THE GREAT EXPLORERS
15-night expedition
Embark on one of the most mysterious and authentic journeys
EXPEDITION in THE HEART OF THE CONGO
Track gorillas and bonobos
The Congo Basin is the second largest forest in the world after the Amazon. The Congo River is the second largest in the world. A veritable artery of communication, boats of all kinds cross it to supply towns, villages and camps set up on the edge of the forests.
The Congo Basin is also home to a wealth of flora and fauna, both exceptional and secret, living in the heart of the primary forests. In the National Parks, there are clearings, rivers and trees where truly wild fauna can be observed, sometimes fearful, sometimes curious. A fascinating experience of true nature.
Little known to the public, this region is fascinating. It’s a gigantic territory of forests and rivers, covering 3.7 million km², and very sparsely populated.
This expedition to the Congo is an immersion into the heart of a world that few foreigners have been able to discover until now. We invite you to enter the heart of Central Africa by navigating the Congo River and its various tributaries to discover all its diversity.
If you have an adventurous spirit, the soul of a traveller and want to get off the beaten track for an authentic trip, then we look forward to welcoming you aboard the Princesse Ngalessa for an expedition to the Congo!
NAVIGATION
From May to January on the Congo and Alima rivers
COUNTRY
Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazaville)
THE GREAT EXPLORERS: 800KM EXPEDITION FROM BRAZZAVILLE TO DZANGA SANGHA NATIONAL PARK
Congo Expedition: 15 NIGHTS / 16 DAYS
3 countries: Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo and Central African Republic
3 rivers: Congo, Alima and Sangha
Gorilla and bonobo tracking
Departing from Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo, the city of Rumba, sapeurs and the Poto-Poto art school, we embark on a unique 15-night journey along the Congo River, the Alima River and the Dzanga Sangha National Park.
Over a distance of almost 800 km, we will sail from the green hills to the swampy forests of the Alima, moving to the rhythm of the river, discovering lake life, the surrounding nature and the people who live there.
In motorboats, we will cruise between the river’s islands and tributaries, discovering villages and local life, watching birds and hippos depending on the season.
In the forests of the DRC, we will track the world’s only semi-habituated groups of Bonobos visible in their natural habitat. An incredible initiative supported by local communities. An experience unique in the world that only a handful of people have been able to experience.
In the evening, in the peace and quiet of our comfortable ship, in the heart of the planet’s second largest lung, sipping a glass of wine before a good meal, we will discuss the major issues of conservation, the history of the Congo and the history of its peoples….
We then leave our ship and head for the lodges, via Ouesso, the capital of the Sangha and its cathedral forests. From there, we will take a speedboat through the Sangha tri-national to explore one of Central Africa’s most famous parks, the Dzanga Sangha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, we’ll discover the ‘elephant village’, where dozens of elephants live in a clearing in the middle of the forest, among Bongos, buffalo, Sitatungas, bushpigs, monkeys and mangabeys… An area unique in the world.
On day 16, we will leave the forest and fly over the canopy towards Brazzaville.
What you will have seen and experienced, only a handful of people will have had access to. Experienced as an exploration, this unique journey will remain engraved in your memory forever.
Like any expedition, there will be surprises, unforeseen events and unforgettable experiences! We’re inviting you to embark on a truly diverse journey through culture, flora and fauna. We’ll be opening the door to a closed territory where tourism is still in its infancy. Such a voyage is reserved for true travellers in search of knowledge, of raw, unstaged discoveries, in nature as it is, which cannot be controlled.
Ship: Princesse Ngalessa
From €9,525 per person
THE GREAT EXPLORERS: 800KM EXPEDITION FROM BRAZZAVILLE TO DZANGA SANGHA NATIONAL PARK
Congo Expedition: 15 NIGHTS / 16 DAYS
3 countries: Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo and Central African Republic
3 rivers: Congo, Alima and Sangha
Departing from Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo, the city of Rumba, sapeurs and the Poto-Poto art school, we embark on a unique 15-night journey along the Congo River, the Alima River and the Dzanga Sangha National Park.
Over a distance of almost 800 km, we will sail from the green hills to the swampy forests of the Alima, moving to the rhythm of the river, discovering lake life, the surrounding nature and the people who live there.
In motorboats, we will cruise between the river’s islands and tributaries, discovering villages and local life, watching birds and hippos depending on the season.
In the forests of the DRC, we will track the world’s only semi-habituated groups of Bonobos visible in their natural habitat. An incredible initiative supported by local communities. An experience unique in the world that only a handful of people have been able to experience.
In the evening, in the peace and quiet of our comfortable ship, in the heart of the planet’s second largest lung, sipping a glass of wine before a good meal, we will discuss the major issues of conservation, the history of the Congo and the history of its peoples….
We then leave our ship and head for the lodges, via Ouesso, the capital of the Sangha and its cathedral forests. From there, we will take a speedboat through the Sangha tri-national to explore one of Central Africa’s most famous parks, the Dzanga Sangha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, we’ll discover the ‘elephant village’, where dozens of elephants live in a clearing in the middle of the forest, among Bongos, buffalo, Sitatungas, bushpigs, monkeys and mangabeys… An area unique in the world.
On day 16, we will leave the forest and fly over the canopy towards Brazzaville.
What you will have seen and experienced, only a handful of people will have had access to. Experienced as an exploration, this unique journey will remain engraved in your memory forever.
Like any expedition, there will be surprises, unforeseen events and unforgettable experiences! We’re inviting you to embark on a truly diverse journey through culture, flora and fauna. We’ll be opening the door to a closed territory where tourism is still in its infancy. Such a voyage is reserved for true travellers in search of knowledge, of raw, unstaged discoveries, in nature as it is, which cannot be controlled.
Ship: Princesse Ngalessa
From €9,525 per person
THE GREAT EXPLORERS: 800KM EXPEDITION FROM DZANGA SANGHA NATIONAL PARK TO BRAZZAVILLE
Congo Expedition: 15 NIGHTS / 16 DAYS
3 countries: Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo and Central African Republic
3 rivers: Congo, Alima and Sangha
Gorilla and bonobo tracking
After a flight over the sublime canopy, we embark on a unique 15-night journey through the Dzanga Sangha National Park, the Alima River and the Congo River.
From Ouesso, capital of the Sangha and its cathedral forests, we’ll travel by speedboat through the Sangha tri-national to explore one of Central Africa’s most famous parks, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Dzanga Sangha National Park. Here, we’ll discover the ‘elephant village’, where dozens of elephants live in a clearing in the middle of the forest, among Bongos, buffalo, Sitatungas, bushpigs, monkeys and mangabeys… An area that is unique in the world.
Leaving the Park’s lodges, we head for Oyo, from where we board our ship.
Over a distance of almost 800 km, we will sail from the swampy forests of the Alima to the green hills of the Congo River, following the rhythm of the river, discovering lake life, the surrounding nature and the people who live there.
Aboard motorboats, we will sail daily between the river’s islands and tributaries, discovering villages and local life, spotting birds and hippos depending on the season.
In the forests of the DRC, we will track the world’s only semi-habituated groups of Bonobos visible in their natural habitat. An incredible initiative supported by local communities. An experience unique in the world that only a handful of people have been able to experience.
In the evening, in the calm of our comfortable ship, in the heart of the second largest lung on the planet, sipping a glass of wine before a good meal, we will discuss the major issues of conservation, the history of the Congo and the history of its peoples….
On day 16, we will reach Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo, the city of Rumba, sapeurs and the Poto-Poto art school.
What you will have seen and experienced, only a handful of people will have had access to. Experienced as an exploration, this unique trip will remain engraved in your memory forever.
Like any expedition, there will be surprises, unforeseen events and unforgettable experiences! We’re inviting you to embark on a real journey, a journey of diversity between culture, fauna and flora. We’ll be opening the door to a closed territory where tourism is still in its infancy. Such a voyage is reserved for true travellers in search of knowledge, of raw, unstaged discoveries, in nature as it is, which cannot be controlled.
Ship: Princesse Ngalessa
From €9,525 per person
THE GREAT EXPLORERS: 800KM EXPEDITION FROM DZANGA SANGHA NATIONAL PARK TO BRAZZAVILLE
Congo Expedition: 15 NIGHTS / 16 DAYS
3 countries: Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo and Central African Republic
3 rivers: Congo, Alima and Sangha
After a flight over the sublime canopy, we embark on a unique 15-night journey through the Dzanga Sangha National Park, the Alima River and the Congo River.
From Ouesso, capital of the Sangha and its cathedral forests, we’ll travel by speedboat through the Sangha tri-national to explore one of Central Africa’s most famous parks, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Dzanga Sangha National Park. Here, we’ll discover the ‘elephant village’, where dozens of elephants live in a clearing in the middle of the forest, among Bongos, buffalo, Sitatungas, bushpigs, monkeys and mangabeys… An area that is unique in the world.
Leaving the Park’s lodges, we head for Oyo, from where we board our ship.
Over a distance of almost 800 km, we will sail from the swampy forests of the Alima to the green hills of the Congo River, following the rhythm of the river, discovering lake life, the surrounding nature and the people who live there.
Aboard motorboats, we will sail daily between the river’s islands and tributaries, discovering villages and local life, spotting birds and hippos depending on the season.
In the forests of the DRC, we will track the world’s only semi-habituated groups of Bonobos visible in their natural habitat. An incredible initiative supported by local communities. An experience unique in the world that only a handful of people have been able to experience.
In the evening, in the calm of our comfortable ship, in the heart of the second largest lung on the planet, sipping a glass of wine before a good meal, we will discuss the major issues of conservation, the history of the Congo and the history of its peoples….
On day 16, we will reach Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo, the city of Rumba, sapeurs and the Poto-Poto art school.
What you will have seen and experienced, only a handful of people will have had access to. Experienced as an exploration, this unique trip will remain engraved in your memory forever.
Like any expedition, there will be surprises, unforeseen events and unforgettable experiences! We’re inviting you to embark on a real journey, a journey of diversity between culture, fauna and flora. We’ll be opening the door to a closed territory where tourism is still in its infancy. Such a voyage is reserved for true travellers in search of knowledge, of raw, unstaged discoveries, in nature as it is, which cannot be controlled.
Ship: Princesse Ngalessa
From €9,525 per person
MEALS ON BOARD
A culinary experience blending African and European influences. A menu specially prepared by a Franco-Congolese chef.
SAFETY ON BOARD
Most of the journey takes place in sparsely populated areas, and the Republic of Congo is one of the safest countries in Africa.
Radio communication with separate battery
Satellite telephone
Life jackets
Fire extinguishers and smoke detectors in each cabin
Flares and signals
On-board first-aid kit