Congo River Safari Cruise Brazzaville to Ouesso

Arrival in Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo in the afternoon (Air France or Ethiopian Airlines flight). Boarding the ship

In the morning, we leave to visit the city (Artistic School of Potopoto, the Congo Basin Museum, the Cathedral and then we start our safari cruise. The long ascent of the Congo River begins. Behind us Brazzaville, in front of us the forest. We take advantage of the first miles to get to know our guides and discover the history of the Congo. Conference on the history of Congo.

In the morning, we reach the village of Ngabe, one of the ancient capitals of the Teke kingdom. We go up the village and visit the current Queen Ngalifourou. As guardian of the "Nkwembali", the spiritual god of the Batéké, she is the person empowered to transfer power to the new king, the Makoko. He is a very influential person in the Teke kingdom, one of the powerful kingdoms of the country. We attend a traditional Teke dance. At the end of the day, we reach the estuary of the Lefini which borders the Teke kingdom. Hippos are lounging. We are watching. Conference on the Teke Kingdom.

The Congo River widens considerably (more than 10 km) and a hodgepodge of islands is forming. Fishing villages settle there during the dry season. On the islands, we observe birds. We reach the fishing village of Mossaka, known throughout the country for its smoked fish. We discover vestiges of the colonial era, with the colonial house of Monsieur Trechot. Conference on the Savorgnan de Brazza expedition and the Stanley expedition. We go up the Sangha River slaloming through the green and impenetrable swamp forest. We enter very sparsely populated and wildest territories. The sounds of the forest punctuate our progress. We meet men, the Sangha-sangha people. Conference on the Congo Basin ecosystem.

We take the tributaries, either by kayak or motorboat. Further away is Lake Télé with its mysteries and legends. It is said that in the distance a dinosaur was seen: the Mokele Mbembe. In the rainforest, we discover the plants of pharmacology. With those who wish, we go fishing.

During the day, we cross the equator. This is the baptism of the Line! We reach at the end of the day the village of Pikounda. The Pygmies are one of the two peoples living in this region. They are among the last hunter-gatherer groups in the world. In the forest, in small groups, we share their daily lives: harvesting plant products, collecting medicinal plants, fishing. We share their millennial way of life and discover their incredible symbiosis with the forest. Dinner and evening in a clearing. The pygmies are with us. They tell the stories of their people and the stories born during their time together. With the help of mimes and songs, the stories live and the evening is forever anchored in the memories. The oral tradition of the pygmies is one of the most beautiful riches of this people.

In the morning, we go up a tributary of the Sangha for about fifteen kilometers, the Mangui. We walk along the northern border of Ntokou-Pikounda Park. This place is frequented by an endemic species that was thought to be extinct, the red colobus of Bouvier, a small monkey with orange coat. Along the way, we observe birds. At the end of the day, our ship reaches the Ndoki River, we observe hippos. Not far away, a pygmy village. Conference on pygmy populations facing modernity.

In Pokola, we meet representatives of a forestry company who explain sustainable forest management. Then we go up the Sangha River slaloming between the sandbanks with caution. The depth decreases. Arrival in Bomassa, a village that marks the entrance to the Nouabalé-Ndoki Park.

Immersion in the national sorting of the sangha. Classified as a World Heritage Site since 2012, the National Tri of the Sangha is located in the north-west of the Congo Basin, at the meeting point of Cameroon, Congo and the Central African Republic, the site includes three contiguous national parks, covering a total area of 750,000 hectares, very little affected by human activity. It covers the entire spectrum of tropical rainforest ecosystems. The rich fauna and flora include Nile crocodiles and Goliath tigerfish, large predators. The clearings offer herbaceous species and the Sangha is home to considerable populations of forest elephants, as well as western lowland gorillas and chimpanzees. To be as discreet as possible, our group will be divided into three subgroups. Three groups of 9 people will explore the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park. (Each group will make the excursions below but in a different order).https://congo.wcs.org Departure in the morning to join the scientific camp of Mondika in the Triangle of Djéké (1 hour by car, 2 hours of walking) to track in groups of 4 two of the three groups of lowland gorillas followed by the scientists. On the trail we can come across many other animals. Accompanied by baaka trackers, we follow the signs of passage of the groups. Arrived near them, we observe them from about ten meters away, and they observe us. The young bicker and the females feed, others rest. The silverback lurks. The largest measure up to 1.70 meters. In order not to disturb them, after an hour we will leave, with images in our heads. In the evening, we will spend the night in the camp near the scientists' camp and have plenty of time to ask countless questions. Night in safari tent with bed, shower and individual dry toilet. Departure at dawn for a 6-hour expedition to the Baï de Mbeli (40 minutes by car, 1 hour by canoe, 40 minutes walk). This clearing is the gathering place of hundreds of animals, attracted by the mineral-rich waters. We discover from the top of a viewpoint used by scientists the breathtaking spectacle of wildlife: lowland gorillas, forest elephants, chimpanzees, bush hogs, bongos, sitatungas and forest buffaloes. We will spend the morning there to observe the animals. The more adventurous can arrive the day before and spend the night.

At the end of the afternoon, we leave Bomassa and sail to Ouesso.

Disembarkation in the morning for 4-5h drive and an hour of jet towards Brazzaville. Through the portholes, we see the canopy. Such a view of one of the largest forests in the world will remain in our memory forever. We spend the afternoon in Brazzaville. Visit the market of traditional and handicrafts of the Plateau and meet La sape (Society of Ambianceurs and Elegant People). Departure in the evening.

Itineraries may be subject to change due to weather conditions, low water levels, administrative constraints or access restrictions imposed by the State or national parks. Therefore, sailing times and excursions may be modified at the captain’s discretion. We will do everything we can to minimize disruption to travel plans. An alternative route will be proposed after consultation between the captain of the ship and the management of the company if necessary. If the airline is unable to operate the flight Brazzaville – Ouesso or Ouesso – Brazzaville and in the absence of other reasonable air alternatives, the transfer may be provided by road.