Wild Places

Mondika

Created in 1995, the Mondika research site has been monitoring groups of gorillas habituated to human presence on a daily basis, gathering data on their behavioral ecology ever since. It aims to:

• Provide a better understanding of gorilla behavior, ecology and social structure.
• Develop tourism as a path to a sustainable future for wildlife and communities.
• Train new generations of Congolese researchers and conservationists.

Mondika is located in the heart of the Sangha Trinational landscape, in the Djeke Triangle - a biodiversity hotspot on the border with the Central African Republic. 

The Djeke Triangle was added to the Park in 2023 to provide perpetual protection while guaranteeing the customary rights of Indegenous People and Local Communities to harvest the non-timber resources on which they depend in an area of sustainable use.

Direct observation of gorillas enables data collection to support research on three main topics:

• Understanding the social dynamics and habitat use of coexisting gorilla groups.
• Assessing the impact of environmental change and habitat diversity on gorilla ecology.
• Identify emerging diseases in wild gorilla populations and the risk of anthropogenic transmission.

Mondika is one of only a handful of places in the world to offer direct observation of wild gorillas. Tourism development aims to:

• Guarantee a safe and unique tourism experience.
• Ensure the financial stability of conservation efforts.
• Raise public awareness of the importance of biodiversity.