The Best Luxury Congo River Cruise Itinerary
Experience the enchantment of the Congo by observing ancient rituals, navigating floating towns, and encountering gorillas in their natural environment at the Lésio Louna Sanctuary.
This remarkable expedition immerses you in the core of the Congo, where time-honoured customs and pristine terrains beckon. Commence in Brazzaville with a guided urban excursion, followed by a river cruise through one of Africa’s most secluded areas. Encounter many local cultures, ranging from the rites of the Téké Kingdom to the fishing practices of Mossaka.
While navigating upstream, relish the chance to observe remarkable wildlife, including hippopotamuses and many avian species, and engage in distinctive activities such as crocodile hunting and a tour of the Lésio Louna Gorilla Sanctuary. This journey provides an ideal combination of cultural discovery and wildlife adventure, rendering it the quintessential Congo River experience.
A Complete 8 Day Luxury Congo River Cruise Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Brazzaville
Upon arrival in Brazzaville, rendezvous with your guide at the airport for a transfer to the vessel. Acclimatise to your stateroom and familiarise yourself with the ship’s facilities in anticipation of the forthcoming voyage. Relish your inaugural evening aboard, absorbing the ambiance of the Congo River.
Overnight stay aboard.
Staying at Princess Ngalessa, Expeditions Ducret
Day 2: Arrival and Boarding
Start the day with a guided tour of Brazzaville, visiting the Congo Basin Museum, the Poto Poto School of Art, and the city’s grand Cathedral. On your return, experience the culture of the Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes (SAPE), a movement celebrating style and elegance. In the afternoon, embark on your journey up the Congo River, passing rich green hills while getting to know your guides and learning more about the region.
Overnight on board.
Day 3: Téké Kingdom & Kebe Kebe Ritual
Commence the day with an excursion to Ngabe, the historic capital of the Téké kingdom. Encounter the current queen, custodian of the Nkwembali, the spiritual deity of the Batéké, and the pivotal figure in the succession of the Makoko monarchy. Observe the Kebe Kebe ceremony, an initiation dance executed by spinning figures in raffia garments embellished with feathers, controlling a puppet featuring traditional scarifications.
In the afternoon, proceed to the Lefini River estuary, where you may observe hippos and several avian species before advancing upstream. Reboard the vessel for lunch and resume navigation.
Overnight on board.
Day 4: Islands & Floating Villages
The Congo River broadens into a 10 km-wide expanse, revealing a labyrinth of islands that host seasonal fishing settlements. Commence the morning at the N’keni estuary, observing remarkable avian species, such as bee-eaters, weavers, egrets, and kites. From the observation deck, observe the extraordinary whaleboats and elongated, flat-bottomed transport barges—floating communities that transport products, individuals, and cattle down the river for extended durations. Should circumstances permit, relish a distinctive bivouac experience on a secluded sandbank among the islands.
Overnight on board.
Day 5: Mossaka & Fishing Traditions
Commence the day in Mossaka, a town known for its traditional salted seafood. Accompanied by local guide Jean de Dieu, investigate the vestiges of the colonial era, meander through the vibrant market, and tour the fish-drying lanes that serve the region. Following lunch aboard, proceed to navigate through the marshes into Likendze, a fishing community situated on the Sangha River. Discover ancient fishing methods include sparrowhawk fishing, nace fishing, and net fishing—and for the enthusiastic, engage in the practice yourself.
Overnight on board.
Day 6: Alima River & Moye People
Commence the day with a boat expedition to observe hippopotamuses and, contingent upon the season, notable avian species including ospreys, fish eagles, cormorants, and the renowned turaco. Subsequently, proceed towards the Alima River, meandering through marshy woodlands. In the afternoon, visit the village of Bonda, inhabited by the Moye people, and observe their traditional dance. Stroll into the forest to examine its diverse ecosystem, and as dusk descends, navigate a tributary, allowing the nature’s noises to envelop you.
Overnight on board.
Day 7: Traditional Medicine & Crocodile Hunting
Navigate the Alima River, traversing charming communities adorned with raffia dwellings. Proceed to Mondongo, an additional settlement of the Moye people, where a local guide presents the traditional pharmacopoeia. Investigate the flora utilised in indigenous medicine, sourced from the adjacent swamp forest. In the late afternoon, traverse a dark-water tributary, where local villagers partake in crocodile hunting—an essential aspect of their history.
Overnight on board.
Day 8: Lésio Louna Gorilla Sanctuary
Following breakfast, go on a 4-hour bus journey to the Lésio Louna gorilla refuge. Established in 1999 by the Aspinall Foundation, this sanctuary is committed to saving gorillas from trafficking and captivity, and facilitating their return into the wild. Upon arrival, commence a motorboat expedition down the Louna River with the sanctuary’s custodians, traversing the jungle to access islands where gorillas are undergoing their adaption period. Following an unforgettable encounter with these intriguing beings, embark on a 3-hour journey back to Brazzaville.
Lunch Overnight in a 5-star hotel.
Day 9: Departure
Your travel itinerary may afford you more time for exploration or souvenir shopping. Proceed to the airport for your departure, signifying the conclusion of your Congolese river expedition.
End of the 9 Days Luxury Congo River Cruise Itinerary
