This 13-day Congo River expedition starts in Brazzaville, exploring the city before embarking on a scenic journey up the Congo River. Travelers visit historical sites like the Téké Kingdom, participate in traditional rituals, and encounter wildlife, including gorillas and hippos, in natural reserves. Along the way, they engage with local communities, learning about their culture, fishing practices, and palm wine production. The trip ends with a return to Brazzaville, with optional extensions to nearby cities and nature reserves.


Highlights


• Visit to the Lesio Louna reserve to see rescued gorillas.

• Exploration of local culture and traditions, including the Kebe Kebe ritual.

• Kayaking along the Sangha River, spotting hippos and rare birds.

Arrival in Brazzaville. Boarding the ship.
Night on board.

In the morning, we set out to explore the city, visiting the Congo Basin Museum, the Poto Poto School, and the Cathedral, finishing with the famous "La Sape" (Society of Ambiance-Makers and Elegant People).
Then, we begin the long journey up the Congo River through a landscape of green hills. We take advantage of the first miles to get to know our guides and learn about the Congo.
Night on board.

In the morning, we visit Ngabe, one of the ancient capitals of the Téké kingdom. We ascend through the village to visit the current queen. As the guardian of "Nkwembali," the spiritual deity of the Batéké, she is authorized to transfer power to the new king, the Makoko. She holds significant influence in the Téké kingdom.
After lunch on board, we return to the village to witness a Kebe Kebe ritual, which includes a dance and an initiatory society. The dance resembles whirling dervishes wrapped in raffia robes, manipulating a puppet generally representing a painted Kayo head.
Night on board.

We leave early in the morning on a 3-hour drive to the Lesio Louna reserve, part of the Congolese gorilla protection program (PPG). On a motorboat, we set off on the Louna River to reach the islands where rescued gorillas live during their adaptation period. Once they can feed themselves, they will be released into the park.
We then continue down the Louna River to observe hippos. After spending time with these fascinating primates, we return to the ship by 4x4 for another 3-hour drive.
Night on board.

In the morning, we reach the estuary of the Lefini River, a popular spot for hippos. We leave the ship on launch boats to observe these majestic mammals, return for lunch, and continue our ascent. The Congo River widens considerably, forming a maze of islands where fishing villages are established during the dry season.
Night on board.

We explore the communities and villages along the river. Based on the day of the week, we can stroll through local markets to experience daily life.
From the observation deck, we watch the fascinating whaleboats and flat-bottomed transport barges that travel along the Congo River, transporting goods, people, and livestock. These floating villages play a crucial role in the economy and life of the Congo River communities.
If the weather allows, we may bivouac on a sandbank amidst the islands.
Night on board.

In the morning, we explore the city of Mossaka. Guided by Jean de Dieu, we visit remnants of the colonial era, a bustling local market, and alleys where salted fish dryers are installed, learning about the region's traditional fish preservation techniques.
We return to the ship for lunch and continue navigating to Lukolela.
Night on board.

Today, we visit the fairground market of Lukolela, where villagers gather to trade their products. These markets are social gatherings where friends and families meet.
We then navigate through marshes to reach Likendze village on the Sangha River. Here, we learn various fishing techniques, and those interested can try their hand at line fishing. The day ends with a traditional village dance performance.
Night on board.

In the morning, we leave on launch boats to observe hippos. In the afternoon, we explore the Sangha River on kayaks, passing fishing villages and ancient trees. Depending on the season, we may see emblematic birds like ospreys, fish eagles, and kingfishers.
Night on board.

We visit the camp of Mbam, a settlement where Rwandans, Zairians, and Congolese have made their home. We meet Mr. Mokole, who collects palm wine using gourds attached to palm trees, and taste it.
Next, we visit the fishing camp of Ekouli Pouri on the Likouala Mossaka River, learning about the life of its few inhabitants, the Likoualas. We return to the ship and navigate towards the Alima River.
In the evening, we meet the Moye people, who prepare a dance by the river.
Night on board.

We continue navigating the Alima River, passing charming raffia villages. Later, we reach Mondongo, a village home to the Moye people. Gislain explains the local pharmacopoeia, and we learn how villagers use plants for traditional medicine.
We reach the town of Oyo in the night.
Night on board.

We disembark in the morning for a 6.5-hour bus journey back to Brazzaville. We arrive in the evening.
Dinner and overnight in a 5-star hotel.

Transfer to the airport for departure. Option to extend the trip:

Visit the coastal city of Pointe-Noire and the Tchimpounga chimpanzee sanctuary (2-3 nights).
Track bonobos in Oyo (3 days).
Visit Bai d'Imbalanga in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park (3-4 days).

Itineraries are subject to change.

Deluxe Suite

€7,000 EUR pp
Deluxe Suite
18 m². Second Deck. Public balcony : Two windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, and a closet. Bathroom. Air-conditioning. 2 cabins with two single beds that can convert to a queen. 4 cabins with queen beds. (205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210)

Forward Master Suite

€8,000 EUR pp
Forward Master Suite
23 m². Second Deck Forward. Public balcony : Four windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, and a closet. Bathroom. Air-conditioning. 2 cabins with queen beds. (201, 202)

Master Suite

€8,000 EUR pp
Master Suite
27 m². Second Deck. Public balcony : Three windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, sofa, and a closet. Bathroom.Air-conditioning.1 cabin with two single beds that can convert to a queen. 1 cabin with one queen bed. (203, 204)

Forward Superior Suite

€9,000 EUR pp
Forward Superior Suite
30 m². Third Deck Forward. Public balcony. Four windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, and a closet. Bathroom. Air-conditioning. 2 cabins with two single beds that can convert to a king. (301, 302)

Owner’s Suite

€9,600 EUR pp
Owner’s Suite
35 m². Observation deck. Private balcony (9m²) : Three windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, sofa, and a closet. Bathroom. Air-conditioning. 1 cabin with two single beds that can convert to a queen. 1 cabin with one queen bed. (401, 402)

Deluxe Suite

€7,000 EUR pp
Deluxe Suite
18 m². Second Deck. Public balcony : Two windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, and a closet. Bathroom. Air-conditioning. 2 cabins with two single beds that can convert to a queen. 4 cabins with queen beds. (205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210)

Forward Master Suite

€8,000 EUR pp
Forward Master Suite
23 m². Second Deck Forward. Public balcony : Four windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, and a closet. Bathroom. Air-conditioning. 2 cabins with queen beds. (201, 202)

Master Suite

€8,000 EUR pp
Master Suite
27 m². Second Deck. Public balcony : Three windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, sofa, and a closet. Bathroom.Air-conditioning.1 cabin with two single beds that can convert to a queen. 1 cabin with one queen bed. (203, 204)

Forward Superior Suite

€9,000 EUR pp
Forward Superior Suite
30 m². Third Deck Forward. Public balcony. Four windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, and a closet. Bathroom. Air-conditioning. 2 cabins with two single beds that can convert to a king. (301, 302)

Owner’s Suite

€9,600 EUR pp
Owner’s Suite
35 m². Observation deck. Private balcony (9m²) : Three windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, sofa, and a closet. Bathroom. Air-conditioning. 1 cabin with two single beds that can convert to a queen. 1 cabin with one queen bed. (401, 402)

Deluxe Suite

€7,000 EUR pp
Deluxe Suite
18 m². Second Deck. Public balcony : Two windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, and a closet. Bathroom. Air-conditioning. 2 cabins with two single beds that can convert to a queen. 4 cabins with queen beds. (205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210)

Forward Master Suite

€8,000 EUR pp
Forward Master Suite
23 m². Second Deck Forward. Public balcony : Four windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, and a closet. Bathroom. Air-conditioning. 2 cabins with queen beds. (201, 202)

Master Suite

€8,000 EUR pp
Master Suite
27 m². Second Deck. Public balcony : Three windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, sofa, and a closet. Bathroom.Air-conditioning.1 cabin with two single beds that can convert to a queen. 1 cabin with one queen bed. (203, 204)

Forward Superior Suite

€9,000 EUR pp
Forward Superior Suite
30 m². Third Deck Forward. Public balcony. Four windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, and a closet. Bathroom. Air-conditioning. 2 cabins with two single beds that can convert to a king. (301, 302)

Owner’s Suite

€9,600 EUR pp
Owner’s Suite
35 m². Observation deck. Private balcony (9m²) : Three windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, sofa, and a closet. Bathroom. Air-conditioning. 1 cabin with two single beds that can convert to a queen. 1 cabin with one queen bed. (401, 402)

Deluxe Suite

€7,000 EUR pp
Deluxe Suite
18 m². Second Deck. Public balcony : Two windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, and a closet. Bathroom. Air-conditioning. 2 cabins with two single beds that can convert to a queen. 4 cabins with queen beds. (205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210)

Forward Master Suite

€8,000 EUR pp
Forward Master Suite
23 m². Second Deck Forward. Public balcony : Four windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, and a closet. Bathroom. Air-conditioning. 2 cabins with queen beds. (201, 202)

Master Suite

€8,000 EUR pp
Master Suite
27 m². Second Deck. Public balcony : Three windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, sofa, and a closet. Bathroom.Air-conditioning.1 cabin with two single beds that can convert to a queen. 1 cabin with one queen bed. (203, 204)

Forward Superior Suite

€9,000 EUR pp
Forward Superior Suite
30 m². Third Deck Forward. Public balcony. Four windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, and a closet. Bathroom. Air-conditioning. 2 cabins with two single beds that can convert to a king. (301, 302)

Owner’s Suite

€9,600 EUR pp
Owner’s Suite
35 m². Observation deck. Private balcony (9m²) : Three windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, sofa, and a closet. Bathroom. Air-conditioning. 1 cabin with two single beds that can convert to a queen. 1 cabin with one queen bed. (401, 402)

Deluxe Suite

€7,000 EUR pp
Deluxe Suite
18 m². Second Deck. Public balcony : Two windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, and a closet. Bathroom. Air-conditioning. 2 cabins with two single beds that can convert to a queen. 4 cabins with queen beds. (205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210)

Master Suite

€8,000 EUR pp
Master Suite
27 m². Second Deck. Public balcony : Three windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, sofa, and a closet. Bathroom.Air-conditioning.1 cabin with two single beds that can convert to a queen. 1 cabin with one queen bed. (203, 204)

Forward Master Suite

€8,000 EUR pp
Forward Master Suite
23 m². Second Deck Forward. Public balcony : Four windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, and a closet. Bathroom. Air-conditioning. 2 cabins with queen beds. (201, 202)

Forward Superior Suite

€9,000 EUR pp
Forward Superior Suite
30 m². Third Deck Forward. Public balcony. Four windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, and a closet. Bathroom. Air-conditioning. 2 cabins with two single beds that can convert to a king. (301, 302)

Owner’s Suite

€9,600 EUR pp
Owner’s Suite
35 m². Observation deck. Private balcony (9m²) : Three windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, sofa, and a closet. Bathroom. Air-conditioning. 1 cabin with two single beds that can convert to a queen. 1 cabin with one queen bed. (401, 402)

Deluxe Suite

€7,000 EUR pp
Deluxe Suite
18 m². Second Deck. Public balcony : Two windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, and a closet. Bathroom. Air-conditioning. 2 cabins with two single beds that can convert to a queen. 4 cabins with queen beds. (205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210)

Master Suite

€8,000 EUR pp
Master Suite
27 m². Second Deck. Public balcony : Three windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, sofa, and a closet. Bathroom.Air-conditioning.1 cabin with two single beds that can convert to a queen. 1 cabin with one queen bed. (203, 204)

Forward Master Suite

€8,000 EUR pp
Forward Master Suite
23 m². Second Deck Forward. Public balcony : Four windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, and a closet. Bathroom. Air-conditioning. 2 cabins with queen beds. (201, 202)

Forward Superior Suite

€9,000 EUR pp
Forward Superior Suite
30 m². Third Deck Forward. Public balcony. Four windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, and a closet. Bathroom. Air-conditioning. 2 cabins with two single beds that can convert to a king. (301, 302)

Owner’s Suite

€9,600 EUR pp
Owner’s Suite
35 m². Observation deck. Private balcony (9m²) : Three windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, sofa, and a closet. Bathroom. Air-conditioning. 1 cabin with two single beds that can convert to a queen. 1 cabin with one queen bed. (401, 402)

Deluxe Suite

€7,000 EUR pp
Deluxe Suite
18 m². Second Deck. Public balcony : Two windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, and a closet. Bathroom. Air-conditioning. 2 cabins with two single beds that can convert to a queen. 4 cabins with queen beds. (205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210)

Master Suite

€8,000 EUR pp
Master Suite
27 m². Second Deck. Public balcony : Three windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, sofa, and a closet. Bathroom.Air-conditioning.1 cabin with two single beds that can convert to a queen. 1 cabin with one queen bed. (203, 204)

Forward Master Suite

€8,000 EUR pp
Forward Master Suite
23 m². Second Deck Forward. Public balcony : Four windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, and a closet. Bathroom. Air-conditioning. 2 cabins with queen beds. (201, 202)

Forward Superior Suite

€9,000 EUR pp
Forward Superior Suite
30 m². Third Deck Forward. Public balcony. Four windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, and a closet. Bathroom. Air-conditioning. 2 cabins with two single beds that can convert to a king. (301, 302)

Owner’s Suite

€9,600 EUR pp
Owner’s Suite
35 m². Observation deck. Private balcony (9m²) : Three windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, sofa, and a closet. Bathroom. Air-conditioning. 1 cabin with two single beds that can convert to a queen. 1 cabin with one queen bed. (401, 402)

Deluxe Suite

€7,000 EUR pp
Deluxe Suite
18 m². Second Deck. Public balcony : Two windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, and a closet. Bathroom. Air-conditioning. 2 cabins with two single beds that can convert to a queen. 4 cabins with queen beds. (205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210)

Master Suite

€8,000 EUR pp
Master Suite
27 m². Second Deck. Public balcony : Three windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, sofa, and a closet. Bathroom.Air-conditioning.1 cabin with two single beds that can convert to a queen. 1 cabin with one queen bed. (203, 204)

Forward Master Suite

€8,000 EUR pp
Forward Master Suite
23 m². Second Deck Forward. Public balcony : Four windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, and a closet. Bathroom. Air-conditioning. 2 cabins with queen beds. (201, 202)

Forward Superior Suite

€9,000 EUR pp
Forward Superior Suite
30 m². Third Deck Forward. Public balcony. Four windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, and a closet. Bathroom. Air-conditioning. 2 cabins with two single beds that can convert to a king. (301, 302)

Owner’s Suite

€9,600 EUR pp
Owner’s Suite
35 m². Observation deck. Private balcony (9m²) : Three windows, armchair, writing desk and chair, two bedside tables, sofa, and a closet. Bathroom. Air-conditioning. 1 cabin with two single beds that can convert to a queen. 1 cabin with one queen bed. (401, 402)

Vessel Type: River Expedition Vessel / Boutique Hotel Ship

Length: 170 feet / 52 meters

Passenger Capacity: 28

Built: 2017

This ship left a Belgian shipyard in Kinshasa in 2017. It takes the form of the passenger ships that have for decades transported passengers on the Congo River and its tributaries between the different capitals of Central Africa.

With a robust steel construction, she is powered by two new-generation 380 HP Caterpillar engines, thus reducing noise pollution and fuel consumption. Its draft of 90 centimeters allows it to navigate easily on shallow rivers.

In 2023, she is under refit to launch the first 4* safari cruises in the heart of one of the most mysterious forests in the world, the Congo Basin forest. Its renovation into a comfortable 4-star Boutique Hotel Ship launches a new era for the development of sustainable tourism in the Republic of Congo (Congo Brazzaville).

In May 2024, when the refit will be completed, she will begin the first cruises on the Congo and Sangha rivers, thus reviving the long tradition of river navigation in the Congo.

ON BOARD LIVING AND SOCIAL AREAS: 600 m² of common areas

Dining room

Indoor bar and lounge

Outdoor lounge

Outdoor jacuzzi

Massage Room

Observation Deck

CREW

18, including a cruise director and 3 naturalist guides.

WORLD CLASS DINING PROGRAM

A culinary experience nourished by African and European influences

A menu specially prepared by a French Chef rewarded for his work with a Michelin star in 2021

Local products and fine wine.

LAUNCH BOATS FOR SHORE EXCURSIONS

Two auxiliary aluminum launch boats equipped with four-stroke low emission engines. Each boat has a capacity of 15 passengers.

Kayaks for two people

Accommodation

Passengers are accommodated in 14 Design cabins across three decks.

Cabin layout for Princesse Ngalessa

Inclusions


• All excursions
• The guidance and expertise of our expedition staff
• Gorillas permits and park fees
• Flight (Brazzaville-Ouesso ou Ouesso-Brazzaville) above the canopy in a 30 passengers business jet registered in France
• All on board ship accommodation with meals. Beer, wine and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner in a limited quantity.
• All hotel nights and meals indicated in the day-by-day program

Exclusions


• International airfare
• Extra consumptions in bar
• Additional hotel nights
• Private transfers
• Travel Protection Plan
• Passport, visa, and immigration fees
• Letter of invitation .Supplement of 60 € if necessary
• Items of a personal nature such as internet access, phone and laundry
• Massage
• Gratuities
Princesse Ngalessa
Southern Africa Small Ship CruiseSmall Ship Cruise
13 Days from
€539 EUR per day

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1800 107 715

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