Africa
Rainforest parks, gorillas and a riverside capital facing Kinshasa.
The Republic of the Congo is largely covered in rainforest and crossed by rivers. Brazzaville faces Kinshasa across the Congo River and has a relaxed, leafy feel, with the Basilique Sainte-Anne as a landmark. In the north, Odzala-Kokoua and Nouabalé-Ndoki national parks are among the best places in Africa to see western lowland gorillas and forest elephants. Pointe-Noire is the main port on the Atlantic coast.
Travel outside the cities is remote and usually arranged through lodges or operators, with long drives or charter flights into the forest. Expect grilled fish, saka-saka (cassava leaves) and Congolese rumba in the bars of Brazzaville. The main dry season from June to September is the best time for travel, and December to February is also drier in the north.
June, July, August.