Lesio-Louna: gorillas and blue lakes near Brazzaville

Why visit Lesio-Louna

If you do not have the time or budget for a fly-in safari to the northern forests, Lesio-Louna offers a taste of Congo's wildlife within a few hours of the capital. The reserve was set up in the 1990s for a gorilla reintroduction project, supported for many years by the Aspinall Foundation, and it has returned many orphaned gorillas to the forest. The scenery is a big part of the appeal: wide grassy hills under enormous skies, cut by ribbons of dark forest along the rivers.

Gorillas and Lac Bleu

The classic visit is a boat trip on **Lac Bleu** and along the **Louna River**, where young gorillas being prepared for life in the wild live on forested islands. From the boat you can watch them feed, play and climb at a respectful distance. Visits are carefully controlled for the animals' safety and yours. Released gorillas live wild in the wider reserve and are not usually seen.

The Batéké Plateaux

The drive itself is a reason to come. North of Brazzaville, the land rises to the **Batéké Plateaux**, rolling savanna and sandy hills with deep river valleys. Small villages sell cassava, smoked fish and honey by the road. Beyond Lesio-Louna, the wilder **Léfini Reserve** continues the same landscapes.

Getting there

The reserve is roughly three hours north of Brazzaville, depending on traffic and road conditions, with the final stretch on a track. Most visitors go with an organised trip or arrange transport through their hotel. Visits must be arranged in advance with the reserve, which manages access to the gorilla islands. The base is near **Iboubikro**.

Where to stay

There is simple accommodation at or near the reserve, but many visitors make it a long day trip from Brazzaville. Staying overnight lets you enjoy the evening light on the plateaux and an early start on the lake. Bring drinking water, snacks, sun protection and a hat, as there is little shade on the grasslands.

When to go

The long dry season, roughly June to September, brings cooler days and easier tracks. The rainy months are greener but the track can become difficult.

Practical tips

Ask for current access arrangements before you set off, as visits can be suspended for the animals' wellbeing. Do not visit if you have a cold or other illness, as gorillas can catch human diseases. Carry cash, a copy of your passport and visa for road checks, and check your government's latest travel advice for the route north of the capital.

A suggested visit

Leave Brazzaville early, stopping at a roadside village for fruit and a coffee. Arrive at the reserve in the late morning, take the boat out on Lac Bleu to see the gorillas, and have a picnic lunch looking over the plateaux. If you stay the night, watch the sunset over the grasslands and take a second boat trip early the next morning, when the animals are most active and the light is soft. Returning to the capital, plan to arrive before dark, as road travel at night is not advised. Lesio-Louna pairs perfectly with two or three days in Brazzaville. For a deeper rainforest experience, consider adding Odzala-Kokoua National Park. Use the free trip planner to shape your route.