When you hear the name of Congo, the dark heart of Africa, images of deep forests, mighty rivers and mysterious animals such as the gorilla and okapi come to mind. Due to its dark history, impenetrable forest and poor infrastructure, Congo remains one of the least visited countries in the world and a trip to Congo is one of the last great adventures in the world.
Congo doesn’t have the best reputation and there are many factors which make traveling in Congo difficult, but contrary to what most people think, there are several stable regions in Congo where you can travel like the one we offer in this itinerary.
Our voyage kicks off in the bustling capital of Kinshasa, located next to the Congo rapids. There are somewhere between 14 and 17 million people living in this chaotic capital and we’ll explore this busy city from the river rapids to the city center where we’ll walk to get a good feeling of the local atmosphere, and if you want we can also dive into the nightlife in search of the newest African rhythms.
During our tour, we will go first briefly north of the capital and then south of Kinshasa in the province of Kongo-Central (Bas-Congo) and will visit a wide range of interesting sites such as waterfalls, the small reserve of Bombo Lumene, monasteries, old trains, the Inga Dam and the magnificent mangrove park where the Congo River meets the ocean.
Our journey will be full of new impressions, unique experiences and encounters. This is a great opportunity to get to know more about one of Africa’s most fascinating cultures. Traveling here is not always easy as the programme can always change due to several factors. We ask you therefore to come with an open mind, to be flexible and bring a good dose of humor and patience and to wave the local rhythm.
For this formula, we recommend arriving on a Thursday, only if you want to taste the nightlife.
Day 1: Arrival in Kinshasa (Thu)
You will arrive at Kinshasa airport where you’ll be met by the team and transferred to the hotel. (breakfast incl)
Day 2: Exploring the Capital (Fri)
We’ll start our day visiting the cathedral and the area around the port and will also visit the African textile market with its huge baobab. We will then see the Congo Rapids, followed by a visit to the Académie Des Beaux Arts and the neighboring church. In the evening we will take you to one of the popular neighborhoods to eat some perfect chicken with plantains and a nice local beer. Those who want can then go to one of the many clubs and dance to the local beats downtown. (breakfast included)
Day 3: Batéké plateau
We’ll drive north of the city and will relax at one of the side-arms of the Congo River where we will also enjoy a local buffet and where we can swim. Afterwards we’ll go to Bombo Lumene where we will stay in comfortable sturdy army tents, enjoying the beauty and tranquility of the park. We’ll have a tasty bbq and a campfire the next two evenings. (all meals incl today and tomorrow) Be sure to bring your swim clothes, towel and a sheet for sleeping!
Day 4: Bateke Plateau
We’ll explore Bombo Lumene through a walk and then go for a swim in the local river. In the evening we’ll enjoy a local meal near the campfire under the stars. (all meals included)
Day 5: Zongo Falls
We get up at 4.30 in the morning to avoid the massive traffic jams around Kinshasa. We’ll drive about six hours to Zongo, where we visit two different sites with waterfalls and will have great views on the Congo River. In the evening we sleep in the charming chalets of the domain next to one of the falls. (breakfast included)
Day 6: Kisantu: Botanical Garden And City Centre
We continue our route towards the charming town of Kisantu where we’ll visit an astonishing cathedral built in orange brick, surrounded by colonial buildings such as monasteries. After our visit to the historic center of Kisantu we will go to the National Botanical Garden, a huge site with an impressive collection of tall trees and plants in all colors and where we take a nice walk. In the evening we sleep in a local hotel in Mbanza-Ngungu. (breakfast included)
Day 7: The trainstation of Mbanza-Ngungu
We start our day exploring some caves where we find blind fish, which so far have only been found in this location (you will have to be on the back of a motorbike for 45 min to reach the caves). Afterwards we’ll visit the train station of Mbanza-Ngungu where we find several trains from the colonial era. We spend the night in Mbanza-Ngungu in the same hotel. (breakfast included)
Day 8: Inga Dam
Today we’ll go to Inga, where there is a massive dam of the power plant. We get a complete tour inside of the dam and also beautiful views of the river from the top. This is a very unique visit that requires special permission and few people have been here before you. We’ll stay in the guest houses of the power station.
Day 9: Muanda Beach
We’ll have a great drive for a few more hours to the ocean, passing thousands of baobabs, and have a free afternoon at the beach. With the surrounding green bush and the many palm trees, this beach looks quite different from what we are used to from other countries. It is the perfect spot for a walk or to sunbathe. In the evening we can enjoy a plate of local grilled shrimp (called cosa cosa) or fresh fish. We will sleep in a local hotel at Muanda. (breakfast included)
Day 10: Parc Marin Des Mangroves
The mangroves are a protected national park supervised by a French conservator and home to countless birds and animals such as manatees, monkeys and antelopes. They are located where the Congo River flows into the ocean. A massive area with countless waterways that meander through endless green. We will explore the mangroves by boat and also visit a number of islands inhabited by the locals. At noon we will eat a delicious lunch: a soup made with local shells, something you have probably never eaten before! In the afternoon we’ll return to our hotel. (breakfast included, lunch around 10/15 usd pp)
Day 11: The historical center of Boma
We’ll drive the old capital of the Congo Free State where we’ll have a tour: Stantey’s baobab, the first car of Congo and a number of old residences and we also have a drink in l’auberge du vieux port (if open), a relic from better times, and with a beautiful view of the Congo River. In the evening we’ll spend the night in Matadi. (breakfast included)
Day 12: Vampa waterfalls
After breakfast we leave for Kimpese. While our tents are being set up, we’ll hike towards the Vampa falls and have a splash in the refreshing water. In the evening we enjoy a drink at a campfire and have barbecue that is prepared for us. (dinner and breakfast included)
Day 13: Back to Kinshasa
Today we have another long road ahead of us back to Kinshasa, we’ll arrive somewhere in the afternoon. (breakfast included)
Day 14: Visiting the bonobos
Lola Ya Bonobo is a successful rehabilitation project for bonobos just outside Kinshasa. It is a peaceful small reserve and the ideal opportunity to get to know these fascinating animals endemic to Congo. We’ll have a nice walk and receive an explanation from the ever-enthusiastic employees. We’ll go back to Kinshasa in the afternoon. Overnight in Kinshasa (breakfast inc)
Day 15: Flight back to Belgium (Sun)
Today it is time to say goodbye and we will head back to N’Djili airport.
Including:
– Accommodation
– All activities and entrance fees
– Professional French speaking guide
– Transportation
– Breakfast and meals at Bombo Lumene
Not included:
– All other meals
– PCR test
– Airport Tax ($55, payable upon departure)
– Drink
From 4,699 usd per person (based on a group of 5 people)
We also offer this trip as a group tour:
Duration: 15 days
Date: Thursday 15 June to Thursday 29 June 2023
Thursday 13 June to Thursday 27 June 2024
Minimum: six people
Price: USD 4.999 pp (shared) *** USD 595 single supplement
Includes: Accommodation with breakfast, transport, activities, professional French/Dutch speaking guide, letter of invitation, entrance fees to parks and sights.
Have a look at some of our videos!
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!
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.
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.
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.
