Travel along the mighty Congo river

Itinerary

Day 1 – Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo)

Welcome to Kinshasa, the vibrant and energetic capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Upon arrival at the airport, our team will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.

Stretching along the mighty Congo River, directly opposite Brazzaville, Kinshasa is one of Africa’s largest and most fascinating cities. This evening is yours to settle in, relax after your journey, or soak up your first impressions of this lively metropolis.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Kinshasa.

Day 2 – Kinshasa (DR Congo)

Today we explore the vibrant capital of Kinshasa, a city known for its music, culture and lively atmosphere. During our city tour, we visit some of its most important landmarks, including the iconic Limete Tower, Stade des Martyrs, Independence Square, and the legendary Tata Raphaël Stadium, famous for the historic Rumble in the Jungle boxing match. If open, we also visit the National Museum of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, before passing the Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Congo, the Académie des Beaux-Arts, and the Mausoleum of President Laurent-Désiré Kabila, featuring a striking North Korean-designed monument.

The highlight of the day is meeting the famous Sapeurs. Dressed in colourful designer suits, these modern-day dandies are a unique symbol of Congolese culture. We’ll spend time with them, learn about their traditions, enjoy their music and dances, and have plenty of opportunities for memorable photographs.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Kinshasa.

Day 3 – Kinshasa (DR Congo)

This morning we leave the busy streets of Kinshasa behind and visit the Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary, one of the world’s only sanctuaries dedicated to the endangered bonobo. The highlight of the day is meeting these remarkable great apes, many of which were rescued from the illegal bushmeat and wildlife trade. During our visit, we’ll learn about the sanctuary’s important conservation work and observe the bonobos in a safe, natural environment.

Back in Kinshasa, we stop at the Patrice Lumumba Statue, designed by North Korean artists, before visiting Parc Ngaliema, where remnants of the country’s colonial past, including statues of King Leopold II and Henry Morton Stanley, tell part of the complex history of the Congo.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Kinshasa.

Day 4 – Kinshasa (DR Congo)

Today we leave Kinshasa behind for a full-day excursion deep into the Congolese countryside. After a scenic drive, we arrive at the secluded community of Tata Gonda, also known as the Celestial Army. Founded by the prophet Tata Gonda Wasilua, this remarkable community has chosen a life of simplicity, prayer and isolation from the modern world.

The highlight of the day is witnessing a traditional spiritual ceremony led by Tata Ghonda and his companions. During our visit, we’ll gain a rare insight into their unique beliefs, rituals and way of life, where faith, community and humility remain at the centre of everyday life. It is one of the most authentic and memorable cultural experiences in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Day 5 – Kinshasa – Brazzaville (Congo)

This morning we say goodbye to Kinshasa and board the boat across the mighty Congo River to Brazzaville. After completing the border formalities on both sides of the river, we arrive in the capital of the Republic of the Congo.

In the afternoon, we explore Brazzaville, visiting landmarks such as the Nabemba Tower, the country’s tallest building, the beautiful St. Anne’s Basilica, and the Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza Memorial, dedicated to the Italian explorer who founded the city.

The highlight of the day is meeting Brazzaville’s Sapeurs. While sharing the same passion for elegance and colourful fashion as their counterparts in Kinshasa, they have developed their own distinct style and traditions. We’ll spend time with them, learn about this unique cultural movement, and have plenty of opportunities to take memorable photographs.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Brazzaville.

Day 6 – Brazzaville – Lesio Luna 

Today we leave Brazzaville behind and travel north to the Lesio-Louna Reserve, one of the country’s most important wildlife conservation areas. Upon arrival, we board a boat to explore its rivers, wetlands and dense forests, keeping an eye out for hippopotamuses, forest buffalo, red river hogs and several species of duiker.

The highlight of the day is visiting the reserve’s impressive silverback gorillas. Accompanied by experienced rangers, we’ll learn about the important conservation work taking place here while observing these magnificent primates in their natural forest environment.

After a late lunch, we return to Brazzaville, reflecting on another unforgettable day in the heart of Central Africa.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Brazzaville.

Day 7 – Brazzaville – Point Noire

Today marks the end of group A, with a transfer to the airport for your onward journey. For travellers continuing on Group B: West Congo & Cabinda Tour, the adventure continues as we travel west towards Pointe-Noire, the economic capital of the Republic of the Congo and the country’s gateway to the Atlantic Ocean.

Along the way, the highlight is a visit to the Nkila Ntari Cave, hidden deep within the rainforest. The cave is home to fascinating rock paintings, impressive stalactites and stalagmites, and offers a glimpse into the region’s ancient past. Even in today’s Congolese culture it’s still considered as a very spiritual place.

After continuing our scenic drive through the lush Congolese countryside, we arrive in Pointe-Noire, a lively coastal city known for its port, beaches and important role in the country’s economy. Travellers joining Group B today will be met at the airport and join the rest of the group at the hotel.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Pointe Noire.

Day 8 – Pointe Noire

Today we explore the coastal city of Pointe-Noire, beautifully located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Our first stop is the spectacular Gorges of Diosso, often referred to as the Grand Canyon of the Congo. The striking red rock formations create one of the country’s most photogenic natural landscapes and are undoubtedly the highlight of the day.

We continue to the Mâ-Loango Regional Museum (also known as the Diosso Museum), where we learn more about the history and cultural heritage of the region, before exploring the lively centre of Pointe-Noire, including its harbour and nearby beach.

To end the day, we visit the city’s beautiful colonial railway station, a reminder of the historic Congo–Ocean Railway, one of the few railway lines in Central Africa that still operates today.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Pointe Noire.

Day 9 – Pointe Noire – Cabinda (Angola)

This morning we cross the border into Cabinda, the isolated Angolan exclave wedged between the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Atlantic Ocean. One of Africa’s least-visited regions, Cabinda has developed its own distinct identity, blending Congolese influences with Portuguese colonial heritage and Angolan culture.

En route, we stop at the historic São Tiago Maior Church in Landana before continuing to Cabinda City. The highlight of the day is our city tour, taking us to 1 May Park, the Church of the Immaculate Conception, the bustling Central Market, where you can see products from the famous Cabinda Tree, and the Monument to the Treaty of Simulambuco. Signed in 1885, this treaty established Cabinda as a Portuguese protectorate and continues to play an important role in the region’s unique history.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Cabinda.

Day 10 – Cabinda – Pointe Noire (Congo)

After breakfast, we leave Cabinda and explore a few traditional villages in the surrounding countryside, offering a final glimpse into daily life in this unique Angolan exclave. We then cross the border back into the Republic of the Congo and continue our journey to Pointe-Noire.

The highlight of the day is discovering more of Pointe-Noire, with visits to the historic Post Office, the colourful Souvenir Market, and the Musée du Cercle Africain, a beautifully preserved colonial building showcasing the region’s cultural and historical heritage.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Pointe-Noire.

Day 11 – Pointe Noire

Depending on your flight schedule, we transfer you to Pointe-Noire Airport for your onward journey. As the economic capital of the Republic of the Congo, Pointe-Noire offers a wider range of international connections than the country’s political capital.

End of the tour.