Bomassa Village | Informal Campsite

Here are the headquarters of WCS and Nouabalé Ndoki.
It is a large and new facility. The disadvantage is that normally park activities require booking ahead (ideally 2 months).

We were lucky to organize an overnight stay at the platform in Whadi Bai. The cost is 30k CFA, a person. It's a very nice place, highly recommended. We saw elephants and Buffalo. The nice thing is that you are there alone, guides will only accompany you there and come to pick you up.

The other activity is to stay overnight at Mbeli Bai, and here are also gorillas. The price is 60k CFA or 100$. But booking in advanced is required, and you need a private vehicle, price includes 1 hour ride with pirogue.

They also offer gorilla tracking. The cost is 500$ pp. (300€ in Dzanga-Sangha)

Contact to a director of tourism (speeks english)
Mr. Bleck
[email protected]

Report Check-In

Unfortunately we can only confirm the other comments about Sonia from WCS. She is very polite, but that’s all. Not really helpful, not flexible. We waited 3 days in Bomassa to get the chance to overnight in Mbeli bai, alas in vain, although no other visitors were around. We even tried a second time on our way back from Dzanga Sangha/CAR, but it could not be organized in time. Also disappointing: She did not even allow us to organize a tour to Whadi Bay (outside the NP) directly with the community, which we wanted to support this way. Everything, incl the invoice, has to be managed through her. What a strange realization of development/empowerment of local communities!

Report Check-In

Beautiful village and lovely off-road ride to get here. Chief Gabi was kind and hospitable letting us camp for free inside the school. Great experience! Even saw an elephant on the road when we walked to the next village.

Only sad thing is that WCS has privatised all the National Park and the locals can’t even show you around. Everything has to be approved by Sonia. They charge a crazy amount of money to see the lake or gorillas and the locals seem to have very few benefits in return (school and hospital). Feels like modern day colonisation with WCS totally exploiting them. Was hard to see. We couldn’t see the National Park with the locals and weren’t willing to give any money to WCS but the visit to the village alone was lovely.

If you need more comfort you can also stay in Koba village (1.5 hrs before reaching Bomassa). If the road is too challenging for you (it’s tricky in the rain) you can get a ride on the small local motos for 5k. We stayed in a simple hotel with fan for 5k, was also a very nice stop!

Report Check-In

Nice village. Lots of opportunities: walk in the forest, renting a pirogue, swimming. The chief of the village, Gabriel, has been very helpful. There is a Bai nearby, called Whali Bai. 45min easy walk. You can also sleep in the miradour if you bring your sleeping wear. Lots of elephants during the night. Beautiful to sleep there.

Beforehand, we called Sonia, the 'tourism development manager' from WCS. She offered a trip to this Whali Bai for 140.000 cfa, while this Bai is not even IN the park. We said no thanks, went to the village and talked with the chief. In the end, we paid 40.000 community fees (2 persons) and 5.000 cfa for a guide (which you dont need but its obligatory).

Report Check-In

Lovely little village on the Sanga River. Roads connect here to Pokola (via Kabo - where immigration is). Motos at Pokola will take you here, and I assume the same goes for the opposite direction

Probably my favourite village in the whole area - very beautiful. Definitely worth a visit and Arnaud the WCS guy speaks perfect english and is super helpful

The chief is also very nice (you should talk to him to confirm your stay). Let me stay for free. Theres also an auberge in town (5k i think) which is a good way of giving back to the community

Lots of potential for tourism here and with it being right beside the entrance to Noubale Ndoki, you can see elephants and other animals in and around the village

Report Check-In

The "chef the village" is an extremly nice guy. There is a covered place to put up your tent. If you don't have one he will find you a bed to stay in somewhere in the village. You don't have to pay anything.
You can visit the Dzanga-Sangha NP (Bayanga) from here by boat. One of the villagers owns a motorboat so you can negotiate your ride.
The HQ of the Nouabale-Ndoki National Park is about a 5min walk away. But should organize your trip there in advance.

Report Check-In