Our ultimate Congo experience, a 1750 kilometres voyage from the city of Kisangani to Kinshasa. covering the largest navigable portion of the mighty Congo River.
Discover the famous River Congo. We operate a unique 28-day cruise itinerary between Kinshasa and Kisangani. Learn about different local cultures and how they interact with each other. Experience the different sights and sounds of the real Africa as you travel through a land so few travellers have yet discovered.
We offer three or four four group departures a year, using our river cruiser, an 18-meter long, wooden boat, equipped with two powerful outboard engines. This traditional type of boat is further equipped with safety equipment, sanitary installation, a generator, lighting and freezers. The boat is operated by a licensed and experienced captain, a mechanic and a sailor, and groups are also accompanied by a cook and tour guide. Evenings and nights are spent ashore, enabling cultural exchanges with the local population.
Day 1 - Kinshasa Arrive in Kinshasa and transfer to the hotel. Overnight Hotel Ixoras or similar.
Day 2 - Kinshasa After breakfast, a full day tour of the sights and sounds of this sprawling metropolis. Visit the markets and buildings that make this such a fascinating city. Formerly referred to as ‘Kin La Belle’ - meaning ‘Beautiful Kinshasa’, the many years of turmoil has tarnished this image. But slowly, Kinshasa is regaining its splendour. Overnight Hotel Ixoras or similar. (B)
Day 3 - Kinshasa to Mbandaka Fly to Mbandaka, capital of the Equator Province, and the starting point of river expedition. We camp overnight in the city, ready to leave the next morning on our 11 day voyage bound for Lisala. Overnight tented camp in Mbandaka. (BLD)
Days 4-14 - Congo River Expedition: First Leg The first leg of our voyage, up river from Mbandaka to Lisala is expected to take 10 nights. We will be travelling through a vast area, without roads or airports. The river is a vital-life line for the communities we visit en-route. We will see how they go about their every day lives, buying and selling produce from small boats that criss-cross the river. The people we meet have little, if any contact with the outside world, and certainly no concept of tourism. It is the genuinely spontaneous encounters which makes the trip so pioneering and a must for intrepid travellers. There are few places left on earth where such encounters are possible. It is a special experience shared by only an elite group of travellers a year. (BLD)
Each night will be spent ashore at or close to a village where we can buy fresh produce, prepare dinner and set-up our tented camp for the night. Tents are large and comfortable, 2m in height. Each tent is equipped with a camp bed, self-inflating mattress and cotton mattress covers and pillows. Travellers should bring their sleeping bag or sleeping sheet, as well as a towel and toiletries.
Our transport is aboard a 34m long wooden boat, equipped with two powerful outboard engines. Although a traditional boat it is of course equipped with full safety equipment, toilet facilities, a generator, lighting and freezers for food and drinks. A cook and an English speaking guide accompany the trip throughout.
Day 14 - Lisala We expect to arrive in Lisala today. Lisala is the home town of the former President Mobutu and the half way point between Mbandaka to Kisangani. Some of your fellow travellers will be returning to Kinshasa, taking a plane back to the capital the following day. At the same time other travellers will fly from Kinshasa to Lisala, in order to travel on the second leg of the expedition to Kisangani. Overnight tented camp in Lisala. (BLD)
Day 15 - Lisala A full day in Lisala. After seeing some of the group off on their flight back to Kinshasa, we shop for supplies and take on board more food and water. There is also plenty of opportunity to explore the city. Overnight tented camp in Lisala. (BLD)
Days 16 - 25 - Congo River Expedition: Second Leg The second leg of our voyage will take us further up river from Lisala, to our final destination, the city of Kisangani. The trip is expected to take 10 nights and as with the first leg, each night will be spent ashore at or close to a village where we can buy fresh produce, prepare dinner and set-up our tented camp for the night.
Highlights of the second leg of the expedition include Bumba, where the river is at its widest, some 20 kilometres across and covered with water hyacinths. Closer to Kisangani we will travel through Yangambi, an important Biosphere Reserve which hosts 32,000 tree species. Wildlife in the reserve includes elephant, river hog and monkeys. (BLD)
Day 26 - Kisangani Today we arrive at our destination, Kisangani. There will be time to explore the city before we return to Kinshasa the next day. Founded by Stanley in 1877, highlights include the Tshopo River Falls and the Wagenia fisheries, set-up in the middle of the rapids. Fishing is carried out by means of a complex structure set amongst the rocks to trap the fish. Overnight tented camp in Kisangani. (BLD)
Day 27 - Kinshasa Transfer to Kisangani’s airport for a scheduled flight back to Kinshasa. Hotel Ixoras or similar. (B)
Day 28 - Kinshasa Tour ends. (B)
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Included Airport to hotel return transfers Return domestic flight 5 nights hotel accommodation 22 nights tented camp accommodation Breakfast in Kinshasa Full board when camping English/French speaking guide
Not Included Meals not stated in the itinerary or when camping Drinks Congo entry visa Local airport taxes Travel Insurance Single supplement – please enquire
Departure Dates Please contact us for departure dates
Please note Travel in the DR Congo can be very challenging. It is not an ordinary holiday destination and all clients must be prepared for testing conditions and facilities. Due to unforeseen situations, we cannot always guarantee the contents of the program. Our local operators will always try to make other suitable arrangements that are in agreement with the guest. We reserve the right to change the program or conditions at any possible time. No rights can be derived from any errors or mistakes.
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Our trip was wonderful- The staff in Angola met all of our expectations and went above and beyond- a special thanks to Ray who met us at airport, got us started on our trip, entertained us at the Flamigo Lodge and met us again on our return to Lumabgo and took us to airport for our departure to Namibia
