7 Days Congo Tour Visiting Bonobos in the Wild

This 7 Days Congo Tour Visiting Bonobos in the Wild package brings you to visit bonobos in the wild in the heart of Africa. You will navigate up the Congo River to reach Tshumbiri in Mai-Ndombe Province in DR Congo. Bonobos are a very rare animal to see in the wild. Additionally, the Bonobos are our closest living relatives, with more than 99% identical DNA. This comes as a unique experience as the Bonobos are endemic to the DR Congo.

This is trip makes you feel the real Africa, this is raw, authentic untouched, wild Africa. The experience of seeing the locals along the river going about their daily lives is something that, in all likelihood, can only be found in one or two places in the world. To visit bonobos in the wild will definitely not be an easy trip, it is an expedition. It will surely be very rewarding if you can handle the unpredictable environment that is the Democratic Republic of Congo. At the end of the trip, you will be among the rare tourist on the planet to visit bonobos in the wild.

This 7 Days Congo Tour Visiting Bonobos in the Wild is an open Group Tour that you can join and save a lot of money traveling in a group.

Renting out a speedboat or motorized canoe, a 4WD jeep Toyota land cruiser and other fixed costs making it harder (or expensive) for one or two people to engage in one of our tours to trekking bonobos in the wild. The reason why, we always organize one yearly group tour. Next year, from the 10th to the 16th of July 2024,  we hope through this itinerary to bring a minimum of 5 people trekking bonobos in the wild. Please be advised. that the price quoted is for one person in a minimum of a group of 5 people. To confirm your booking you will just need a deposit of 1000 USD which is 100% refundable should we fail to secure 5 people for the trip.

Below is the detailed itinerary for 7 Days Congo Tour Visiting Bonobos in the wild

Arrival in Kinshasa | 10th of July 2024

Eco Adventure Safaris representative in Congo will pick you up from N’Djili International Airport in Kinshasa. You will then be whisked away to your hotel for a briefing and orientation. Overnight at Léon Hotel or Similar.

Kinshasa – Menko – Tshumbiri | 11th of July 2024

Boarding for Tshumbiri from a private port in Kinshasa, spend 4 to 12 hours of navigation (depending on what ferry you use) on the majectic Congo River. This part of the itinerary will allow you to discover the Congo river, its traffic and its inhabitants in a particular immersion formula approach.

You will arrive at around 6:00 p.m. As you arrive, we will leave the boat and transfer by jeep to Nkala to reach around 8:00 p.m. Free evening and night in a tent.

Trekking Bonobos in the forest | 12th of July 2024

Wake up early at around 5 a.m. to go for the bonobos trekking in the wild. You will bring your breakfast with you. Trek the Bonobos and return to the village at around 12 noon. After lunch, courtesy visit to the chiefdom and tour of the village as you encounter with the Téké people. Around 4:30 p.m. attend to a show with the famous folklore Ekoul balow. Return to camp around 6.30 p.m. If interested you could have a chat with the staff of the NGO Mbomou tour. Nights in tent or inn Mbomou tour.

Nature walk and meeting with Téké people | 13rd of July 2024

Go for a nature walk and meet with the téké people and their culture. In the afternoon, return to Tshumbiri for overnight.

Tshumbiri – Kinshasa | 14th of July 2024

Around 6:00 a.m. leave Nkala to Tshumbiri, as you arrive board your ferry and return to Kinshasa. Breakfast on board. Arrival in Maluku around 4:30 p.m. Goodbye the boat crew and transfer to the city center. Free evening. Night at the hotel

Kinshasa City Tour | 15th of July 2024

On this day you will discover Kinshasa’s vibrant culture and history on a tour of the city that explores local landmarks, a bustling market, and the banks of the churning Congo River. Traveling with a local guide, you’ll learn the stories behind each place you see, from the National Museum to Kabila’s Mausoleum and the Place of Independence. You will also be brought in another incredibly unique aspect of Kinshasa, Sapeurs. La Sape is an abbreviated way to refer to the movement of Sapeurs. The translated meaning of the term La Sape is “Society of Ambiance-Makers and Elegant People”. Also known as Congolese Dandies, the importance of physical appearance and attire is of the utmost and this is very clear, as you will see. You will experience the city in the safety of a private vehicle that will comfortably accommodate you, with all entrance fees included.

Departure from Kinshasa | 16th of July, 2024

In the morning, you will be brought to N’djili International Airport for departure.

End of the trip.

Includes

• A professional guide, English and French

• Accommodation: hotel in Kinshasa and Mbandaka, in tents on the ground

• Complete food (except drinks but with 1.5 liters of mineral water per person)

• All transfers mentioned in the program

Excludes

• Visa (540 USD per person)

• Individual Insurance.

• Accidents and sickness

• Delays and cancellations

• Inernational flights

• Airport infrastructure tax (55 USD)

• Contingencies

What to expect on this 7 Days Congo Tour Visiting Bonobos in the wild?

Trekking Bonobos in the wild is an adventurous and rare experience that will bring you to the untouched DR Congo. The Bonobos are our closest living relatives, with more than 99% identical DNA. Moreover, Bonobos are endemic to the DR Congo. The Bonobos are a very rare animal to see in the wild, while the landscape of the Congo is a visit to the true heart of Africa. Trekking Bonobos in the wild is not the Africa of Kenya or South Africa, this is raw, untouched, wild Africa. The experience of seeing the locals along the river going about their daily lives is something that, in all likelihood, can only be found in one or two places in the world. Yes, this is not an easy trip, but it can be very rewarding if you can handle the unpredictable environment that is the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Where to see the Bonobos in the Wild

Eco Adventure Safaris provides you a unique opportunity to visit Bonobos in the wild in Western Congo. This is done in partnership with local communities and the support of their customary power in Bolobo Territory, Mai-Ndombe Province, about 300 km north of Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC. The trekking is done in the Mai-Ndombe forest, an area of 10 million hectares, which has some trees measuring between 35 and 45 meters. You will encounter with Bateke people who are known for living on the banks of Congo River. In Nkala and surrounding villages, the Batéké have a longstanding taboo on eating bonobos. They believe that the bonobo was first a human who failed to repay a debt and escaped to the forest to avoid being enslaved. Learn about their history, culture and tradition. This experience can be done in 5 to 8 days as Tshumbiri is located 300 Km on the Congo River from Kinshasa, DR Congo’s capital city. It is done in harmony with Téké people who are a part of communities living in the area. For more check our featured itinerary to Tshumbiri

How to get there?

Kinshasa – Tchumbiri Option 1;  Using a speedboat This is the fastest option. You will embark from a private port in Kinshasa to reach Tshumbiri 4 hours later.

Option 2;  Using a comfortable motorized wooden canoe This is the longest option to reach Tshumbiri, you will leave too early in the morning from Kinshasa. Get ready for 12 hours navigation. If you want to see more of local life and activities on the Congo River, this is right means of transportation for you to Tchumbiri. Discover the Congo River, its traffic and its inhabitants in a particular immersion formula approach. You will leave at 6 am from Kinshasa to reach Tshumbiri at around 6 PM. Tchumbiri – Nkala On your arrival in Tshumbiri, you take a jeep which will take you to Nkala, a two hours drive on a unpaved road.

Where to Stay

Where to stay when trekking bonobos in the Wild is mostly Basic accommodation: We offer basic accommodation when visiting bonobos in the wild. There is no running water, we will avail solar panels for limited charging of camera batteries. There is no mobile phone service, unless you have a satellite phone. If available, you could have options to use our spacious tents with air mattresses that we could bring along.

What to expect in the forest

The trail when trekking Bonobos in the wild both in Nkala is mostly about 1 foot (30cms) wide, in some cases you will need to walk through knee high water. Also, you will climb over fallen logs, roots, rocks and other obstacles along the path. There are a lot of biting ants along the path, so tucking your pants into heavy socks is highly recommended.

What to expect the day of  trekking Bonobos in the wild: in the wild:

Trekking Bonobos in the wild requires getting up around 3-4 am in order to hike through the jungle to the Bonobo nests before they wake up. The hike can take anywhere from 1-3 hours depending on where the Bonobos have made their nests. The rangers know where they are and will lead you there in the dark. Once you get close to the nests, you will wait in silence until the Bonobos wake up and the day begins to lighten. Once they have gotten accustomed to your presence, you will be allowed to follow the Bonobos as the move through the forest eating and socializing. Note that you may be following a group as small as 3-5 or as large as 15-20, and be aware that they do not always come down from the top of the trees in which case seeing them or taking pictures can be very challenging due to the density of the jungle. After 3-4 hours (depending on where the Bonobos go), you will return to the camp/guesthouse.

Tips & warnings:

(1) Note that unfortunately as for many countries in Africa, corruption is alive and well in the Democratic Republic of Congo. While the local guide will handle the payoffs to the local authorities (which will occur at almost every village you stop in), you should bring at least US$500.00 (in clean, post-2006 bills) in cash to handle unexpected emergencies. Credit cards and travelers cheques are useless.

(2) Bring a sun hat, lots of sunscreen and insect repellent. The canoes do not have any sun protection and it can get very hot during the day. In Kinshasa, along the river and in the jungle, you will need to spray yourself liberally with insect repellent, especially if you are travelling during the rainy season.

(3) Bring a waterproof bag for all of your possessions, especially while in the canoe. The canoes tend to leak, and since they are not covered, will also fill up when it rains. A rain cover will not be enough. Expect that your backpack will be sitting in the water in the bottom of the canoe.

(4) Bring a fleece jacket, it can cool off at night time, especially if you are sitting in the moving canoe.

(5) A decent pocket knife, waterproof matches, and a small camp towel are also recommended.

Contact us below if you are willing to join this 7 Days Congo Tour Visiting Bonobos in the wild group tour for 2024.

Eco Adventure Safaris Limited

Website: www.ecoadventuresafaris.com

Email: info@ecoadventuresafaris.comTell: +256740829909 (WhatsApp)