Discover the tropical rainforest and the pygmy culture. Go Congo Tour Operator operates a 11-day trip on the axis Mbandaka-Bikoro in the Equator province in the D.R.Congo. These trips have an adventurous character. Transfers are made by jeeps and by "pirogues", the traditional dug-out canoes.

During these trips, visitors are guests in different villages, where they can learn about traditional customs of the pygmy-culture. Furthermore, this type of travelling offers the opportunity to interact directly with the local population.

This is a trip off the beaten track. There are no busses of tourists dropped off in these villages daily, weekly or even monthly. In some of the more remote villages, we are the only outsiders to visit them. This adds to the enthusiasm of the local inhabitants when visitors do arrive. It is a big happening and the locals will gather to meet and greet the visitors. A 'must' for those people, who strive to life a genuine Africa-experience.

Accommodations consist of a hotel in Kinshasa and a tented encampment in the interior. The large comfortable tents are high enough to stand up. As beds, we offer self-inflating mattresses. Travellers are expected to bring their own light sleeping bag. Furthermore, the encampment will comprise a minimum of one shower tent and one basic toilet tent. The number of sanitary tents will depend on the number of clients. Travellers are expected to bring their own towels and shampoo/soap.

The trip is based on Bed&Breakfast in Kinshasa and Full Board in the interior. The Full Board Meal plan consists of a Breakfast, a light Lunch and a two-course Dinner. Our breakfast is inspired on the so-called continental breakfast, including Sliced Bread and Rolls - Butter, Cheese, Ham/Salami and Jam - Coffee or Tea . Our Lunch and Dinner consist mainly of local specialties. Fresh fruit and local snack-food are served as lunch . The Main Course of our Dinner consists of Meat, Poultry, Fish or Pasta - Vegetables - Rice, Potatoes or 'Foufou', a local side dish made of the manioc plant. The Dessert traditionally consists of fresh fruit.

Kinshasa, the capital of the D.R.Congo, used to be referred to as "Kin La Belle" - meaning "Beautiful Kinshasa". The many years of turmoil have broken down on this image. But slowly and surely, Kinshasa is regaining its splendour. Some of the major sites include the "Grand Marché", the tomb of former President Laurent Kabila, the "Academie des Beaux Arts" for those who like African art, the rapids of Kinsuka just downstream from the city and the Bonobo Reserve, a sanctuary for orphaned Bonobo-monkeys, one of the five Great Apes, and the closest to mankind.

Mbandaka, the capital of the Equator province, lies on the equator. A marker on the Av. Bolenge symbolizes the line of the equator that passes through the city. The former President Mobutu Sese Seko attended school here. Mbandaka is one of the main river ports. The region of Mbandaka is the home of the Batswa Pygmies.

Bikoro lies on the shores of Lake Ntumba, and was once a thriving town thanks to its large rubber plantations

1. - Breakfast at 7:30 h
2. - Departure at 9:00 h
3. - After 3 to 4 h; we arrive at Ikoko, the end of the river at Lake Ntumba
4. - Lunch and visit of the village
5. - If weather is fine, we continue to the other side of the Lake till Bikoro. In case of heavy wind or rain, we overnight in Ikoko

Day1:	Airport Pick-Up Service upon arrival. Transfer to Hotel and briefing. Accommodation in Hotel.
Day2:	Travel by airplane to Mbandaka. Accommodation in Hotel Ndogolo in Mbandaka : - Breakfast at 5:30 h - Departure to the airport at 6:15 h - At arrival in Mbandaka, airport protocol and visit of the town and market - Diner in the hotel at 18:00 h
Day3:	Travel by 4X4. Accommodation in Tented encampment in rural village called Samba - Breakfast at 8:00 h - Departure at 9:00 h - On our way, we will meet the place where Stanley found the Equator line. GPS equipment shows he made a mistake of 2 km, but a nice picture anyway. - After 2 - 3 h on the road we arrive at Samba, meeting with the Chief and control of the equipment and canoes. - 13:00 h lunch and guided visit of the village - Diner at 18:00 h and often the population offers us their traditional dances.
Day4:	Travel by Dug-out Canoe. Accommodation in Tented encampment in rural village Bokoté or Nkaké - Breakfast at 7:30 h - Departure at 9:00 h. - On our way, we visit and possible overnight at Nkaké with his hugh Pygmy population - Lunch on the road - Meeting with the Chief and guided visit - Diner at 18:00 h
Day5:	Travel by Dug-out Canoe. Accommodation in Tented encampment in Bikoro.
Day6:	Travel by Dug-out Canoe. Accommodation in Tented encampment in state reserve. - Breakfast at 7:30 h - Departure at 9:00 h - Arrival time at the State Reserve depends if we passed the night at Ikoko or Bikoro
Day7:	Hike in Tropical Rainforest. Accommodation in Tented encampment in state reserve. - Breakfast at 7:30 h - 8:30 h hike in the virgin forest, visit of the research installations and nearby Pygmy and Bantu village - Lunch at the camp - 18:00 h Diner
Day8:	Travel by 4X4. Accommodation in Hotel Ndogolo in Mbandaka. - Breakfast at 7:30 h - Last visit of the State Reserve - The cars for our return to Mbandaka arrives around noon - After a trip of 5 h we arrive back in Mbandaka
Day9:	Travel by airplane back to Kinshasa. Transfer to Hotel. Accommodation in Hotel. - Breakfast at 7:30 h - Departure to the airport depends on the arrival time and itinerary of the plane
Day10:	Kinshasa city visit: Bonobo sanctuary, National Museum, Art market, Kinsuka rapids
Day11:	Transfer to Airport. Airport Drop-Off Service at departure