Congo River Voyage
From USD
$0.00
- Duration: 7 Days (approx.)
- Product code: roc-overland-2-en
Explore and ride the infamous river into the heart of darkness, visit villages, tribes, and forests and view the home of millions of people in transition from the jungle to the city, the domain of untold legions of 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!
Day 1: Arrival and Welcome
Welcome to Brazzaville, our representative will greet you at the airport, and courteously assist you to your hotel. After you comfortably check-in, decide on a fantastic evening tour with popular musicians and bar/cafe spots, or just enjoy a rest and refreshment after a briefing from the local guide.
Day 2: Brazzaville City Tour & River-View Dinner
Kick of your day tour of Brazzaville with city sightseeing, a tank graveyard visit (if open), and traditional Congolese food. Over the course of the day you will see all of the main monuments and if requested, artist collectives and art schools. In the evening enjoy dinner at a river-side restaurant overlooking Kinshasa, and the river traffic of the two capitals. Overnight at Brazzaville tourist hotel.
Day 3: Congo River Cruising & Exploration
After breakfast, depart in the morning on a motorized pirogue (traditional Congolese canoe – comfortable and motorized). Enjoy day riding on the river past all the spectacles of the twin river cities of Kinshasa and Brazzaville, the colossal capital of 20 million across the river, and the former palaces and monuments of African History set against its skyscrapers and modern face. As we cruise, stop at midriver islands for picnics and wave to other boat traffic carrying all sorts of cargo from the interior. Dinner and overnight in tented camp.
Day 4: Congo River Cruising & Exploration
After breakfast, depart in the morning for traveling farther down the river, deep into the interior of the country. Enjoy the views of the colossal new stadiums, universities, bridges, and monuments built for the African Games of 2015. As these fade into the green, witness the mighty currents of the Malabo Pool (Stanley Pool) and the start of ancient Kongo (Kongo Kingdom,) where life outside the twin capitals is largely traditional and unchanged for ages. Dinner and overnight in tourist tented mobile safari camp.
Day 5: Congo River Cruising & Exploration
Visit villages, savannah, rolling steppes, and forest tribes, witness local crafts (NOT gift shops) and traditional houses. Lots of villages and riverlife to see along the main artery of Africa, and great birdwatching opportunities over the water as well, in the deepest, fastest river in the world. Gaze at the footsteps of the rainforest and watch for water animals and fish this afternoon and tonight nearby. Dinner and overnight in tourist tented mobile safari camp.
Day 6: Return to Brazzaville
On your return to Brazzaville cruise down closer to the opposite bank and head rapidly downstream, and view the cultural life and if lucky, river and wildlife of Congo-Kinshasa! Enjoy picnics and drinks en route. Overnight in Brazzaville hotel midrange.
Day 7: Final Day - Departure
After breakfast and hotel check-out, relive the highlights of your expedition with your friends, and stop at local markets for last minute gifts. Enjoy a casual drive through town to any places you like, before your transfer to the airport and sendoff.
END OF SERVICES
Our overland tours include all transport, permits, entrance fees, taxes, vehicle with a/c, and accommodation in safari-style lodges, villages, and tourist hotels (where applicable) and tented camps with top gear from the U.S.. Alcoholic drinks are extra. Congo Travel and Tours will arrange your visa facilitation upon purchase of the tour, and you must apply with our invitation letter at your nearest possible embassy.
Make sure that you have your visa and all the necessary documents to enter the country as we cannot be held responsible for this. Make sure that you have been vaccinated against yellow fever and that you have your vaccination card with you, that you have also been vaccinated against COVID and that you have the necessary PCR test results with you if necessary if the airline takes you the request. We are not responsible for delayed or canceled flights. We try to follow the schedule as closely as possible, but keep in mind that this can always change and some flexibility is needed.
For longer trips, we recommend you to take up to two - three buffer days in the city of departure in case of any hold ups.
We also would like to remind you that besides the lodges in Virunga and Garamba it is not allowed to share a room with a person from the same sex. This is not something we agree with. In case you choose to not follow this advice, we’re not responsible for any problems you might encounter.
** Note that the prices on our website are subject to change.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and Welcome
Welcome to Brazzaville, our representative will greet you at the airport, and courteously assist you to your hotel. After you comfortably check-in, decide on a fantastic evening tour with popular musicians and bar/cafe spots, or just enjoy a rest and refreshment after a briefing from the local guide.
Day 2: Brazzaville City Tour & River-View Dinner
Kick of your day tour of Brazzaville with city sightseeing, a tank graveyard visit (if open), and traditional Congolese food. Over the course of the day you will see all of the main monuments and if requested, artist collectives and art schools. In the evening enjoy dinner at a river-side restaurant overlooking Kinshasa, and the river traffic of the two capitals. Overnight at Brazzaville tourist hotel.
Day 3: Congo River Cruising & Exploration
After breakfast, depart in the morning on a motorized pirogue (traditional Congolese canoe – comfortable and motorized). Enjoy day riding on the river past all the spectacles of the twin river cities of Kinshasa and Brazzaville, the colossal capital of 20 million across the river, and the former palaces and monuments of African History set against its skyscrapers and modern face. As we cruise, stop at midriver islands for picnics and wave to other boat traffic carrying all sorts of cargo from the interior. Dinner and overnight in tented camp.
Day 4: Congo River Cruising & Exploration
After breakfast, depart in the morning for traveling farther down the river, deep into the interior of the country. Enjoy the views of the colossal new stadiums, universities, bridges, and monuments built for the African Games of 2015. As these fade into the green, witness the mighty currents of the Malabo Pool (Stanley Pool) and the start of ancient Kongo (Kongo Kingdom,) where life outside the twin capitals is largely traditional and unchanged for ages. Dinner and overnight in tourist tented mobile safari camp.
Day 5: Congo River Cruising & Exploration
Visit villages, savannah, rolling steppes, and forest tribes, witness local crafts (NOT gift shops) and traditional houses. Lots of villages and riverlife to see along the main artery of Africa, and great birdwatching opportunities over the water as well, in the deepest, fastest river in the world. Gaze at the footsteps of the rainforest and watch for water animals and fish this afternoon and tonight nearby. Dinner and overnight in tourist tented mobile safari camp.
Day 6: Return to Brazzaville
On your return to Brazzaville cruise down closer to the opposite bank and head rapidly downstream, and view the cultural life and if lucky, river and wildlife of Congo-Kinshasa! Enjoy picnics and drinks en route. Overnight in Brazzaville hotel midrange.
Day 7: Final Day - Departure
After breakfast and hotel check-out, relive the highlights of your expedition with your friends, and stop at local markets for last minute gifts. Enjoy a casual drive through town to any places you like, before your transfer to the airport and sendoff.
END OF SERVICES
Our overland tours include all transport, permits, entrance fees, taxes, vehicle with a/c, and accommodation in safari-style lodges, villages, and tourist hotels (where applicable) and tented camps with top gear from the U.S.. Alcoholic drinks are extra. Congo Travel and Tours will arrange your visa facilitation upon purchase of the tour, and you must apply with our invitation letter at your nearest possible embassy.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:
It is important that you realize that traveling to Congo is a special experience that sometimes requires a little patience. You can have decades of experience with safaris and cultural tours in South Africa, Uganda, Ghana or Ethiopia, Congo is something else again. Heavy rain showers, landslides, power outages, an overbooked hotel, a canceled flight, monstrous traffic jams, .. a lot of things can influence the program. It is important to be prepared for this, to be flexible with changes and not to worry. Be sure to bring a power bank, mosquito repellent, sunscreen, sunglasses, cap, extra towel, bactigel, medicine, wet wipes and a flashlight with enough batteries to avoid a lot of frustration. Don't forget a good dose of humor and patience!
Make sure that you have your visa and all the necessary documents to enter the country as we cannot be held responsible for this. Make sure that you have been vaccinated against yellow fever and that you have your vaccination card with you, that you have also been vaccinated against COVID and that you have the necessary PCR test results with you if necessary if the airline takes you the request. We are not responsible for delayed or canceled flights. We try to follow the schedule as closely as possible, but keep in mind that this can always change and some flexibility is needed.
For longer trips, we recommend you to take up to two - three buffer days in the city of departure in case of any hold ups.
We also would like to remind you that besides the lodges in Virunga and Garamba it is not allowed to share a room with a person from the same sex. This is not something we agree with. In case you choose to not follow this advice, we’re not responsible for any problems you might encounter.
** Note that the prices on our website are subject to change.