- Duration: 9 Hours (approx.)
- Location: Kisangani
- Product code: kisanganiday
Kisangani ("Stanleyville") Day Tour
Kisangani is the farthest navigable point upstream from the mouth of the Congo River and has been the commercial capital for of the northern part of the country since the late 19th century.
Formerly known as Stanleyville, Kisangani has been in the cross-hairs of war several times over the years and through the Congo Wars, and much of it has been destroyed and rebuilt over time. In some areas, it is clear to see the European influence in the architecture. There is quite a contrast between the modern day buildings in the city and the walls of the jungle that lies on the outskirts.
From historical monuments to an incredible forest, today will give you a great scope of the city and a chance to form your own opinion of a modern-day Kisangani.
Itinerary:
After breakfast this morning, around 8am your guide for the day will pick you up from your hotel to begin the tour of the city. Today you will have a chance to adventure through the town and experience the different buildings and many points of interest.
In no particular order today, you will make your way through Kisangani's botanical gardens, museum, architecture, and 1st Avenue.
The Rosaire of Note-Dame Cathedral, the central market, and the headquarters of all major banks in the city are located on the famous 1st Avenue. The city is a major hub for the National University of the Congo and includes the Medicine Faculty - famously known by the Polio virus conspiracy.
The National Museum of Kisangani offers an extensive collection of ancient Congolese and East African archaeological and ethnological artifacts.
Other points of interest today will include many hotels as you admire their architecture and monuments within the city. Place de la Femme, a monument dedicated to Boyomaise women, and Mobutu's residential home.
In the eastern part of Kisangani on the Congo River, L'Île Mbiye is an incredible forest ecosystem that compromises of dryland forest, flooded forest, and swampy forest. There are great efforts that go into the forest conservation and the area offers an incredible example of nature at its finest on the outskirts of the Congo's third largest city.
This evening, you will be dropped back off at your hotel.
End of services
Included:
- Entrance Fees
- Transport
- Pickup + Dropoff from Hotel
Excluded:
- Meals and Drinks
- Accommodation
- Travel Insurance
“Tele Expedition - What a corker!I'd seen lac Tele on the map and decided it was something worth walking to. It's in the middle of no where, lac Tele national park is famous for having the highest density of gorillas in the Congo basin and the swampy terrain necessary to get to the lake sounded like a true challenge.I later found Congo Travel and Tours were running trips to Lac Tele and got in touch. Chris, the director, immediately got back to me with all transport and logistic details I needed. I was in Brazzaville at the time and he set me up with his lead guide, Omar Badji.Having travelled from the U.K. to Congo-Brazza by motorbike I had some understanding of organisational difficulties in Africa, however I couldn't have done Lac Tele without Chris and Badjie. They know all the major players in the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and, importantly, Boha village. Boha, with its central chieftain, melee of influential families and seeming autonomy was one of the highlights of my trip. However gaining permission to visit the Lac from the chieftain ("The Notable") and appeasing the different families is not a joke. Chris and Badjie ensured that I had everything I needed to ensure things ran smoothly. My WCS guide (Sylvester Ebethas, a native from Boha) also acted as an effective mediator.The trek is every rainforest explorers dream - there is a 50km 'piste' from Boha to the Lac. It takes you through ancient untouched forests and a bugger of a swamp. WIldlife seems to gravitate to the lac, so if you've spent the entire trek staring at the ground to avoid the roots or searching for the lead porter, you're in for a treat when you arrive. Crocs, chimpanzees, gorillas, (and supposedly bonobo's) all live by the lac's banks which you can explore by foot or canoe.So a big thanks to Congo Travel and Tours who were accomodating to my needs and made thhe expedition possible! Cheers"
- Alex P, UK, Motorcycle Trip across the entirety of Africa and Lake Tele Abyssal Zone Wilderness Expedition
Current Ops & Trips