Congo

Lake Tele – Congo

Date
07 May - 31 May, 2023
Duration
25 Days
Price
USD3850
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Expedition to the world’s most remote lake within the Republic of Congo

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Highlights

Explore the vast unknowns of Lake Tele (Lac Tele), a lake only accessible by canoe or a 6-day trek situated in the Likuala rainforest within the Republic of Congo.
The legend has it as locals around the 20th century gave detailed descriptions of seeing a monster-like creature living in the same lake, it was named Mokèlé-mbèmbé!
The Mbenga people live within this region and have maintained a community here for a very long time.

 

Itinerary

    Photo: credit to WCS Congo.

 

Day 1:
We will meet in the city of Bangui, the Capital of Central Africa Republic (CAR), and we make our way to the hotel for one night getting to know each other and enjoying an evening meal together. 

Day 2: 
We will make our way to Mongoumba still located in C.A.R then continue on to cross over into the Republic of Congo 90 km from Bétou (Betoukoumba). Once we have crossed in, we will continue on to the city of Impfonodo which has a population of 40,000 and here we will stay the night in a hotel. 
6.5 hours driving. 
Day 3, 4: 
The food provisions will be picked up from Impfondo, and we continue our drive to Epena which is in the Likouala region. Once in Epena, we will prepare a boat which will take 3 hours to get to Boha, where we will be welcomed by the village. 
Day 5: 
Once in Boha, we will prepare the final adjustments for the expedition on to Lake Tele and spend a day with and experiencing how the Mbanga live and maintain their lifestyle within their village. 
Day 6,7: 
We start the trek to Lake Tele a will making our way through the dense swamp-like jungle, averaging 5 hours per day of trekking. The trek follows a 50km trail from Boha to the Lake through ancient jungle and forests. We will pitch our tents where we see fit each night. Lac Tele national park is famous for having the highest density of western gorillas and the lowlands of the Congo Basin. 
Day 7, 8: 
We arrive at Lake Tele and explore the surroundings. This lake is so deep in the jungle that we will see fauna, flora, insects, and animals that, maybe not be documented. It is also at this lake, as a mysterious creature called Mokele-mbembe (‘one who stops the flow of rivers’) appears in the first book written in 1776 by the French priest Abbé Liévain Bonaventure Proyart, describing the natural history of the Congo Basin of Africa; which makes this expedition to Lake Tele, one for the extreme adventurer and marking it one of the most remote lakes in the world.
Day 9, 10: We start our expedition back to Boha trekking 5-6 hours per day and sleeping in previous campsites, packing out what we packed in.
Day 11,12: 
Arrive back in Boha around the middle of the day to rest and energize. We will spend the night here. 
Day 13:
Say goodbye to the great people of Boha, en route to  Epena, via boat.  Once in Epena, we will continue on to Impfondo.
Day 14,15:
We will relax and rest in a hotel in Impfondo for a full day. 
Day 16:
Continue on to Enyelle, passing through Tharny, and down to Ouesso.
Day: 17,18,19
From Ouesso we will make our way to Brazzaville spending one night in Gamboma to break the long drive up. 
Day: 20: We arrive in Brazzaville where the tour finishes.

For those of you who have booked your departing flight for day 21 or 22, which we strongly suggest, we will view the Brazzaville Mausoleum where Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza the explorer of the Ogoué region of Central Africa is buried. 

Map

 

Vaccinations

A Yellow Fever certificate is required. 
Please ensure that you travel with your vaccination card. RoC authorities require visitors to produce a Yellow Fever certificate along with their passport at exit and entry points. It is strongly recommended that you also vaccinate against:

Tetanus vaccination
Hepatitis A vaccination
Hepatitis B vaccination
Typhoid
The Congo lies within a Chloroquine-resistant malarial zone. It is also strongly recommended that  Malaria prevention is taken either via medication and the use of insect repellants, protective clothing, and mosquito nets are used while sleeping.

 

Included

Transport in a Toyota Coaster during the whole route
Local Guides.
All daily entrance fees and community permits to the Lac Tele Community Reserve
Water
Armed ranger, expedition guide, and cook for very basic cooking during the hiking expedition on Lake Tele
3 basic meals per day during the expedition. Dry fish, hunting and fishing of the moment cooked directly on the fire, sardine cans.
Hotel in Bangui at the beginning and in Brazzaville end of the trip

 

Excluded

Flights
Basic individual tent for protection from mosquitoes at night on the hiking to Lake Tele
Individual mattress to sleep when we camp on the Tele Lake hiking. Each traveler will bring one from home.
Taxi fares to move around the cities
Visa and formalities
Beverages, mineral water, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages
Water treatment tablets
Tips for local guides, rangers, porters, etc (Not mandatory)
Travel and cancellation insurance
Meals are not included on arrival in Bangu
Letter of an official invitation to the Republic of Congo, if required to obtain a visa (120 €)

 

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Fee in % to trip cost:  59 to 31 days  50%  30 days or less 100%

Price USD3850
Book This Tour
Book Now
Date
07 May - 31 May, 2023
Duration
25 Days
Price
USD3850
Previous Tour
The Wakhan Corridor

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