PRODUCT INFORMATION SHEET
Jungle trip to Bantu and Pygmy villages
Introduction
Discover the tropical rainforest and the Congolese culture. Go Congo Tour Operator
operates a 14-day trip on the axis Mbandaka-Bikoro in the Equator province in the D.R.Congo.
These trips have an adventurous character. Transfers are made by jeeps and by "pirogues", the
traditional dug-out canoes.
ECOTOURS – RIVER CRUISES - CAMPINGTRIPS – TIGERFISHING – AUTHENTIC CONGOLESE CULTURE – MAGICAL SCENERY
N.R.C.: 53 283
ID. NAT.: 01-9-N40471D
MAFFET / SGT / AV / 02 / 2003
Go Congo Tour Operator s.p.r.l.
Rue Mukonga 14
Kinkole, Kinshasa
République Démocratique du Congo
“ OVER 14 YEARS, CONGOLESE BACKCOUNTRY EXPERIENCE “
Tél.: +24381 18 37 010
[email protected]
www.gocongo.com
PRODUCT INFORMATION SHEET
Jungle trip to Bantu and Pygmy villages
During these trips, visitors are guests in different villages, where they can learn about
traditional customs of the Bantu and pygmy-culture. Furthermore, this type of travelling offers the
opportunity to interact directly with the local population.
This is a trip off the beaten track. There are no busses of tourists dropped off in these
villages daily, weekly or even monthly. In some of the more remote villages, we are the only
outsiders to visit them. This adds to the enthusiasm of the local inhabitants when visitors do arrive. It
is a big happening and the locals will gather to meet and greet the visitors. A 'must' for those people,
who strive to life a genuine Africa-experience.
Accommodations consist of a hotel in Kinshasa and
Kisangani and a tented campement in the interior. The large
comfortable tents are 2m high. As beds, we offer selfinflating mattresses with cotton mattress covers and pillows.
Travellers are expected to bring their own bedlinnen.
Furthermore, the camp will comprise a minimum of one
shower tent and one basic toilet tent. The number of sanitary
tents will depend on the number of clients. Travellers are
expected to bring their own towels and shampoo/soap.
The trip is based on Bed&Breakfast in Kinshasa and Full Board in the
interior. The Full Board Meal plan consists of a Breakfast, a light
Lunch and a two-course Dinner. Our breakfast is inspired on the socalled continental breakfast, including Sliced Bread and Rolls Butter, Cheese, Ham/Salami and Jam - Cereals with Milk and Sugar
- Coffee, Tea or Hot Chocolate. Our Lunch and Dinner consist mainly
of local specialties. Fresh fruit and local snack-food are served as
lunch on board. The Main Course of our Dinner consists of Meat,
Poultry, Fish or Pasta - Vegetables - Rice, Potatoes or 'Foufou', a
local side dish made of the manioc plant. The Dessert traditionally
consists of fresh fruit.
ECOTOURS – RIVER CRUISES - CAMPINGTRIPS – TIGERFISHING – AUTHENTIC CONGOLESE CULTURE – MAGICAL SCENERY
N.R.C.: 53 283
ID. NAT.: 01-9-N40471D
MAFFET / SGT / AV / 02 / 2003
Go Congo Tour Operator s.p.r.l.
Rue Mukonga 14
Kinkole, Kinshasa
République Démocratique du Congo
“ OVER 14 YEARS, CONGOLESE BACKCOUNTRY EXPERIENCE “
Tél.: +24381 18 37 010
[email protected]
www.gocongo.com
PRODUCT INFORMATION SHEET
Jungle trip to Bantu and Pygmy villages
Highlights:
Kinshasa:
Kinshasa, the capital of the
D.R.Congo, used to be referred to as "Kin La Belle"
- meaning "Beautiful Kinshasa". The many years of
turmoil have broken down on this image. But
slowly and surely, Kinshasa is regaining its
splendour. Some of the major sites include the
"Grand Marché", the tomb of former President
Laurent Kabila, the "Académie des Beaux Arts"
for those who like African art, the rapids of
Kinsuka just downstream from the city and the
Bonobo Reserve, a sanctuary for orphaned Bonobomonkeys, one of the five Great Apes, and the closest to
mankind.
Mbandaka:
Mbandaka, the capital of the Equator province, lies on the equator. A marker on the
Av. Bolenge symbolizes the line of the equator that passes through the city. The
former President Mobutu Sese Seko attended school here. Mbandaka is one of the
main river ports. The region of Mbandaka is the home of the Batswa Pygmies.
Bikoro:
Bikoro lies on the shores of Lake Ntomba, and was once a thriving town thanks to its
large rubber plantations.
ECOTOURS – RIVER CRUISES - CAMPINGTRIPS – TIGERFISHING – AUTHENTIC CONGOLESE CULTURE – MAGICAL SCENERY
N.R.C.: 53 283
ID. NAT.: 01-9-N40471D
MAFFET / SGT / AV / 02 / 2003
Go Congo Tour Operator s.p.r.l.
Rue Mukonga 14
Kinkole, Kinshasa
République Démocratique du Congo
“ OVER 14 YEARS, CONGOLESE BACKCOUNTRY EXPERIENCE “
Tél.: +24381 18 37 010
[email protected]
www.gocongo.com
PRODUCT INFORMATION SHEET
Jungle trip to Bantu and Pygmy villages
Arrangement:
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Airport Pick-up and Drop-off Service;
All transfers as mentioned in the program;
French- / English speaking Guide,
6-nights accommodation in Hotel in Kinshasa;
7-nights accommodation in a Tented Campement in the interior;
Bed&Breakfast Meal plan in Kinshasa;
Full Board Meal plan in the interior;
Drinks excluded;
ECOTOURS – RIVER CRUISES - CAMPINGTRIPS – TIGERFISHING – AUTHENTIC CONGOLESE CULTURE – MAGICAL SCENERY
N.R.C.: 53 283
ID. NAT.: 01-9-N40471D
MAFFET / SGT / AV / 02 / 2003
Go Congo Tour Operator s.p.r.l.
Rue Mukonga 14
Kinkole, Kinshasa
République Démocratique du Congo
“ OVER 14 YEARS, CONGOLESE BACKCOUNTRY EXPERIENCE “
Tél.: +24381 18 37 010
[email protected]
www.gocongo.com
PRODUCT INFORMATION SHEET
Jungle trip to Bantu and Pygmy villages
Indicative Program:
Day 1 : Arrival in Kinshasa
Day 2 : Arrival in Mbandaka. Visit of Mbandaka
: Mark- up of the equator. We take a 4x4 from
Mbandaka to Ilema, about 29 km further.
This trip takes 2.30 hrs. The “ Chef du
village “ and his pygmies give us a warm
welcome with traditional dances. We buy
seasonal fruit and vegetables. The cook
prepares a local speciality.( Congolese
Chicken )
Day 3 : European breakfast at 7 am. We leave at 8 am. Trip to
Samba. On the road we stop in Buya : we visit a small village with
pygmies in traditional clothes. They show us their wooden sculptures. We
spend the night in Samba : contact with the “ Chief of the village” and with the
local pygmies.
Dinner à la façon Congolese.
Day 4 : European breakfast at 7 am. We take a canoe to Nkake : 5 hours paddling. We admire the
vegetation : tropical jungle. On the road we buy fresh fruit and vegetables and other specialities to
taste. In Nkake the pygmies welcome us with their traditional dances. We eat our Congolese dinner.
(fresh fishes bought on the road and prepared à
la façon Congolese ).
Day 5 : European breakfast at 7 am. We leave for
Bikoro, paddling. On the road we visit Ikoko.
Ikoko is situated on the border of the Lac Tumba.
Possibility to buy some wooden souvenirs. We
take 2 extra men with us to paddle : we cross the
lake in 2 hours to Bikoro. Sightseeing in Bikoro :
the cathedral, some buildings from the State, the
beach, visit of the pygmies. Congolese dinner.
Day 6 : European breakfast at 7 am. Trip into the
virgin jungle to IRES in 4x4: 30 km. Congolese
dinner.
Day 7 : European breakfast at 7 am. I.R.E.S. : It
is a centre for research of climatology and ecology of the tropical Fauna and Flora. We make a
guided excursion into the Park. Here we still find the virgin vegetation, several animals, birds…
Congolese dinner.
ECOTOURS – RIVER CRUISES - CAMPINGTRIPS – TIGERFISHING – AUTHENTIC CONGOLESE CULTURE – MAGICAL SCENERY
N.R.C.: 53 283
ID. NAT.: 01-9-N40471D
MAFFET / SGT / AV / 02 / 2003
Go Congo Tour Operator s.p.r.l.
Rue Mukonga 14
Kinkole, Kinshasa
République Démocratique du Congo
“ OVER 14 YEARS, CONGOLESE BACKCOUNTRY EXPERIENCE “
Tél.: +24381 18 37 010
[email protected]
www.gocongo.com
PRODUCT INFORMATION SHEET
Jungle trip to Bantu and Pygmy villages
Day 8 : European breakfast at 7 am. 4x4 to Mbandaka.
We stay the night in Mbandaka. We eat in a local restaurant and enjoy a fresh Primus.
Day 9 : European breakfast at 7 am. We return to Kinshasa with airplane.
Day 10
Kinshasa: visit of the Pool Malebo and the sandbanks by boat with lunch in a Congolese village
8,00
Breakfast
9,00
Transfer to Kinkole
10,00
Embarkation and we'll travel up streams to a small village called" Mangengenge"
12,30
Reception by the Chief and lunch. Visit of the village
14,00
We'll continue and will take the middle of the stream passing some sandbanks and
try to reach Lukula , a village on a sandbank and we'll see how people try to survive
in that middle of nowhere.
17,00
Arrival in Kinkole and transfer to the hotel
18,00
Arrival in the hotel
19,00
Dinner
ECOTOURS – RIVER CRUISES - CAMPINGTRIPS – TIGERFISHING – AUTHENTIC CONGOLESE CULTURE – MAGICAL SCENERY
N.R.C.: 53 283
ID. NAT.: 01-9-N40471D
MAFFET / SGT / AV / 02 / 2003
Go Congo Tour Operator s.p.r.l.
Rue Mukonga 14
Kinkole, Kinshasa
République Démocratique du Congo
“ OVER 14 YEARS, CONGOLESE BACKCOUNTRY EXPERIENCE “
Tél.: +24381 18 37 010
[email protected]
www.gocongo.com
PRODUCT INFORMATION SHEET
Jungle trip to Bantu and Pygmy villages
Day 11
Kinshasa: visit of the fabrication of artwork of bronze, wood sculpture and handmade furniture
8,00
Breakfast
9,00
We'll visit different workshops and we'll see how bronze and Malachite, paintings,
wood sculpture and handmade furniture will be born, out of the hands of their
creator
12,30
Lunch
13,30
We'll continue the tour and will
visit also " Gare Central" , the
market were all art and
souvenirs are exposed and if we
still have enough time, also "
Symphonie Des Arts", with an
exposition of really top quality art
products.
18,00
Arrival in the hotel
19,00
Dinner
ECOTOURS – RIVER CRUISES - CAMPINGTRIPS – TIGERFISHING – AUTHENTIC CONGOLESE CULTURE – MAGICAL SCENERY
N.R.C.: 53 283
ID. NAT.: 01-9-N40471D
MAFFET / SGT / AV / 02 / 2003
Go Congo Tour Operator s.p.r.l.
Rue Mukonga 14
Kinkole, Kinshasa
République Démocratique du Congo
“ OVER 14 YEARS, CONGOLESE BACKCOUNTRY EXPERIENCE “
Tél.: +24381 18 37 010
[email protected]
www.gocongo.com
PRODUCT INFORMATION SHEET
Jungle trip to Bantu and Pygmy villages
Day 12
Kinshasa: chute de Lukaya and the Bonobo sanctuary
16,30
18,00
19,00
8,00
Breakfast
9,00
Departure
Passing the suburbs of Kinshasa, direction Bas-Congo,
we'll arrive at " chute de Lukaya" . Each weekend, this
place is very crowdie with people who , adults and
children, tries to find some fresh air outside the city.
But here also we can find the Bonobo sanctuary, all
were orphans, from Madame Claudine. Parents killed
by hunters, these baby's were saved thanks to Claudine's
program and nourished by local women till they were old enough to take
care for themselves
Transfer to hotel
Arrival in the hotel
Dinner
Day 13
Kinshasa: visit of a part of the Pool Malebo, statue of Lumumba, memorial
of Kabila and the rapids of Kinsuka
8,00
9,00
12,00
13,30
14,00/14,30
18,00
19,00
Breakfast
Departure
We'll start with the memorial of the former DRC president Kabila, the statue of
Patrice Lumumba, the first Prime Minister who has been murdered in the beginning
of independence. We go further to Kinkole , a fishermen village , and will visit the
local market. From there by boat , down streams, back to Kinshasa.
Embarkation and lunch on board.
On road, we can see how the river transport with goods and passengers goes on
and we can imagine the wealth of the city in the past.
Arrival in Kinshasa and going further on to the rapids of Kinsuka
Arrival and visit of the rapids
Arrival in the hotel
Diner
Day 14 Transfer to Airport. Airport Drop-Off Service
at departure
ECOTOURS – RIVER CRUISES - CAMPINGTRIPS – TIGERFISHING – AUTHENTIC CONGOLESE CULTURE – MAGICAL SCENERY
N.R.C.: 53 283
ID. NAT.: 01-9-N40471D
MAFFET / SGT / AV / 02 / 2003
Go Congo Tour Operator s.p.r.l.
Rue Mukonga 14
Kinkole, Kinshasa
République Démocratique du Congo
“ OVER 14 YEARS, CONGOLESE BACKCOUNTRY EXPERIENCE “
Tél.: +24381 18 37 010
[email protected]
www.gocongo.com
PRODUCT INFORMATION SHEET
Jungle trip to Bantu and Pygmy villages
Price :
TP 6 : 14 days : 2702 euro per person in double occupancy, 259 euro single supplement.
TP 7 : 10 days : 2588 euro per person in double occupancy, 101 euro single supplement.
ECOTOURS – RIVER CRUISES - CAMPINGTRIPS – TIGERFISHING – AUTHENTIC CONGOLESE CULTURE – MAGICAL SCENERY
N.R.C.: 53 283
ID. NAT.: 01-9-N40471D
MAFFET / SGT / AV / 02 / 2003
Go Congo Tour Operator s.p.r.l.
Rue Mukonga 14
Kinkole, Kinshasa
République Démocratique du Congo
“ OVER 14 YEARS, CONGOLESE BACKCOUNTRY EXPERIENCE “
Tél.: +24381 18 37 010
[email protected]
www.gocongo.com