Congo River Expedition - Mbandaka to Kisangani
Congo River Expedition - Mbandaka to Kisangani
Congo River Expedition - Mbandaka to Kisangani
29 Days Starting and ending in Kinshasa
Visiting: Kinshasa, Mbandaka, Congo River, Lisala, Yangambi, Kisangani, Bumba
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 10
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans, Meat
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
Embark on the ultimate adventure with our "Congo River Expedition - Mbandaka to Kisangani Small Group Tour," a journey that promises an unparalleled exploration of the Democratic Republic of Congo. This epic voyage along the mighty Congo River invites intrepid travelers to experience the heart of Africa in a way few others have. From navigating through remote villages and dense rainforests to encountering the country's significant historical sights, this tour offers a unique blend of adventure, culture, and history. Travel aboard a traditional 18m long wooden boat, equipped with modern safety features, and spend your nights in comfortable, tented camps set up close to local villages. With the guidance of an English-speaking guide and the company of a small group, you'll have the chance to meet local people, discover their way of life, and witness the true spirit of Africa. This tour is a must for those seeking to discover the unexplored and cherish memories of spontaneous encounters and breathtaking landscapes.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival In Kinshasa
Location: Kinshasa
Accommodation Name: Sultani Hotel or similar
Arrive in Kinshasa and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is left at leisure. Overnight Sultani Hotel or similar. No meals nor guided arrangements are included today.
Day 2 - 3 : Kinshasa – Mbandaka (Domestic Flight)
Location: Mbandaka
Accommodation Name: Tented camp or basic hotel in Mbandaka
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Fly to Mbandaka, capital of the Equator Province, and the starting point of river expedition. We stay 2 nights in the city, ready to leave shortly on our 11-day voyage bound for Lisala. Overnight tented camp or basic hotel in Mbandaka. (BLD)
Day 4 - 9 : Congo River Expedition: First Leg
Location: Congo River
Accommodation Name: Tented camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The first leg of our voyage, upriver from Mbandaka to Lisala is expected to take 9 nights. We will be travelling through a vast area, without roads or airports. The river is a vital-life line for the communities we visit en-route. We will see how they go about their everyday lives, buying and selling produce from small boats that criss-cross the river. The people we meet have little, if any contact with the outside world, and certainly no concept of tourism. It is the genuinely spontaneous encounters which makes the trip so pioneering and a must for intrepid travellers. There are few places left on earth where such encounters are possible. It is a special experience shared by only an elite group of travellers a year. (BLD)Each night will be spent ashore or close to a village where we can buy fresh produce, prepare dinner and set-up our tented camp for the night. Tents are large and comfortable, 2m in height. Each tent is equipped with self-inflating mattress and cotton mattress covers and pillows. Travellers should bring their sleeping bag or sleeping sheet, as well as a towel and toiletries.Our transport is aboard a 18m long wooden boat, equipped with two powerful outboard engines. Although a traditional boat it is of course equipped with full safety equipment, toilet facilities, a generator, lighting and freezers for food and drinks. A cook and an English-speaking guide accompany the trip throughout.
Day 10 :
Location: Congo River, Lisala, Mbandaka
Accommodation Name: Tented camp or basic hotel in Mbandaka
The first leg of our voyage, upriver from Mbandaka to Lisala is expected to take 9 nights. We will be travelling through a vast area, without roads or airports. The river is a vital-life line for the communities we visit en-route. We will see how they go about their everyday lives, buying and selling produce from small boats that criss-cross the river. The people we meet have little, if any contact with the outside world, and certainly no concept of tourism. It is the genuinely spontaneous encounters which makes the trip so pioneering and a must for intrepid travellers. There are few places left on earth where such encounters are possible. It is a special experience shared by only an elite group of travellers a year. (BLD)
Day 11 :
Location: Lisala, Congo River, Mbandaka
Accommodation Name: Tented camp or basic hotel in Mbandaka
The first leg of our voyage, upriver from Mbandaka to Lisala is expected to take 9 nights. We will be travelling through a vast area, without roads or airports. The river is a vital-life line for the communities we visit en-route. We will see how they go about their everyday lives, buying and selling produce from small boats that criss-cross the river. The people we meet have little, if any contact with the outside world, and certainly no concept of tourism. It is the genuinely spontaneous encounters which makes the trip so pioneering and a must for intrepid travellers. There are few places left on earth where such encounters are possible. It is a special experience shared by only an elite group of travellers a year. (BLD)
Day 12 :
Location: Mbandaka, Congo River, Lisala
Accommodation Name: Tented camp or basic hotel in Mbandaka
The first leg of our voyage, upriver from Mbandaka to Lisala is expected to take 9 nights. We will be travelling through a vast area, without roads or airports. The river is a vital-life line for the communities we visit en-route. We will see how they go about their everyday lives, buying and selling produce from small boats that criss-cross the river. The people we meet have little, if any contact with the outside world, and certainly no concept of tourism. It is the genuinely spontaneous encounters which makes the trip so pioneering and a must for intrepid travellers. There are few places left on earth where such encounters are possible. It is a special experience shared by only an elite group of travellers a year. (BLD)
Day 13 :
Location: Mbandaka, Congo River, Lisala
Accommodation Name: Tented camp or basic hotel in Mbandaka
The first leg of our voyage, upriver from Mbandaka to Lisala is expected to take 9 nights. We will be travelling through a vast area, without roads or airports. The river is a vital-life line for the communities we visit en-route. We will see how they go about their everyday lives, buying and selling produce from small boats that criss-cross the river. The people we meet have little, if any contact with the outside world, and certainly no concept of tourism. It is the genuinely spontaneous encounters which makes the trip so pioneering and a must for intrepid travellers. There are few places left on earth where such encounters are possible. It is a special experience shared by only an elite group of travellers a year. (BLD)
Day 14 :
Location: Lisala, Mbandaka, Congo River
Accommodation Name: Tented camp or basic hotel in Mbandaka
The first leg of our voyage, upriver from Mbandaka to Lisala is expected to take 9 nights. We will be travelling through a vast area, without roads or airports. The river is a vital-life line for the communities we visit en-route. We will see how they go about their everyday lives, buying and selling produce from small boats that criss-cross the river. The people we meet have little, if any contact with the outside world, and certainly no concept of tourism. It is the genuinely spontaneous encounters which makes the trip so pioneering and a must for intrepid travellers. There are few places left on earth where such encounters are possible. It is a special experience shared by only an elite group of travellers a year. (BLD)
Day 15 :
Location: Lisala
Accommodation Name: Tented camp a few miles on from Lisala
We expect to arrive in Lisala today. Lisala is the home town of the former President Mobutu and the half way point between Mbandaka to Kisangani. Some of your fellow travellers will be returning to Kinshasa, taking a plane back to the capital the following day. At the same time other travellers will fly from Kinshasa to Lisala, in order to travel on the second leg of the expedition to Kisangani. Overnight tented camp a few miles on from Lisala. (BLD)
Day 16 - 25 : Congo River Expedition: Second Leg
Location: Lisala, Yangambi, Kisangani, Bumba
Accommodation Name: Tented camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The second leg of our voyage will take us further up river from Lisala, to our final destination, the city of Kisangani. The trip is expected to take 10 nights and as with the first leg, each night will be spent ashore at or close to a village where we can buy fresh produce, prepare dinner and set-up our tented camp for the night. Highlights of the second leg of the expedition include Bumba, where the river is at its widest, some 20 kilometres across and covered with water hyacinths. Closer to Kisangani we will travel through Yangambi, an important Biosphere Reserve which hosts 32,000 tree species. Wildlife in the reserve includes elephant, river hog and monkeys. (BLD)
Day 26: Kinshasa Departure
Location: Kinshasa
Accommodation Name: Overnight Hotel Triangle or similar.
Tour ends with transfer to airport. (B)
What's Included
-
Arrival and Departure Transfers
Transfers to and from the airport at the beginning and end of the tour are included.
-
Overland Transport
Overland transport throughout the tour with a professional driver is included.
-
Domestic Flights
Domestic flights as shown in the itinerary are included.
-
Accommodation
All accommodation during the tour is included.
-
English-speaking Guide / Tour Leader
Services of an English-speaking guide / tour leader are included.
-
Entrance Fees
Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary are included.
What's Not Included
-
International Flights
International flights are not included.
-
Airport Taxes
Any airport taxes not included (Except when included with domestic airfares)
-
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.
-
Visa Fees
Visa fees, when required, are not included.
-
Drinks
Drinks are not included.
-
Personal Expenses
Items of a personal nature such as souvenirs are not included.
-
Tips
Tips are discretionary and not included.
-
Sleeping Bag and Towel
Travelers should bring their own sleeping bag or sleeping sheet, as well as a towel and toiletries.
Mode of Transport
Travel in style aboard a traditional 18m long wooden boat, powered by two robust outboard engines. Despite its traditional build, the boat boasts modern safety equipment, toilet facilities, a generator for lighting, and freezers to keep food and drinks chilled.
Accommodation
Experience the unique charm of staying in tented camps each night, set up ashore or close to a village. Our large and comfortable tents, 2m in height, come equipped with self-inflating mattresses, cotton mattress covers, and pillows for a restful night's sleep.
Check out our Q&As
-
What are the highlights of the tour?
The ultimate Congo adventure – an epic voyage on the mighty Congo River, Experience the different sights and sounds of the real Africa as you travel through a land few travellers have yet discovered, Discover remote villages, some of the country’s important historical sights, rainforests and a chance to meet the local people, Explore the city of Kisangani, including the Tshopo River Falls and the Wagenia fisheries, Visit the Lola Ya Bonobo project outside of Kinshasa, Explore some of the markets and buildings in Kinshasa, once known as ‘Kin La Belle’
-
What type of accommodation is provided?
Each night will be spent ashore or close to a village where we can buy fresh produce, prepare dinner and set-up our tented camp for the night. Tents are large and comfortable, 2m in height. Each tent is equipped with self-inflating mattress and cotton mattress covers and pillows.
-
What is the starting location of the tour?
Kinshasa
-
What type of tour is this?
Adventure Tours, Small Group, Cultural, History
-
What are the exclusions?
International Flights, Airport Taxes, Travel Insurance, Visa Fees, Drinks, Personal Expenses, Tips, Sleeping Bag and Towel
-
Are there any inclusions?
Arrival and Departure Transfers, Overland Transport, Domestic Flights, Accommodation, English-speaking Guide / Tour Leader, Entrance Fees
-
What is the ending location of the tour?
Kinshasa
-
What is the name of the tour?
Congo River Expedition - Mbandaka to Kisangani Small Group Tour
-
What type of transport will be used?
Our transport is aboard a 18m long wooden boat, equipped with two powerful outboard engines. Although a traditional boat it is of course equipped with full safety equipment, toilet facilities, a generator, lighting and freezers for food and drinks.
-
What is the primary tag of the tour?
River Cruise
-
Which country does this tour visit?
Democratic Republic of Congo
-
I’m a single traveller – will I feel out of place?
In a word, no. We get a good mix of single travellers and couples on our group tours.
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
We are happy to allocate a twin room to two single same-sex travellers. If there is no one else to travel
-
Can I join the tour once it has departed?
No, sorry this is not possible.
-
What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
We offer fully transferable group tour deposits (excluding any flight payments which are always non-refundable). You can change your group tour booking up to 10 weeks before departure and not lose your deposit – we will put your deposit towards any new group booking as long as you travel within 2 years of the original departure date.
-
Can I alter the tour?
On our scheduled departures this isn’t possible, simply due to the fact that you’ll be travelling with other people. However, if you like the look of one of our advertised trips but want to tweak it slightly, then we can offer tailor made itineraries just for you, to accommodate your specific requirements.
-
Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
There are no hard and fast rules about what type of people travel on Undiscovered Destinations’ group tours – we attract people from all ages, nationalities and walks of life. What you are likely to find though is that travellers share a similar outlook about travel. We tend to attract people with a curiosity about the lesser visited corners of our planet.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
We have been going since 2004.
Reviews of this operator
1 Select your preferred date
Friday - Friday
Aug 01, 2025 - Aug 29, 2025Book with Confidence
-
Free Date Changes
Undiscovered Destinations allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 70 days before the start of the tour.
-
Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Undiscovered Destinations allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform undiscovered destinations, 70 days before departure.
-
Low Deposit
Undiscovered Destinations requires a minimum deposit of 350 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of undiscovered destinations charges.
Up to 71 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 40% of booking price.
At 34 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 20 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.