ANNUAL TRIP: Complete Congo River Cruise (22 days -June 21-July 13, 2015)

***SOLD OUT***

The next annual cruise will happen next year. Check back on our site at the end of the summer. 

Thank you. - The CTT Team.

This is our annual trip version of our largest Congo River tour, using a group of 12 people to bring down costs for individual participants. Prices and dates are NOT flexible for this tour. If you have your own group or would like a private tour of the same itinerary or different dates, please see our regular version of this tour.

THE DATES FOR THIS YEAR'S TRIP ARE: JUNE 21 - JULY 13, 2015

Complete Congo River Cruise (22 days)

(Kisangani-Kinshasa 1734 Km)

With a total length of 4371 km, the Congo River is the second longest river in Africa after the Nile, and with an average flow rate of 40,000 cubic meters per second, it is the second largest river in the world after the Amazon. It also holds claim as the deepest river in the world with measured depths in excess of 220 m (720 ft). From its source in southern Katanga, at an altitude of 1435 meters, the river contours throughout the country, via Kisangani, Mbandaka, Kinshasa and Matadi before reaching the Atlantic Ocean, near Banana. 

The great part is navigable from Kisangani to Kinshasa and Matadi in the Atlantic Ocean. Between the two sections, navigability is limited by a series of rapids that will produce a large hydro - electric dam 'Inga' that feeds the DRC and other neighboring countries with electricity.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE RIVER AND YOUR TRIP:

• Our boat is 20 meters long, wooden and reinforced, equipped with two powerful outboard engines, a bathroom, a generator for lighting, a fridge for your beer, and an experienced and licensed crew. 
• In addition to crew you have a professional guide accompanied by the main guide (branch manager), and cooks.
• Evenings and nights are spent in tents on the ground, allowing for exchange with local people in the welcoming villages.
• For assured special attention, our cruise runs at a maximum capacity of 12
  participants and the program is indicative. 

Day 2: After breakfast, visit Kinshasa and the Mausoleum of the late President Kabila, the rapids of the Congo River, symphony arts, the bonobos in the Lola ya Bonobo sanctuary, the art market 'For thieves,' and numerous monuments and historic buildings. Overnight at hotel

Day 3: Transfer tp Kinshasa-Kisangani regular flight. Arrival, check in at the hotel and visit the city of Kisangani. Overnight at hotel.

Day 4: Boat trip: Kisangani - Yangambi (95 km)

Yangambi is a forest research center. The site is very important from the point of view of biodiversity, as it hosts about 32 000 species of trees. The elephant (Loxodonta africana cyclotis), bush pig (Potamochoerus porcus) and monkeys (Cercopithecus spp.) Are present in the forest to the center but sometimes difficult to see.

Day 5 to 12 - Boat trip: Yangambi - Mbandaka (910 KM)

During our travels we visit many villages:

Lokutu (a large village of 20,000 inhabitants marked by large plantation and plant oil palm.) Mombongo town, village Bumba and Lisala which is the hometown of former President Mobutu Sese Seko. He was born here in a small municipal maternity clinic we would visit too. 

In the village, a wide trunked tree with a large rock commemorates the birth of the King of Zaire Mobutu.

This part of the river is nearly 20km wide with several islands and settlements of fishermen. We visit the villages IATE Moleka, Bolombo, Bolombo, Malonga, Makanza to arrive in Mbandaka

Day 12: You will be arrived in Mbandaka for a night at the hotel and a day of rest. 

Mbandaka, - Locational capital of the province of the equator, formerly Coquilathville, founded by Henry Morton Stanley in 1883, the city is located at the crossing of the River Congo and Ruki River. 

The city retains some fine houses of colonial architecture that hold to this day. The town is inhabited by the tribute Mongo who live in harmony with the Pygmies. 

According to geographers, the city is level with the equator. A fat stone is placed 5 km from the city center to mark the passage of the line.

A visit in the area:

The Eala Botanical Garden and the Catholic mission Bamanya.

The Botanical Garden of Eala was established February 3, 1900 by the Belgian botanist Emile Laurent. It was also the headquarters of the National Institute for Agronomic Studies of the Belgian Congo. The garden is full 3,200 species of trees and plants, 12,000 seagrasses, and several fruit trees. EALA was one of the largest gardens in Africa, which aims to preserve the botanical diversity of Africa and study the agronomic species. Each time, although it is a botanical garden, we reported the presence of a crocodile captured since 1953 and who lives to this day inside.

Day 13: After breakfast, a visit to the city (Musse popular market), the Eala Botanical Garden, Catholic mission Bamanya and Night Hotel

Days 14, 15; 16: Boat trip Mbandaka - Bolobo (505 km) or we will temporarily leave the boat for the visit of Bonobos in the reserve Malebo) in the course visited the villages such as:

Irrebi: commando training center of the Congolese navy to meet the Chief Lolo and learn about the history and adventures of the Congo River Navy.

Ngomnbe, Lukolela (capital territory Lukolele) Yumbi and numerous encampments fishermen

Day 17: arrive in Bolobo, free evening and overnight at the inn for Catholic priests

Day 18: Transfer town Nkala (Malebo reserve), courtesy visit to the village chief, and some dance steps will be observed with the folklore group Teke 'Ekoulbalow' Stay overnight in tents at the farm Mbomou -Tour

Day 19: Morning out ​​in the woods with the trackers to follow the Bonobos. Back to the Villages around 12:00. After lunch, transfer from Yumbi town to join our boat and follow the descent to Kinshasa.

Day 20: Following the descent, visit of the town -Ndombe Bac Mai and meet the traditional chief of the Teke tribe who considers himself an Emperor. Overnight in tents in the village.

Day 21: After breakfast we continue the descent for about 2 hours, when we will at last enter our Kinshasa and we finally leave the boat and crew.

Transfer Downtown, free evening and overnight at the hotel. 

A special dinner buffet with Congolese cuisine.

Day 22: Free day. At last, transfer to the airport to head out of the Congo.

Departure Date: JULY 9

Our menu: 

Breakfast: Tea, coffee, sugar, milk, jam, chocolate, butter, egg omelette

Meals: chicken, meat, fish, vegetables, .........corned beef, sardines, tuna, crab.

Accompaniment: Rice, bread, chicken wings, sweet potato, banana Plantin chikwangues, fufu

Dessert: pineapple, fruit bananas, oranges, papayas and other wild fruits

*We handle food and water during boating, except for Kinshasa

Beer Arrangement (enjoy!) 

Drinks: coke, whiskey, wine ...as well.

Items to bring

-           Hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellent cream, anti sunglasses,

-           Preventive treatment against malaria and other rescue medication

-           Shoes bush shirt or Long Sleeve T-shirts to walk in the forest

Our Price:

From $ 3,999 / participant + 5.5% taxes and fees

*Included in the price are all costs included in the national (domestic) transportation program, food and water on the ground except in Kinshasa and Mbandaka, taxes, accesses and permits, tourism, accommodation, comprehensive travel insurance, and visa support from CTT.

**Not included in the price: Gratuities (Not mandatory)