1. A Farm Holiday in the Green Hills of Masisi
In the east of Congo in the Kivu, there are several beautiful farms in the Masisi Mountains where it is pleasant to stay for a few days and where you can completely relax. You can go horseback riding and take a number of beautiful walks in this lovely green landscape. Enjoy the fresh local fruits and vegetables and don’t miss the local Kivu cheese!
2. A stay in a tree house in the Mayombe Forest
The Mayombe forest is a region that is not really known among tourists, insofar as Congo is known among tourists at all.. It is a beautiful rainforest where you are treated to beautiful views of the wooded hills when you come here from Pointe-Noire drives. We always stay in a treehouse in the middle of the forest and a stay of two to three days is perfect to discover the secrets of the jungle with our team. Recommended!
3. A flight safari over Garamba Park
Garamba Park is one of the oldest parks in Africa and one of the successful projects of African Parks, arguably one of the best organizations in Africa for the conservation of nature and wildlife. It is a beautiful park with savanna and it is possible to fly over the park in an airplane or helicopter during your stay and observe the animals from the air. It is a unique experience that also produces the perfect photos of your holiday.
4. Encounter with the mountain gorillas of Virunga
The most popular destination in Congo is Virunga Park and the mountain gorillas are the main reason people come here. Virunga is the success story of the Belgian prince de Merode who protects the park together with his army of rangers. It is also home to excellent lodges with well-trained staff and delicious cuisine. Visiting the gorillas is a very unique experience and nothing comes close. For an hour you will be face to face with these animals and you will also have the ideal opportunity to take pictures of these beautiful primates. Book your safari and gorilla tracking in Virunga today with Congo Travel and Tours!
5. Visiting Yangambi
Yangambi was a large research center west of Kisangani where hundreds of Belgians and other foreigners worked in the field of agriculture and
research on plants and the tropics in general. This beautiful center, built in brick, is perfectly preserved and can be visited by boat from Kisangani. However, you must plan a visit well and you must obtain the correct permit in advance. We can easily get the permits and typically stay three nights or so in the compound. It’s also possible to combine this with a visit to the Lokele Tribe.
6. A trip on the mighty Congo River
The Congo River is a mythical river that captures the imagination of many and made legendary by Conrad in his Heart of Darkness and by explorers like Stanley. It is an immense river with a very strong current and an important trade route through this huge country with very little infrastructure. A trip on this river will introduce you to the everyday life of the people who live around the water and also show you the magnificence and beauty of nature. If you don’t feel like a weeklong trip, you can also take a day trip on the river where you enjoy a piece of grilled fish in the afternoon and a beer on a sandbank in the middle of the river.
7. A tour in Bas-Congo
Bas-Congo is the most tourist-friendly region of Congo and is also the region most visited by locals. It is the perfect setting for a cultural exploration with a variety of activities and different sites to visit. You can quickly fill a week with all kinds of visits and not be finished yet. Our favorites are the Kimpese Falls, Kisantu Botanical Garden and the Mangrove Park next to Muanda.
8. Congolese cuisine in Kinshasa
Congolese cuisine is, in our opinion, the best cuisine in central Africa and it is quite an adventure to discover this cuisine with a whole range of ingredients that you have never tasted and some very exotic and bizarre dishes. The main components in the kitchen are fufu and manioc, but rice, plantains and even fries are also very popular. Some recommendations are: madesu (white beans in tomato sauce), pondu (manioc leaves), fumbwa (peanut sauce), maboke (freshwater fish prepared in banana leaves), mbika (ground pumpkin seeds cooked into balls). Those who dare can also try a number of insects such as crickets (very tasty), termites, larvae and caterpillars.
We especially recommend the poulet mayo: an unhealthy way of preparing chicken with mayonnaise (and you should not eat it too often), but it is delicious and a guilty pleasure for many. If this doesn’t appeal to you, you can also go anywhere in town for regular grilled chicken (always over a wood fire), and no one makes better chicken than the Congolese! Also pork, grilled and chopped or even goat cooked to perfection in a number of places in Kinshasa is also an absolute must try. Be sure to try the plantains when you can and look out for grilled cricket skewers on the street, a real treat!
9. A stay on Tchegera Island on Lake Kivu
Tchegera is a small green island on the ledge of an extinct volcano in the middle of Lake Kivu. It is a beautiful oasis of peace with beautiful birds and wonderful to relax for a few days and explore the island on foot or by kayak. You stay in beautiful tents with furniture and eat delicious dishes from the kitchen on the beach at the campfire. An absolute must to combine with a visit to the mountain gorillas.
10. Surfing the coast of Pointe-Noire
Pointe-Noire is an oil town on the coast of Congo-Brazzaville and home to many beautiful beaches and the perfect base to visit the Mayombe Forest or the Conkouati National Park. On the coast we find a lot of big waves and a strong current in the water. Every day, a handful of local surfers and expats brave these waves. This place is still completely unknown among international surfers, but it is worth a visit. And if you don’t surf? Don’t worry, you can also enjoy the beach, the forest and the local nightlife and the wonderful restaurants!
