A Weekend On The River: Exploring Congos Sakana Island

A few miles from Brazzaville emerging from the Congo River lies a tiny island. Open to visitors only over the weekend, Culture Trip takes a look at the fun and amazing things to do on Sakana Island.

Literally meaning “fun island”, Sakana Island is a family-friendly place designed to provide fun and relaxation over the weekends for locals and tourists alike. Easily explorable in a day, it is currently opened to visitors from 10am to 5pm, Friday to Sunday. During the week the island is home to 36 residents who allow access to their private pools to weekend visitors.

What to do on the island

Most visitors come to the island to get a spectacular view as they cross the beautiful Congo River and to do something a little different with their weekend. For those feeling active, the island has a gym, football field and a variety of water sports on offer including jet skiing. You ca play volleyball or just tan on the beautifully clean artificial beach. For children there is a playground and exciting activities and rides for them to enjoy. If you prefer to relax, enjoy being driven around the island or picnic under the trees before going for a swim.

Bissap flavoured ice cream that is only available at the island

How to get there

Boats to get to the island leave every 30mins from 10am till 4:30pm and take around 10 minutes to get there. Boats leave from the famous Mami Wata Restaurant on the banks of the Congo River. Passengers are escorted by the Sakana Island team who also help passengers to buy entry tickets .

Tickets to the Island

Entry to the island has two different price options and categories: Silver or Gold tickets. Silver tickets are limited and only allow access and transport to specific locations on the island. The Gold tickets are the better option as they allow visitors to gain access to the entire island. Visit the official Sakana Island website for my details.

Silver Tickets

For babies from up to one years old admission is free.

Children from 2 to 11 years old costs 5000fcfa ($9) which includes transport, access to the amusement park and the beach.

Children from 12 to 17 years cost 6500fcfa ($12) which includes access to transport, the amusement park and the artificial beach.

Adults must pay 8000fcfa ($14) which includes transport and access to the beach only.

Gold tickets

Children up to the age of 1 year can enter for free.

Children from 2 to 17 years pay 10 000fcfa ($18)

For adults the cost is 15 000fcfa ($27).

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.