Things to see and do Atlantic Coast And The West

The Kakobola Falls on the Lufuku River will leave visitors spellbound. It is about 50 meters wide and 20 meters high. The tumultuous water falls with force, creating a deafening noise and a refreshing mist in the surroundings. The power of this waterfall creates a unique ecosystem with lush vegetation and a variety of wildlife. A small and hospitable farming village nearby allows you to pitch a tent or even be welcomed in a hut after meeting the village chief.

It was on this plateau that James Telford established the first Protestant Mission in the Congo on February 28, 1878. He died 6 months later, having succeeded in launching the Mission. A commemorative plaque bears the following epitaph: "I will offer my body as a stone to build a road into Africa. I will offer my blood as mortar to cement the stones so that others may pass along this road". The church, dating from 1907, is in fairly good condition, as is the pastor's house. Next to the church are two ceramics, one dating from 1878 and the other from 1978. They are similar except for one detail...

This little-visited site can be the starting point for a superb walk down to the river. To do so, go to the main village and ask for the head of the group of eight villages, who can provide you with a guide. The aim: to descend to the river to the historic rock engraved by Diogo Cão, the famous Portuguese explorer who first penetrated the Kongo kingdom. An alternative route can be taken from the RN1 at the level of the monument to the porters; follow the Mpozo river valley and descend towards the river to the Diogo Cão rock. This is also where you'll find the "fishermen's cave". Fishermen stay here for days at a time before heading back up to Matadi with their harvest of small, delicious shrimps. This very hilly walk is for good walkers and can be completed in one day. Bring plenty of snacks and water.

The park was created in 1992 with the dual aim of protecting the biological resources characteristic of these wetlands, and helping to promote tourism. Covering 76,000 hectares, it is divided into three zones: a coastal strip, a terrestrial zone along the river and a zone comprising numerous mangrove islets. The mangrove is a maritime marsh ecosystem with a typical and very rich plant biotope that develops at the mouth of the river. This is a fragile environment. The most notable woody species are mangroves, with the typical aerial outgrowth of their roots, the phoenix palm and the raffia palm. The mangrove is home to a few hippos upstream, various species of monkey, crocodiles, olive ridley turtles, snakes, horse antelopes, eagles and the emblematic manatee. Don't hesitate to stock up on ultra-fresh fish from the fishermen, and enjoy oyster kebabs and those big shrimps known as cossas.

The main dangers associated with the Reserve are poaching, deforestation and the despoiling of beaches and savannahs. Hydrocarbon pollution from ocean liners passing through the mouth and fuel trafficking between Angola and Congo are also a problem. Perenco, which extracts crude oil offshore, is committed to respecting the environment. The park is managed by ICCN. The park is managed by ICCN, and staffed by some twenty well-trained rangers. Boat trips are available through the meandering channels and canals of an inextricable natural environment, with the smells and noises it generates and the visible mark of the tides, which vary by a good metre four times a day. Several small islands are accessible, where fishing families camp. One of these is Bulambemba, where you'll find the ruins of the old fort built in 1942. Accommodation is available on the small island of Kimwabi, littered with oyster shells. Two straw huts with mattresses are available. They're clean but relatively spartan, with no water or electricity. A meal based on oysters and shrimps will be prepared for you by the mothers. 10/night and $25/local meal included.

As a wetland of international importance, including the presence of vulnerable species of fish and waterfowl, the Mangrove Marine Park is listed as a Ramsar site.

A few kilometers from Moanda, the river flows into the ocean. Banana was the oldest colonial post. European trading posts had been established here since the early ^19th century, while the port had been an active slave market since the time of the Portuguese in the^15th century. A few remains can still be seen: ruined cottages, anklets, small rusty cannons... On the other side of the mouth, you can see Soyo in Angola. A project to build a deep-water port has been on the drawing board for decades.

Then there's Tonde, with its eponymous river. This is Moanda's beautiful beach. Located at the foot of the cliffs, this is where young people and families gather at weekends in a very festive atmosphere. The beach is part of the mangrove marine park, and is therefore managed by ICCN. The infrastructure includes sanitary facilities, a bar and straw huts. Further north, Nsiamfumu beach is the other small seaside resort. It seems to be coming back to life with a few bars and small hotels springing up.

After a courtesy call on the village chief, we board the pirogue, which can accommodate up to 8 people. The group of hippos is made up of half a dozen individuals, including a very powerful male. These animals are quite territorial and therefore readily threatening. And it's to cries of "Akas, Akas" ("come") that the guides will try to attract Rambo, Bijou, Dokol or Euphrasie! It's quite common to be able to admire them in the water or on the shore, provided you go early in the morning, when they are on the banks.

Located opposite the port, this 19-meter-diameter giant is no less than 700 years old. It's a naturally hollowing species, which is how explorer Stanley is said to have spent a few nights here in August 1877, hammocked in the trunk. A visit to the site offers an interesting explanation of the explorer's fabulous expedition from the shores of Lake Tanganyika to Boma in his collapsible boat, the "Lady Alice". That's 1,800 km of scares and dangers at every bend in the river.

The Mayumbe forest massif stretches from the north of Boma towards the enclave of Cabinda (Angola) in the west, and extends northwards towards the Republic of Congo. This region has taken on the characteristics of a plateau, with an altitude of 600 to 700 m. For many years, the Mayumbe forests have provided quality timber species. The area of Mayumbe forests was estimated at 500,000 hectares in 1950, but is currently estimated at 54,000 hectares. The main cause of deforestation is uncontrolled logging, both by large companies and by small-scale loggers and farmers.

Luki Biosphere Reserve. Created in 1937 to protect the primary forest of the Mayumbe massif, this 32,800-hectare biosphere reserve is one of three recognized by UNESCO. It is home to a primary sub-equatorial forest surrounded by secondary forests, savannahs and agroforestry farms. The main threats are illegal logging, slash-and-burn agriculture and poaching. It is divided into two zones: a core zone where human interference is minimal, and a zone used for research, training and education, and tourism activities. Projects are being developed in the surrounding villages to make villagers less dependent on forest resources. These projects are based on agroforestry and environmental protection.

Ecotourism trail. Luki offers the chance to immerse yourself in lush natural surroundings. The area is now open to ecotourism. An ecological trail takes you through part of the primary forest, an exceptional environment. With amazing trees, including a 700-year-old giant. The trail lasts 3 hours and is an opportunity to talk to local farmers.

Kinshasa-Muanda tourist route. In 2022, a global agreement has been signed to develop tourism in a way that respects the environment and local populations. This is a 10-year project in partnership with INERA, international donors and civil society. The Luki Biosphere Reserve will be one of the major sites to benefit from the project: installation of a campsite enhanced with local materials, training of eco-guides, marking of trails, development of educational centers, etc. The project is headed by Norbert Mushenzi, honorary curator of the DRC's national parks.

The highlight of the place is the magnificent Vampa Falls. It is difficult to do without a guide who will charge you a few dollars for the hike to the falls. Count a little hour to go there from the barrier. We progress in the high grasses and along some cultivated lands. Then, crossing the liana bridge and crossing the mango forest to the Vampa River which goes up to the waterfall. Nice picnic spot with a recommended swim in a life-size shower. A real little corner of paradise.

In 1482, Portuguese explorer Diogo Cão discovered the mouth of the Congo River. It was on this occasion that he had the following engraved on a rock: "Here arrived the ships of the most enlightened king Dom Jean II of Portugal. Diogo Cão". Two years later, Diogo Cão returned, accompanied by a team of missionaries. He disembarked at Mpinda, a small port close to the river mouth. A European way of life was to be introduced and remain in the area until Portugal abandoned it in favor of Angola. Four centuries later, in 1879, Stanley arrived.