An Incredible Cruise Experience in the Heart of the Congo

Your Boat

• RV Ducret Congo
• 14 total cabins
• 28 people max
• 21 crew members

Built in 2017, this river expedition ship is 52 metres long and 11 metres wide (with around 600m² of shared space). She is currently being refurbished to become a 4* (local standards) vessel from January 2024, perfectly suited to river safari cruises. Thanks to its new, lighter materials and 2 new-generation engines, noise pollution and fuel consumption have been significantly reduced. Her relatively flat hull allows it to get as close as possible to the banks of the river, so you can scan the landscape from the observation deck. You'll appreciate the friendly atmosphere on board and the various comfort areas, such as the outdoor jacuzzi and bar.

• Restaurant
• Lounge bar
• Observation deck
• Deckchairs
• Outdoor Jacuzzi
• Kayaks (2 berths)
• Auxiliary canoes
• Generator
• Water treatment capabilities
• Safety equipment

Please note: more photos of the boat will be added in 2025.

The owner reserves the right to replace with a different boat model of the same quality and performance

Your Cabin

Your boat has 16 cabins (6 Deluxe Suites, 2 Masters Suites, 2 Masters Suites Avant, 4 Superior Suites, 2 Owner's Suites) sleeping up to 28 people. All cabins are air-conditioned and equipped with at least : 2 windows, an armchair, a desk, a chair, two bedside tables, a wardrobe and a private bathroom.

Itinerary of your cruise

Welcome aboard this extraordinary cruise, which will show you the Congo from a unique angle. Departing from Brazzaville, you can choose to go down, or vice versa to go up the Congo river and the Alima river. You'll take part in a series of incredible excursions into the heart of one of the world's most secret regions. Here's an overview of the experiences and encounters that awaits!

The itinerary may be changed without prior notice due to technical or weather conditions.
The photographs and visual products presented have no contractual value.

Frequently asked questions

• Can I book flights or a stay in addition to my cruise?

  YES!
  Our travel agency can book flights and accommodation for all our customers embarking on a cruise. We offer tailor-made packages to suit your needs and budget.
  
  We have created two offers 100% customisable:
  - Serenity Service: Book your flight tickets.
  - Service Extension: Book your accommodation (hotel, gîte, villa...) and/or complementary activities (excursions, guided tours, car hire...) to make the most of Thailand's rich heritage.
  
  Our advisors, specialists in the destination, will send you their top suggestions for your holiday.

• What are the necessary documents to travel to the Congo?

  All visitors to the Republic of Congo must obtain a visa before departure, except for diplomatic passports. No visa is issued on arrival in the country. Visas must be applied for at the Congolese embassy in your country.
  Visa applicants must submit and pay for their visa application online only.
  Visas last between 15 and 91 days. Processing times are 7 days for the normal procedure and 3 days for the express procedure.
  The letter of invitation required to submit your visa application can be supplied by us for a supplement of 60 euros. It will be issued within approximately 3 weeks of receipt of the requested documents.
  
  EU and Non EU citizens should check with the consulate of their country for information on formalities. Please see below for more information:
  
  https://mvep.gov.hr/services-for-citizens/consular-information-22802/travel-information/22806
  
  https://mvep.gov.hr/services-for-citizens/consular-information-22802/visas-22807/visa-requirements-overview-22879/22879

• What terms and conditions should my travel insurance cover?

  Medical and repatriation (including remains) insurance is compulsory to take part in the safari cruise. Insurance covering evacuation costs from the first few kilometers by helicopter, plane or boat is compulsory.
  Passengers must pay all medical bills incurred prior to departure: medical care, medication and any other medical facilities provided by the company to the passenger.
  
  You will be asked to provide details of the insurance policy taken out.
  
  We recommend that you buy flexible tickets.

• What are the essentials for a cruise in the Congo Basin?

  To go on a safari cruise in Central Africa, you need a passport, a valid visa, health and repatriation insurance and a yellow fever vaccination certificate. The latter should have been done at least 10 days before the date of arrival. You'll need the right equipment (clothing and protective gear).
  
  Proof of vaccination against Polio, Measles and Covid 19 are compulsory for gorilla tracking

• What happens in the event of an accident or health problems requiring specific care?

  Initially, the patient will be cared for by the guide on board, trained in first aid. The decision to evacuate the patient will be taken after assessment with our referral doctor based in Brazzaville. Our evacuation plan provides for evacuation by motorized canals, by road or by helicopter to the nearest regional hospital or to the Brazzaville hospital, depending on the severity of the injury.

• Is there a mobile network in Congo Brazzaville?

  Due to the isolation of the region between Brazzaville and Oyo, telephone and internet coverage is very limited. The two main operators in Congo are MTN and Airtel. You can buy a chip when you arrive in Brazzaville, but you should bear in mind that telecoms networks do not cover the whole territory, especially in the isolated regions between Brazzaville and Oyo. In case of emergency, our ship is equipped with satellite devices that will enable you to reach your home or office, for a fee.

• What are the rules for photography and videography?

  From the moment you enter the country, you are subject to the laws of Congo Brazzaville. It is illegal to take photos of government buildings, military installations, key infrastructure and sensitive sites such as ports, railway stations and airports, bridges, roads, checkpoints, official buildings and along border areas. You could be detained or arrested, fined and have your equipment confiscated. Do not take photos of people without their permission.

• What clothing and equipment should I bring with me?

  For a safari cruise in Central Africa, we recommend that you bring lightweight, breathable clothing that can withstand hiking and that can cover parts of the body likely to be exposed during treks and excursions.
  
  We recommend long-sleeved, quick-drying shirts and long, quick-drying pants (ideally in nature's colors), closed-toe, lightweight, quick-drying walking shoes or old sports shoes, a light fleece or sweater for cooler evenings and for morning or river activities, a light raincoat, sun hat, swimsuit, casual wear and comfortable shoes for relaxing on board. You can also bring a pair of binoculars, a torch or flashlight and a 200mm camera.
  
  We provide rubber boots and ponchos on board.
  
  The sun can be strong in the Congo, even in a haze. We recommend that you wear a hat or sunscreen. To avoid stings, we recommend that you wear loose-fitting, light-colored, covering clothing and lots of insect repellent.

• Do I need to carry cash, and if so, how much and in what currency? Are there exchange offices on site?

  The official currency in Congo is the CFA franc. It has a fixed exchange rate with the euro (1 euro = 655 FCFA). The CFA franc is not convertible outside the territory of the FCFA zone, which comprises 14 African countries that are members of the franc zone. You'll need to exchange your currency on the spot at exchange offices or via ATMs, of which there are many in Brazzaville. Euros are sometimes accepted in larger cities such as Brazzaville and Pointe Noire.
  
  Cash is the most widely used means of payment, so it's advisable to always carry some cash.
  
  You can pay for your drinks on board in FCFA, euros or US dollars.
  
  If you have more than one million CFA francs (1,500 euros) at your disposal when entering or leaving the country, you must declare it to customs. In the event of failure to declare sums, securities or valuables in excess of one million (1,000,000) CFA francs at customs, the fine is equal to 20% of the sums in question. If a non-resident traveller fails to present proof of exported currency, the fine is equal to 20% of the sums in question.
  
  We advise you not to travel with more than 1,500 euros (or dollar equivalent) in cash, and to use your bank card to withdraw cash from ATMs if necessary.

• What is the climate like in the Congo?

  The Congo is situated along the equator. Its climate is hot and humid. The average temperature is 26°C, with abundant rainfall all year round, ranging from 1,800 mm to 2,000 mm per year. There is no real dry season; in the north, there are two rainier seasons, linked to the sun's location, and two relatively dry seasons (December to February and June to August).

• Are there a lot of insects, mosquitos and spiders?

  The Congo Basin is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including insects. Stinging insects can be carriers of infectious diseases. It is therefore essential to keep vaccinations up to date before departure, and to apply individual and group precautions on site to protect against possible bites: mosquito repellent, mosquito nets, protective clothing, etc.
  Malaria is present in the Congo. We advise you to protect yourself against malaria by wearing long, loose-fitting clothing and using insect repellent (insect repellent containing DEET is recommended in the Congo Basin). We advise you to consult with your doctor before departure.

• What is the minimum age to participate in this safari - cruise

  The cruise is accessible from the age of 15, the minimum age for tracking gorillas.

• Is everyone onboard English speaking?

  Please note that this cruise is not exclusive to English travelers. It is quite common to meet people of various nationalities on board as we offer cruises to international clientele - encouraging curious and enriching exchanges for both passengers and crew.
  Crew members are multilingual and qualified to offer multilingual service.

• What payments do I need to make to confirm my booking?

  To confirm your booking you should inform your GlobeSailor advisor who will put an option (hold) on the cabin for a certain time until we receive your down payment.
  The booking will only be considered final once we have received your down payment (by bank transfer, Paypal or credit card) which is 50% of the total amount. A 100% down payment is required for any booking made less than one month before departure.
  The balance should be paid no later than one month before boarding.

• What happens in the case of cancellation?

  If you wish to make a cancellation, you should contact your GlobeSailor advisor as soon as possible. Whatever the circumstances, you will be charged the following cancellation fees, depending on when the cancellation is made: up to 90 days before departure = 30%; 89 to 60 days before departure = 50%; 59 to 30 days before departure = 75%; 29 days or less before departure = 100% of the total cost of your booking. We recommend that you speak to your GlobeSailor advisor about cancellation insurance.