Day 1: International flight and arrival in DR Congo
We will arrive in Kinshasa and transfer to Hotel Leon. After a long journey by car from the airport, we will check in and, depending on the arrival time, discuss the trip programme over dinner.
Day 2: Kinshasa – Bas Congo (visit to the Tata Gonda temple)
After breakfast, we will head to Bas-Congo, where we will spend the night at the Tata Gonda temple.
Once settled in, the leaders will guide us on a tour of the temple and explain the activities planned for the coming days.
We will get to know the devotees of this sect up close, who have chosen to live primitively — something reflected both in their way of dressing and in the structure of their society.
Day 3: Religious activities of the Tata Gonda sect / return to Kinshasa
We will wake up at the Tata Gonda temple, where we will start the day learning more about their way of life.
During the day, we will have the opportunity to attend a sect mass, witness a military parade, and speak privately with their leader.
At the end of the day, we will return to Kinshasa.
Day 4: Kinshasa – Kikwit
After an early breakfast, we will begin a long but fascinating road journey from Kinshasa to Kikwit.
We will pass through impressive landscapes and stop at some local markets along the way.
We will arrive in Kikwit, check into the hotel, have dinner, and rest to begin the next day with energy.
Day 5: Kikwit – Gungun (Pende tribe)
After an early breakfast, we will hit the road as soon as possible — a three-hour drive awaits us to Gungun. There, we will be received by the spiritual leader of the conservatory of Pende, Tchokoue, Yaka and Kuba traditions.
The day will be dedicated to visiting the conservatory museum and one of the most anticipated moments of the trip: the mystical ritual of the Pende tribe’s night mask dance.
After the visit, we will set up our tents, where we will spend the night.
Days 6 and 7: Visit to the Tchokoue tribe
After breakfast, we will continue discovering other local tribes such as the Tchokoue, Yaka and Kuba.
Throughout the day, we will have the opportunity to witness a daytime ritual dance by the Tchokoue tribe — a unique experience to gain insight into their traditions.
We will spend another night in tents.
Day 8: Gungun – Kikwit – Kengue
After breakfast, we will travel to Kengue, passing through the city of Kikwit.
It will be a long journey, so no activities are scheduled for this day.
Day 9: Kengue – Village of Kingulu
After breakfast, we will continue our journey to the village of Kingulu to visit the Yaka tribe.
There, the leader and several community members will show us different activities related to the tribe’s ritual initiation process.
We will spend the night with the Yaka tribe in tents.
Day 10: Kingulu – Kinkole – Kinshasa
After breakfast, we will return to Kinshasa. Along the way, we will stop in Kinkole to visit a local market by the Congo River.
We will spend the night at Hotel Léon in Kinshasa.
Day 11: Kinshasa – Kinsuka – Kasavubu
After breakfast, we will head to Kinsuka, where we will enjoy magnificent views of the Congo River and the vibrant atmosphere with rumba music.
From there, we will move on to Kasavubu to meet the famous “sapeurs”, known for their extravagant fashion style.
Day 12: Kinshasa
We will dedicate the last day to exploring the Symphonie des Arts gallery in Kinshasa, the National Museum, and enjoy one final tour of this megacity.
At the scheduled time, we will transfer to the airport to catch our return flight.
