Majestic Congo: 12 Nights from Brazzaville to Oyo
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CONGO CRUISE
- Native Congolese guides to accompany you
- One of the richest terrestrial ecosystems in the world
- Observation of gorillas, hippos, and river birds
- One day in the Lésio Louna reserve
- A diverse landscape: savanna and swamp forests
- Discovery of local markets
- Meeting lakeside communities with traditional knowledge
- Daily disembarkation by motorboat or canoe
- Visit to Brazzaville and its sapeurs
- Onboard lectures to enrich the journey
- Small group travel to foster connections and minimize disruption to ecosystems
- Environmentally and culturally respectful travel
CLIMATE
- Average temperature of 26°C.
- Tropical rainfall and daily sunshine.
- Time zone: GMT+1.
EXTENSIONS
- 3-day extension to track bonobos in the DRC (from Oyo).
- 3-4 day extension to Baï d’Imbalanga in Odzala-Kokoua National Park (from Oyo).
- Visit the port city of Pointe-Noire and the Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Sanctuary on the Kouilou River (2-3 nights) and spend time by the sea at Indian Point on Bamboo Beach.
Majestic Congo: 800 KM Cruise from Brazzaville to Oyo
12 NIGHTS
Day 1 – Arrival in Brazzaville
Arrival in Brazzaville. Embarkation on board the ship.
Overnight on board.
Day 2 – Visit Brazzaville and Start of the Cruise
In the morning, we explore the city, including the Museum of the Congo Basin, Poto Poto School, and the Cathedral. Upon our return, we are welcomed by the famous Sape – the Society of Stylers and Elegant People. Then, we begin the long journey up the Congo River through a landscape of lush hills. We take this time to get to know our guides and learn more about Congo.
Overnight on board.
Day 3 – The Téké Kingdom and Kebe Kebe Dance
In the morning, we visit Ngabe, one of the ancient capitals of the Téké kingdom. We ascend the village to visit the current queen of the kingdom. As the guardian of the “Nkwembali,” the spiritual god of the Batéké, she is authorized to transfer power to the new king, the Makoko.
We witness a Kebe Kebe ritual. This is a dance and initiation society of Congo. The ordinary form of Kebe Kebe resembles whirling dervishes, wrapped in raffia dresses adorned with feathers from various birds, manipulating a puppet that typically represents a Koyo head, painted to show the specific scarifications of the ethnic group.
Overnight on board.
Day 4 – Gorillas of Lésio Louna
We depart early in the morning in a 4×4 for a 3-hour drive to the Lésio Louna Reserve. Founded in 1999 by the Aspinall Foundation, and part of the Congolese Gorilla Protection Program (PPG), Lésio Louna aims to rescue gorillas from wildlife trafficking or zoos that can no longer care for them and reintroduce them into their natural habitat. Aboard a motorboat, we navigate the Louna River, winding through the forest, with caregivers to reach the islands where the gorillas live during their adaptation period. Once they can feed themselves, they will be released into the Park. We then continue further down the river to observe the many hippos. After a memorable time near these fascinating primates, we return to the Princesse Ngalessa in a 4×4 for another 3-hour drive.
Overnight on board.
Day 5 – The Lefini Estuary
In the morning, we reach the estuary of the Lefini River, where we can observe hippos. We leave the ship by motorboat and cautiously approach these majestic mammals. We return to the ship for lunch and continue our navigation. The Congo River widens significantly (over 10 km), creating a maze of islands. Fishing villages establish themselves during the dry season.
Overnight on board.
Day 6 – The Thousands of Islands of the Congo River and the “Baleinières”
We explore the communities and villages along the river. Depending on the day of the week, we stroll through local markets and discover the daily lives of the residents. From the observation deck, we watch fascinating vessels, baleinières, and long flat-bottomed transport barges that are pushed along the Congo River. Traveling for weeks and measuring up to two hundred meters long, these floating villages transport goods, people, and livestock from town to town. They play a crucial role in the economy and life of the Congo River communities. If time permits, we will take the opportunity to camp on a sandbank amid the myriad of islands.
Overnight on board.
Day 7 – The Village of Mossaka and its Famous Salted Fish
In the morning, we set out to explore the village of Mossaka. Guided by our local guide, Jean de Dieu, we discover the remnants of the colonial era and the lively local market, immersing ourselves in the daily life of the locals. Our visit leads us through the alleys where salted fish dryers are set up. This traditional fish preservation technique has made Mossaka famous throughout the region. We return to the ship for lunch and continue our navigation toward Loukolela.
Overnight on board.
Day 8 – Loukolela’s Fair Market and the Fishing Village of Likendze
Today, we visit Loukolela’s fair market, where, from Thursday to Saturday, villagers from the surrounding areas come by wooden boats to trade their goods at the local market. These fairs are true celebrations where friends and families reunite, leaving the isolation of camps for a few days. We continue our navigation through the marshes to reach the village of Likendze on the Sangha River. We learn different fishing techniques such as net fishing, trapping, and line fishing. Those interested can try their hand at fishing. The river is teeming with Mbenga and the formidable Goliath tiger fish. At the end of the day, villagers present a dance they perform to celebrate occasions such as Tembedi, Mondika, banamoi, or empire.
Overnight on board.
Day 9 – Kayaking on the Famous Sangha River
In the morning, we set out by boat to observe hippos that live a few kilometers north of the village. In the afternoon, we explore by kayak a branch of the Sangha River toward Bonga, a fishing village surrounded by centuries-old trees. In January and February, we will kayak through the flooded forest to discover this ecosystem. Depending on the season, during our cruise, we may have the chance to see some of the region’s iconic birds, such as ospreys, palm vultures, fish eagles, African herons, cormorants, kingfishers, weavers, ibises, grey herons, storks, egrets, hornbills, pied crows, Brazza’s martins, and the famous turaco.
Overnight on board.
Day 10 – Palm Wine, Fish, and the Likouala People
We discover the Mbam camp where Rwandans, Zairians, and Congolese have settled. We meet Mr. Mokole, who collects palm wine morning and evening using calabashes attached to palm tree trunks. Twice a day, he climbs the trunk to empty the containers. We taste the palm wine. Nearby, his Rwandan neighbor is starting agriculture on the island. We then visit the fishing camp of Ekouli Pouri on the Likouala Mossaka River and learn about the lives of its few inhabitants, the Likoualas. Back on the ship, we navigate to the Alima River, a beautiful narrow, winding river surrounded by swamp forests. At the end of the day, we reach the village of Bonda, populated by the Moye people. We discover their traditions. At night, we listen to the forest and perhaps catch a glimpse of the shining eyes of crocodiles lurking on the riverbanks.
Overnight on board.
Day 11 – The Alima River and the Moye People
We navigate the Alima River. Along the banks, we discover beautiful small villages with thatched houses. Later, we reach the village of Mondongo. This village, also primarily built from raffia, is home to the Moye people. We meet Gislain, who explains the local pharmacopoeia. The swamp forest is rich in plants that the villagers use for traditional medicine. We reach the presidential town of Oyo by night.
Overnight on board.
Day 12 – Return to Brazzaville
We disembark in the morning for a comfortable 6.5-hour bus ride to Brazzaville. We arrive in the evening in Brazzaville.
Dinner
Overnight in a 5-star hotel.
Day 13 – Return Flight
Transfer to the airport for your return flight or the opportunity to extend your trip to discover:
- The port city of Pointe-Noire and visit the Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Sanctuary on the Kouilou River (2-3 nights), with time spent by the sea at Indian Point on Bamboo Beach.
- 3-day extension for tracking bonobos in the DRC (from Oyo)
- 3-4 day extension to the Baï of Imbalanga in Odzala-Kokoua National Park (from Oyo)
End of Service
Croisière Safari dans le bassin du Congo
Un voyage au coeur de l’Afrique équatoriale, dans les dernières forêts sauvages de la Sangha.
Croisière Safari dans le bassin du Congo
Un voyage au coeur de l’Afrique équatoriale, dans les dernières forêts sauvages de la Sangha.
Croisière Safari dans le bassin du Congo
Un voyage au coeur de l’Afrique équatoriale, dans les dernières forêts sauvages de la Sangha.
Croisière Safari dans le bassin du Congo
Un voyage au coeur de l’Afrique équatoriale, dans les dernières forêts sauvages de la Sangha.
EXPLOREZ LE CONGO
Croisière Safari dans le Bassin du Congo
Un voyage au coeur de l'Afrique équatoriale, dans les dernières forêts sauvages de la Sangha.
12 nuits - A partir de 6 100 €