Ship Expedition to the Green Heart of Africa (2027/2028)

starting at 8.950 €

Flight from Germany to Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of the Congo. (If you did not book flights, your trip begins on Day 2.)

At noon, you’ll land in Brazzaville and travel from the airport to the expedition ship MS Princesse Ngalessa, which awaits you on the banks of the mighty Congo River. After being welcomed by the crew, you’ll settle into your cabin—your comfortable home for the next eight nights. In the afternoon, you’ll travel to Bakongo, south of Brazzaville. Hiking for about 30 minutes over smooth, rounded rocks, you’ll reach roaring rapids and see firsthand why the Congo River is not navigable from the Atlantic Ocean. (MA)

In the morning, it’s time to cast off! Behind you, Brazzaville’s suburbs gradually fade into the horizon. Anticipation builds for one of the last great travel adventures. Just as it once did for Count de Brazza, Henry Morton Stanley, or Joseph Conrad, you’ll soon be enveloped by the dense greenery of the tropical rainforest. You’ll get your first glimpse of the exotic flora and fauna in the afternoon during a boat excursion on the Maipili tributary. You’ll listen to the sounds of the jungle and keep an eye out for endemic birds. In the evening, you’ll be back on board and anchor overnight in the village of Ngabe. (FMA)

Ngabe is the capital of the ancient Téké Kingdom of the Congo, which controlled the nearby copper mines in the 17th century and did not sign a protection treaty with Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza until 1880. Here, you will pay your respects to Queen Ngalifourou. As the patroness of the spiritual god Nkwembali, she is held in high esteem and consecrates the new Makoko king. Impressed by the Téké dances and rituals, you return on board. In the evening light, you reach the sandbars at the mouth of the Lefini River, where hippos enjoy basking in the sun. (FMA)

By now, the mighty Congo River is more than 10 km wide! The opposite riverbank is barely visible. Soon you’ll find yourself in a labyrinth of islands where fishing families settle during the dry season. After all, the Congo is the world’s second-most fish-rich river after the Amazon—five rivers converge here. Keep an eye out for exotic birds and hippos. In the village of Likendze, known nationwide for its dried fish, you’ll go ashore and see how fish are traditionally caught and preserved. If you’d like, you can try your hand at catching a tasty treat from the river yourself. Finally, you’ll reach the estuary of the Sangha, a 1,300-km-long tributary. (FMA)

The rolling plains gradually give way to the tropical rainforest, whose canopy closes in above you. As you kayak through the estuary of one of the many small tributaries, you’ll get up close to the magnificent natural surroundings. The region is a paradise for birdwatchers: black-chinned weavers, kingfishers, and turacos add splashes of color to the jungle. There are more than 350 bird species in the Congo Basin! But be careful—the eerie Mokele-Mbembe, a prehistoric mythical creature, is said to be on the loose in the primeval forests around the Sangha. Back on board, there’s a reason to celebrate in the afternoon: the MS Ngalessa crosses the equator! (FMA)

Today you’ll arrive in the village of Pikounda, where the tribal elder of the Bongili people and the entire village await you. In an idyllic spot, you’ll sit around a campfire and listen to the region’s myths and legends. In the evening light, you’ll explore the Mangui, a tributary of the Sangha River that also forms the northern boundary of Ntokou-Pikounda National Park. It was here that the WWF discovered a species of monkey in 2015 that was believed to be extinct: the Bouvier’s colobus monkey, with its characteristic orange fur. These primates are very shy and rarely seen. Much more approachable are the pygmy guenons, which tumble through the treetops of the giant trees. (FMA)

On a morning jungle trek, you’ll discover just how delicate the ecosystem is in the world’s second-largest rainforest. You’ll also learn about medicinal and aromatic plants and their interaction with the insect world. In the afternoon, visit the village of Tokou, which is inhabited in equal parts by the BaAka and the Bantu. The entire village will gather at the dock to welcome you. Here, the BaAka Pygmies have been able to preserve their traditional way of life as hunters and gatherers in perfect harmony with nature for over 1,000 years. After being welcomed by the village elder, you’ll walk to a clearing under the palm trees where you can ask the villagers questions. The curiosity is mutual—they’ll have questions for you, too. You’ll be bid farewell with traditional dances and songs from a Ndzengi ceremony, during which a forest spirit is repeatedly driven back into the sacred grove. (FMA)

Your ship continues northward on the Sangha River. In the afternoon, you’ll explore the ink-black waters of the Ndoki River in dinghies. The few picturesque hamlets here make their living from fishing and farming. Above all, however, exotic bird species populate the river floodplains. The blue giant turaco reigns over the treetops and is often spotted here. Back on board, the MS Princesse Ngalessa anchors shortly afterward in front of the new bridge over the Sangha River. A white monument commemorates the Franco-German battle during World War I. (FMA)

By today at the latest, your trip will turn into a true expedition. You’ll say goodbye to the crew and board a speedboat for an 8- to 10-hour river journey. Along the way, the boat captains will skillfully maneuver around numerous sandbars. Your destination is a lodge in Dzanga-Sangha National Park in the Central African Republic. Keep an eye out from the riverbank for monkeys tumbling through the treetops. Along the way, you can stretch your legs in small villages and at various border posts. In the northwestern Congo Basin, three national parks covering an area of 750,000 hectares border one another. In this nearly untouched natural landscape, unique flora and fauna await you. To minimize disruption to the sensitive ecosystem, you’ll explore Dzanga-Sangha National Park in small groups over the next few days. In the evening, enjoy the view of the Sangha River while sipping a sundowner at your idyllic lodge. (FLA)

In the morning, after a short drive in an open-top SUV, you’ll arrive at Dzanga-Sangha National Park. Your first hike (approx. 2.5 hours on uneven terrain, partly with mud puddles), accompanied by experienced BaAka rangers, will take you to the Hokous Baïs. Keep your eyes on the treetops, where silver-gray monkeys with long limbs and prehensile tails swing back and forth. Guests who have booked the optional gorilla trekking excursion will set out on one of the three days in small groups of no more than 4 guests to search for the lowland gorillas. The trek requires a certain level of physical fitness, as it involves several hours of hiking through rugged terrain. (FMA)

The morning is dedicated to the national park’s main highlight: After about a 2-hour walk, you’ll reach the famous Dzanga Baï, a forest clearing spanning roughly 10 hectares in the heart of the jungle. It’s a paradise for elephants: Here, the pachyderms use their trunks to drink water and absorb valuable minerals, wallow in the mud, and socialize with other elephants. From a viewing platform high up in the trees, you can spot up to 150 forest elephants in a single day! Other wildlife, such as buffalo, bongos, sitatungas, and duikers, also visit the clearing. You’ll return to your lodge feeling truly inspired. (FMA)

In an open-top SUV, accompanied by locals, you’ll travel deep into the jungle. Singing, the procession invokes the favor of the forest spirits and clears a path through the underbrush with machetes. Here you’ll learn how to hunt with snare nets and calls, which medicinal plants the jungle “pharmacy” has to offer, and how to obtain drinking water from vines. Finally, the BaAka quickly build a leaf hut and bid you farewell with dances and songs. A special spectacle awaits you at a lagoon: to the rhythm of their songs, BaAka women beat water drums in the river—fun for everyone. While strolling through Bayanga, you can take a look inside the market hall. But be warned: so-called “bushmeat” (meat from wild animals) is not for the faint of heart! Photography is permitted only upon request and for a small fee. (FMA)

After an exciting few days in the national park, you’ll return to the Congo today by speedboat in 8 to 10 hours. Along the way, you’ll stop at various border checkpoints. In the evening, you’ll arrive in the sleepy provincial capital of Ouesso and spend the night in a simple hotel. (FLA)

On the approximately 1.5-hour return flight from Ouesso to Brazzaville, you’ll gaze out over the endless greenery of the Congo Basin. In the afternoon, you’ll explore Brazzaville on a city tour. The unique architecture of St. Anne’s Basilica pays tribute to the city’s French heritage. At the Congo Basin Museum, you’ll discover fetishes and masks from the pre-colonial kingdoms. Your encounter with La Sape—a community of entertainers and stylish individuals—is also a vibrant celebration of African culture. This social movement originated in Brazzaville in the 1960s and has since spread to other parts of Africa. The most important characteristic of a Sapeur is his fashionable, elegant, and individualistic lifestyle, which reflects the contrast between inner freedom and external circumstances. At a farewell dinner in an atmospheric restaurant overlooking the Congo River, you’ll reminisce together about the fantastic adventures of your journey. (FMA)

After breakfast, you'll drive to the Brazzaville airport and fly back home. (B)

(If you booked without flights, your trip ends on Day 16)