This Congo River journey is an excellent introduction to the Congo River, the surrounding rainforest and its inhabitants: the bonobos as well the pygmies. For this tour we start from Kinshasa, the capital of Congo. From Kinshasa we’ll take the boat to Kwamouth where we spend the night and then continue up the river for half a day, after which we’ll drive by 4×4 or on the back of a motorbike to the camp. It is possible that once we arrive we will already see bonobos. We will stay in the camp for three full days and will go look for bonobos twice, almost always in the morning. We also get an introduction to the forest and the nearby villages where we will visit some local projects. We stay in a simple chalet with limited solar energy and enjy simple, yet tasty local meals.
After our stay with the bonobos we’ll embark our boat again: destination Mbandaka, a city on the Congo River surrounded by jungle. We’ll stay there for one night and will join a ceremony from a secret religious cult in the evening! The morning after we’ll head out by 4×4 and will visit pygmy tribes for three days. We get to know their customs and traditions and participate in the daily activities. We will return to Mbandaka to take the plane back to Kinshasa. There are only flights from Mbandaka to Kinshasa on Tuesdays so it is important to properly adjust your travel schedule to this flight. Be warned that flights can sometimes be delayed by up to two days, so allow plenty of time in Kinshasa. You have been warned!
Program:
Day 1: Arrival in Kinshasa
We will wait for you at the airport and bring you to your hotel.
Day 2: Boat to Kwamouth
We will pick you up at your hotel around 7am and bring you to the boat. We will have a full day on the Congo River traveling as far as Kwamouth. We will enjoy the magnificent views of the Congo and daily life around the river.
Day 3: Kwamouth to base camp
We dock around noon and then switch for a motorbike or 4×4 to the camp. It is likely that we will already see bonobos on our way.
Day 4 to 6: Tracking Bonobos
Over the next three days we will track bonobos on two occasions, as well as explore the jungle and nearby villages.
Day 7: Mbandaka
We embark on the boat to Mbandaka and will enjoy the ceremony tonight. We will overnight in a simple hotel in the center.
Day 8 to 10: Pygmies
The next three days we’ll stay among the tribe and get acquainted with their rituals and traditions. We camp in tents and eat simple, local meals.
Day 11: Back to Mbandaka
Today we return to Mbandaka by 4×4 and stay here for one more night.
Day 12: Flight back to Kinshasa
Currently the flights are only on Tuesdays. Keep in mind that a flight is sometimes delayed up to two days. You are responsible for paying an extra night and other possible costs in case of delays.
Day 13: City visit in Kinshasa
Full day city visit to Kinshasa today visiting the rapids and several places of interest such as the Cathedral, the port, textile market and the Académie des Beaux Arts.
Day 14: Return flight
We will take you back to the airport. End of the tour. We strongly recommend that you take at least 1 or 2 extra buffer days in Kinshasa.
Have a look at these videos to see how the bonobo visit goes.
Price: From USD 5,599 per person (based on a group of 5 people)
If the flight is delayed, all extra costs are for the customer!
Including:
– Lodging for 13 nights
– Meals during camping and at the bonobos (not in Kinshasa and Mbandaka)
– Professional guides
– 2 bonobo permits and taxes
– All activities as described
– Transportation
– Domestic flight
Exclusive:
– Meals in Kinshasa and Mbandaka
– Drink
– Tips
– Bring your own tent and sleeping gear
– Visa
– PCR test
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. We know of at least one Congolese individual offering boat tours on the Congo River who is already being banned at the bonobo camp as he uses unsafe boats and takes too many risks. We will continue to report these malicious characters to the authorities.
