Travel Tips 24 > Africa > Central Africa > Democratic Republic of the Congo >
Kinshasa
Kinshasa is the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Culture and History
This once modern African city has suffered from the decay and stagnation caused during the conflict in the country. Modern buildings such as the CCIC (Centre Commercial International Congolais) lay unused and abandoned. The private sector is making progress. Much of the city is now in the grips of another war, this time a commercial war between the mobile phone companies. Billboards, flags and even entire buildings are adorned with the slogans of the different operators.
Kinshasa's infrastructure is largely dysfunctional; electricity is reliable only in Gombe (the city center where most expats live) with other parts of the city experiencing power outages several times weekly. Running water can be found in many parts of the city, although Gombe is again the only area that enjoys a fairly consistent level of service. While certain central roads are paved, most neighborhood roads are dirt only. None of the roads are well maintained.
Kinshasa becomes alive most nights when residents head to this place called (Matonge) the same name given to the (Ixelles shopping area in brussells) Matonge is the place filled with dancing bars, restaurants and night clubs.
Travel to Kinshasa, visa requirements
Flights to Kinshasa, airtickets
South African Airways, Kenyan Airways and Ethiopian airlines each have a number of flights per week from their hubs in Johannesburg, Nairobi and Addis Ababa
Connections to Europe can be made with Air France from Paris in France and SN Brussels from Brussels in Belgium. Hewa Bora and Bravo Air Congo also offer flights to and from Europe.
The Kinshasa airport used to have a terrible reputation for corrupt officials asking for bribes. They have improved things recently and it is quite manageable. Just follow everyone else and try not to look like a tourist! A Yellow fever vaccination certificate is essential. Watch out for being mobbed by volunteer 'helpers' once you are outside the airport, who will want to carry your bags in return for tips.
By train
By car
Buses to Kinshasa
By boat
You can arrive by boat from Brazzaville, if you have a visa. There are speed boats that go quickly for a limited number of people, or you can take the barge with local merchants if you have time. Ask to go to "the Beach", which is the ferry terminal.
Get around
Kinshasa attractions and sightseeing
Go see the Bonobos by Lac de ma Vallée, Chutes de Zongo in Bas Congo and Bombo Lumene on the road to Kikwit.
Don't forget to get some arts in Le marché des valeurs called too marché des voleurs...the first calling means market of value, the second in changing only one letter means market of thiefs
City tours
Plenty of cyber cafes exist, so don't worry about staying connected.
The Association Belgo-Congolais (ABC) also rents videos (VHS and DVD).
Go for a walk/jog along the river in front of the British /German embassies.
Catch late-night jazz at the Ibiza club, just off the main Boulevard.
Go to church on a Sunday morning like most of the locals do.
Learn
Go to a local nightclub and learn how to dance congolese rhythms. Get ready to shake your booty! (literally)
Chez Ntemba is a hopping place after midnight. Also cool are Mambo, Standing and 36.
Work
Shopping, Kinshasa souvenirs
Good restaurants and cheap meals
Lots of restaurants for 'expats' exist, where you can pay in dollars but it is very expensive. Don't be surprised to pay up to $20 for a pizza!
Budget
Al Dar is a Lebanese restaurant in the center of town, near the hotel Memling. A shwarma sandwich runs about $1.50, and they have taboule, hummus and desserts as well. Many cheap roadside stalls exist, primarily outside of downtown's Gombe, one of the better known being La Bloque in Bandalungwa. Mama Colonel in Bandal is also an excellent restaurant. The menu has only 4 items - chicken, fish, fries and plantaine - but they are barbecued to perfection.
Mid-range
For about $10, the Association Belgo Congolais (ABC) serves meals in a nice outdoor terrace, though sometimes the quality of meals is questionable and the kitchen can close early. The menu includes traditional dishes such as river fish and fried plantains, or international fare like cheeseburgers and spaghetti. You can also get real coffee (espresso), if you're tired of Nescafe. "3615" on the main Boulevard next door to the Peloustore supermarket has an outdoor area as well as an airconditioned indoor area; and excellent food - from pizza to steaks and fish. Average price for a main dish plus drink costs around US$20. The freshwater prawns from the Congo river are incredible - called Cossa Cossa on menus (as distinct from imported saltwater prawns which are Gambas) - generally served with a garlic and chili (pili-pili) butter sauce. A plate of these will set you back around $25-$40 dollars depending where you eat. A portuguese restaurant is always a good bet for seafood, and Le Roi du Cossa is no exception - find it at 220 Ave Mpolo, in Gombe, just off the Boulevard. Chez Gaby (prtuguese-style) and Chez Philo are at the upper end of the mid-range - the food is varied and excellent and if you want to splash out, you can also order imported items like foie gras and european wines. Chez Philo offers a number of Congolese dishes on the menu as well as the standard belgian-style fare. There are a nummber of places like La Piscine and Cercle Hellaise(Greek) which have outdoor tables arranged around a swimming pool-great settings and good food in the $20-$30 range if you choose restrainedly.
Splurge
The more expensive restaurants in Gombe are Chez Nicolas, Chateau Margaud, the Golf Club, the Grand Hotel and Caf-Conc (the most expensive restaurant in the DRC, allegedly !).
Kinshasa nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.
Local sodas (Vitalo, Mirinda) are amazing...too much artificial colorant but really amazing. You must try too some traditional ginger drink...very aphrodisiac and don't forget your "bok" of skol or primus... Primus and Skol are the local lagers, sold in 72cl bottles. Tembo is the dark local beer.
Hotels, youth hostels, lodging
Budget
- Hotel de La Gombe
- CAP (Centre d'accueil protestant)
Mid-range
- Hotel Fontana Inn. A well-run and well-located place frequented by NGOs and UN types. Rooms range about 60 USD.
- Residence Marika. A simple 3-star hotel just off the main Boulevard, with swimming pool.
Splurge
- Hotel Memling, tel. +243 817001111, [1]. Probably the best and most expensive hotel in town. Wireless Internet in lobby, nice pool, bar and restaurant. Expect to pay $180/night and $25 for 24 hour access to Internet. Hertz car rental are at the hotel, along with mobile phone companies, gift shops and the usual souvenirs.
- Grand Hotel, [2]. - The Grand Hotel is the other fancy hotel in town - well located near the river, embassies and the Presidentail residence; it is frequented by locals as well as internationals assisting with the DRC's transition. Extremely expensive and not particularly good food, with slow service.
- Hotel Pyramide, [3]. Hotel Pyramide is a small, but luxury hotel, about 5 km out of the center of Kinshasa. All rooms have a bathroom with Jacuzzi, warm water, hairdryer and a Fridge
Contact
Stay safe
Cope
Get out
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