A Complete 16 Days Congo River Tour From Kinshasa Itinerary

From Lisala to Kisangani, along the gorgeous Congo River, you’ll see some of the country’s most important historical sites, lush rain forests, and, most of all, get to know the locals. This 16 Days Congo River Tour From Kinshasa Itinerary will take you to spots you’ve never seen before in the Congo.

As you journey through one of the most remote regions on this 16 Days Congo River Tour From Kinshasa Itinerary you will encounter the various sights and sounds of authentic Africa.

Our river cruiser, a wooden vessel measuring 18 meters in length and outfitted with two strong outboard motors, is the mode of transportation here.

A generator, lighting, freezers, and safety gear round out the boat’s amenities. A skipper, mechanic, and sailor with the necessary credentials and expertise operate the vessel. Throughout the excursion, there is a chef and a tour guide.

On land, you can spend your evenings and nights interacting with the fascinating natives and learning about their culture. We are thrilled to offer our guests this famous 16 Days Congo River Tour From Kinshasa Itinerary since it is an adventure unlike any other, taking them on a once-in-a-lifetime trek through one of the world’s uncharted territories.

Congo River Tour From Kinshasa Experience Notes

  • We aim to follow the daily schedule below as closely as possible, but we always leave room for adjustment. overnight stops may not always adhere to the specified schedule, and there may be occasions when different accommodations are utilized instead of the ones listed below.
  • Our guides are native Africans who have been hand-picked for their extensive expertise and genuine enthusiasm for the regions they represent. Every one of our guides is a native of the area and has been hand-picked by us.


Heart Of Darkness – Exploring The Congo River

Detailed 16 Days Congo River Tour From Kinshasa Itinerary

Day 1-Arrival in Congo

Reaching the Congo Transfer to your accommodation in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where you will begin your Congo River Tour From Kinshasa. The Beatitude Hotel will be our home for the night.

Day 2- Kinshasa city tour


The story of Lola ya Bonobo

Going to the fantastic “Lola ya Bonobo” chimpanzee project, which translates to “paradise of bonobos,” located just outside of Kinshasa’s southern suburbs, after a delicious breakfast. Afterwards, we’ll visit Kinshasa, one of the most interesting megacities in Africa, and have a tour of its neighborhoods, marketplaces, and architecture.

Once known as “Kin La Belle,” which translates to “beautiful Kinshasa,” the city’s reputation has taken a beating due to decades of conflict, but the capital is making strides to restore its former glory.

Its former name, Leopoldville, has given rise to claims that it is the biggest major francophone metropolis in the world, surpassing even Paris.

Starting off as a little town called Nshasa, Stanley found it to be an important hub for the Congo Free State’s development. This, in turn, attracted residents from Europe and the Congo, and the city grew rapidly into a colossus among African metropolises. Despite a lot of problems in recent years, Kinshasa has maintained its status as the cultural center of central Africa, where the world-famous Congolese Rumba sounds were born and are still heard today.

In the 1960s, this city was known for staging the world-famous “rumble in the jungle” boxing battle between Mohammed Ali and George Foreman, which was one of the most significant sporting events in Africa at the time.

Brazaville, the capital of the Republic of the Congo, is situated in an ideal location for a capital city, facing the river Congo and its banks. In the twenty-first century, Kinshasa is still recovering from its troubled history, but the city’s infrastructure is flourishing and investment is increasing thanks to investors’ returns.

In order to truly grasp the hidden treasures and rich history of this remarkable state, you must visit in person to experience its bustle, intimidation, and brashness.

Overnight at Hotel Beatitude.

Lola Ya Bonobo tour.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is home to the sole bonobo primate species.

There may be as few as 20,000 of these creatures left in the wild, making them an endangered species.
The Lola Ya Banobo initiative, also known as the Friends of Banobo project, rescues and rehabilitates injured Bonobos that have been impacted by the lucrative bush meat trade and the unchecked poaching.

This 75-acre main tropical forest can house up to sixty bonobos. Returning some of the animals to their natural habitat is the ultimate goal of the project. With over 10,000 visitors annually, this beautiful sanctuary also features an award-winning educational program that brings attention to the dire situation of these apes and the urgent need to protect them for the future.

Day 3: Kinshasa to Lisala.

Following our delicious breakfast, we will take a flight to Lisala, the capital of the Mongala province in Deit, which also happens to be the birthplace of Mobutu Sese Seko, the former president of Zaire from 1965 to 1997. Much has been written regarding the brutality and autocracy of Mobutu. In preparation for our early morning departure on the road to Kisangani, we spend the night in the city.

Overnight tented camp

Day 4 to 13- Congo River Tour


Interesting Congo River Facts

It is estimated to take 10 nights to travel upriver from Lisala to Kisangani. A vast expanse devoid of highways or airports stretches before us. The only communities we stop at along the river are those that are vital to life.

One of the best parts of the trip is getting to see the natives at work as they cross the Congo River in their little canoes, buying and selling goods. Most of the locals we’ve encountered have never been on a plane and have no concept what tourists are.

Adventurers who aren’t afraid to roll the dice must embark on this one-of-a-kind quest. There aren’t many spots on Earth where you can have this unique experience. One of the most impressive parts of this journey is Bumba, where the Congo River widens to a width of almost 20 kilometers, teeming with water hyacinth.
The Yangambi biosphere reserve, which we pass through just as we approach Kisangani, is home to over 32,000 tree species and other animals, including monkeys, river hogs, and elephants.

Our engine-powered boat is 34 meters in length. The boat has a classic look, but it is equipped with all the necessary safety features, like flush toilets, a generator, lights, and freezers for food and drink. The trip also includes an English-speaking guide and a cook.
Every night, they spend time close to a village or beach, where they buy food for the next day’s meals and make sure the tented campers are ready. You can find cushions, cotton mattress covers, little mattresses, and tents. It is recommended that travelers carry their own bedding, towels, toiletries, and sleeping bag.

Congo River:
Because of its exceptional location in respect to the Congo rainforest, the Congo River is famous for its geography. The canal is an important pathway for the tropical forest’s runoff. It extends for just over 3,000 miles into the middle of the Atlantic. Plus, it’s one of the largest water storage areas on Earth.

Day 14: Kisangani

Following its naming by a journalist and its “discovery” by adventurer Henry Morton Stanley in 1877 while exploring the area on behalf of King Leopold, the location initially served as a trading station. The distance between the Atlantic coast and Kisangani, the mouth of the Congo River, is more than 2000 kilometers.

The city had its share of challenges during the last golden jubilee, being captured by Simba rebels during the Congo crisis in the 1960s and seeing the turmoil that gripped the DRC in the 1990s, among other things. A half-million people call Kisangani home, and today they’re attempting to rebuild.

Day 15: Kisangani to Kinshasa

After such a fantastic voyage, it may be difficult to reconcile this trip’s climax, but as the old adage says, not everything that’s good must come to an end.

Your journey to Kinshasa will begin with a transfer to the airport in Kisangani. One option is to take a guided tour of Kinshasa.

Day 16: End of the Congo River Tour

Be back in Kinshasa for your airplane departure.

Adding a hike in the Eastern Congo’s Rwenzori Mountains or a gorilla trek in Uganda, Rwanda, or the Congo to your Congo River Tour is possible.

End of the 16 Days Congo River Tour From Kinshasa