N'kila N'tari

Useful Information

Location:	North of Bouansa, leave RN1 at Kimbedi, P8 towards Mouyondzi, on the left side after the cement plant. 800 m from the village of Nkila-Ntari, halfway on the track connecting the localities of Mouyondzi and Bouansa. (-4.120385, 13.852777)
Open:	no restrictions. [2024]
Fee:	free. [2024]
Classification:	Karst Cave
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:	L=1,5 km.
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Nkila Ntari Cave
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History

Description

The N'kila N'tari or in French Grotte de Nkila-Ntari (Nkila Ntari Cave) is a small cave in the village Dingi near Kongo-Brazzaville. Sometimes the pluralis absurditatis is used for the cave. The cave is located in the Bouenza department near the village of Nkila-Ntari.

This cave is not developed, and while the one kilometre of passage which is visited is mostly spacious, there are several spots where it is necessary to stoop or even crawl. Suitable clothing, good shoes and helmet with headlamp are strongly recommended. A little climbing is also required, although the locals provide a rope.

The cave is not only a nice cave with speleothems, it is also praised for the panels of rock paintings. Rock art in the Congo is known only in the extreme south of the country. The cave is a river cave and is populated by fish and turtles.

There are two entrances, which are rather close together. The main entrance facing towards northeast is easier to access. It is followed by a huge passage which is 20 m in diameter. The southern entrance allows access to Mantoumbou room, a huge chamber. It formad along the north-west/south-east which is named Mayombian direction.