Congo cultural immersion in DR Congo
Explore Tours
These 13 days cultural immersion brings you in a real cultural immersion in the DR Congo.
This tour offers you the opportunity to learn the local culture and participate in the daily activities of some Congolese tribes which have preserved their cultures and doctrines. First a few kilometers from Kinshasa with the Tata Gonda sect, then you will go into cultural immersion with the people of the former famous Kuba Kingdom.
Thanks to this itinerary you will 3 experiences in one: the Tata Gonda land that remained a mystery for years, the authentic Pende of Gungu with their pierced cheeks and mask dances, and full immersion into the Kuba Kingdom, one of the most powerful African kingdom of all times.
PAYMENT TERMS: The visa fees is to be paid in full up front to confirm your booking. This Safari Tour Requires 30% deposit upon booking and the rest to be paid four weeks to safari.
VALIDITY: This quotation is valid for 30 days. Bookings are subject to availability at the time of confirmation.
Included/Exclude
- 4WD Vehicle for transportation
- All Fees and Taxes
- Breakfast (12)
- Dinner (12)
- Lunch (12)
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All permits and entrance fees
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Professional guide
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Professional Chef
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Overland transportation in 4WD all inclusive (Driver, fuel, tollgate, unlimited kilometers)
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A mix of full & half board accommodation (Bed and breakfast, dinner, lunch)
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Tour Operator’s Commission on Gross Expense
- International Departing Taxes (55 USD)
- Accidents & sickness
- Flight delays and cancellation
- Travel insurance
- Contingencies of any nature
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Congolese Kinshasa eVisa (500USD per person) or paperwork for visa (Visa Invitation letter = 100USD per person)
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Domestic Flight (Kananga – Kinshasa between 300-500 USD)
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International flight, travel insurance (accident & sickness)
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Unforeseen circumstances including flight cancelation or delay
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Congo Airport infrastructure tax for passengers leaving DR Congo (55 USD)
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Covid19 related expenses (no arrival PCR test required for fully vaccinated passengers)
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Tips and souvenirs
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Gratuities
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Alcoholic drinks (available on purchase)
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Souvenir photos (available on purchase)
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International flight
Tour Amenities
Tour Plan
Arrival, pick up and transfer to the Hotel for Check-in
📍Kinshasa
As you arrive in Kinshasa, you will be picked by our representative guide who will whisk you away to your hotel in Kinshasa (Hotel Royal Kinshasa). The Hotel Royal Kinshasa is a simple/basic but comfortable hotel. We chose this hotel because of its unbeatable location, which is down town Kinshasa and allow us to move around on walking in the afternoon-evening.
Meals included: Breakfast
Drive from Kinshasa to Tata Gonda land
📍Kisantu
We arrive after nearly three hours driving from Kinshasa. In tata Gonda Land, we’re attending several ceremonies: their prayer for the world in the holy temple, the prayer as a therapy to heal all sicknesses, the lake to wash sins, prayer to the grave of Tata Gonda to implore his mercy blessing, visit of places where Tata Gonda operated some miracles… Late 4.00pm we depart back to Kinshasa where we arrive late night.
Accommodation: Hotel Royal Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast
Kinshasa-Kenge (nearly 4 hours)
📍Kenge
Early breakfast and drive to Kenge. Expected arrival around noon. Short City tour and return to the hotel for dinner and rest. Overnight at Hôtel White House or Soeur Catholique de Kenge
Accommodation: Wata Fils Maison Blanche
Meals included: Breakfast
Yaka Kingdom Traditional Ceremony
📍Kenge
Today in the morning, we are walking for an hour to the sacred village where the Yaka settled after breaking away from the Luba empire 200 years ago. The Royal Family will welcome us with a big traditional masked dance, blood sacrifice ritual, and learn about the local monarchies in today's republic. We will taste some local specialties, and, in the afternoon, we will return to the town of Kenge and drive to Kikwit.
Meals included: Breakfast
Mukanda and Mask's Dance - Pende of Gungu
📍Gungu
We’re going to pre-arrange the Mukanda to ensure during our stay, we participate to the last days of the ritual and attend a succession of mask dances and ceremonies.
Accommodation: Kuzunda Hotel
Meals: Lunch – Breakfast – Dinner
Travel to Idiofa
For three to four days, we’re travelling nearly 400 km of a very challenging road, using all available means of transport to reach the capital of Kuba Kingdom. Idiofa will be the first stop where we'll spend the first night before proceeding to Ilebo next day. This tribe being culturally oriented, we'll be exploring other tribes living in villages on our way, like the Ambuun (Bambunda).
Meals: Lunch – Breakfast – Dinner
Proceed to Ilebo
📍Ilebo
This will be the second night before reaching the capital of Kuba Kingdom. We rest and stretch our legs.
Meals: Lunch – Breakfast – Dinner
Drive to Mushenge
📍Mushenge
Despite the fact that Ilebo is not too far from Mushenge, The dilapidated road may take us nearly two days.
Accommodation: Camping in a village on the way if we cannot make it the same day
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Arrival in Mushenge
📍Mushenge
Today we are obviously arriving in Kuba land. We're meeting with the Prince to learn about the kingdom's history and be informed about tomorrow's activity. This evening we're also spending enough time with the people in the village to get to know them better in their everyday life.
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Full day Kuba Kingdom
📍Mushenge
The Kingdom was once one of the most powerful in Africa thanks to its strong organization that helped it to stand for three centuries from the 17th to the 19th. The kingdom conserves its traditions and western life still face challenges of penetrating it. On the agenda:
• Learn about their belief in nature spirits, the spirits of dead kings, and witchcraft
• Visit their daily use decorated objects, carved wooden figurines, initiation masks, cups, and beautifully embroidered handwoven raffia cloth (we experience how thew sew them)
• Attend a ritual and/or initiation demonstration using their famous mask and clothes.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Mushenge-Kananga
📍Kananga
Full Day Drive
Accommodation: Guest House Wood Land
Meals: Breakfast – Dinner – Lunch
Fly Kananga - Kinshasa
Kinshasa Arrive in Kinshasa and short City Tour. This will be more relax and we’re going to meet with the Sapeurs in Matonge, a mythical neighborhood of Kinshasa, known for its atmosphere, live music and for being the epicenter of a fascinating urban movement that is emerging in the African megacity.
Accommodation: Hotel Royal Kinshasa
Meals: Breakfast
End of Service transfer to Kinshasa International Airport
📍Kinshasa
Morning time, we’re visiting fetish wrestlers. And depart evening if so.
Accommodation: Not included
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner