The 10 Best Outdoor Activities in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Reviewed By Hugheskevi - London, United Kingdom

Myself and 11 others visited Serpents du Congo in June 2017. We saw a variety of snakes native to Congo, both venomous and non-venomous. We could handle them and take pictures - Franck who runs the experience has worked with snakes for 19 years so is very experienced and holds the venomous snakes' heads for handling. Most handling is with the non-venomous snakes. We also saw a feeding, with a venomous snake striking and then eating a mouse. Franck also demonstrated how venomous snakes are milking of their venom. Franck also has a small number of other reptiles, eg, chameleons. The cost was $10 US per person or equivalent in local currency, and the experience lasted around 1.5 hours. The experience is all in French, no English was spoken (fortunately one of our party was fluent in French and translated). It is necessary to call ahead to arrange, as the experience takes place in Franck's back yard so he has to be there. However, this was very easy to do, and I managed to arrange a time despite only being able to speak basic French. The location is very convenient for combining with a visit to the Bonobo sanctuary in Kinshasa. We visited the Bonobos in the morning (at 1000, when they are most active), then the snakes in the afternoon after lunch and that was plenty of time for both activities. When we drove there, Franck met us at the junction near his house, very close to the turning for the Bonobos, and directed us where to park. I researched the trip in advance, reading all previous reviews and blogs I could find as at May 2017. I've included all of my notes in this review for completeness. Serpents du Congo, 14 Avenue Kananga, Quartier Binza Pigeon. +243 999 918 530. Mr Franck Nsingi. Other contact numbers I found were 082 362 0634 (this was the number I used to call Franck) or 089 946 0477. Directions (the location is shown in the Bradt guide to Congo): Off the road to Lac de Ma Vallée/the Bonobos. Take the Matadi Road to the Bypass Triangle (the road splits left and right, there’s an Engen in the center), continue on the Matadi Road past the triangle, take the first left (there’s a big billboard in the center of the turn), then take the first right (there are signs for Lac de Ma Vallée). Take the first paved road to the left after about 2 km (towards quartier SEBO, near to where you turn to the right to go to the Bonobos), take the first right and follow that road to the end (to Ferme SOGENAK “Ex SEBO”). Park at the end of the road, a variety of paths lead off in different directions, Franck's house is off to the right, very close to the end of the road (maybe 30 metres along), on the left-hand side behind one of the large gates. Unless Franck has met you, it is likely you will need to ask people at this stage to get the exact place.