Out on a Boat: Congo River Sandbank

Today is May 1 - which is a proper holiday here in the Congo.  What can one do on a day off around these parts?  Read on.

________________________________

Kinshasa is huge and sprawling and has a particular sort of city craze.  It's hard to find a place that isn't packed with people or buzzing with noise.

Sometimes, it's nice to get away.

"Away" in this case is a sandbar in the middle of the Congo River.  After thirty minutes on a slow-moving boat, you are transported to relative silence and an uncluttered visual field.

For the trip in these photos, we went through the Yacht Club de Kinshasa, which has boat rentals and catering.  

There are other, frequently changing, options for getting to a sandbar as well.  If you're interested, you can try the numbers at the end of this post, or ask your friends.  Chances are, they "know somebody". 

Now, lest you get too excited and/or judgey about our fancy lifestyle, let me be clear, this is a yacht:

And this is a dock:

But, the stripped-down surroundings force stripped-down fun.  Kubb on a Congo River beach being one of life's pleasures in which everybody really should indulge.

Maybe mothers should temporarily put away fears of river blindness and let their kid just go for it because how great is it to be able to casually mention that you've been swimming in the mighty Fleuve Congo?

And then, the mothers should jump in too.  

Kanga and pagne make for perfect muggy-weather beach wraps.

Frisbees should be tossed.

(Don't worry, I'm sure we picked up that Tembo bottle...)

And unprotected eyeballs seared by the equatorial glare.

(Johan is clearly miserable, due to his lack of sunglasses and choice of attire.
Note:  Do not wear black skinny jeans to the sandbar.)

(I'm clearly gloating.)

Kids big and small should plop themselves down and dig.

 And be cuddled when exhausted despite the sand.

You should remember the people you see as the boat pulls away.

And consider the water cities that hug the shore.

__________________

If you want to go to a sandbar on the Congo River right outside of Kinshasa, try calling the numbers below, but no guarantees on anything.  You should ask around for more tips and contacts. Be prepared for the price.  It's not cheap to rent a boat.  Best to get a big group together and split the cost. Here's what the ever-knowledgeable Wiki has to say:

A BBQ on a sandbank on the Congo River is definitely also a must. Renting a boat for a day with a driver and all the gear (tables, chairs, a suntent and a BBQ) will cost around 150$ at the Yacht Club Kinshasa. The boat can take 8 people, so if you share the cost it is quite affordable. A truly unforgettable experience.

• Donald:  081 64 35 151
• Mr Simba:  09 99 93 73 98 
• Alain: 081 01 89 281 
• Yacht Club de Kinshasa:  081 40 47 784  or  081 50 96 315

Find a map here.

Tweet

Les Serpents du Congo

Are you wondering what is so fascinating?

Oh, you know.  Just a cobra.  Staring at my child.

But, no worries.  Serpent expert, Mr. François Nsingi, told us that a cobra showing his famous, flashy head is just sending a warning signal, not getting ready to strike.  The cage enclosing the snake was even more reassuring.  

Look how bored this guy is holding that poisonous snake (see above).  He actually said, "Okay, did you take enough pictures yet?  My arm is getting tired."  

I'm assuming that he knows his snake body language.

Clearly giving us the "back off" signal.

I can barely stomach this picture of my small child next to a green and black mamba.  They call these creatures a "seven step" snake due to the incredible toxicity of their venom.  Meaning, a person has seven steps to walk before they keel over.  Mr. Nsingi says it's actually more like 3-8 hours.  

I'm judging my parenting decisions in hindsight...

Speaking of venom.  Les Serpents du Congo is actually a part of the University of Kinshasa anti-venom program, where all the anti-venom for Congo is created.  Unfortunately, there aren't many locations where this antidote is available in the country, so a snake whose bite can kill in 3-8 hours is truly deadly in most parts of the DRC.

That Gaboon Viper (the one that's looking at you) is easily one of the creepiest creatures I've ever seen.

Here's Mr. Nsingi hefting that snake back into his cage.  We were told that these vipers are slow moving and don't usually bother humans unless they are sat or stepped upon.  

Not poisonous.  Really.  I promise.

   My pulse rate would speed up or slow down depending on toxicity levels.  We irrationally protected our children, flinging our arms out to push the kids back when a snake would jump or hiss from inside the cage.  Loulou told me to calm down.

Tchic, my French tutor, was horrified that I had allowed my child to touch even a non-poisonous snake.  He wisely pointed out that now, Elias and Loulou might believe that any snake can be picked up and cuddled.  Luckily, Mr. Nsingi gave the kids several stern lectures about serpent safety:  Don't touch.  RUN.  Tell you parents to put a bucket over it.  Call me.

Neighbor James thoroughly loved/hated every moment of this trip.  

We'll call it "Cognitive Behavioral Therapy."  Look at that therapeutic forced smile.

Every mother hopes to one day see their child enveloped by a python.

When in Rome...

(It was really pretty incredible.  The snake was cool to the touch and muscle-y.)

The rats were Loulou's favorite animal at the snake park.

Mr. Nsingi quickly broke it to her that those cuties serve a purely nutritional purpose.

Naturally, there was also a turtle.

And a crocodile.  Or an alligator.  I can never remember which is which or why. Which makes me bad at trivia games.

All of the snakes and other creatures at the park are indigenous to the DRC and most were found along the Congo River not far from where we live.  

I haven't decided if this is somehow amazing or just horrifying.

And here is the sweet picture I took when I proudly believed I captured Elias in a quiet moment, using his French to pick up a few more educational tidbits about snakes of the Congo.

He was actually negotiating to buy a python.

"Mama!  He said that I can get one for only $150!"

True story of a day at Les Serpents du Congo.

Les Serpent du Congo is a highly recommended activity. The facilities are beautiful and the staff well-trained, knowledgeable and excellent with kids.  The snake park is located along the same road that goes to Lac de Ma Vallée/the Bonobos - so the location is quite lovely.  You can stop for veggies at the market along the way. 

It's best to have at least one French-speaking person with you so that you can be sure to understand all the information that is given.  Calling the director ahead of your arrival is recommended: + 243 81 9918530 or + 243 99 9918530

Where is the park located?

In the farm called SOGENAK (it's SEBO)

Quartier Sebo – Route de Kimwenza

Commune de Mont-Ngafula à Kinshasa

When is the park open?

Tuesday-Sunday: 09h00 to 18h00

The park is closed on Monday except by special appointment.

An entrance fee is asked for the care and upkeep of the animals:

$10 for adults and $5 for children under 12

For those of you who would rather stay as far away as possible, Mr. Nsingi will also come to the rescue if you find a snake in your Kinshasa house or yard.  Put a bucket over the creature and call: 082 362 0634 or 089 946 0477.  

He'll identify it and take it away for you.  If it's poisonous, your call could provide an important contribution to the anti-venom program at UNIKIN.

Tweet