PYGME COHABITATION - BATOUS 11 DAYS

PYGME COHABITATION - BATOUS 11 DAYS AND MOUNTAIN GORILLA TREK

The Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC in shot; is a vast country located in the heart of Africa containing some of Africa’s most unique and undiscovered attractions waiting to be experienced.

It is bordered in East by Lake Albert, Lake Tanganyika and Lake Kivu. It has 26 provinces: Bandundu, bas Congo, Equateur, Kasai Occidental, Kasai Orientale, Katanga, Kinshasa, Maniema, North kivu, South kivu, Oriental. Congo has many beautiful and wild national parks (including Park National de Virunga, the worlds oldest), untamed rivers, virgin forest, and active volcanoes among others.Virunga National Parks located in the Eastern Democratic of the Congo, along the border with Rwanda and Uganda.

Congo encomparasses also an unparalled variety of landscapes: the snow peaks and glaciers of the fabled Ruwenzori Mountains, great lakes tropical lowland forests, mountain forest, the grass land savannas of the Rwindi plains and a vast mosaic of rivers and wetlands besides. In terms of species diversity, it is also Africa’s most rich protected area.In Congo, one can find species that cannot be found anywhere else in the world for example;Bonobos ,okapis and eastern lowland Gorillas.

DAY 1:ARRIVAL IN KINSHASA

Arrival at Kinshasa airport, where you will be greeted by our English and French speaking guide), briefing and

transfer to your Leon hotel in Kinshasa. Depending on arrival time, city tour is optional.

DAY 2:TOUR OF THE CITY OF KINSHASA,

After breakfast, we will begin the visit of the city: the cathedral Sainte-Anne, the Mausoleum of the late

President Laurent Désiré Kabila, the Symphony of Arts gallery, the first cathedral of the Congo. Then we take the

south direction of the city to reach the sanctuary "Lola ya bonobos" where we will spend time with the presence

of Bonobos. After the visit, a refreshment at Lake "My Valley" nearby. In the afternoon, return to the city and

visit the National Museum of Congo and return to the hotel. Around 19h dinner at the restaurant "Super

bonanza" with the Congolese buffet formula at will. After dinner, return to the Leon hotel and end day.

DAY 3: KINSHASA - MBANDAKA

After breakfast, transfer to N 'djili airport for 50 min flight. Arrival in Mbandaka around 11am. Transfer to the

hotel. Lunch at the restaurant "Welcome around the river" (ex Belle Vue) located on the banks of the Ruki River.

After lunch, head for the botanical garden "Eala" located 7 km from the city center. Then, the ethnographic

museum and the evangelical mission "New Life" sponsored by the Pygmies. Transit to the hotel before returning

to the unique "Welcome to the Riverfront" standard restaurant. Night at the hotel.

Mbandaka, capital of Equateur Province, formerly Coquilathville, was founded by Henry Morton Stanley in 1883.

The town is located at the crossroads of the Congo River and the Ruki River.

DAY 4: MBANDAKA - MOOTO (PYGMY VILLAGE)

After breakfast, we take the Mooto road to the south of the city with stopover at the crossing of the Ecuador

line. Mooto is an old Catholic mission created since 1960.Montage of the tents and installation, visit of the

mission, the cathedral and the surroundings. Free evening and overnight in tents.

DAY 5: VISIT OF THE VILLAGE AND EXIT IN THE FOREST

After breakfast, visit the pilot center of the association "VZW MOOTO & BIKORO" which supports the

population in sustainable development in agriculture, health and education: plantations (palm grove, cocoa,

beans, ...), huller, mill, public canteen ... We enter the forest for a demonstration of different types of traps,

gathering medicinal plants with pygmies. Back to camp for lunch. And break. In the afternoon, we go around the

village and discover the daily activities of the inhabitants. Around 18:30 after dinner, cultural evening with group

Bobongo Pygmies and Bantu. Night under tent.

DAY 6: TRIP BY TRADITIONAL DUGOUT

After breakfast, departure for the village Bokote via Samba village from where we go to the port of

embarkation. Boarding our canoes (rowing) for 5 hours of navigation in the middle of the submerged forest.

Arrival at the village of Bokoté around 16:00. A small visit of the village to the pygmy district is planned after the

hours sitting in the canoe. In the evening after dinner, free exchange with the villagers (Pygmies and Bantu)

around the fire. Night under tent.

This part of the circuit puts you in communion with the virgin nature in which you will see some animals such as:

Squirrels, birds, monkeys ,etc…

DAY 7: JOURNEY BY MOTORIZED CANOE

After breakfast, embark in our motorized canoe to cross Lake Tumba to reach the city of Bikoro on the shore of

Lake Tumba. Free evening / night at the hostel La "rice field".

DAY 8: JEEP TRIP TO MABALI

After breakfast, visit the Catholic Mission of Bikoro, the reference general hospital, the market followed by

transfer to Mabali with stopover in rubber plantation rubber. Arrival around 15h. Just after the installation, we

enter the forest to return to the camp around 17:30. Break and dinner. Option night out in the forest from 19h

to 21h. Night in tents.

Mabali is a research center in agronomy and forestry in Central Africa. Formerly called IRSAC (Institute of

Scientific Research in Central Africa). In the reserve you will find a well protected forest as a whole where the

animals are free and protected. Monkeys live like pets. An old research lab, a beautiful view of Lake Tumba.

DAY 9: RETURN TO MBANDAKA

After breakfast, visit the center, old lab, museum, return to the camp at 11am followed by lunch and return

directly to Mbandaka by road to arrive at 17:30. Back to civilization after or before dinner, free evening option a

good beer in a bar of Mbandaka. Night at the hotel.

DAY 10: MBANDAKA - KINSHASA,

After breakfast, transfer to Mbandaka airport and flight to Kinshasa. Evening free Night at the hotel "Leon

Hotel".

DAY 11: KINSHASA – DEPARTURE

 After breakfast, check in and transfer airport and back home. End of the Trip.

The Cost will be:

PRICE:
-2120 $ / person (based on 2 people)
- 1760$ / Person (based on 4 people)
- 1630$ / person (based on 6 people)

Included in the price:
- English and French speaking guide, Accompaniment team
- Complete the food with 3 liters of mineral water (per day and per person)
for Central Congo.
- Accommodation in the various hotels included in the program,
- All transfers inserted in the program. (Boats, vehicle)
- All visits and activities mentioned in the program,
-Invitation (support) for the facilitation of visas.
 

Excludes:Food in Kinshasa, Visa, personal insurance and repatriation, personal
purchases, gifts and gratuities, international flights.