National park · Republic of the Congo
Lesio Louna Gorilla ReserveRéserve des Gorilles Lesio-Louna
Arrange a visit with Project Protection des Gorilles (PPG) before you travel: dates, access and what you may see are set by them, not by a published fee or timetable (check).
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
170 km² (66 sq mi)66 sq mi (170 km²)
approximate
Established
2020
Best months
Jun–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Sort the visa before the flight
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Central Africa ↗Sort the visa before the flight: none of the seven countries reliably issues tourist visas on arrival to Western passports, and e-visas here are tied to named airports.
- Central Africa ↗Carry the original yellow fever vaccination certificate in your hand luggage; health desks at every Central African airport ask for it, and a missing card can mean refusal or a jab at the desk.
- Central Africa ↗Before booking anything in or near the DRC, read the WHO Ebola situation page and your own government's health notice: the 2026 outbreak brought quarantine and boarding rules for people who have been in the DRC.
- Republic of the Congo ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport with the Congolese authorities or embassy before booking; do not confuse them with the DRC's rules.
- Republic of the Congo ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead: malaria prevention is needed everywhere in Congo-Brazzaville, including the two big cities.
- Republic of the Congo ↗Do not photograph government buildings, the presidential palace, security forces, bridges or airports.
At a glance
- Country
- Republic of the Congo
- Area
- 170 km² (66 sq mi)66 sq mi (170 km²)
- No figure is published for the reserve itself; the Lefini Reserve it sits within is commonly given as about 170 km² (check).
- Established
- 2020
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Brazzaville
Lésio-Louna is a gorilla reintroduction reserve on the Lefini River, about three hours north of Brazzaville, run by Project Protection des Gorilles (PPG) with the Aspinall Foundation. It is not a walk-in national park: visits are arranged in advance through PPG, and the gorillas you see are orphans and captive-born animals being returned to forest, some on islands in the river, some in a fenced forest. The reserve also holds the Lefini Reserve next door and Lac Bleu, a clear forest lake. Expect a small operation, a rough road, and a day that depends on what the trackers found that morning rather than on a fixed itinerary.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2020.
Size and age
170 km² (66 sq mi)66 sq mi (170 km²) · national park since 2020
No figure is published for the reserve itself; the Lefini Reserve it sits within is commonly given as about 170 km² (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Brazzaville.
Why go
- See reintroduced western lowland gorillas in a forest setting.
- Visit the nearby Blue Lake (Lac Bleu) for a short hike.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western lowland gorilla (reintroduced population)All year · Sightings depend on habituation schedule; guide ensures observation. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Forest birds and butterfliesMar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Brazzaville
Road north from Brazzaville towards the Lefini area, then the reserve access road; ask PPG for the current route and meeting point (check).
check
Open the page →
From Pointe-Noire
Fly or drive to Brazzaville first, then continue north by road; confirm the whole leg with PPG (check).
check
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Research station area | Visitor centre, gorilla habituation enclosures, and short trails. | Open with permit and guide. |
| Blue Lake (Lac Bleu) | Scenic lake with a short loop trail. | Open; reachable on foot from the station. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate centre of the reserve (check).
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reserve entry and gorilla visit | Free | person | Amount unknown: no published tariff. Contact PPG for the current fee and what it covers (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Gorilla visit permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Visits are run by PPG staff; do not enter the reserve or approach the gorillas on your own (check).check
- Booking
- Arrange your visit with PPG in advance; there is no confirmed walk-in entry (check).check
- Camping
- Camping inside the reserve is not established as an option; ask PPG where you may sleep (check).check
Where to stay
In the park
Research station lodge
Basic rooms with meals; limited capacity, book early.
Near the park
Brazzaville hotels
Range of options from budget to mid‑range, 2‑hour drive to the reserve.
Safety
Heat and humidity medium
Lost in forest high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Research station area reachable by vehicle; short walks may be uneven.
Visiting lightly
- Support the PPG conservation program by purchasing permits directly.
- Do not feed wildlife or collect plants.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Lesio Louna Gorilla Reserve?
No tariff is published. Entry and the gorilla visit are arranged through Project Protection des Gorilles (PPG), who set the current fee; contact them before you travel (check).
What are the best hikes in Lesio Louna Gorilla Reserve?
There is no published trail network. The visit is built around PPG's gorilla viewing, with a short walk to Lac Bleu (Blue Lake) as the usual add-on; ask PPG what is open on your date (check).
When is the best time to visit Lesio Louna Gorilla Reserve?
The drier months from June to September usually give easier road and trail conditions; the reserve is visited year-round and access depends on PPG's schedule (check).
Do I need a guide to see the gorillas?
Yes. Visits are run by PPG staff and you cannot approach the gorillas on your own (check).
Can I camp inside the reserve?
Camping is not established as an option. Ask PPG about the research station accommodation or plan to stay in Brazzaville (check).
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Lesio Louna Gorilla Reserve
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