THE GREAT EXPLORERS: 15 NIGHTS FROM BRAZZAVILLE TO DZANGA SANGHA PARK

 Day – 1 Arrival in Brazzaville

Arrival in Brazzaville. Our guide will meet you at the airport. Boarding begins at 5 p.m. on the Princesse Ngalessa ship. Passengers arriving late in the morning on an Ethiopian Airlines flight can be dropped off in the lobby of the Radisson Hotel to relax while waiting for boarding.

➢ Night on board

Day 2 – Visit of Brazzaville and beginning of the cruise

In the morning, we set out to explore the city, and meet with La Sape – Society of Ambiance-Makers and Elegant People. Then begin the long journey up the Congo River through a landscape of green hills. Behind us, Brazzaville; ahead, the forest. We take advantage of the first miles to get to know our guides and learn about the history of Congo.

➢ Night on board

Day 3 – The Téké Kingdom and Kébé Kébé dance

In the morning, we visit Ngabe, one of the ancient capitals of the Teke kingdom. We ascend through the village to visit the current queen. As the guardian of “Nkwembali,” the spiritual deity of the Bateke, she is the person authorised to transfer power to the new king, the Makoko. She holds significant influence in the Teke kingdom, one of the powerful kingdoms in the country. We witness a kebe-kebe ritual, a dance and an initiatory society from Congo. The ordinary form of the kebe-kebe resembles whirling dervishes, wrapped in raffia robes adorned with feathers from various birds, and manipulating a puppet that generally represents a painted Koyo head showing the specific scarifications of the ethnic group. 

➢ Night on board

Day 4 Tracking bonobos in DRC

Bonobos are a rare and endemic chimpanzee species in the DRC. They are the animal genetically closest to humans, with 98.7% genotypes similar. Three groups of bonobos can be observed around the village of Nkala. This is the only place in the world where it is possible to observe semi-habituated bonobos. In the morning, we leave the boat and drive for two hours through a hilly landscape to reach the bonobo camp. We learn about the project developed by local communities around bonobo conservation.

➢ Night in a tented camp

Day 5 Tracking bonobos 

Upon waking, we head into the forest early to position ourselves under the bonobo nests. As the bonobos wake up, we observe the bonobos stretching and starting their day. We then follow them to continue our observation. We return to the Princess Ngalessa in the late morning.

➢ Night on board

Day 6 – The city of Mossaka and its famous salted fish and the village of Likendze

In the morning we set out to explore the city of Mossaka. We discover the remnants of the colonial era, we visit the bustling local market where we’ll immerse ourselves in the daily life of the local people.  Our visit takes us through the alleys where salted fish dryers are installed. This traditional technique of preserving fish has made Mossaka famous throughout the region. We also discover the production of palm wine and meet a potter. We return to the ship for lunch and continue our navigation to Likendze.

At the village of Likendze on the Sangha River, we learn different fishing techniques such as cast net fishing, trap fishing, and net fishing. Those interested can even try their hand at line fishing. At the late afternoon, we will go for a birding in search of the emblematic birds of the region such as ospreys, palm-nut vultures, African fish eagles, hamerkops, cormorans, kingfishers, weavers, ibis, grey herons, storks, egrets, hornbills, pied crows, Brazza’s Martin and the elusive turaco.

➢ Night on board

Day 7 – The Alima river and the Moye people

In the morning, we leave on launch boats to observe the hippos who live a few kilometres north of the village. Back on the ship, we navigate towards the Alima River. This beautiful narrow winding river is surrounded by swamp forests. We finish the day in the village of Bonda where we meet the Moye People. They are our guides to discover the flooded forest. Following the season, we discover the forest by canoe or on foot. In the evening, the Moye people perform a traditional dance on the bank of the river. At night, we will navigate in a 900 m loop to listen to the forest and perhaps, spot the shining eyes of the crocodiles.

➢ Night on board

Day 8 – The traditional Medicine

We navigate on the Alima River. Passing the many bends of the river, along the banks we can see many charming raffia villages. Later on, we reach the village of Mondongo. This village, also made primarily using raffia, is home to Moye People. We met a local guide who explains the traditional pharmacopoeia and the preparation of remedies. The swamp forest is teeming with plants the villagers use for traditional medicine to treat diseases and injuries. 

In the afternoon, accompanied by our knowledgeable guides, we will walk through the forest, learning about the different emblematic trees, plants, and the secret life of the forest – from the intricate world of insects to the fascinating interplay of flora and fauna that thrives within its lush canopy.

➢ Night on board

Day 9 – Transfer to Ouesso, capital of the Sangha  

After lunch, we disembark for our bus trip to Ouesso through the bush and the tropical forest (6 hours drive). We drive on the east border of the Odzala Kokoua National Park. 

➢ Night at the local hotel

Day 10 to 15 – Immersion in the Tri-national of the Sangha

Situated in the north-western Congo Basin, where Cameroon, Central African Republic and Congo meet, the site encompasses three contiguous national parks totaling around 750,000 ha. Much of the site is unaffected by human activity and features a wide range of humid tropical forest ecosystems with rich flora and fauna, including Nile crocodiles and goliath tigerfish, a large predator. Forest clearings support herbaceous species and Sangha is home to considerable populations of forest elephants, critically endangered western lowland gorilla, and endangered chimpanzee. 

*For cruises with more than 24 passengers, 4 passengers will spend 2 nights in Nouabalé Ndoki for gorilla tracking, then they will join the others and follow the Dzanga Sangha program. The Nouabalé Ndoki gorilla tracking is advised for people with good walking ability.

Day 10 – The Tri-national of the Sangha

We sail up the upper Sangha River towards Bayanga in the Central African Republic on launch boats for a comfortable 7.5 hours journey surrounded by pristine forest. Along the way we can see local villages and settlements. Based on the season we observe the many birds or if we’re lucky some monkeys of the region. We arrive in the afternoon at our lodge for a nice sundowner overlooking the Sangha.

➢ Night at a lodge on the river

Day 11 – Low land gorilla tracking

We leave the lodge in the morning for a 45min drive to the gorilla base camp where we start our tracking. On the trail, we can see many other animals. Accompanied by Baaka trackers, we follow the signs of the groups passing through. Arrived near them, we observe them about ten meters away, and they observe us. The young bicker, the females feed, others rest. The silverback is watching. The largest measure up to 1.70 meters. So as not to disturb them, after an hour we will leave, with images in our heads. 

➢ Night at a lodge on the river

Day 12 – The elephant village

Early in the morning we will visit the famous Dzangha Bai. Known as the Elephant Village, up to 150 elephants can be spotted in a day. Sitting high up in the trees we will have a chance to spot many animals including buffalos, bongos, sitatunga, cephalophus etc. We take the time to observe the animals from the platform before return to our lodge.

➢ Night at a lodge on the river

Day 13 – The Hokous Salt Flats and its wild animals

Departure in the morning for the seven baïs called Hokous baïs. During these walks we have the chance to see a variety of animals including elephants, gorillas, cephalophores, forest hogs and many birds. During our walk, our BaAka trackers will find the groups Agile Mangabeys followed by the scientists. These silver-grey monkeys exhibit remarkable gracefulness as they navigate the forest canopy with ease, using their long limbs and prehensile tails. Agile Mangabeys are highly social creatures, often engaging in playful behaviours such as chasing each other, leaping through the trees, and engaging in mock battles. They communicate through a diverse range of vocalisations, including chirps, squeals, and grunts, which play a crucial role in maintaining social bonds and coordinating group activities. 

➢ Night at a lodge on the river

Day 14 – A day with the Pygmees BaAka

In the morning, we set out for an immersion into the world of the BaAka to discover the traditions of these emblematic people of the forest. Depending on the season, you may participate in a traditional net hunt, discover plants used in traditional medicine, collect honey, or engage in basket fishing. All this in the ever-joyous atmosphere of the forest peoples. Lunch at the Lodge. In the afternoon, we will experience the fascinating water drumming by the BaAka. Striking the water with their palms, the music resonates like a drum from another time. We stroll through Bayanga.

➢ Night at a lodge on the river

Day 15 – Return to Ouesso

After spending the last four days in some of the least visited places on Earth, we return to Ouesso on our launch boat (7 hours). The chance to enjoy one last time the pristine forest before seeing it from above the next day. 

➢ Night at the local hotel

Day 16 – Return to Brazzaville and fly over the evergreen tropical forest

Transfer to the airport and then fly to Brazzaville. Through the portholes, we see the canopy. Such a view of one of the largest forests in the world will stay in our memory forever. Departure in the evening by Air France flight to Paris.

➢ Lunch not included

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