphaned gorillas, handing them over to PPGwho then rehabilitate them for eventual release back intothe wild.

Project tourism sites

Tourists can visit three camps within the reserve

• The Iboubikro base camp is accessible via the Natio-nal 2, which links Brazzaville to the north of thecountry. From Itaba and Imvouba villages (120kmand 130km from Brazzaville), follow the road signs toMâh village.

• The Abio camp is accessible by a road that connectsthe National 2 to the Mpoumako Tabet village.

• The Confluent camp is accessible by canoe fromMbouambe- Léfini village or the Abio camp.

THE LÉSIO-LOUNA GORILLA RESERVE / SOUTH-WEST LÉFINI

projet protection des gorilles

Iboubikro Camp

Accessible by 4-wheeldrive or by prior arrange-ment with the PPG, touristscan visit The Blue Lake, anexceptional site for swim-ming or for a picnic in theshade of a straw hut.

From there, you can continue on to Iboubikro camp, the“gorilla village”, where you may be able to see orphanedbaby gorillas. Several walks are possible from this site – in-

cluding Sampion Lake, theBlue Lake, Mont Ngaka orthe botanical path.

Make the most of a nightin the bush on the edge ofthe Lesio river. This site isideal for family groups.

The camp has several rooms equipped with mosquitonets, or alternatively you can set up your own tent on-site.Shared shower and toilet facilities are available. You willneed to bring your own food, which can be stored in theproject fridge. Cold drinks can bebought on site. A thatched hutwith kitchen facilities, a barbecue,dining area and hall will makeyour evenings enjoyable. This siteis ideal for family groups.

In the early hours of the mor-ning you may be able to see sita-tunga or a hippopotamus aroundthe pools surrounding the camp-site. If you walk along the botanicalpath at sunrise or sunset you maybe able to see troops of monkeys inthe trees.

Abio-Confluent camps

The Abio andConfluent camps aremore basic and will ap-peal to those who lovenature. The Louna andLéfini rivers can be navi-gated by canoe, and are agreat vantage point to

see the exceptional landscapes of the Léfini reserve.

For the more courageous, there are walking pathsalong the ridges that overhang the Léfini, from whereyou can see magnificent landscape views.

Encountering gorillas in their natural habitat is anunforgettable experience. With a little luck you mayspot some of the successfully reintroduced gorillaswho now live freely in thereserve along with theiryoung, the only gorillasever born in the wild toorphan parents - a defi-nite confirmation of thesuccess of this reintro-duction project.

There are no rooms on site, so you will need to ei-ther bring your own tentor to make use of one sup-plied by the PPG. The twosites have electricity, toi-lets and basic showers.

Please note that thereare a lot of insects, so it isadvisable to wear long-sleeved shirts, bring insectrepellent, a hat and suns-creen.