THE MIGHTY CONGO: 800 KM CRUISE FROM BRAZZAVILLE TO OYO (or vice versa) 8 nights cruise of the Congo & Alima River: 1 night at the hotel, 7 nights on the boat - contact us for details of the reverse itinerary. Day 1 Arrival in Brazzaville. Arrival in Brazzaville. Our guide will be waiting for you at the airport to transfer you to the ship. Day 2 – Visit of Brazzaville and beginning of the cruise In the morning, 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. Then begin the long journey up the Congo River through a landscape of green hills. We take advantage of the first miles to get to know our guides and learn about the Congo. Day 3 – The Téké Kingdom and Kebe Kebe ritual In the morning, 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. In the afternoon, we reach the estuary of the Lefini River, a popular spot for birds and hippos depending on the season. We leave the ship on launch boats to observe the majestic mammals. We return to the ship for lunch and continue our ascent. Day 4 – The thousands of islands of the Congo River and the “whaling ships” The Congo River widens considerably (more than 10 km) and a labyrinth of islands is formed. Fishing villages are established there during the dry season. In the estuary of N’keni, we will go for birding in the morning (bee eaters, weavers, egrets, kites). 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. If the weather permits, we will take the opportunity to bivouac on a sandbank in the middle of the myriad of islands. Day 5 – The city of Mossaka and its famous salted fish and the village of Likendze In the morning 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. We also discover the production of palm wine and meet a potter. We return to the ship for lunch and continue our navigation to Likendze. At the village of Likendze on the Sangha River, 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. Day 6 – The Alima river and the Moye people 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. Back on the ship, we navigate towards the Alima River. This beautiful narrow winding river is surrounded by swamp forests. We finish the day 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. Day 7 – The traditional Medicine We navigate on the Alima River. Passing the many bends of the river, along the banks we can see many charming raffia villages. Later on, we reach 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. In the afternoon, we reach a small tributary with black water where the locals call crocodiles to hunt them. Day 8 – Disembark Oyo, Visit Lesio Louna réserve, transfer to Brazzaville We disembark for our return trip to Lesio Louna reserve by car. 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 return to Brazzaville by car. Dinner and overnight at a 5 star hotel in Brazzaville. Day 9 – Depart Brazzaville Transfer to the airport and fly out or extend to discover:

• The coastal city of Pointe-Noire and visit the chimpanzee sanctuary of Tchimpounga in Kouilou river(2-3 nights) and relax at Bamboo beach on the seaside.
• 3 nights extension to the Bai d’Imbalanga in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park (From Oyo)
• 2 nights extension in DRC for Bonobos tracking (endemic species from DRC)
• 4 nights in Dzanga sangha extension in Doli Lodge. Possible departure to Bangui.