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Pygmy culture and traditions in DR Of Congo

0
  • 11 Days 10 Nights
  • Max People : 25
  • Jan 18’ - Dec 21'
  • Min Age : 12+
  • Pickup: Airport

The tour is mainly devoted to Pygmy culture and traditions (Batwas) in the province of Equateur. The Pygmies jealously preserve their ancestral cultures and traditions, the knowledge of medicinal plants, basketry, picking, hunting …

Departure & Return Location

Djili International Airport (Google Map)

Departure Time

3 Hours Before Flight Time

Bedroom

Available

Bathroom

Available

Price Includes

  • All visits and access included in the program
  • A professional guide, English and French
  • Complete food (except drinks but with 1.5 liters of mineral water per person)
  • Accommodation: hotel in Kinshasa and Mbandaka, in a tent on the site
  • All transfers mentioned in the program

Price Excludes

  • Invitation fees for visa facilitation
  • Visa
  • Any Private Expenses
  • Individual Insurance
What to Expect
  • City of Kinshasa and its surroundings (the bonobo sanctuary, national museum, etc.)
  • The city of Mbandaka and its surroundings (botanical garden of Eala), visit of the Pygmy Christian community.
  • Visit of many Pygmy and Bantu villages between Mbandaka and Itipo village (180 km)
  • Cultural mega-evening with pygmy groups. Exchanges with the old Pygmies around the campfire.
  • Outings in the forest for gathering, discovery of medicinal plants, setting of traps ...
  • Visit to former Catholic missions.
Photos
Itinerary

Day 1ARRIVAL IN KINSHASA

Assistance and reception at Djili airport followed by transfer to the hotel. After installation, a short briefing on the stay. Free evening and night at hotel.

Day 2KINSHASA CITY TOUR

After breakfast, we will start the visit of the city center (Sainte-Anne cathedral, the Mausoleum of the late president Kabila, the Symphony of the arts gallery, the first cathedral of the Congo, the national museum…). Then we take the direction south of the city to reach the sanctuary “Lola ya bonobos” where we will spend a time in the presence of the Bonobos. After the visit, refreshment at the nearby “My Valley” lake. Afternoon, we return to Kin and visit the art market known as the “Stock Market”. In the evening, dinner at the “Super Aubaine” restaurant with an all-you-can-eat Congolese cuisine buffet.

Day 3MBANDAKA TRANSFER BY REGULAR FLIGHT

Mbandaka, capital of the province of Equateur, formerly Coquilathville, was founded by Henry Morton Stanley in 1883. The city is located at the crossroads of the Congo River and the Ruki River. After breakfast, transfer to N’djili airport for a 50-minute flight. Arrival in Mbandaka around 11 am. Transfer to the hotel. Lunch at the restaurant “Bienvenue around the river” (ex Belle Vue)

located by the Ruki river. After lunch, head to the “Eala” botanical garden located 7 km from the city center. Then direction the ethnographic museum and the evangelical mission “New Life” sponsored by the Pygmies. Transit to the hotel before returning to the unique standard “Welcome Around the River” restaurant.

The Botanical Garden of EALA was created on February 3, 1900 by the Belgian botanist Émile Laurent. It was also the seat of the National Institute for Agronomic Studies of the Belgian Congo. EALA was one of the largest gardens in Africa whose objective was to preserve the botanical diversity of Africa and to study agronomic species.

Day 4MOOTO VILLAGE TRANSFER

After breakfast, we take the road from Mooto to the south of the city with a stopover at the crossing of the Equator line. Mooto is an old Catholic mission established since 1960.

Assembly of tents and installation, visit of the mission, the cathedral and the surrounding area. Return and free evening.

Assembly of tents and installation, visit of the mission, the cathedral and the surrounding area. After dinner, cultural evening with the Bobongo pygmy group.

Day 5VISIT OF THE VILLAGE AND TRANSFER TO MANGA VILLAGE BY ROAD

After breakfast, visit of the pilot center of the non-profit organization “VZW MOOTO & BIKORO” which supports the population in sustainable development in agriculture, health and education: plantations (palm groves, cocoa, beans, etc.), huller, mill, Public canteen … We enter the forest for a demonstration of different types of traps, gathering medicinal plants with the pygmies. Return to the camp for lunch. And pause.

In the afternoon, we tour the village and discover the daily activities of the inhabitants. Around 6.30 p.m. after dinner, cultural evening with Bobongo Pygmies and Bantu group. Night in tent.

Day 6MANGA VILLAGE

After breakfast, we will visit the village to discover the routine activities of the peasants such as the preparation of chikwangs, fufu, the distillation of the local alcohol “Ageune”, … Return to the camp for lunch. And pause.

At the beginning of the afternoon, we enter the forest to discover: assembly and demonstration of different types of traps, picking of fruit plants and medicinal plants… with the pygmies.

Day 7MANGA VILLAGE

After breakfast, we continue the discoveries in the village. This time to discover her of the Walé rituals with one or two “Walé women” then the visit of a healer in his temple.

Walé Woman: For the Ekonda, the most important moment in a woman’s life is the birth of her first child. The young mother, called Walé (“breastfeeding first-time mother”), returns to her parents’ place to remain a recluse for two to five years. By respecting various taboos, especially sexual taboos, she acquires a status similar to that of a patriarch. The end of his isolation is marked by extremely codified ritual dances and songs which are, each time, a unique creation specific to each Walé.

Evening, a fire-fighting session with the old Pygmies will be organized after dinner. Night in tent.

Day 8TRANSFER TO ITIPO VILLAGE AND RETURN TO MBANDAKA BY ROAD

After breakfast, we continue to visit the village and continue to Itipo (a large Catholic mission) before returning to Mbandaka.

Arrival in Mbandaka around 4 p.m. After or before dinner, swimming option in the pool. Free evening.

Day 9RETURN TO MBANDAKA

After breakfast, a free before noon. Lunch to be taken at the hotel restaurant.

At the beginning of the afternoon, we continue the tour of the city of Mbandaka starting with the ethnographic museum, the popular market, the Christian community where all the priests are pygmies. We will end our visits at the “Bienvenue Around the River” restaurant (ex Belle Vue) before returning to the hotel. Option to go out to the “Métropole” bar. Overnight at Hotel Karibu.

Day 10KINSHASA TRANSFER BY REGULAR FLIGHT

After breakfast, transfer from Mbandaka airport to Kinshasa.

Day 11DEPARTURE

After breakfast, check in and airport transfer and end of stay.

Map

FAQ

DEPOSIT & FINAL PAYMENT

Payment of the deposit and / or full payment certifies that you understand and accept all of the terms and conditions.

These conditions apply to independent visits. Group tours have separate deposit and cancellation policies, which are specific to the tour. All payments, deposit payments and cancellation amounts shown are per person. To confirm a reservation, the following deposit and final payment terms must be strictly observed and are required at the time of booking.

The deposit due per person is £ 365 or 25% of the cost of the tour, whichever is greater. We reserve the right to request additional deposits required by hotels and suppliers for peak periods such (but not limited to) Christmas, New Years, Easter and other holidays. Final payments are due 45 days prior to the start of the tour. For reservations received within 45 days of commencement of services, the full amount must be submitted at time of confirmation. Bookings received within 45 days of the start of the tour may be subject to a non-refundable Urgent Booking Fee of at least £ 95 per person to cover additional expenses incurred to expedite the booking.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS, PASSPORT, AND VISA REQUIREMENTS

Every traveller must be in possession of a current passport valid for at least six months after scheduled return date, round-trip airline ticket/continuation ticket, and adequate funds for the duration of the stay. Obtaining a passport is the responsibility of each traveller. All travellers must consult with the appropriate consulates to determine if any visas are needed. Securing needed visas is the responsibility of the traveller.

A pre-departure information packet containing helpful general information on the destination booked, visa application forms, details on our trip insurance plan, and the official tour registration form will be delivered to the booking agent or traveler upon receipt of the required tour deposit and confirmation of the tour. Final documents including trip itinerary, emergency contact information, any airline tickets, luggage tags, travel documents any necessary vouchers will be delivered no later than 30 days prior to start of the service, provided full payment has been received by NewAge Travel.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

Persons who are not fit to travel long because of health restrictions, such as chronic illness, physical disability, advanced pregnancy or mental illness, should not participate in rigorous travel programs. Passengers who fail to inform NewAge Travel of such a condition(s) will be subject to the cancellation penalties described above and will assume the full risk of travelling in this state. NewAge Travel is not responsible for providing medical care or special accommodation.

NewAge Travel and associated companies reserve the right to disqualify a tour participant at any time if, in their sole judgment, a tour participant is not deemed medically fit to travel. NewAge Travel and associated companies assume no responsibility for the provision of medical needs, updates and/or medical accommodation. Our pre-departure information will provide general recommendations for all vaccinations or precautions necessary for the destination(s) booked, however, it is the responsibility of the passengers to check with their healthcare professional, for specific requirements. Malaria is endemic in African regions and precautions must be taken. Consult your doctor for advice. Prior to travel, the required vaccines, if any, must be documented by each passenger’s health practitioner on a valid vaccination certificate, which the traveller must carry to prove inoculation, if necessary. If a traveller is concerned about taking medications or receiving certain vaccines, consult your healthcare provider BEFORE booking.

LUGGAGE

On tour, please note that scheduled internal flights have a baggage restriction of 33 lbs per person. We recommend soft carrying baggage. Baggage and personal effects remain at the owner’s risk throughout the tour. NewAge Travel and associated companies shall not be liable for any losses or damage to baggage and personal effects as a result of negligence by airport baggage agents, hotel staff or other personnel not employed by NewAge Travel and associated companies, including but not limited to airlines, courier services, cargo staff, and the like. One average sized suitcase will be carried on safari, however, passengers, who will be travelling by light aircraft on safari must carry medium sized soft luggage or duffel bags when flying sectors in small light aircraft which have limited space for baggage and a weight restriction to be advised. City hotels do store luggage for guests while they are out on tour/safari.

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