16 Day Congo River Cruise with Central African Republic
Tour Overview
Prices From: £8345/$10975 per person sharing
Embark on an unforgettable 16-day journey deep into the Congo Basin, exploring some of the most remote, biodiverse, and culturally rich regions of Central Africa. This immersive expedition combines river cruising, wildlife encounters, cultural experiences, and forest adventures, offering rare access to landscapes and communities seldom visited by travellers.
Your adventure begins in Brazzaville before boarding the Princesse Ngalessa, a comfortable expedition vessel that becomes your home for an 8-day navigation along the Congo and Alima rivers. Along the way, you visit colonial towns, raffia villages, flooded forests, and island labyrinths while observing hippos, crocodiles, and exceptional birdlife. Encounters with the Moye and Teke peoples, traditional dances, and the powerful Kebe Kebe ritual reveal the deep cultural heritage of the region. Additional highlights include exploring the Lesio Louna Gorilla Reserve and witnessing firsthand the reintroduction efforts for rescued gorillas.
The second part of your journey takes you into the heart of the Sangha Trinational Reserve, shared by Congo, the Central African Republic, and Cameroon. Travelling upriver by launch boat, you arrive at Sangha or Doli Lodge, your base for extraordinary wildlife experiences. Track western lowland gorillas with BaAka trackers, observe semi-habituated bonobos, the closest relatives to humans, and visit the world-famous Dzanga Bai, where forest elephants, bongos, sitatunga, and other species gather in astounding numbers. Walk through the Hokou Baïs in search of Agile Mangabeys, forest hogs, and rare primates, all while discovering the remarkable tracking skills and forest traditions of the BaAka people. Cultural immersion continues with net hunting, honey gathering, traditional medicine demonstrations, and the captivating BaAka water drumming ritual.
The tour concludes with a scenic journey back to Ouesso and a spectacular flyover of the endless tropical canopy on your way to Brazzaville. A final city tour introduces you to La Sape and key cultural sites before your departure.
Across river, forest, and village, this 16-day expedition offers an exceptional blend of nature, culture, and wildlife, revealing the Congo Basin as one of the last great frontiers of exploration.
Tour Highlights
- Cruise the Congo and Alima Rivers aboard the Princesse Ngalessa.
- Explore Lesio Louna Reserve and visit gorilla rehabilitation islands.
- Discover Moye and Teke communities, traditional dances, and the Kebe Kebe ritual.
- Navigate through raffia villages, swamp forests, and vast Congo River island networks.
- Track western lowland gorillas with expert BaAka trackers.
- Witness semi-habituated bonobos in one of the only places accessible to visitors.
- Visit the world-renowned Dzanga Bai (“Elephant Village”).
- Walk the Hokou Baïs in search of mangabeys, forest hogs, and other wildlife.
- Immerse in BaAka culture with net hunting, basket fishing, and water drumming.
- Enjoy a scenic flight over the Congo Basin canopy.
Day Overview
Day 1 – Arrival in Brazzaville
Meet your guide at the airport. Boarding the Princesse Ngalessa begins at 5pm. Ethiopian Airlines passengers may relax at the Radisson Hotel until embarkation.
Day 2 – Sailing the Congo River & Maipili Excursion
Begin cruising upstream between green hills. Afternoon launch-boat excursion on the Maipili River and time on deck observing the Congo River’s iconic barges and floating villages.
Day 3 – Ngabe & the Kebe-Kebe Ritual
Visit the historic Teke capital of Ngabe and meet the queen, guardian of Nkwembali. Witness the vibrant kebe-kebe ritual, an important dance and initiation ceremony.
Day 4 – Bonobo Conservation & Forest Camp Overnight
Travel to Nkala to learn about bonobo conservation and visit the only site where semi-habituated bonobos can be observed. Overnight at the bonobo camp and early-morning tracking before returning to the ship.
Day 5 – Mossaka & Likendze Fishing Traditions
Explore Mossaka’s colonial history, market, salted-fish dryers, palm-wine production, and pottery. Continue to Likendze to learn traditional fishing methods and enjoy afternoon birdwatching.
Day 6 – Hippos, Alima River & Moye Culture
Observe hippos by launch boat, then sail to the Alima River. Visit Bonda with the Moye people, explore the flooded forest, enjoy a traditional dance, and take a night loop in search of crocodile eyes.
Day 7 – Alima River Villages & Forest Discovery
Continue along the Alima, passing raffia villages. In Mondongo, learn about traditional medicine, followed by a guided forest walk focusing on trees, plants, insects, and forest ecology.
Day 8 – Overland to Ouesso
After lunch, disembark and travel by bus through bush and tropical forest toward Ouesso, following the eastern border of Odzala-Kokoua National Park.
Day 9 – Journey to Sangha (Central African Republic)
Travel upriver on the Sangha River for 7.5 hours through pristine rainforest to Sangha or Doli Lodge. Enjoy a peaceful sundowner overlooking the river.
Day 10 – Western Lowland Gorilla Tracking
Drive to the gorilla base camp and track western lowland gorillas with BaAka trackers, observing them feeding, playing, and resting.
Day 11 – Dzanga Bai (“Elephant Village”)
Visit this world-famous forest clearing where up to 150 elephants, and many other species gather daily. Observe wildlife from an elevated viewing platform.
Day 12 – Hokou Baïs & Agile Mangabeys
Explore the Hokou Baïs on foot in search of elephants, gorillas, forest hogs, birds, and Agile Mangabeys, observing their agile movement and rich vocalisations.
Day 13 – BaAka Forest Traditions
Immerse yourself in BaAka culture: seasonal net hunting, medicinal plants, honey gathering, or basket fishing. Afternoon water-drumming demonstration and stroll through Bayanga.
Day 14 – Return to Ouesso by River
Travel back to Ouesso by launch boat (approx. 7 hours), enjoying a final look at the pristine forest.
Day 15 – Canopy Flight & Brazzaville Visit
Fly over the vast tropical canopy to Brazzaville. After lunch, meet La Sape and visit the Congo Basin Museum, Poto Poto School, and Cathedral.
Day 16 – Departure
Return to Brazzaville to visit the Congo Basin Museum, Poto Poto School of Painting, the Cathedral, and finish with an encounter with La Sape.
Key Facts
Starts: Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
Ends: Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
Meals: 16 Breakfasts, 15 Lunches, 15 Dinners
Travel Style: Mid-Range Comfort
Tour Type: River Cruise
Transport: Shared Transfers
Validity: Set Departures
Prices From: £8345/$10975 per person sharing
Includes
- All excursions and guidance from expedition staff
- Full board on board and in hotels (no lunch on Day 1).
- Beer, wine, and soft drinks served in a limited quantity with lunch and dinner (not included in Dzanga‐Sangha)
- Gorilla permits
- Park fees
- Domestic flights
- Plastic boots and raincoats on board
- Wifi where Congo telecom network is available
- 1 Night Bonobo Camp
- 7 Nights Cruise – Princesse Ngalessa
- 2 Nights Hôtel Onanga in Ouesso
- 4 Nights Sangha Lodge of Doli Lodge
Excludes
- International flights (we recommend buying flexible tickets)
- Additional hotel nights
- Private transfers
- Travel Protection Plan (evacuation and repatriation insurance required)
- Passport, visa, and immigration fees
- Personal items (phone, laundry – laundry on board at extra cost)
- Massage and Spa Services
- GratuitiesRoad transfers (between airport & hotel; within Odzala)
- Half day tour of Brazzaville, including lunch
Dates
9th - 24th September 2026
18th November - 3rd December 2026
5th - 20th December 2026
19th December 2026 - 3rd January 2027
