Under the spell of the mighty Congo

Premium river safari on the Congo and Alima Rivers | Boutique ship with a maximum of 28 passengers

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River expedition into the heart of the Congo Basin

Republic of the Congo

8 nights / 9 days

Small ship: max. 28 passengers in 14 cabins

Princess Ngalessa

8 nights / 9 days premium river expedition aboard the Princesse Ngalessa on the Congo and Alima Rivers between Brazzaville and Oyo

The Congo Basin is the second largest contiguous forest area on earth and is home to an extraordinary variety of flora and fauna. This river cruise shows you the still largely undiscovered natural jewel in the heart of Central Africa aboard the stylish boutique ship Princesse Ngalessa. You will get even closer to the secrets of the rainforest with its impenetrable cathedral forests, swamps, savannahs, and extensive river systems on excursions and barge trips. On this intensive boat trip, not only will nature touch your soul with its breathtaking biodiversity, but you can also expect inspiring encounters with the people of the region – for example, during the traditional Kebe-Kebe ritual or while collecting medicinal herbs in the jungle.

Premium river expedition on the Congo: 800 kilometers between Brazzaville and Oyo

Before heading to the Congo Basin, explore Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo—known for its sapeurs and the legendary Poto-Poto art school.

Over a distance of almost 800 kilometers, you will navigate from the rolling green hills to the swampy forests of the Congo Basin and on to the rainforests along the Alima River. Every day, the dinghies glide into the water to delve even deeper into untouched nature on small side arms: is that a sitatunga rustling in the bushes or a crocodile lying motionless in wait up ahead? Your ship moors at villages such as Ngabe or the town of Mossaka, giving you time to get to know the local life and rich culture of the indigenous peoples.

In the evening, enjoy the tranquility aboard your comfortable ship—in the heart of the second-largest green lung on our planet. Over a glass of wine, you can discuss meaningful topics such as the ecology and history of the Congo and the stories of its peoples.

On the way back to Brazzaville, you will gaze into the wise eyes of the gorillas in the Lesio-Louna Reserve, observe hippos and the fascinating bird life of the region. You will collect touching impressions and moments that only a few people get to experience. The small groups and the desire to disturb the animals and the environment as little as possible are important factors in the preservation of flora, fauna, and indigenous cultures.

Your expedition is conducted in English and French. For German-speaking tours, please contact us.

Travel in style: 4-star boutique ship Princesse Ngalessa with only 14 cabins

Your exclusive boutique ship, the Princesse Ngalessa, left a Belgian shipyard in Kinshasa in 2017 and is modeled on the legendary passenger ships that have been transporting travelers on the Congo and its tributaries to the capitals of Central Africa for decades. This trip is also an unforgettable culinary experience: you can look forward to top-class cuisine with an exciting blend of French and African flavors.

We offer this trip in two directions:

Route upstream: 800 kilometers from Brazzaville to Oyo

On this itinerary, your river expedition begins with embarkation in Brazzaville. After a city tour, it's time to cast off on day 2. At the end of the trip, you will drive back to Brazzaville from Oyo and visit the Lesio Louna Reserve along the way.

Downstream route: 800 kilometers from Oyo to Brazzaville

In this case, your journey begins with an overnight stay in a hotel in Brazzaville. On day 2, you will travel from Brazzaville to Oyo, with an extended stopover at the Lesio Louna Reserve, where you will board the Princesse Ngalessa in the evening.

Stephanie Gräf

Travel expert, inventia | Travel beyond the ordinary
Specialist in personalized and exciting trips around the globe.

I am your contact person for questions and bookings regarding your trip.

You can reach me by phone or email:
+49 (0)201 858 90 960
welcome@inventia.de

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Good to know

Arrival: On request, we can book your flight arrival and departure individually as part of a package deal. Please feel free to contact us!

Pre- and post-program: Extend your trip a little longer. Extend your stay in the Republic of Congo or visit other destinations in Africa.

Entry requirements: German citizens need a passport and a visa to enter the Republic of Congo. Further information on entry requirements and the latest security advice can be found at the Federal Foreign Office.

The trip is not recommended for people with limited mobility.

Destination: Congo Basin

The second largest tropical rainforest after the Amazon rainforest has an extraordinary flora and fauna. Many areas have never been explored by humans. As a result, the jungle is particularly intact and the wildlife is very abundant.

There are large numbers of lowland gorillas (200,000 individuals), forest elephants (8,000 individuals), chimpanzees, bonobos, hippos, bongos, bush pigs, buffalo, blue duikers, sitatungas, panthers, etc. Most of these species can be observed in Bai Mbeli, a clearing covering several hectares that is rich in mineral salts, flowers, and nutritious leaves.

In addition to Nile crocodiles, Goliath tigerfish, and pangolins , the Congo Basin is home to more than 350 bird species, including the black-chinned weaver, the Finsch's francolin, and the Congo wheatear . You can also discover large, mysterious species such as the black-bellied bustard and the Senegal bustard, as well as other rare species such as the black-headed bee-eater and Sladen's barbican, popular forest species such as the African grey parrot and various species of hornbills, turacos, kingfishers, barbicans, small barbets, sunbirds, and weavers can be discovered—along with thousands upon thousands of insects and over 10,000 plant species.

Even more knowledge at a glance:

Large national parks such as Nouabalé-Ndoki, Lac Télé, Dzanga-Sangha, and Lobéké are World Heritage Sites and examples of ecosystem management.
Indigenous populations preserve ancestral traditions and ancient knowledge. The Pygmies are the last hunters and gatherers in the world who have preserved their way of life. They live in complete harmony with the forest and with a vibrant culture. The Sangha-sangha peoples live on the banks of the rivers, while the Batékés are at home in the hills.
Travel in the footsteps of the great explorers (Conrad, Stanley, Livingstone, Brazza) to the heart of the African continent.
Accessibility: 7 hours flight time from Europe.

HIGHLIGHTS

Premium river safari into the undiscovered heart of the Congo Basin, the world's second-largest rainforest area
Visit Brazzaville, capital of the Republic of Congo, city of rumba, sappeurs, and the Poto-Poto art school.
Meeting with the Queen of the Téké People
Fascinating insights into the traditional fishing techniques of the Sangha fishermen
Possible sightings of crocodiles, monkeys, and other primate species
Close encounters with gorillas and hippos in the Lesio-Louna Reserve
Daily scientific lectures on board on topics such as the ecological significance of the Congo Basin or indigenous cultures
Excellent cuisine with French and African influences

route

itinerary

Itinerary upstream from Brazzaville to Oyo

We offer the trip in two directions:

Upstream from Brazzaville to Oyo: We describe this route day by day here.
Downstream from Oyo to Brazzaville: This route is exactly the opposite. We will be happy to send you detailed route information on request.

A river cruise ship has moored at a grassy bank.

Preliminary information
Your journey to and from Brazzaville is not included in your travel price.

Since our customers all have individual wishes for their trip, we are happy to book flights separately. Of course, the flights then become part of a secure package tour. We recommend an overnight stay in Brazzaville to cushion any irregularities with your flight or lost luggage. We are happy to organize everything for you on request. Please contact us.

Day 1: Arrival in Brazzaville & Embarkation

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred directly to the ship, where you can check into your cabin.

We recommend spending the night in Brazzaville before your trip to ensure a relaxed start to your journey.

Overnight stay on board

Day 2: Experience Brazzaville & your first miles on the Congo River

In the morning, you set off to explore the city: you discover the Congo Basin Museum, the Poto-Poto Art School, and the cathedral. Later, you will end the tour with a meeting with "La Sape" – the Society of Ambiance-Makers and Elegant People. Then your long journey upstream on the Congo River begins, through a landscape of green hills.

During the first few kilometers of the river, you will get to know your tour guides and receive exciting information about the Congo.

Overnight stay on board

Day 3: Visit to the Téké Queen with Kebe-Kebe ritual

In the morning, you will visit Ngabe, one of the ancient capitals of the Téké Kingdom. You will climb through the village to meet the current queen. As the guardian of "Nkwembali," the spiritual deity of the Batéké, she is the only person authorized to transfer power to the new king, the Makoko. She wields great influence within the Téké Kingdom, one of the most important kingdoms in the country.

After lunch on board, you will return to the village to witness a Kebe-Kebe ritual. This is a dance and initiation society in Congo. The usual form of Kebe-Kebe is reminiscent of dancing dervishes: the dancers are dressed in bast robes, adorned with feathers from various birds, and carry a doll with them, which usually represents a painted Koyo head with the typical ritual scars of the ethnic group.

In the afternoon, you will reach the mouth of the Lefini River, where large numbers of birds and hippos often gather. You will leave the ship in small boats to observe these majestic animals as they sunbathe. The evening on board will be rounded off with an interesting lecture on the Téké Kingdom.

Overnight stay on board

Day 4: The thousand islands of the Congo River and the typical Congolese "baleinières"

The Congo River widens considerably (over 10 km) and forms a veritable labyrinth of islands. During the dry season, small fishing villages spring up on these islands. In the morning, you will go on a birdwatching excursion in the N'keni estuary, where you can spot bee-eaters, weaver birds, herons, and kites.

From the observation deck, we watch the fascinating "baleinières," long, flat-bottomed transport boats typical of the Congo, being pushed along the Congo River. These floating villages, up to two hundred meters long and often traveling for weeks, transport goods, people, and animals from city to city. They are an indispensable part of the economy and daily life along the river.

If the weather permits, you will have the opportunity to camp on a sandbank surrounded by countless islands.

Overnight stay on board

Day 5: The town of Mossaka with its famous dried fish and the village of Likendze

In the morning, you will set out to explore the city of Mossaka. Together with your local guide, you will discover traces of the colonial era and visit the lively market, where you can immerse yourself in the everyday life of the locals. Narrow alleys lead you to the drying facilities for salted fish – a traditional preservation method for which Mossaka is known throughout the region. You will also learn more about the production of palm wine and visit a local potter.

After lunch on board, the ship continues its journey towards Likendze.

In the village of Likendze on the Sangha River, you will learn about various fishing techniques, including casting nets, trap fishing, and net fishing. If you wish, you can even try your hand at fishing with a line.

Overnight stay on board

Day 6: Trip on the Alima River and visit to the Moye people

In the morning, you will set off in dinghies to observe the hippos that live just a few kilometers north of the village. You will also go on a birdwatching tour in search of the region's characteristic species, including ospreys, palm vultures, African fish eagles, hammerheads, cormorants, kingfishers, weavers, ibises, gray herons, storks, little egrets, hornbills, magpies, Brazza's marlins, and the elusive turaco.

Back on board, you continue to the Alima River —a beautiful winding river surrounded by swamp forests. You end the day in the village of Bonda, where you meet the Moye people. With local guides, you explore the flooded forest— by canoe or on foot, depending on the season.

In the evening, the Moye perform a traditional dance on the riverbank. At night, you drive a 900-meter loop through the darkness, listening to the sounds of the forest and, with a little luck, catching the reflection of crocodile eyes in the headlights.

Overnight stay on board

Day 7: Insights into traditional medicine & crocodile stalking

The Princesse Ngalessa continues to follow the Alima River. As you pass numerous bends in the river, you will discover many charming villages with raffia huts along the banks. Finally, you will reach the village of Mondongo, which is also built mainly from raffia and inhabited by the Moye people. There you will meet a local guide who will introduce you to traditional medicine and explain how herbal remedies are prepared. The surrounding swamp forest is rich in plants that are used by the villagers to treat illnesses and injuries.

In the afternoon, you will reach a small tributary with black water, where the locals lure crocodiles by calling out to them in order to hunt them.

Overnight stay on board

A butterfly is sitting on a yellow flower.

People watch from the boat as a gorilla swings from a vine.

Day 8: Transfer to Brazzaville and visit to the Lesio-Louna Reserve

Today you disembark and drive back to the Lesio-Louna Reserve.

Founded in 1999 by the Aspinall Foundation and part of the Congolese Gorilla Protection Program (PPG), Lésio-Louna is dedicated to rescuing gorillas—whether from poaching or from zoos that can no longer care for them adequately—and then reintroducing them into their natural environment. Aboard a motorboat, we travel with the keepers along the Louna River, which winds through the forest, to the islands where the gorillas live during their acclimatization period. Once they are able to feed themselves, they are released into the park. After this unforgettable encounter with these fascinating primates, you will return to Brazzaville by car.

There, you can end the day with dinner before spending the night in a 5-star hotel in Brazzaville.

Day 9: Farewell to the majestic Congo Basin or departure for further adventures

Your impressive journey through the unspoiled Congo Basin comes to an end with the transfer to the airport. Or would you like to extend your trip by a few days with an explorer option?

Possible experiences include:

The coastal city of Pointe-Noire with a visit to the Tchimpounga chimpanzee sanctuary on the Kouilou River (2–3 nights) and relaxation at Bamboo Beach right by the sea.
3-night extension to Bai d'Imbalanga in Odzala-Kokoua National Park (from Oyo)
2-night extension in the Democratic Republic of Congo to observe bonobos, an endemic species of great ape
4-night extension in Dzanga-Sangha Reserve with accommodation at Doli Lodge – departure via Bangui possible if required

Aerial view of a wide river in the rainforest

The daily programs described here are for your guidance. The itinerary may vary considerably due to local water levels and weather conditions, last-minute permit procedures, and local authorities, but also in order to respond to current conditions regarding wildlife viewing.Theexpedition leader on board determines the final itinerary and daily program. Flexibility is of utmost importance during our expedition-style voyages.

Information

Included services:

7 nights aboard the Princesse Ngalessa in the booked cabin category
1 night in a 5-star hotel in Brazzaville
Transfer from Oyo to Brazzaville (or from Brazzaville to Oyo when traveling downstream)
All meals on board (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages with lunch and dinner on board
1 dinner in Brazzaville
Sightseeing tours, excursions, and transfers as per the itinerary
Boat trips according to the itinerary
Exciting English-language onboard lectures
Limited Wi-Fi (available only in regions covered by the Congo Telecom network)

Optional additional services:

Individual flights from Germany via Paris to Brazzaville and back
Overnight stay in Brazzaville

Region: Africa / Republic of the Congo
Language(s):English, French

Not included in the price:

Flights from Germany to Brazzaville and back (we are happy to organize these for you at an additional cost)
Pre- and post-tour accommodation in Brazzaville (we are happy to organize this for you at an additional cost)
Airport transfers (we are happy to organize these for you at an additional cost)
Visa fee for the Republic of Congo (approx. €150)
tips
Vaccinations (malaria prophylaxis recommended)

Number of participants: Minimum number of participants10 guests, maximum number of participants 28 passengers

Further information:

Last chance for the tour operator to cancel if the minimum number of participants is not reached: 21 days before departure.
This trip is generally not suitable for people with limited mobility.

Further information

Climate and temperature

The climate is hot and humid equatorial. The average temperature is 26°C, and it rains heavily throughout the year, with 1,800 to 2,000 mm of rainfall per year.
There is no real dry season; in the north, there are two additional rainy seasons associated with the passage of the sun at its zenith, and two relatively dry seasons (from December to February and from June to August).