DRC Pygmy Villages, Congo River, and Deep Jungles 11-Day Tour
From USD
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- Duration: 11 Days (approx.)
- Product code: drc-overland-7-en
Explore and view Kinshasa, ride the infamous river into the heart of darkness. Visit villages, tribes, and forests and view animals and hundreds of unique and some undiscovered species of river fish and birds. Enjoy some of the best music, culture, and scenery of Africa and one of its most legendary journeys.
We adapted this tour out of popular demand and inquiries from our customers online. This trip has an adventurous character and takes place in very back-land Jungles.
Day 1: Arrival & Welcome in Kinshasa
Welcome to Kinshasa, our representative will greet you at the airport, and courteously assist you to your hotel. After you comfortably check-in decide on a fantastic nightlife tour with popular musicians and bar/cafe spots, or just enjoy a rest and refreshment after a briefing from the local guide. (D)
Day 2: Kinshasa Comprehensive Tour
Kinshasa is the third largest city on the African continent, capital of Africa’s third-largest country, the Democratic Republic of Congo (Congo-Kinshasa). It is a major commercial center on the continent; its enormous natural resources are creating an increasingly booming economy. Its population of more than nine million people inhabits a vibrant city of varying contrasts situated on the southern bank of the vast Congo River. It faces Brazzaville, capital of the Republic of Congo, located on the northern bank of the river. The two cities are the only two capitals in the world that face each other. (B, L, D)
Day 3: Zongo Falls and Jungle Overnight
Water spews forth from the mountains and falls on rocks 65 meters (more than 200 feet). The park itself, Zongo Park, provides a lovely setting. A meal and visit to the Seli Lodge is included. This goes deep into the Congolese rainforest. Pass the night far in the African jungle...as far away from home as you've ever felt. (B, L, D)
Day 4: Kinshasa Exploration Day
Transfer back to Kinshasa hotel – Enjoy a free day with the guide and car at your disposal to explore more of Kinshasa or make any last personal errands before setting off deep into the “Heart of Darkness”. (B, L, D)
Day 5: Transfer to Mbandaka by Plane
Fly to Mbandaka city on the Congo River, and get a glimpse at local river life, largely unchanged for countless thousands of years. On arrival take a 4x4 from Mbandaka to Ilema (29 km), where pygmies and the chief of the village give us a warm welcome with traditional dances. We stay here for viewing of nearby natural and cultural attractions, and settle in for an overnight deep in the African rainforest. Understand that regular tourists rarely visit these villages. You are some of the only people they see visit from the outside world; make a good impression. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Trip to Samba, Buya, and Other Pygmy Villages
After breakfast we leave by 0800 for a thrilling trip to Samba. On the Road we stop in Buya, where we visit a small village with pygmies. Here we have the opportunity to view their traditional clothes and wooden sculptures. Overnight stay in Samba, with local pygmies and the chief of the village. (B, L, D)
Day 7: Congo River & Nkake Forest Expedition
After breakfast we take a canoe to Nkake (5 hours paddling) and take the time to admire the vegetation in the old and hugely biodiverse tropical jungle. Enjoy fresh fruit, vegetables, and other specialties to taste. (B, L, D)
Day 8: Bikoro Paddling in Ntumba Lake
After breakfast we leave for Bikoro (2 hours paddling by pirogue on the serene Congo River tributary) on Lake Ntumba. We visit forest pygmies here of another tribe and family. (B, L, D)
Day 9: Trip into the Virgin Jungle
After breakfast at Bikoro we head into the virgin Jungle to I.R.E.S in a 4x4 jeep (30 km). IRES is an animal protection area and has many attractions including a center for research and climatology, and an outpost for the study of the ecology of tropical fauna and flora. Enjoy a guided excursion in the park where you can find ancient and virgin vegetation, several unique animals and birds, and more that are not yet documented by science! Close out the evening with a traditional Congolese dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 10: Travel Back to Mbandaka
Breakfast at 7h00, followed by a 4x4 trip to Mbandaka. We stay the night in Mbandaka and enjoy local restaurant food and cold beer. (B, L, D)
Day 11: Final Day - Transfer Back to Kinshasa
Fly back to Kinshasa for international departure or transfer to your hotel or if staying longer enjoy an evening of fantastic nightlife with popular musicians and bar/cafe spots! (B)
Extended Description
All transfers are made by 4x4 and pirogue (traditional Congolese canoe – comfortable and motorized).
All meals are included; breakfast consists of portable and mostly-non-perishable supplies like bread and rolls with packaged gourmet meats and canned goods; generous provisions of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, and all the tropical fruits the jungle can muster. Lunch consists mainly of fresh fruit and local specialties (goat meat, and/or chicken a la moambe). For dinner when the guides employ their cooking skills enjoy main dishes consisting of meat, poultry, or fish, pasta, vegetables, rice, potatoes, and fufu, a local side dish made of the manioc plant.
Accommodation consists of encampments in the interior and hotels in the city centers. Tents are spacious and comfortable, but electricity and internet are largely unavailable in this region. Toilet facilities are non-existent in this part of the country, so we bring and deploy our own sanitation station to dispose of waste responsibly and keep everyone and everything clean. Bring an adventurous attitude on this trip, it is essential and will reward you immeasurably.
Price: From $3,499
Our overland tours include all insurance, transport, food, permits, entrance fees, taxes, 4x4 with a/c, and accommodation in safari-style lodges, villages, and tourist hotels (where applicable). Alcoholic drinks are extra. Congo Travel and Tours will arrange your visa facilitation upon purchase of a tour, and you must apply with our invitation letter at your nearest possible embassy.
We adapted this tour out of popular demand and inquiries from our customers online. This trip has an adventurous character and takes place in very back-land Jungles.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Welcome in Kinshasa
Welcome to Kinshasa, our representative will greet you at the airport, and courteously assist you to your hotel. After you comfortably check-in decide on a fantastic nightlife tour with popular musicians and bar/cafe spots, or just enjoy a rest and refreshment after a briefing from the local guide. (D)
Day 2: Kinshasa Comprehensive Tour
Kinshasa is the third largest city on the African continent, capital of Africa’s third-largest country, the Democratic Republic of Congo (Congo-Kinshasa). It is a major commercial center on the continent; its enormous natural resources are creating an increasingly booming economy. Its population of more than nine million people inhabits a vibrant city of varying contrasts situated on the southern bank of the vast Congo River. It faces Brazzaville, capital of the Republic of Congo, located on the northern bank of the river. The two cities are the only two capitals in the world that face each other. (B, L, D)
Day 3: Zongo Falls and Jungle Overnight
Water spews forth from the mountains and falls on rocks 65 meters (more than 200 feet). The park itself, Zongo Park, provides a lovely setting. A meal and visit to the Seli Lodge is included. This goes deep into the Congolese rainforest. Pass the night far in the African jungle...as far away from home as you've ever felt. (B, L, D)
Day 4: Kinshasa Exploration Day
Transfer back to Kinshasa hotel – Enjoy a free day with the guide and car at your disposal to explore more of Kinshasa or make any last personal errands before setting off deep into the “Heart of Darkness”. (B, L, D)
Day 5: Transfer to Mbandaka by Plane
Fly to Mbandaka city on the Congo River, and get a glimpse at local river life, largely unchanged for countless thousands of years. On arrival take a 4x4 from Mbandaka to Ilema (29 km), where pygmies and the chief of the village give us a warm welcome with traditional dances. We stay here for viewing of nearby natural and cultural attractions, and settle in for an overnight deep in the African rainforest. Understand that regular tourists rarely visit these villages. You are some of the only people they see visit from the outside world; make a good impression. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Trip to Samba, Buya, and Other Pygmy Villages
After breakfast we leave by 0800 for a thrilling trip to Samba. On the Road we stop in Buya, where we visit a small village with pygmies. Here we have the opportunity to view their traditional clothes and wooden sculptures. Overnight stay in Samba, with local pygmies and the chief of the village. (B, L, D)
Day 7: Congo River & Nkake Forest Expedition
After breakfast we take a canoe to Nkake (5 hours paddling) and take the time to admire the vegetation in the old and hugely biodiverse tropical jungle. Enjoy fresh fruit, vegetables, and other specialties to taste. (B, L, D)
Day 8: Bikoro Paddling in Ntumba Lake
After breakfast we leave for Bikoro (2 hours paddling by pirogue on the serene Congo River tributary) on Lake Ntumba. We visit forest pygmies here of another tribe and family. (B, L, D)
Day 9: Trip into the Virgin Jungle
After breakfast at Bikoro we head into the virgin Jungle to I.R.E.S in a 4x4 jeep (30 km). IRES is an animal protection area and has many attractions including a center for research and climatology, and an outpost for the study of the ecology of tropical fauna and flora. Enjoy a guided excursion in the park where you can find ancient and virgin vegetation, several unique animals and birds, and more that are not yet documented by science! Close out the evening with a traditional Congolese dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 10: Travel Back to Mbandaka
Breakfast at 7h00, followed by a 4x4 trip to Mbandaka. We stay the night in Mbandaka and enjoy local restaurant food and cold beer. (B, L, D)
Day 11: Final Day - Transfer Back to Kinshasa
Fly back to Kinshasa for international departure or transfer to your hotel or if staying longer enjoy an evening of fantastic nightlife with popular musicians and bar/cafe spots! (B)
Extended Description
All transfers are made by 4x4 and pirogue (traditional Congolese canoe – comfortable and motorized).
All meals are included; breakfast consists of portable and mostly-non-perishable supplies like bread and rolls with packaged gourmet meats and canned goods; generous provisions of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, and all the tropical fruits the jungle can muster. Lunch consists mainly of fresh fruit and local specialties (goat meat, and/or chicken a la moambe). For dinner when the guides employ their cooking skills enjoy main dishes consisting of meat, poultry, or fish, pasta, vegetables, rice, potatoes, and fufu, a local side dish made of the manioc plant.
Accommodation consists of encampments in the interior and hotels in the city centers. Tents are spacious and comfortable, but electricity and internet are largely unavailable in this region. Toilet facilities are non-existent in this part of the country, so we bring and deploy our own sanitation station to dispose of waste responsibly and keep everyone and everything clean. Bring an adventurous attitude on this trip, it is essential and will reward you immeasurably.
Price: From $3,499
Our overland tours include all insurance, transport, food, permits, entrance fees, taxes, 4x4 with a/c, and accommodation in safari-style lodges, villages, and tourist hotels (where applicable). Alcoholic drinks are extra. Congo Travel and Tours will arrange your visa facilitation upon purchase of a tour, and you must apply with our invitation letter at your nearest possible embassy.