Explore Kisangani and Mbiye Island, the treasury of Congo River
Kisangani, colonially known as Stanleyville or Stanleystad, is the capital of Tshopo province and one of the three oldest Congo City. It is the third largest urbanized Congo city and the largest of the cities that lie in the tropical woodlands of the Congo. Besides, Kisangani has approximately 2092 km from the mouth of the Congo River. This makes it to be the farthest navigable point upstream. Further, Kisangani is the Congo most important inland port after Kinshasa and a major commercial hub point for river and land transportation. Additionally, Kisangani is also a principal market and distribution centre for the north-eastern part of the country. Consequently, the Kisangani City Tour will help you exploring this city that has confirmed itself as a strategic position during the colonization.
In addition to, the city has its name from a colonial post built in 1883 by the explorer Henry Morton Stanley on the Wana Rusari Island in the Congo River near the present town of Kisangani. Particularly, Kisangani Tour, as proposed by Congo Local Guides, is an opportunity to discover this remote city that has an impressive natural, colonial and cultural resources for a memorable stay. The first peoples to settle in this area in mid-19th century are from Enya clans and wagenia falls was their favorite place for fishing.
What to expect?
Definitely, the impressive colonial architectures, unique dryland forest, flooded forest and swampy forest, in-person contacts with people culture and life, breathtaking falls as well as an unmatched experience on Congo River are set of what the Tour of Kisangani is offering. The visit has two sequences of 3 to 4 hours each. The first is about the tour of Kisangani, while the second is about Mbiye Island Visit.
Summary of Kisangani Tour
The experience includes a visit of :
- Old (abandoned) colonial buildings
- Kisangani Port
- Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral
- National Museum of Kisangani
- Different monuments in the City
- Wagenia Falls
- Mbiye Island
- Lunch at a local restaurant for fresh food.
Mean of transport: On foot, motorbike, and traditional pirogue
Meeting Point: Depending on your convenience, but mostly from a well-known place
Meeting time: Preferably Between 8:00am and 9:00am Local Time
Duration: Between 6 and 8 hours
Meals: Lunch at a local restaurant
Ending Time: Latest 5pm
8.00am - 8.30am (Local Time) ,Kisangani Port
The tour will start by visiting the old Stanley Hotel built in 1939 and known as Kisangani Hotel since 1966. The next stop will be the colorful Kisangani port. Kisangani Tour will take you to the Congo’s most important inland port after Kinshasa, an important commercial hub for river and land transportation. Besides, Kisangani Port is a major market and distribution centre for the north-eastern part of the country. It used to join Yangambi, surrounding islands such as Mbiye, and to reach the far west capital city, Kinshasa.
8.40am - 9.40am (Local Time) ,Old (abandoned) colonial buildings
Alongside the Congo river and in down town, we are going to visit old/abandoned colonial buildings. These are old and historical buildings with wester architectures built by colonials. This includes: the imposing Hôtel des chutes (one of the oldest from 1900, actually abandoned), The abandoned La villa Regina (considered to be the oldest colonial building), the stunning Kisangani Mosque (Built in 1980 with thanks to the former Libyan President financial help, Mouammar Kadhafi), and the abandoned Late President Mobutu residency.
9.45am - 9.55am (Local Time) ,Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral
Our following stop will be the visit of this monumental colonial architecture that faces the Congo River. It is our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, the oldest Catholic Church built in the city in 1899. However, it has been restored several times to ensure it keeps its stunning face. The last damages caused to the building were from the three battles between the Rwanda and Uganda armies to control the Kisangani port on the Congo River.
10.00am - 10.30am (Local Time) ,Different monuments within the city
From the cathedral, we are directly going to have a look to some historical monuments for Congo Heroes as well as Colonials chiefs in the city. Some are even located close abandoned buildings. The main are: • The Popular Henry Morton Stanley monument was from 1883. However, due to nationalist movement after the Congo independence, it was destroyed few years after the independence, as well as the one of King Leopold II and Albert I. The remaining Stanley monument is the Comte Carton de Wiart Fountain, also known as « Stanley Fountain » because of the continuously flowing water from the ground. This historical place facing the abandoned Hotel des Chutes, is something you will admire to see. • Le Peron Liégeois (1953): The monument is a replica of the same monument in Liège, Belgium. It was a way for people from that city and then living Belgian-Congo to represent themselves their home city. • The Hero Lumumba monument, an important leader of independence history. He was assassinated in 1961 near Lubumbashi, then Elizabethville.
10.30am - 11.00am (Local Time) ,National Museum of Kisangani
Before Wagenia falls and Mbiye Island, we are going to visit Wagenia falls. As Kisangani was one of the most important and strategic cities in the region, this made the Kisangani National Museum, a unique place you can find old collection of ancient Congolese and East African archaeological & ethnological objects.
11.00am - 11.30am (Local Time) ,Wagenia Falls
Considered by many to be the most spectacular aspect of Kisangani, the visit to Wagenia falls and the local fishermen will remain one of the main memorable experience you will retain from your stay. It exposes you to traditional fishing practices old of over two centuries, unique and specific to this population.
11.45am - 4.00am (Local Time) ,Mbiye Island
Located 3kms on South-East of Kisangani City and downstream wagenia falls, Mbiye is an island ecosystem of 14km in length and 4 km in width on its largest part. Inhabited by a mosaic of tribes (Kumu, mbole and walengola) and non-natives, this large island in the Congo river is one of the green lungs of the city of Kisangani. This is a unique place where you will be immersed in the incredible forest ecosystem, dryland forest, flooded forest, and swampy forest: an ecosystem with a well-preserved dense forest. We will take a pirogue to the Mbiye Island and return by road. First, we are joining Wanie Rukula to visit the place where Belgians put the sign indicating the passage of the equator in 1958. It is located close the intersection of the Congo and the Maiko Rivers in the mid of the bush. The permission of the Governor is required prior the visit. After this, we are going to return to Kisangani.
4.30am - 5.00am (Local Time) ,Lunch at a local restaurant for fresh food
At this time, you can enjoy Congolese food and mainly a freshly taken fish, cassava leaves, ugali and so many surprises… We can have this on Mbiye island or in Kisangani on your convenience.
Christian Namegabe
He is the most prominent guide in the region and grew up in Goma. With a rich experience of more than 5 years, he has guided several satisfied tourists from all over the world.
Why you choose this tour !
| Duration : | 8 Hours |
| Person : | 1 |
| Price : | 0 $ |
| Location : | Kisangani - Tshopo ; Democratic Republic of the Congo |