The Great Ascent of the Congo and Sangha Rivers: From Brazzaville to Ouesso in 15 Days

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

Briefing at the breakfast. The morning, we visit the City (Poto-Poto art school, Museum of Congo, cathedral). Navigation starts on the Congo river to Ngabe, one of the former capital of the Téké kingdom. We take advantage of the first miles to know our guides and discover the history of the Congo. 

In the morning, we discover the village of Ngabe, one of the ancient capitals of the Téké kingdom. We go up the village and will visit the current Queen Ngalifourou. In her capacity as guardian of the “Nkwembali”, spiritual god of the Batéké, she is the person authorized to transmit power to the new king, the Makoko. He is a very influential person in the Téké kingdom, one of the powerful kingdoms of the country. We attend a traditional Kebe kebe  dance. We observe. 

The Bonobos are a DRC endemic and rare breed of chimpanzee. It is the animal genetically closest to humans, genotypes are 98.7% similar. Early in the morning, we leave the Houseboat, drive one hour and start walking at 5 am in the forest to attend to the awakening of the habituated Bonobos. In order to fully discover these marvellous animals, we spend the night in a bivouac camp.

The Congo River widens considerably (more than 10 km) and a maze of islands forms. Fishing villages are established here during the dry season. We arrive at the confluence of 5 rivers, in a vast marshland area. Dozens of bird species are visible. Further along, we observe hippopotamuses. 

We reach the fishing village of Mossaka, known throughout the country for its smoked fish. We discover remnants of the colonial era and we meet the village’s sages.

We start our day by visiting the Mbala community, a convergence of various ethnic groups from the Sangha. This small village represents a typical settlement where individuals from different backgrounds have established themselves along the Sangha. We gain insight into their lifestyle, which revolves around fishing, hunting, and agriculture. 

We cross the equator during the day. We find ourselves in the heart of the vast tropical forest. It’s the baptism of the Line! Along the way, we stop at a fishing camp. We learn various fishing techniques, about the river’s fish, and the process of fish smoking.

In the early morning, we sail up the Mangui River on launch boats. The Mangui River makes the northern border of the Ntokou Pikounda National park which became famous when, 2015 WWF rediscovered a small red monkey called the Bouvier’s red colobus thought to be extinct.

We arrive at the village of Pikounda. This village, once a bustling trading post due to Mr. Truchot’s activities, offers us the chance to explore different neighborhoods, old colonial buildings, and the cocoa transformation process from pod to cocoa butter, as well as the highly esteemed corn wine in the region. In the evening, at the edge of the forest, we meet the Chief of the Lands, the traditional leader of the Bongili people, who shares stories about his land and country.

Sailing towards Tokou. We will meet the indigenous people (Pygmies) in the morning.

They are one of the few remaining hunter-gatherer groups in the world. In the forest, we will join them in their daily activities such as gathering fruits and plants, collecting medicinal herbs, building huts, making mats or baskets, and learning polyphonic singing. This experience will allow us to witness their ancient lifestyle and their deep remarkable connection with the forest. The day ends with a Ndzengi ceremony, where the Pygmies sing and dance.

In the afternoon, we sail on the dark waters of the Ndoki and observe magnificent birds.

Immersion in the Tri-national of the Sangha
Situated in the north-western Congo Basin, where Cameroon, Central African Republic and Congo meet, the site encompasses three contiguous national parks totalling around 750,000 ha. Much of the site is unaffected by human activity and features a wide range of humid tropical forest ecosystems with rich flora and fauna, including Nile crocodiles and goliath tigerfish, a large predator. Forest clearings support herbaceous species and Sangha is home to considerable populations of forest elephants, critically endangered western lowland gorilla, and endangered chimpanzee. To be as discreet as possible, our group will be divided into three subgroups.

We will set off in the early morning by motorboat towards Bayanga. During the journey, we will pass by numerous fishing camps situated along the rivers, as well as witness a variety of bird species. Upon reaching your lodge in the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a relaxing sunset cocktail while admiring the river view, and also get ready for the upcoming day’s adventures. 

Departure in the morning for the seven baïs called Hokous baïs. During these walks we have the chance to see a variety of animals including elephants, gorillas, cephalophores, forest hogs and many birds. During our walk, our BaAka trackers will find the groups Agile Mangabeys followed by the scientists. These silver-grey monkeys exhibit remarkable gracefulness as they navigate the forest canopy with ease, using their long limbs and prehensile tails. Agile Mangabeys are highly social creatures, often engaging in playful behaviours such as chasing each other, leaping through the trees, and engaging in mock battles. They communicate through a diverse range of vocalisations, including chirps, squeals, and grunts, which play a crucial role in maintaining social bonds and coordinating group activities. 

For those with a taste for adventure, we will take a boat upstream in the morning for a challenging hike to a series of waterfalls. This impressive waterfall offers a spectacular view of the forest canopy from its summit. It is also the habitat of the incredibly rare and endangered red-headed picatharte. In the afternoon, we will depart by 4×4, followed by a trek through the forest to reach the famous Dzangha Baï. Known as the Elephant Village, you can witness up to 150 elephants in a single day. Perched high in the trees Elevated, we will have the chance to spot various animals, such as buffalo, bongo, sitatunga, and duiker. We will spend time observing the wildlife from the platform before heading back to our lodge.

In the morning, we begin our descent towards Princess Ngalessa, passing by Lobéké Park once again. We arrive in the early afternoon to relax on the boat. 

In the morning, we will explore the war monument at Mbiru where the French and Germans fought for the colonization of Congo during the Franco-Prussian War. Afterwards, we will embark on a guided walk through the unspoiled primary forest, observing various ecosystems and the forest’s rejuvenation. In the afternoon, we will discover the city of Ouesso and its market.

A motorboat takes us up the Sangha River to Bomassa. Accompanied by our BaAka guides, we make our way to the stunning Wali baï. This intimate flooded clearing is a gathering place for buffaloes and elephants. After lunch, our guides lead us on a botanical walk, sharing insights about their emblematic trees and plants used in traditional medicine, as well as the preferred trees of elephants and gorillas.. Later, we head to Princess Ngalessa to enjoy a sunset from the observation deck.

Sailing towards Ouesso. Disembarkation at 10 am to reach the airport and then fly to Brazzaville. Through the portholes, we see the canopy. Such a view of one of the largest forests in the world will stay in our memory forever. Departure in the evening by Air France flight to Paris, departure 7:25 pm.

The daily program may change depending on the climate. Everything announced will be done but in a different order.