What we experienced
Leave Kinshasa very early: because of the traffic jams, it took us 4 hours to reach Kisantu.
The garden is the first stop after Kinshasa. No more pollution, you can breathe and it's beautiful. It's big, it's green, there are few people, you can even fly the drone. The roads are long, so it feels good to get out of the car.
The visit is nice, and at the end of the day a great buffet awaits: well organised, with loads of food. Brilliant.
It's the first stop after Kinshasa: no more pollution, you can breathe, and it's beautiful. The roads are long, so getting out of the car here feels good. The site is big, green and quiet.
From the sky
Us, on site
The first stop after Kinshasa: you finally get out of the car, breathe, and get lost along the paths.
Practical info
Getting there
- Along the N1 heading west, about 4 hours from Kinshasa because of the traffic jams.
- Leave very early: it's the first stop of a long day.
Visit and meal
- Private tour of the arboretum, then a local and continental buffet at the end.
- $120 for the group, a fixed price whatever its size.
- Booked through a local agency, payment at least 10 days ahead.
Sleeping after the visit
- Night in Mbanza-Ngungu, the evening stopover town.
- Small guesthouses: rooms from $10 to $20. Basic, but enough.
- Woken by the churches around 6 am: that's the folklore!
Watch out
The sun sets around 6 pm: time the visit so you're back on the road before dark. Bring water and snacks for the kids, stops are rare on the N1.
Good to know
The visit is booked through a local agency, 10 days ahead
The guide covers the whole of day 1 in detail, timings and budget included. The €89 offer puts you in direct contact with the agency that organises the visit.
FAQ
How much does the Kisantu botanical garden visit cost?
$120 for the group, private tour and buffet included. The price is fixed, whatever the size of the group.
Do you need to book?
Yes. The visit goes through a local agency that asks for payment at least 10 days ahead.
Can you fly a drone?
Yes, we did: the site is vast and quiet.