Congo is a gigantic country which appeals to many. But there is so much to see and the country is so big, where to even start and what should you see? And is it safe to travel to Congo?
You have come to the right place as we at Congo Voyages are a professional travel agency from Kinshasa with years of field experiences organizing trips and expeditions all over Congo with our ten day trip in Bas-Congo being one of the most popular circuits.
Our travel starts from the capital Kinshasa, where we find our way through the colorful crowds and chaos, and takes us all the way to the Atlantic Ocean where we’ll have a boat ride through the mangroves.
During this travel we’ll visit the waterfalls of Zongo, as well as the falls at Kimpese. Not to be missed are the botanical garden and the cathedral of Kisantu, which are both true gems. In Inga we will have the privilege of visiting the enormous dam of the power plant and in Boma we’ll visit several historical buildings.
We will travel in a comfortable 4×4 or an air-conditioned van with an experienced driver who knows the road well and under the guidance of our professional guides. During our road trip we’ll enjoy the landscape and will have plenty of interesting stops. Because this trip offers a variety of history, culture and nature, there is something for everyone.
It is important that you realize that traveling in Congo is not your usual experience and sometimes it requires some patience. You may have decades of experience with safaris and cultural tours in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda or Ethiopia, Congo is truly something else. Heavy rain showers, sinkholes, electricity blackouts, overbooked hotels, canceled flights, monster traffic jams, .. there are plenty of factors which can alter our programme. It is vital to be prepared for this, to be flexible for changes and not to worry. Be sure to bring a power bank, mosquito repellent, sunscreen, sunglasses, a cap, extra towels, medicines, wet wipes and a flashlight with enough batteries to avoid a lot of frustration. Don’t forget a good dose of humor and patience!
Day 1: Kinshasa
We’ll pick you up at the airport and will bring you to your hotel. If you fly with Brussels Airlines, you usually arrive in the evening.
Day 2: Zongo Falls
Early departure today, before six am to avoid massive traffic jams. Your tiredness will soon disappear, as you’ll marvel at the many entertaining scenes in the capital. Once we are out of the hectic center, the landscape becomes greener and peaceful. We’ll arrive in Zongo around noon, settle in our rooms and have lunch. In the afternoon we will visit the waterfalls and see the Congo River. Don’t forget your swimming gear and towel if you want to swim. (breakfast included)
Day 3: The historical center of Kisantu and the botanical garden
Today we’ll see the impressive national botanical garden of Kisantu combined with the historic center and the famous cathedral of Kisantu, followed by lunch in the botanical garden. In the late afternoon we’ll drive to Mbanza-Ngungu where we check in at our hotel. (breakfast included)
Day 4: Mbanza-Ngungu
In the morning we will explore a set of caves that also contain a kind of blind fish, unique to this place. After our cave adventure we head to the old train station where we can admire the old Belgian trains. We also will take a look in the center and will stay another night in Mbanza-Ngungu. (breakfast included)
Day 5: Muanda
We have a long drive of 7 hours ahead, just in time to see the sunset at the beach of Muanda. Overnight in Muanda. (breakfast included)
Day 6: Parc Marin Des Mangroves
We’ll discover the beautiful greenery of the mangrove park by boat and visit small villages on the shell islands where we get a tour and get to meet the locals. We will eat a delicious shell soup for lunch. After our visit there is still time to take a walk on the beach. (breakfast included)
Day 7: Boma and Matadi
En route for Matadi we explore the old capital of the Congo Free State: Boma, we get a guided tour and get to know more about the history of this place. We will have fantastic views of the Congo River. In the evening we’ll drive to Matadi where we stay for the night. (breakfast included)
Day 8: Back to Kinshasa
After breakfast we continue our way to Kinshasa, a drive of about six hours or so. We eat something simple along the way and will arrive somewhere in the late afternoon. We spend the night in Kinshasa
Day 9: Kinshasa City Tour
We start our day with exploring the area of the port, the cathedral of St-Anne and the textile market, followed by a visit to the rapids. After this we will visit some sites such as Académie des Beaux-Arts and followed by a local lunch. Afterwards we explore a part of the city on foot.
Day 10: Flight back home
We’ll bring you to the airport, where you can take your flight back home.
Accommodation is in midrange accommodation. A few places such as Kinshasa, Zongo and Muanda can be upgraded. Please, let us know. Be sure that you have been vaccinated against yellow fever and have your vaccination proof with you, have also been vaccinated against COVID and if necessary have the necessary PCR test results with you if requested by the airline. We recommend flying with Brussels Airlines and are not responsible for delayed or canceled flights. We try to follow the program as closely as possible, but keep in mind that this can always change and some flexibility is needed.
Including:
– Accommodation
– All activities and entrance fees
– Professional guide
– Transportation
– Breakfast and meals at Bombo Lumene
Not included:
– All other meals
– PCR test
– Airport Tax ($55, payable upon departure)
– Drink
All prices are based on a shared room. If you want a single room, there will be an extra charge. Please note that apart from the lodges in Garamba and Virunga (with single beds) and Zongo it is not allowed to share a room with someone of the same sex in Congo. We are of course very sorry and do not agree with this, but have no influence on this. We are not responsible for the consequences if our customers do not comply with this.
From 3,499 usd per person (based on a group of five people)
Why choose Congo Voyages for this tour?
We are the only local agency with people who are actually on site, and apart from a “lost Belgian expat”, our team consists entirely of Congolese with years of experience in the field. We work closely with the authorities such as the Ministry of Tourism, ICCN, but also the military who help us to secure sensitive areas. Our tours will only take place if all safety conditions have been met and the necessary permissions have been granted and if we have been given the green light from the local authorities/chiefs if necessary.
Beware of (fake) travel agents who copy our itineraries and offer our tours for a lower price. Most of them are Ugandan, Rwandan and Spanish operators who have never been to Congo and recruit locals without knowledge of the field or a license on the internet to do their travels, often with disastrous results, with people being arrested or defrauded and put in jail. worst case no one even shows up.
