800 Kilometers from Oyo to Brazzaville
The mighty Congo Basin, one of the most mysterious and least visited regions in the world and the true heart of Africa is best explored by boat. During this 9-day river cruise, you will be driven from capital Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo to Oyo, where you will begin this extraordinary boat trip. With the luxury river ship Princessa Ngalessa, you will sail both the Alimara River and the Congo River back to Brazzaville. Using a so-called launch boat, you will sail up forgotten tributaries daily in search of the wonders of nature and friendly locals. In the evening, enjoy sunsets and the night sounds of the surrounding forest on the comfortable ship over a glass of wine and excellent meals.
Gorillas, hippos and many bird species
Aboard a motorboat, you will sail up the Louna River with the caretakers of Lésio Louna Gorilla Sanctuary to reach the islands where the gorillas live during the period of adjustment to their new life. Once they can feed themselves, they are released into the park. You will then navigate nearly 800 km through landscapes of green hills, swamp forests, rainforests and cathedral forests, which include forest elephants, crocodiles, bongos, pangolins and hippos, as well as more than 350 species of birds and tens of thousands of plant species.
Tips & Tops Cruise on the Alima and Congo rivers:
- You will spend 7 nights aboard the newly renovated river ship Princessa Ngalessa and 1 night in a 5-star hotel in Brazzaville
- Led by knowledgeable nature guides, venture into the world's richest terrestrial ecosystem
- The Alima is a beautiful, narrow, winding river surrounded by swamp forests with numerous charming raffia villages along its banks
- The village of Mondongo is home to the Moye; a local guide explains traditional medicine and traditional dances
- Explore the swamp forests near the village of Bonda by canoe or on foot, depending on the season
- At Likendze fishing village, the congor river widens considerably (more than 10 km) and forms a maze of islands; during the dry season, fishing villages form here; you will learn various fishing techniques here
- At the confluence of 5 rivers, in a vast marshland, visit fishing village of Mossaka, known for its smoked and salted fish, bustling market and remnants of colonial times
- Along the way you can observe the most characteristic birds of the Congo Basin, such as (depending on the season) Osprey, Palm Vulture, Hamerkop, Cormorant, Kingfisher, Weaver, Ibis, Blue Heron, Stork, Silver Heron, Hornbill, Brazza's Martin and Toerako
- Along the way, fascinating “whaleboats” and long flatboats pushed across the Congo River pass by: floating villages, up to two hundred meters long, sailing from town to town for weeks carrying goods, people and livestock; they play a crucial role in the Congo River economy
- At the mouth of the Lefini River, hippos sunbathe, which you can observe by sloop (in high season this is more difficult)
- In Ngabe, former capital of the Téké kingdom, the Téké queen can be met; as patroness of “Nkwembali,” the spiritual deity of the Batéké, she is authorized to transfer power to the new king, the Makoko
- You will witness a kébé-kébé ritual, an initiation dance with raffia robes decorated with feathers and and a painted doll with the specific signs of the ethnic group
- In Brazzaville, visit the Basilica of St. Anna, the Congo Basin museum, the market and La Sape, "Society of Atmospheres and Elegants.
- On board, many lectures are given on the nature, peoples and history of the Congo
- Various extension options: Pointe Noire to view migrating whales, Dzanga Sangha (depending on travel advisory), Odzala-Kokoua Park, Chimpanzee watching in Tchimbounga sanctuary, Groilla tracking in Nouabele Ndoki or Gorilla and hippo watching at the Lesio-Louna sanctuary
- There is also a 14-day and a 17-day variant of this cruise
- Congo Brazzaville is an authentic destination and therefore you should expect that things may go wrong from time to time, such as an unexpected delay or change of route. But in return you will have a unique experience!
