Ile du Fruit Defendu island walk (N'sele)

Ile du Fruit Defendu is a roughly 16-hectare wooded island in the Nsele River, in the N'sele area on the eastern side of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is reached by dugout pirogue from the terrace of Jardin d'Eden, at No. 12 Avenue Delmo in Kindobo. The jumping-off point lies about 38 km from Gombe, so visitors normally hire a private car with a driver. The pirogue crossing costs 4,000 CDF, about USD 1.73, and picnic access on the island is 6,000 CDF, about USD 2.60. No formal permit is known. Once ashore, informal paths of about 1 to 3 km wind around the island, and a visit takes 1 to 2 hours. The terrain is completely flat, made up of sandy banks, grass and riverine woodland, with patchy shade under the trees and open sun on the banks. There are no marked trails or signed landmarks beyond the island's shoreline, so the walk is essentially a wander along the water, and visitors can turn back at any point since the island is small. The river is the only water source and is not suitable for drinking, so drinking water must be carried. No huts are known on the island, though the Jardin d'Eden terrace on the mainland offers a base for refreshments. Light shoes or sandals that can get wet are practical, along with insect repellent and sun protection. A life jacket is advisable for the canoe crossing. The dry season from May to October exposes wider banks and firmer paths, while high water in the wet season can shrink the usable shoreline.