Congo river: an eXplorAction discovery cruise скачать в хорошем качестве

Congo river: an eXplorAction discovery cruise

The eXplorAction Congo Cruise in December 2024 with Inspiration Africa! Led by Bruno Van den Bossche, a native of Congo with deep roots and passion for this region, our group set off to discover the real Congo — wild, untamed, and full of life. Bruno’s deep knowledge and personal connection made this journey even more unforgettable as we explored not just the mighty Congo River itself, but also two of its hidden tributaries: the Sangha River and the Alima River. Along the way, the river opened the door to a world few outsiders have ever seen. We visited remote villages only accessible by boat — places where no road has ever been built. In many of these communities, we were the first tourists the villagers had ever seen! This was pure, untouched travel — a raw, genuine encounter with humanity and nature at their purest. But it wasn’t just about the villages. The rainforest called us deeper. Wildlife encounters were at the very heart of our journey, and they did not disappoint! Our first incredible moment came at Abio Camp in the Lesio-Louna Reserve, where we had the rare opportunity to observe Western Lowland Gorillas in their natural habitat — a powerful and moving experience. Then, we crossed into Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for another highlight: trekking to find wild Bonobos — one of humanity’s closest relatives, living free in the forests. There’s truly nothing like looking into the eyes of a wild Bonobo, feeling that deep, shared connection across time and species. Finally, our adventure led us into the Central African Republic, to the legendary Dzanga-Sangha Reserve. Here, nature puts on an unforgettable show. We explored the famous bais (natural forest clearings), where an incredible gathering of wildlife occurs: Forest Elephants, Bongo Antelopes, Forest Buffaloes, Giant Forest Hogs, and lively troops of Agile Mangabeys. And of course, more encounters with the majestic gorillas! Every step of the way in Dzanga Sangha, we were guided by Ba’Aka trackers, the indigenous people who have lived in these forests for countless generations. Their knowledge of the land, the animals, and the spirit of the forest added a rich, soulful layer to our journey. This adventure wasn’t for the faint-hearted — but for those who dared to step off the beaten path, it was beyond rewarding. It was a true blend of discovery, nature, culture, wildlife, and human connection, centered around Africa’s most iconic species: gorillas, bonobos, and elephants. Credits: Camera and Edit: Simon Maurissen Additional footage: Dominik and Merlind Schmidt-Lorch Production: Inspiration Africa Music: Original Baaka music recorded by Luis Sarno, River of Io license free Special thanks: Specialist tour operator Bruno van den Bossche, Ducret expeditions, Dzanga-Sangha protected areas, Sangha Lodge, Doli Lodge, Max and Raùl van den Bossche, the whole group of travelers.