Promoting sustainable tourism for Congo’s green growth

Wild Places
Tourism

The Park’s remarkably well-preserved forest and biodiversity are an invaluable asset for tourism opportunities that can play a central role in ongoing conservation efforts. Thanks to «high value, low-impact» tourism business models, amplifying the benefits of tourism could provide a sustainable source of funding for the Park’s wildlife and communities
OUR APPROACH

 

PARTNERING FOR INNOVATION

WCS and the Ministry of Forestry Economy partnered with Kamba Africa, a Congo-based company with international backing and pioneering tourism expertise in Central Africa since 2011. This partnership will lead to the construction of 2 new lodges and the opening of Mbeli Baï to tourism.

TOURISM TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNITIES

Training programs, delivered through a community tourism project, empower local people with the skills they need to benefit from increased tourism. A benefit-sharing model will deliver at least a 30-fold increase in tourism revenue going to local communities.

PROTECTING FOREST AND BIODIVERSITY

Developing tourism means improving protection efforts in key areas of the Park. By habituating new groups of gorillas and creating new ecoguard posts, the Park is securing its tourism assets while improving biodiversity protection.

Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park is proud to be certified Gorilla FriendlyTM. The Park supports the Certified Gorilla FriendlyTM mission of engaging tourists as partners in conservation and share the belief that empowered consumers can change the world. 

This tourism ecolabel marks the recognition of the Park’s commitment to protect the Park’s wildlife and promote the equitable engagement of its communities. 

If you are planning on seeing gorillas in the wild, please take the Gorilla Friendly™ Pledge to show your commitment, alongside ours, to lowland gorilla conservation and responsible tourism management. Nouabalé-Ndoki is proud to be the first National Park to receive this ecolabel that requires the enforcement of the highest possible sustainable standards in terms of Park management related to working with habituated gorillas.

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It is obtained through a thorough process of verification of all protocols and their correct application in the field, and requires an annual audit. It proves that the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park’s management follow the IUCN Best Practice Guidelines for Great Ape Tourism and incorporate Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria for sustainable tourism

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Photo Credit: ©

The Park’s effort to open to tourism is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). 

To find out more about what the Park has to offer, visit its website.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT

Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park Logo

NDOKI WEBSITE

The Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park has a dedicated website for the general public, providing more information on how to visit the Park.

© 2025 Wildlife Conservation Society

WCS, the "W" logo, WE STAND FOR WILDLIFE, I STAND FOR WILDLIFE, and STAND FOR WILDLIFE are service marks of Wildlife Conservation Society.

Contact Information
Address: 151 Av. de Gaulle, B.P. 14537, Brazzaville, République du Congo | +242 05 747 21 21