Embark on a 15-day guided expedition to explore the hidden treasures of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Discover the Tata Gonda land, experience the authentic Pende of Gungu, and immerse yourself in the powerful Kuba Kingdom.
August 1, 2025. ARRIVAL IN KINSHASA
Ndjili - Arrival and pick up at Kinshasa (N’djili) International Airport. Transfer to Ixoras Hotel or similar.
August 2, 2025, Kinshasa Fetish cult and Voodoo wrestlers
Kinshasa - The fetish wrestlers get their power from Witch doctors that live secretly in popular quarter of Kinshasa in their houses called temples.
Between 6.00 and 12.00 pm , we’re visiting two witch doctors’ temples:
Lisaponge Temple, Malema Temple .
We’ll meet some wrestlers at temples before the fights. Attending the fight offer opportunity of wide range of photographs. From the temple to the fight field there are a lot of photo opportunities.
1.00pm be back in the city of Kinshasa and have Lunch.
02.00pm depart for the fetish wrestler’s caravan after seeing how they prepare for fight.
4.00 pm Attend the Fetish Wrestlers fights.
You may have heard of “voodoo wrestling” or catch fetish as it’s known in The Congo. This interesting mixture of traditional voodoo and pro wrestling that’s popular in The Congo has received some media coverage in the last few years.
The minimum number of fights is 6. So, we’ll go and witness how some prepare for the event and follow the caravan.
August 3, 2025 : Tata Gonda sect full immersion
August 4, 2025 : Day drive to Kenge for Yaka people full experience
August 5, 2025 : Yaka Kingdom Traditional Ceremony
August 6, 2025 : Depart for Gungu
August 7, 2025 : Pende Traditional Ceremonies Including Mukanda rite of passage
August 8, 2025 : Portrait Session before Driving to Tshikapa
August 9, 2025 : Travel to Mweka, way to Kuba
August 10, 2025 : Drive to the Kuba Kingdom capital, Mushenge.
August 11, 2025 : Continue with Kuba Kingdom ceremonies.
August 12, 2025 : Travel to Kananga
August 13, 2025 : Arrive in Kananga and Continue to Tshikapa
Kananga - From Benaleka, we’ll drive, nearly 6 hours to reach Kananga, have lunch and continue to Tshikapa.
August 14, 2025 : Day Drive to Kinshasa
Kinshasa - Today we return to Kinshasa. Depart at 3 am and arrive around 3.00 Pm and transfer to Ixoras Hotel or similar.
At 4.00 pm, meet with Congolese sapeurs and set up photo session with them. SAPE (Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Elegantes) means “society of advanced and elegant people” and “sapeurs” do their best in order to prove that it’s true. These representatives of unique subculture appear in the slams of Kinshasa and in fact they are not rich. We end up buying some souvenir masks in one of the biggest Congo markets of ancestral and traditional masks and art.
August 15, 2025 : End of service and transfer to N’djili International Airport
N’djili International Airport - Transfert to Kinshasa Airport, end of service.
- Ceremony fees included
- Lunch provided
- Dinner included
- Air-conditioned transportation
- Breakfast provided
- Gratuities
- All what not included
- International Airport Departure Tax
Most of anthropologists and travel photographers have less explored the Democratic Republic of the Congo for lack of trustworthy guides offering the real local experience. This trip is tripled by three main experiences that are usually provided separately to travelers. The Tata Gonda land that remained a mystery for years, the authentic Pende of Gungu with their pierced cheeks and mask dances, and full immersion into the Kuba Kingdom, one of the most powerful African kingdom of all times. For instance, traditionally in Pende culture, for a month, hundreds of children remain in a boot camp together with their teachers (Nganga Mukanda) and the Grand Master (Kele). They will be circumcised there. During this trip, you’ll learn how they go through this tough period of lockdown and how when following the initiation, all these young people—now grown-ups—will return to their proud homes—in the midst of a huge celebration featuring countless different masks.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
