US$14M To Develop Environmental Tourism In Congo Brazzaville

Congo Brazzaville’s Ministry of Tourism and Environment last week signed a US$14 million convention with the Congo Conservation Company (CCC) for investment in the development of ecotourism in the Nouabale-Ndoki National Park, which is a protected area located in the north of Congo Brazzaville.

Arlette Soudan-Nonault, the country’s Minister of Tourism and Environment, signed the accord on behalf of the government while Elza Gillman signed for CCC.

The money is being obtained under the auspices of an earlier accord signed in October 2018 between the Congolese government and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The valorization and promotion of the touristic potential of Congo Brazzaville is one of the developmental challenges facing the country in its determination to diversify its economy.

The ecotourism activities to be carried out in the Nouabale-Ndoki National Park are similar to those already being carried out by CCC in the Odzala Kokoua Park and are expected to increase the touristic options offered by the Green Congo project in conformity with the directives of the country’s head of state President Denis Sassou N’Guesso.

“You have explored several beautiful sites throughout the world but the Nouabale-Ndoki National Park would leave an unforgettable souvenir in your memory,” Elza Gillman of CCC declared at the signing ceremony.

“It presents a mosaic of entirely virgin forestry ecosystems rare in the world. You will find a remarkably impressive wildlife and floral richness in the park.

“Lovers of nature and observers of animals would not fail to favourably appreciate it,” he added.

It would be recalled that the park contains three species of African crocodiles and aquatic tortoises, elephants, western plain gorillas, panthers, buffalos and chimpanzees as well as over three hundred species of birds.