Pygmy culture and traditions in DR Of Congo

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

After breakfast, transfer from Mbandaka airport to Kinshasa.

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