+612 9541 4199
enquiries@africasafarico.com.au
AUD
Step aboard the Princess Ngalessa for a once-in-a-lifetime 9‑day journey along the mighty Congo River, where adventure, culture, and wildlife converge in spectacular harmony. From your first encounter with rescued gorillas at the Lesio Louna reserve to navigating the winding Alima River past raffia villages, every day unveils a new chapter of discovery. You’ll walk through lush forests alive with birdsong, meet the Moye people and learn their ancient traditions of medicine, and drift silently at night to hear the forest’s hidden symphony. With expert guides leading the way, you’ll not only witness Africa’s raw beauty but also immerse yourself in the rhythms of life along one of the world’s most legendary rivers.
This extraordinary cruise blends authentic cultural encounters with breathtaking natural spectacles. Observe hippos and rare bird species, explore Mossaka’s vibrant markets and colonial heritage, and learn traditional fishing techniques in Likendze. Marvel at the floating villages and whaleboats that sustain river communities, then step into history with a visit to Ngabe, the ancient capital of the Téké kingdom, where you’ll witness the powerful Kebe Kebe ritual dance. Your journey concludes in Brazzaville, with visits to the Congo Basin Museum and the stylish “La Sape” movement. More than a cruise, this is an odyssey into the heart of Africa—an unforgettable blend of wildlife, culture, and river adventure that will leave you transformed.
Maya-Maya International Airport (Google Map)
You can expect this 9‑day Congo River cruise to be a rare blend of wildlife encounters, cultural immersion, and river adventure. Each day offers something distinct: from meeting rescued gorillas at the Lesio Louna reserve to drifting silently through swamp forests alive with birds, insects, and medicinal plants. You’ll spend nights aboard the Princess Ngalessa, waking each morning to new experiences—whether it’s birdwatching for African fish eagles and kingfishers, learning traditional fishing techniques in Likendze, or exploring Mossaka’s bustling markets and colonial heritage.
Beyond the wildlife and landscapes, the cruise immerses you in the living traditions of the Congo. You’ll meet the Moye people, witness their dances and learn their ancient remedies, marvel at the floating villages and whaleboats that sustain river life, and step into history at Ngabe, the ancient capital of the Téké kingdom, where you’ll see the powerful Kebe Kebe ritual. The journey ends in Brazzaville with visits to museums, schools, and the stylish “La Sape” movement. Expect a voyage that is both deeply authentic and richly varied—wildlife, culture, history, and the mighty Congo River itself woven together into an unforgettable adventure.
Arrival in Brazzaville and transfer to your hotel. Our guide will be waiting for you at the airport to transfer you to your hotel. Free time in the evening (dinner not included).
Night at the Radisson hotel
We leave early in the morning for a comfortable bus journey of 3 hours to the Lesio Louna
reserve.
Founded in 1999 the Aspinall Foundation, and part of the Congolese gorilla protection program (PPG) Lésio Louna aims to rescue gorillas from wildlife trafficking or zoos which cannot tend to them and reintroduce them into their natural environment. On board a motorboat, we set off on the Louna River, which winds through the forest, with the keepers to reach the islands where the gorillas live during the period of adaptation to their new life. As soon as they are able to feed themselves, they will then be released into the Park. After a memorable time close to these fascinating primates, we drive for 4 hours to Oyo, where Princesse Ngalessa wait for us.
Night onboard Princess Ngalessa
We navigate on the Alima River. This beautiful narrow winding river is surrounded by swamp forests. Passing the many bends of the river, along the banks we can see many charming raffia villages. In the morning, accompanied by our knowledgeable guides, we will walk through the forest, learning about the different emblematic trees, plants, and the secret life of the forest – from the intricate world of insects to the fascinating interplay of flora and fauna that thrives within its lush canopy. In the afternoon, we visit the village of Mondongo. This village, also made primarily using raffia, is home to Moye People. We met a local guide who explains the traditional pharmacopoeia and the preparation of remedies. The swamp forest is teeming with plants the villagers use for traditional medicine to treat diseases and injuries. At night, we will go on launch boats to listen the forest.
Night onboard Princess Ngalessa
In the morning, we navigate towards the Alima River. This beautiful narrow winding river is surrounded by swamp forests. We arrive in the village of Bonda where we meet the Moye People. They are our guides to discover the flooded forest. Following the season, we discover the forest by canoe or on foot. In the evening, the Moye people perform a traditional dance on the bank of the river. At night, we will navigate in a 900 m loop to listen to the forest and perhaps, spot the shining eyes of the crocodiles.
Night onboard Princess Ngalessa
We reach the mighty Congo River! Around the area, the river widens considerably (more than 10 km) and a maze of islands forms. Fishing villages are established here during the dry season. In the afternoon, we reach the village of Likendze. We learn different fishing techniques such as cast net fishing, trap fishing, and net fishing. Those interested can even try their hand at line fishing.
Night onboard Princess Ngalessa
In the morning, we leave on launch boats to observe the hippos who live a few kilometres north of the village and we’ll go for a birding in search of the emblematic birds of the region such as ospreys, palm-nut vultures, African fish eagles, hamerkops, cormorans, kingfishers, weavers, ibis, grey herons, storks, egrets, hornbills, pied crows, Brazza’s Martin and the elusive turaco.
In the afternoon we set out to explore the city of Mossaka. Led by our local guide Jean de Dieu, we discover the remnants of the colonial era, we visit the bustling local market where we’ll immerse ourselves in the daily life of the local people. Our visit takes us through the alleys where salted fish dryers are installed. This traditional technique of preserving fish has made Mossaka famous throughout the region.
Night onboard Princess Ngalessa
From the observation deck, we watch the fascinating boats, whaleboats and long flat-bottomed transport barges that are pushed along the Congo River. Travelling for weeks at a time and measuring up to two hundred metres in length, these floating villages transport goods, people and livestock from town to town. They play a crucial role in the economy and life of the Congo River communities. Between the islands, we will go for birding (bee eaters, weavers, egrets, kites). If the weather permits, we will take the opportunity to bivouac on a sandbank in the middle of the myriad of islands.
Night onboard Princess Ngalessa
Early in the morning, we reach the estuary of the Lefini River, a popular spot for birds and hippos.We leave the ship on launch boats to observe the majestic mammals.
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 the person authorised to transfer power to the new king, the Makoko. She holds significant influence in the Téké kingdom, one of the powerful kingdoms in the country.
After our lunch on board we return to the village to witness a Kebe Kebe ritual. It refers to a dance and an initiatory society of the Congo. The ordinary form of the kebe-kebe resembles whirling dervishes, wrapped in raffia robes set with feathers of various birds, and manipulating a puppet which generally represents a painted Koyo head exhibiting the particular scarifications of the ethnic group.
Night onboard Princess Ngalessa
We arrive in the Capital city of Brazzaville in the morning and we set out to explore the city, The Congo Basin Museum, the Poto Poto School, the Cathedral and we end with a meeting with “La
Sape” – Society of Ambiance-Makers and Elegant People.
In the afternoon, transfer to the airport and fly out for guests flying Air France. Guests flying Ethiopian Airlines will need to book an extra hotel night in Brazzaville.
Radisson Blu M’bamou Palace Hotel Brazzaville
Princesse Ngalessa
