Dare to Dream Compass Expedition
Gorilla Trekking and Rainforest Journey in the Republic of Congo
- July 5–15, 2027
- 10-Night Expedition
- July 15–22, 2027
- 7-Night Expedition
Journey deep into the Congo Basin for a rare, fully immersive expedition through one of the wildest and least-traveled rainforests on Earth.
Early Registration Bonus: place your first deposit by November 1, 2026. See the bonus
- Lodges
- Three remote forest lodges
- Gorilla treks
- Three on the 10-night, two on the 7-night
- Travel
- Mostly on foot and by water
- Group size
- Limited to 10 guests
What This Expedition Offers
- Trek with western lowland gorillas in their natural rainforest habitat
- Explore one of the wildest and least-traveled places left on Earth
- Move through the rainforest mostly on foot and by water
- Share the wilderness with forest elephants, buffalo, primates, African grey parrots, and other wildlife
- Follow ancient elephant pathways in the rainforest to wildlife-rich clearings.
- Journey across three remote forest lodges, each offering access to a different part of this vast ecosystem
- Engage in guided reflection, experiential exercises, and meaningful connection with growth-minded professionals, entrepreneurs, and their loved ones.
- Support conservation efforts working to protect the Congo Basin while creating local jobs
Expedition Overview
The Congo Basin is the second largest rainforest in the world and one of the planet’s great remaining wildernesses. This expedition takes us deep into a protected part of that ecosystem, where western lowland gorillas live alongside an incredible diversity of plants and wildlife.
But gorilla trekking is only part of what makes this journey so special.
Rather than simply visiting the rainforest, we fully immerse ourselves in it. We travel mostly on foot and by water, following ancient elephant pathways and moving through forests, streams, wetlands, and bais—natural clearings where wildlife gathers. Over seven or ten nights, we stay at three remote lodges, each in a different part of the forest.
The rainforest itself is the experience.
When my son and I traveled here, we heard symphonies of birdsong as we walked through the forest, followed by the sound of wings flapping above the canopy. In our water shoes, we felt the undulations of the terrain beneath our feet and the cool water flowing through the clearings. Even the air felt different—so fresh that my lungs yearned for more. We were flooded with peace and brimming with life at the same time.
This is slow travel. There is no checklist of sights to race through. Wildlife moves. Weather changes. The forest determines the pace. The experience asks for curiosity, adaptability, patience, and presence—and gives you a level of immersion that is hard to find anywhere else.
Our journey also directly supports the conservation efforts protecting this ecosystem. The remote lodges that make this expedition possible were created first and foremost out of a commitment to protecting the rainforest while creating sustainable employment for local communities. By traveling here, we help support an alternative to economic pressures such as logging and mining—and the belief that this rainforest is worth far more intact.
This is not a conventional safari. And it is not a conventional vacation.
Who Is This For?
You got really good at your game. Your career. Your business. Your craft.
You push through. You get it done.
Now you’re asking what it actually means to be alive.
This expedition brings together growth-minded professionals and entrepreneurs and their loved ones. Come on your own, or bring a partner, a friend, or your teen or adult child, age 15 or older.
This is for you if…
- You’re willing to move at a different rhythm. Here we live at a pace radically different from most of modern life, and we’re richly rewarded for it.
- You want to follow your own compass. You’re a seeker. Each adventure is a pilgrimage to find your north star, so you can live by it back home.
- You’re willing to be a beginner again. You don’t need to pretend to have it all figured out. You’re okay admitting what you don’t know and stepping into the unknown anyway.
- You want to walk into the wild, not watch it from a vehicle. On foot, through streams and mud, not knowing what’s around the next bend. No experience necessary, just a willingness.
- You’re a high achiever who’s open to play. Even when life gets serious and the stakes are high, you turn to play. It isn’t weakness. It’s an unfair advantage.
- You value real connection, and you build it the old-fashioned way. Unplugged, human to human. Kind and honest.
- You want to embrace being fully alive together. You’re hungry for life, and you love bringing others along for the ride. Come alone or with a loved one.
This may not be for you if…
- You want a vacation. This is an expedition.
- You want to be pampered more than you want to be changed. You’ll be met with warm hospitality, and you’ll also need to do the work.
- You’d rather stay where you’re already competent. You’ll be outside your comfort zone. That’s the point.
- You want a checklist of sights. Here, the forest decides what we see. That’s the magic.
- You need to be in control of every situation. In the remote wilderness, weather, wildlife, and flights have their own agendas. We go with the flow.
- You’d rather keep your earbuds in. We take them out to hear the forest, our own quiet voice, and one another.
- You want air-conditioning, marble bathrooms, or a plunge pool. You won’t find those here. Instead, you’ll find a rarer kind of luxury: a wild rainforest shared with very few other people.
We don’t know how many days we get. But we do get to decide how alive we are for the ones we’re given.
Where We’ll Stay
We’ll stay in three lodges in exclusive, remote settings, each offering a different perspective on this extraordinary landscape. Expect comfortable beds with mosquito nets, en-suite bathrooms with hot showers and flush toilets, and decks where you can sit and take in the sounds of the forest. Laundry and shoe-cleaning services are included at each lodge.
Between adventures, we’ll return to freshly prepared meals and welcoming spaces to rest, share stories, and enjoy one another’s company. Rooms have fans and screened windows rather than air-conditioning. Wi-Fi is available in common areas, but connections are limited—plan to spend much of your time unplugged.
Why Choose Dare to Dream Compass?
I’m Dr. Weili, a physician, a wife, a mom of three, and a certified rescue diver. For the last four years, I’ve been living the question “What does it mean to be fully alive?” in the wild places of the world: on foot in the rainforest, diving with manta rays and sharks, trekking in the mountains, and camping in the bush. My goal is to lead humans on journeys of a lifetime that spark them to be more courageous, loving, and true to themselves when they return to their one precious life at home.
I’ve spent time with the gorillas and explored the Congo rainforest with my son. I’ve also traveled with my kids to many incredible, off-the-beaten-path corners of the world. Of all those adventures, this one stands out. That’s why I’m choosing to host this expedition—it’s too good not to share with you.
As your host, I’ll bring the group together and guide opportunities for reflection and connection throughout the expedition. Alongside the adventures led by our local guides, I’ll share stories, lead experiential exercises, and facilitate conversations about what we’re discovering—in the rainforest and in ourselves.
We’ll explore what helps us feel present, what we want to make room for in our lives, and where we’re ready to act with more courage or approach life with more playfulness. My role is to create a welcoming space where you can be curious, be yourself, and connect meaningfully with the people sharing this adventure.
Some of those moments may be as simple as pausing together to listen to the layers of birdsong around us, then noticing what changes when we give something our full attention. Others may unfold in conversation after a day of exploring. There is something powerful about discovering a new part of yourself alongside people who encourage you, laugh with you, and listen.
You’ll also receive personal travel support from registration through your return home. I’ll help you prepare and host you in the rainforest, working closely with our local team, who also take care of you in Brazzaville. From the moment you register until you’re back home, you’ll have someone who knows you, knows the expedition, and is invested in facilitating an extraordinary adventure for you.
Registration
Choose between a ten-night and a seven-night expedition. Both journeys take us to three remote lodges and include gorilla trekking, rainforest adventures, and opportunities for reflection and connection.
If you have the time and room in your budget, I wholeheartedly recommend the ten-night expedition. Those extra days give you more time to settle into the rhythm of the rainforest, enjoy a third gorilla trek, and linger in a place few people ever get to experience. More time to slow down, feel present, and come alive.
The seven-night expedition includes two gorilla treks and is still a fantastic choice for those who prefer a shorter journey or a lower overall cost. You cannot go wrong with either option. Each expedition is limited to 10 guests.
July 5–15, 2027
- Adult
- $20,045
- Youth*
- $14,140
July 15–22, 2027
- Adult
- $15,030
- Youth*
- $10,885
Rates are per person and based on two guests sharing a room. If you book with a travel companion, you’ll share a room together. If you’re traveling solo, you’ll be matched with a roommate of the same sex. Separate twin beds are available for guests sharing a room. Requests for a private room will be considered based on availability and may incur an additional charge.
* Youth rate applies to guests ages 15–30 when traveling with a parent.
All payments are final and non-refundable. Please review the cancellation policy and full expedition agreement before registering.
Early Registration Bonus
Place your first deposit by November 1, 2026 and subsequent on-time payments per schedule below to receive:
- Complimentary visa-on-arrival service
- Up to two complimentary hotel nights in Brazzaville before your departure to the rainforest—giving you the extra arrival buffer we strongly recommend. Accommodation is shared: you’ll room with your travel companion if booking together, or be matched with a roommate of the same sex if traveling solo.
The Early Registration Bonus is non-transferable and has no cash or credit value if unused.
Payment Schedule Per Person
| At registration (Early Registration Bonus by November 1, 2026) | $4,000 |
|---|---|
| January 8, 2027 | $4,000 |
| April 1, 2027 · remaining balance | $7,030 adult / $2,885 youth (7-night)$12,045 adult / $6,140 youth (10-night) |
Payments made by bank transfer (ACH) get a 2.8% discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included?
- 7 or 10 nights across three remote forest lodges in the Republic of Congo
- Gorilla trekking: 2 treks during the 7-night expedition or 3 treks during the 10-night expedition
- All scheduled activities and guided experiences throughout the expedition
- All meals, snacks, and local alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
- All internal transportation from Brazzaville, including airport meet-and-greet and assistance, transfers within Brazzaville, roundtrip flights by private aircraft between Brazzaville and the rainforest, and all transfers between airstrips and lodges and among lodges.
- All gorilla trekking permits, park and conservation fees, community levy, and medical evacuation coverage from camp to Brazzaville
- Brazzaville city tour and a special experience with local performance artists
- Letter of invitation for your Republic of Congo visa application (visa-on-arrival service available for extra charge).
What is not included?
International airfare to and from Brazzaville, travel insurance, vaccinations and other travel health expenses, gratuities, personal purchases, premium beverages, and optional spa treatments are not included.
Brazzaville hotel nights and visa fees are additional unless covered by your early-registration bonus. Meals and drinks during your stay in Brazzaville are not included.
All prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Private rooms may be available upon request and are subject to availability and an additional single supplement.
Why is it so expensive?
We are traveling into one of the most remote rainforest environments in the world, with very limited tourism infrastructure. Getting there requires private flights and extensive ground logistics. Once inside the rainforest, our local guides, trackers, and lodge staff look after us. Maintaining that level of care and infrastructure in such a remote place is costly.
The luxury here is access: to an extraordinarily remote rainforest, excellent guides and trackers, and wildlife encounters shared with very few other visitors. You will not find marble bathrooms, personal plunge pools, or over-the-top accommodations. The lodges are beautiful and thoughtfully designed to fit into their environment. You will have comfortable beds, hot showers, freshly prepared meals, and genuine hospitality in settings that bring you close to the forest. Much of what makes this journey possible happens behind the scenes—from flights and remote provisioning to the teams maintaining the lodges and guiding our adventures.
Multiple gorilla treks are intentionally included so we have more than one opportunity to spend time with these animals, observe their behavior, and experience what each encounter brings. The seven-night expedition includes two treks, and the ten-night expedition includes three. All required gorilla trekking permits are included and arranged for you.
Conservation is also an essential part of the value. Traveling here helps protect the rainforest and supports local jobs.
With Dare to Dream Compass, you’ll also have my personal support and facilitation throughout the expedition. Shared adventure and guided reflection create opportunities to explore how we want to live—and what we want to carry home.
The price reflects what it takes to make this experience possible: access to a remote wilderness, skilled teams, thoughtful hospitality, and support for conservation.
Should I be worried about Ebola?
The Republic of the Congo (ROC), where our expedition takes place, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are two different countries. The current Ebola outbreak is in the DRC. We will continue to monitor guidance from the CDC, World Health Organization, and U.S. Department of State as our departure approaches.
If the U.S. Department of State raises the travel advisory for the Republic of the Congo to Level 4: Do Not Travel, we will postpone the expedition and reschedule it for a future date. Depending on the circumstances, you may also have the option to apply your trip credit toward a different expedition.
Is it safe to travel to the Republic of the Congo?
The Republic of the Congo has experienced relative political stability in recent years and is currently rated Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution by the U.S. Department of State—the same advisory category as France, Italy, and the United Kingdom.
It is important to distinguish the Republic of the Congo from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a separate country currently rated Level 4: Do Not Travel. The widely reported armed conflict and civil unrest in “Congo” are occurring in the DRC, particularly its eastern regions—far from Brazzaville and the rainforest areas we’ll be exploring in the Republic of the Congo.
We will continue to monitor travel and safety conditions leading up to departure.
How much time should I block off for this trip?
I strongly recommend arriving in Brazzaville at least one night—and preferably two nights—before the expedition begins. If you register by November 1, 2026 and follow on-time payments, you will have up to 2 nights of hotel included prior to the expedition start dates.
For travel from US/North America, allow approximately 14–16 days for the 10-night expedition or 11–13 days for the 7-night expedition, including international flights and arrival in Brazzaville one to preferably two nights early. Your total time away will depend on your departure city and flight schedule.
Our private flight into the rainforest operates only twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays. If a delayed or canceled international flight causes you to miss it, you may have to wait 3–4 days for the next flight, significantly shortening your expedition. The missed portion of your journey would not be refundable.
Give yourself the extra buffer. After traveling all the way to the Congo, you don’t want to miss several days of the rainforest because of a flight delay.
At the conclusion of the expedition, most guests usually fly out on the evening flight out of Brazzaville on the same day. However, if your flight leaves in the morning, you will need to stay an extra night. Our local team will facilitate your transfers between hotel and airport.
Do I need to be physically fit?
You don’t need to be an athlete, but reasonable physical fitness and good mobility are important. You should be comfortable walking unassisted at a normal pace on uneven ground for at least two hours at a time.
For gorilla trekking, we’ll divide into groups of up to four guests according to walking ability, so you’ll be with others who move at a similar pace. Trek lengths vary depending on where the gorillas are that day.
The terrain is generally gently rolling rather than steep, with roots, fallen logs, and thick vegetation. Other rainforest walks take us through streams and wet areas—getting wet and muddy is part of the experience.
If you are unsure whether this expedition is a good fit for your mobility or stamina, please reach out before registering so we can discuss more.
Are there age limits?
Guests must be 15 or older. There is no upper age limit as long as you are reasonably fit, have good mobility, and are comfortable with the walking conditions described above.
Guests in their 70s and 80s have successfully completed and enjoyed this rainforest journey.
Are there any travel medicine requirements?
Yellow fever vaccination is required for entry into the Republic of the Congo, and you will need documentation of vaccination.
Malaria is present throughout the country, and malaria prophylaxis is recommended.
Please consult your physician or a travel medicine specialist before departure for personalized recommendations regarding vaccines, malaria prevention, and other travel health considerations. A medical declaration is required before gorilla tracking, and masks are provided for use near the gorillas.
Would it be cheaper to book directly?
No. You pay the same price you would booking directly, and nothing is added for hosting. I’m paid through the lodge operator’s standard commission, which comes out of their side, not yours.
Booking with Dare to Dream Compass, you actually get additional benefits:
- A hosted expedition: I’m with you in the rainforest, bringing the group together and guiding reflection and connection throughout. In Brazzaville, our local team takes care of you.
- Personal travel support from registration through your return home
- A U.S.-based payment process, with the option to pay by credit card, which is not available when booking direct.
- Early-registration bonuses
- A bonus experience with local performance artists in Brazzaville
- Pay by bank transfer (ACH) and get a 2.8% discount, which makes it less than booking directly.
What if I need to cancel?
All payments are final and non-refundable. If you are unable to attend, you may transfer your place to another eligible participant, subject to approval by the host. You and the replacement participant are responsible for arranging payment between yourselves, and the replacement participant must accept all expedition agreements.
Early-registration bonus is non-transferable.
Travel insurance is required. Please review your policy’s cancellation benefits, exclusions, and conditions before purchasing.
What if these dates don’t work for me, but I really want to go?
Reach out to me! If you would like to experience the Congo Basin on different dates, we can explore options for a private journey for you, your family, and/or your friends.
July 2027 · Republic of Congo
Each expedition is limited to 10 guests.
Early Registration Bonus: place your first deposit by November 1, 2026. See the bonus