Congo (DRC) trips take you somewhere few travellers ever reach — a vast, ancient river basin where the modern world has barely made an impression.
Congo DRC tours take you somewhere that very few travellers ever reach. The Democratic Republic of Congo is shaped by its river — a vast, equatorial waterway that cuts through the world's second-largest rainforest, connecting river towns like Mbandaka, Lisala, Bumba, and Kisangani in a chain of communities that still trade by boat, just as they always have. This is Africa entirely on its own terms.
Our small group Congo DRC tours follow the river's course through two distinct legs, allowing you to travel one section or take on the full 1,000-kilometre expedition from Mbandaka to Kisangani. Whether you join us for a Congo DRC trip of 16, 17, or 29 days, every journey begins and ends in Kinshasa - giving you time to experience the capital's energy and visit the remarkable Lola Ya Bonobo sanctuary on its outskirts.
Congo (DRC)
Small-group departures led by local experts, plus private tailor-made itineraries shaped around your interests, pace and dates.
The Democratic Republic of Congo receives a fraction of the visitors that travel to comparable African destinations. The river towns, the rainforest, and the communities along the way remain genuinely undiscovered — this is rare territory for any traveller.
The Congo River is not a backdrop - it is the entire journey. Life along its banks is intimate, unfiltered, and completely unlike anything you will encounter elsewhere in Africa. Travelling by traditional wooden boat is the only real way to experience it.
With culture and history scores of 5/5 on our tour ratings, Congo DRC holidays deliver encounters that go far beyond the surface. From riverside communities with centuries of trading heritage to the extraordinary Wagenia fisheries at Kisangani, every stop carries meaning.
No other Congo DRC tour packages include time at Lola Ya Bonobo as standard. The sanctuary outside Kinshasa is one of the most compelling wildlife experiences in central Africa - and a reminder of why the Congo Basin matters to the entire planet.
See itinerariesCongo (DRC) rewards travellers who slow down — the best stories are found off the tour-bus route.
From the field
Our Congo DRC tours depart in July and August - the height of the dry season in the equatorial belt, when rainfall is at its lowest and river travel is most reliable. Temperatures along the Congo River are warm throughout, typically between 24°C and 30°C, with high humidity year-round. Dry season travel means more settled conditions on the water and clearer visibility in the surrounding rainforest. If July or August doesn't suit your schedule, contact us to discuss tailor-made Congo DRC travel packages at alternative times of year.
Looking to travel outside the typical windows? Our Congo (DRC) tailor-made team can advise on the best time for you.
Dispatches, field notes and practical advice from our specialists.
Reviews from across our small-group programme. Independently rated 4.9 Excellent on AITO by 250+ travellers.
Every one of our Congo (DRC) journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.
We’ll build one around you.
If you'd like to travel to the Congo DRC outside our scheduled group departures, or prefer a private Congo DRC holiday designed around your own timeline, we can build a tailor-made itinerary for you. We can arrange travel along any section of the Congo River - from Kinshasa and Mbandaka through to Lisala, Bumba, and Kisangani - or combine a river expedition with extended time in Kinshasa, including additional days at the Lola Ya Bonobo sanctuary. All tailor-made Congo DRC travel packages draw on the same local expertise, licensed river crew, and on-the-ground knowledge that underpin our group tours. Contact us to start planning your own Congo DRC trip.
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Congo trips start from £6,395 per person for the 29-day. For a full breakdown of what is included, and to discuss private or tailor-made pricing, visit the individual tour pages or get in touch with Undiscovered Destinations directly.
Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.
We monitor FCDO travel advice regularly and will inform clients of any relevant changes before departure. At the time of writing, the FCDO advises against travel to parts of eastern DRC; however, these areas are not included in our tours. Our routes operate along the Congo River between Kinshasa, Mbandaka, Lisala, Bumba and Kisangani. British travellers should check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice for the Democratic Republic of the Congo before departure, while nationals of other countries should consult the travel advice issued by their own government.
Join a small-group departure, or let our Congo (DRC) specialists craft a private journey shaped around your dates and interests.
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