- Duration: 7 Days (approx.)
- Product code: drc-overland-3-en
Kinshasa – Bonobos Encounter and Grand Circuit of Stanley the Explorer
Immerse yourself in central Africa’s largest city. Tour the river-side capital of Kinshasa, and witness the highlights of its surrounding area. Visit famous sights, landmarks, natural wonders that have wowed all the famous African explorers and pioneers, and learn about the deep history of this high-energy city and the important natural and political region in which it sits.
Day 1: Arrival and Welcome
Welcome to our introductory Kinshasa city Tour. Our Representative greets you at the airport, assists and drops you at your hotel. After you comfortably check-in to your hotel, you have an option of a guided night excursion to see the night life of Kinshasa, or rest after a briefing with your guide. (D)
Day 2: Congo River Cruise
After breakfast, enjoy an unforgettable day on the Congo River using a speed boat with a powerful engine (200cv). Cruise from Kinshasa to Maluku, seeing the wide-spanning Malebo Pool, the Congo River rapids, and Brazzaville, capital of the Republic of the Congo on the way, until you arrive at Maluku, a picturesque fisherman’s village. You will have the opportunity to share a great time with local people living on banks of the Congo River, crossing expansive and endlessly beautiful jungle! (B, L, D)
Day 3: Bonobo, Lukaya, Ma Vallée Lake
Today, your guide drives you to the Bonobo Sanctuary (Lola Ya Bonobo) to visit our close cousin. One of the great apes with 99% genetic similarity with human beings, you can find Bonobos only in the DR Congo. Bonobos are victims of hunting, forest devastation, and are living under the risk of extinction. Bonobos are also chased for meat and the babies kept as pets. Around the site there are small waterfalls and a green lake offering a good time for the whole family in DRC's most family-friendly attraction; you can taste local and traditional food under a smooth red-orange sunset. You will really enjoy ecotourism at its very finest and most responsible on the way to meet your fascinating relatives, the Bonobo’s! Overnight at Kinshasa hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 4: Zongo Waterfalls
This morning we drive to Zongo waterfalls, an amazing and natural wonder located in the forest of Bas Congo. Enjoy the spectacle of a 65 m high waterfall that produces natural 10 m high jets, and have a natural bath if you wish! A real unforgettable moment for any adventurous spirit! Follow the guide and visit an electrical dam nearby, a small village, and discover where the Congo River meets Inkisi. Discover a small natural water pool in Etaka around Zongo. Overnight at Seli Safari Zongo. (B, L, D)
Day 5: Kisantu Botanical Garden
After breakfast, drive to the Botanical garden of Kisantu. There’s an arboretum inside the garden with about 200 species. You will find many unique plants and trees from everywhere in the world, some of which are medicinal and often with mysterious properties. The Inkisi River crosses the garden and offers majestic spectacles. The entire garden has natural plants and trees collected for one of nature and science's biggest treasure troves of species. Enjoy a unique time in Kisantu and its surroundings. Later drive to back Kinshasa for an overnight rest. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Historical City Tour
Today enjoy a historical exploration of Kinshasa, formerly called Leopoldville, from its most tyrannical menace, Kind Leopold II of Belgium. This now huge city was once just a fisher’s village called Insasa. This is a unique occasion for you to learn about Kinshasa’s rich history. We visit the National Institute Museum, handcraft markets, historical statues to know more about the old city, and the first locomotive made in 1889. Stop and rest under the stately and unique Insasa Baobab tree. Gaze at the first hotel built in 1890, as well as the first church in Congo. Pass “Marche de valeur,” or Boboto Center, and buy some works of art and painted tables for your memory. Overnight at Kinshasa hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 7: Final Day - Traditional Dance and Show
Today discover traditional songs and dances with the spirit of magic. Congolese tradition is often given by song and dance from generation to generation. We offer to you a moment to experience the soul of Congo with a traditional demonstration.
Our overland tours include all transport, 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.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and Welcome
Welcome to our introductory Kinshasa city Tour. Our Representative greets you at the airport, assists and drops you at your hotel. After you comfortably check-in to your hotel, you have an option of a guided night excursion to see the night life of Kinshasa, or rest after a briefing with your guide. (D)
Day 2: Congo River Cruise
After breakfast, enjoy an unforgettable day on the Congo River using a speed boat with a powerful engine (200cv). Cruise from Kinshasa to Maluku, seeing the wide-spanning Malebo Pool, the Congo River rapids, and Brazzaville, capital of the Republic of the Congo on the way, until you arrive at Maluku, a picturesque fisherman’s village. You will have the opportunity to share a great time with local people living on banks of the Congo River, crossing expansive and endlessly beautiful jungle! (B, L, D)
Day 3: Bonobo, Lukaya, Ma Vallée Lake
Today, your guide drives you to the Bonobo Sanctuary (Lola Ya Bonobo) to visit our close cousin. One of the great apes with 99% genetic similarity with human beings, you can find Bonobos only in the DR Congo. Bonobos are victims of hunting, forest devastation, and are living under the risk of extinction. Bonobos are also chased for meat and the babies kept as pets. Around the site there are small waterfalls and a green lake offering a good time for the whole family in DRC's most family-friendly attraction; you can taste local and traditional food under a smooth red-orange sunset. You will really enjoy ecotourism at its very finest and most responsible on the way to meet your fascinating relatives, the Bonobo’s! Overnight at Kinshasa hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 4: Zongo Waterfalls
This morning we drive to Zongo waterfalls, an amazing and natural wonder located in the forest of Bas Congo. Enjoy the spectacle of a 65 m high waterfall that produces natural 10 m high jets, and have a natural bath if you wish! A real unforgettable moment for any adventurous spirit! Follow the guide and visit an electrical dam nearby, a small village, and discover where the Congo River meets Inkisi. Discover a small natural water pool in Etaka around Zongo. Overnight at Seli Safari Zongo. (B, L, D)
Day 5: Kisantu Botanical Garden
After breakfast, drive to the Botanical garden of Kisantu. There’s an arboretum inside the garden with about 200 species. You will find many unique plants and trees from everywhere in the world, some of which are medicinal and often with mysterious properties. The Inkisi River crosses the garden and offers majestic spectacles. The entire garden has natural plants and trees collected for one of nature and science's biggest treasure troves of species. Enjoy a unique time in Kisantu and its surroundings. Later drive to back Kinshasa for an overnight rest. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Historical City Tour
Today enjoy a historical exploration of Kinshasa, formerly called Leopoldville, from its most tyrannical menace, Kind Leopold II of Belgium. This now huge city was once just a fisher’s village called Insasa. This is a unique occasion for you to learn about Kinshasa’s rich history. We visit the National Institute Museum, handcraft markets, historical statues to know more about the old city, and the first locomotive made in 1889. Stop and rest under the stately and unique Insasa Baobab tree. Gaze at the first hotel built in 1890, as well as the first church in Congo. Pass “Marche de valeur,” or Boboto Center, and buy some works of art and painted tables for your memory. Overnight at Kinshasa hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 7: Final Day - Traditional Dance and Show
Today discover traditional songs and dances with the spirit of magic. Congolese tradition is often given by song and dance from generation to generation. We offer to you a moment to experience the soul of Congo with a traditional demonstration.
Our overland tours include all transport, 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.
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"Hi Chris,
It was great! The airport hospitality is wonderful and was very appreciated. Waiting with us for hours to get our luggage on the entry, and taking us into the Vodacom place at the airport for a SIM card, and then giving us a drink and letting us wait in their office at the airport on the exit. They were great about getting our luggage through/on board, buying the go pass, and walking us over, and getting through. Thank you for arranging for the ease and stress-free part of that. Very professional and no funny business.Our guide Jeremie Ben was great. He graduated from academie des beaux arts so he made our visit there especially meaningful. It started to rain so we couldn't do the walking tour I hoped for. He also recommended and took us to the best Congolese restaurant in town, Chez Flor. Koen's recommendation for the best Lebanese restaurant was on the mark! We loved Le Palais. Niccolo said it was the highlight meal for him.The Bonobo Sanctuary was perfect - lucky for us the rainy season hadn't kicked in yet - there were deep trenches in the roads that only the expert driver and high 4-wheel drive could do. Our driver was great. We went to Lac de ma vallee too ! We were later told that it is packed on the week-ends, so we lucked out there too and had a lovely lunch and the place to ourselves with fun conversation.It rained on Wednesday, so traffic in Gombe was not so nice. The prime minister was in town so we didn't get to do the river walk I wanted to show Niccolo. But we still managed to buy fabric and have chocolate fondue at Nice Cream. I appreciated that later that afternoon they drove me to Ngiri Ngiri to see the young singers' rehearsal and the Opera Fellows we have been working with, and also the music school building developments. The driver and guide waited for me and got me back to MPH safely. That was very kind of them, I know it was not easy.Thank you again for wonderful trip arrangements !Best wishes,"- Joy Bechtler, Operanauts Princeton University and Orchestra Symphonic of Kinshasa Tour, Kinshasa and Princeton Orchestra Operanauts Tour
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