Congo River Expedition

Itinerary

Day 1 - Kinshasa
Arrive in Kinshasa and transfer to the hotel. Overnight Hotel Ixoras or similar.

Day 2 – Kinshasa
After breakfast, a full day tour of the sights and sounds of this sprawling metropolis. Visit the markets and buildings that make this such a fascinating city. Formerly referred to as ‘Kin La Belle’ - meaning ‘Beautiful Kinshasa’, the many years of turmoil has tarnished this image. But slowly, Kinshasa is regaining its splendour. Overnight Hotel Ixoras or similar. (B)

Day 3 - Kinshasa to Mbandaka
Fly to Mbandaka, capital of the Equator Province, and the starting point of river expedition. We camp overnight in the city, ready to leave the next morning on our 11 day voyage bound for Lisala. Overnight tented camp in Mbandaka. (BLD)

Days 4 to 14 – Congo River Expedition: First Leg
The first leg of our voyage, up river from Mbandaka to Lisala is expected to take 10 nights. We will be travelling through a vast area, without roads or airports. The river is a vital-life line for the communities we visit en-route. We will see how they go about their every day lives, buying and selling produce from small boats that criss-cross the river. The people we meet have little, if any contact with the outside world, and certainly no concept of tourism. It is the genuinely spontaneous encounters which makes the trip so pioneering and a must for intrepid travellers. There are few places left on earth where such encounters are possible. It is a special experience shared by only an elite group of travellers a year. (BLD)

Each night will be spent ashore at or close to a village where we can buy fresh produce, prepare dinner and set-up our tented camp for the night. Tents are large and comfortable, 2m in height. Each tent is equipped with a camp bed, self-inflating mattress and cotton mattress covers and pillows. Travellers should bring their sleeping bag or sleeping sheet, as well as a towel and toiletries.

Our transport is aboard a 34m long wooden boat, equipped with two powerful outboard engines. Although a traditional boat it is of course equipped with full safety equipment, toilet facilities, a generator, lighting and freezers for food and drinks. A cook and an English speaking guide accompany the trip throughout.

Day 14 – Lisala
We expect to arrive in Lisala today. Lisala is the home town of the former President Mobutu and the half way point between Mbandaka to Kisangani. Some of your fellow travellers will be returning to Kinshasa, taking a plane back to the capital the following day. At the same time other travellers will fly from Kinshasa to Lisala, in order to travel on the second leg of the expedition to Kisangani. Overnight tented camp in Lisala. (BLD)

Day 15 - Lisala
A full day in Lisala. After seeing some of the group off on their flight back to Kinshasa, we shop for supplies and take on board more food and water. There is also plenty of opportunity to explore the city. Overnight tented camp in Lisala. (BLD)

Days 16 to 25 – Congo River Expedition: Second Leg
The second leg of our voyage will take us further up river from Lisala, to our final destination, the city of Kisangani. The trip is expected to take 10 nights and as with the first leg, each night will be spent ashore at or close to a village where we can buy fresh produce, prepare dinner and set-up our tented camp for the night.

Highlights of the second leg of the expedition include Bumba, where the river is at its widest, some 20 kilometres across and covered with water hyacinths. Closer to Kisangani we will travel through Yangambi, an important Biosphere Reserve which hosts 32,000 tree species. Wildlife in the reserve includes elephant, river hog and monkeys. (BLD)

Day 26 – Kisangani
Today we arrive at our destination, Kisangani. There will be time to explore the city before we return to Kinshasa the next day. Founded by Stanley in 1877, highlights include the Tshopo River Falls and the Wagenia fisheries, set-up in the middle of the rapids. Fishing is carried out by means of a complex structure set amongst the rocks to trap the fish. Overnight tented camp in Kisangani. (BLD)

Day 27 –Kinshasa
Transfer to Kisangani’s airport for a scheduled flight back to Kinshasa. Hotel Ixoras or similar. (B)

Day 28 - Kinshasa
Tour ends. (B)

Please note

Travel in the DR Congo can be very challenging. It is not an ordinary holiday destination and all clients must be prepared for testing conditions and facilities. Corruption is endemic and petty theft common.

Due to unforeseen situations, we cannot always guarantee the contents of the programme. Your tour will almost certainly be affected by flight delays or possible last minute cancellations. It should also be noted that Congolese airlines do not operate to the same standards as those in Europe. In the event that changes must be made to your tour, our local operator will always endeavour to make suitable arrangements, which meet with the agreement of the client(s). However, we do not accept liability for such changes and compensation will not be offered. Your booking will only be accepted on this basis.