The only place on earth to see them
Our closest relatives. In the wild.
Bonobos only live in the wild in one country: the Democratic Republic of Congo, south of the Congo River. Most visitors get taken to a sanctuary near Kinshasa. This is not that.
Each year I pick one or two wild trips that are on my own bucket list, and you guys can join. This is that. We start in Brazzaville, cross the Congo River by pirogue and camp deep in the rainforest to trek with bonobos, free.
The real Africa. Kenya and Tanzania, this is not. And thanks to our connections, we visit the DRC with no visa at all.
Tour highlights
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Wild Bonobos
A full day tracking them from dawn
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The Congo River
By pirogue into the DRC
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Rainforest Camp
Deep in the Congo Basin
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Brazzaville
One of Africa’s most overlooked capitals
Trip facts
- Dates
- Trip length
- Visa
- Only Republic of Congo (we help)
- Sleeping
- Brazzaville hotel + jungle camp
- Fitness
- Some jungle hiking, nothing technical
- Extension
- CAR gorillas, July 2–13, $10,999
Day by day
The Itinerary
Day 1: Meet in Brazzaville
· Hotel, Brazzaville
We meet in Brazzaville, capital of the Republic of Congo, and check into one of the nicest hotels in the city. We’ve enough time to suffer later!
Dinner and drinks together, buzzing for one of the best trips of our lives.
Day 2: Brazzaville City Tour
Hotel, Brazzaville
Today we explore one of Africa’s most overlooked capitals: relaxed, chaotic, musical and full of life. The Congo River, local markets, colonial architecture and street food spots.
Final comforts tonight before the real adventure begins.
Day 3: Into the Congo Basin
Bonobo camp, DR Congo
An early start and six hours overland north to Mpouya. Then we cross the mighty Congo River by traditional pirogue into the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Border formalities done, it’s another two hours on jungle roads to our bonobo camp deep in the rainforest. Proper expedition travel now.
Day 4: Wild Bonobo Trekking!
Bonobo camp, DR Congo
Up before sunrise and into the jungle at 5am to track bonobos, our closest living relatives. Watching them move, socialise and interact in the wild is one of Africa’s rarest wildlife experiences.
We spend the day with them, then crawl back to camp exhausted, muddy and buzzing.
Day 5: Back to Brazzaville
Hotel, Brazzaville
One final morning in the rainforest, then we retrace our route: back across the river, back into the Republic of Congo and the long drive to Brazzaville.
Hot showers, cold drinks, comfy beds, and the strange feeling of trying to process the last few days.
Day 6: Trip Finishes
· Brazzaville
Breakfast together before the trip officially finishes. Some head home today. Others carry on deeper into Central Africa on the CAR extension.
Either way, this is the kind of trip that stays with you forever.
Your host
Johnny Ward
Irish guy, been to every country in the world. These days I only create group trips to places I’m dying to go to. I scour the globe until something grabs me, and wild bonobos in the DRC did just that.
Fair warning: it’s expensive. I know, I have to pay for my own spot too! But for me it’s bucket list, so whatever.
Africa is calling. The real Africa.
For hardcore travellers
Why the Congo?
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Our closest relatives
Bonobos love, grieve and live in peaceful, female-led groups. They’re only found in the wild in the DRC, and very few people ever see them.
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The real Africa
Raw jungle, endless rivers, hectic cities and proper adventure. Not a polished safari, and that’s exactly what makes it special.
-
Add the gorillas
Keep going on the 12-day extension into the Central African Republic for lowland gorillas and the forest elephants of Dzanga Baï.
Before you book
Good to Know
Do I need a visa?
Here’s the beauty of this trip: thanks to our connections we visit the DRC (and CAR on the extension) with no visa. Most nationalities need a Republic of Congo visa, and we help with that too.
How hard is the bonobo trekking?
Not very, but there’s some walking to find them. Expect early mornings, humid rainforest, muddy trails and up to a few hours hiking. Good footwear, maybe walking poles, and a few practice walks before you come.
Is this trip safe?
Yes, when it’s done properly with experienced local teams and guides. It’s an expedition to remote Central Africa though, so flexibility and common sense matter.
Where do we sleep?
A lovely hotel in Brazzaville and a camp in the Congo Basin. On the CAR extension, add a guest house in Ouesso and a lovely, kinda-luxury lodge in Dzanga Sangha.
What’s the food like?
Pretty crap! Brazzaville has good options. Out in the jungle it’s simple but filling: rice, vegetables, meat, fish and basic expedition food.
Will I have phone signal?
Very limited once we leave Brazzaville. Expect to disconnect for large parts of the trip.
Can I add the gorillas?
Yes. The 12-day extension (July 2–13, 2027) carries on overland and by speedboat into the Central African Republic: forest elephants at Dzanga Baï, mangabey tracking and lowland gorillas in Dzanga Sangha. It’s $10,999 with a $999 deposit.
Price and what’s included
Tour price
$5,499
Per person sharing · 6 days
- $500 deposit secures your spot
- Prices are subject to change
- 12-day CAR extension: $10,999, $999 deposit
- Questions? DM me on Instagram
Bucket list stuff
See you in the jungle.
Very few people will ever see bonobos in the wild. Book online in a couple of minutes, or message me with any questions.
Rather pay by bank transfer? Email johnny@onestep4ward.com
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