Equatorial wilderness brings you back to nature
Located in central Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo covers more than 2.3 million square km. It consists of a vast central plateau, which rises to the volcanoes and mountains in the east. Numerous rivers traverse the country, of which the Congo River is the largest. More than half of the country is covered by dense rainforests. The climate is hot and humid in the central region, cooler and drier in the southern highlands and cooler and wetter in the eastern mountain areas.
Places to go
The DRC has eleven provinces, which can be divided into five main tourist areas:
Kivu Province boasts the highest lake in Africa, Lake Kivu, which lies 1 460 metres above sea level. Bukavu and Goma are the main towns. With an average altitude of 1 500 metres, the climate is pleasant and temperate. In the impressive Virunga mountain range there are eight volcanoes, of which two – Nyiracongo and Nyamulagira – are still active. Rising to 5 119m, Mount Ruwenzori, with its peak covered in snow, is an awesome sight. The national park of Virunga is home to lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and hippo, and the national park of Kahuzi Biega is the place to see mountain gorilla families and chimpanzees among the bamboo forests.
In the Eastern Province, in the vicinity of Kisangani, one will find the fascinating Wagenia Floating Village and see the Lokele fishermen at work. The Congo River that flows through the province has a succession of fast-flowing rapids, the Tshope Rapids, which add to the vibrancy of the area. The Mount Hoyo Caves are certainly worth a visit, as ai the African Elephant Domestication Centre, ‘Loxodenta Africana’, at Gangal-na-Bodio in the Garamba National Park. Game reserves in the province include the Epi and the Bili-Uele game reserves.
In Maniema Province, the ancient slavery centres at Kasongo, Nyangwe, Tongoni and Kibombo have many interesting displays depicting the history of black slavery on the African continent.
In Kinshasa Province, one can visit a variety of attractions, including the Prehistoric Museum, the President Laurent Desire Kabila Mausoleum, the Botanical and Zoological Gardens of Kinshasa, Mount Ngaliema Presidential Park, the artist’s market (wenze ya bikeko), the Lumumba Monument at Limete, the Pagoda and the tourist city of N’sele. One can also visit the Pool Malebo, which is the remnant of an ancient lake found in the interior.
In Bas-Congo Province one can visit Vivi, the first capital of the Congo. Also worth seeing are the Kisantu Botanical Gardens, the Mbanza-Ngungu Caves, the Zongo Waterfalls, Inga Dam, the Belvedere Suspended Bridge that spans the Congo River, the baobab tree of Stanley in Boma, the beach and mangroves in Muanda, Banana Point and the Nsiamfumu City.
Bandundu Province consists of savannah-covered plateaux divided by endless streams and rivers. Travelling in the rural areas can be quite an adventure on land, especially crossing the locally-made log bridges and hanging bridges made from woven vines and sticks. One can also explore the villages on the plateaux by dug-out canoe, passing through the thick forest that the villagers farm for a living. While in the province, one can see the Pende and Yaka traditional dancers with their extraordinary traditional masks and costumes, experience the Gungu Festival, visit the Lukwila Caves and waterfalls of Tembo, Kakobola and Mashita-Mbanza, and fish from the Mai-Ndombe Lake at Inongo.
In Equator Province, one can visit the Eala Botanical Gardens, the Katongo Waterfalls at Libenge and the Crypte Chapel of Marie-la-Miséricorde in Gbadolite.
Fishing is very popular and many species of fish can be caugh from the banks of the Congo River.
When in Katanga Province, visitors can experience building a nyumba (house in Swahili) and brewing munkoyo a fermented local beverage. A ferry trip will take one to Katanga’s three main towns – Kaenga, Kashobwe and Pweto. From Pweto, one can fly back to Lubumbashi on one of the Missionary Aviation Fellowship’s weekly flights.
Other tourist attractions include the attractive qaterfalls of Lofoi (388m), Kiubo (60m) and Kibundji (120m), the old underground mines of Kipushi, the copper mines of Shituru at Likasi, the graves of King Msiri and the Belgian Captain Bodson who was assassinated at Bunkeya, and King Mwat-Yav’s court at Musumba.
In the Western and Eastern Kasai provinces, the Bakwanga, Mbujimayi and Tshikapa mines are worth visiting, as are the Katende I and II Falls. Pleasant weekends can be spent on the crystal-clear waters of the Fwa and Munkamba lakes.
Other attractions include the Kuna Sculptures, the traditional King’s Palace, the Art Museum and the hanging tower of Luebo.
National Parks
Wildlife conservation has become a priority in the DRC and conservation-orientated non-government organisations (NGO’s) are working with the government and the local communities to protect and preserve the wildlife. This has led to the establishment of national parks, two of which are recognized as wetlands of international importance.
There are eight national parks.
Virunga National Park (800 000 ha) has different species of animals, including hippopotamus, hyena, warthog, a variety of birds, mountain gorillas and elephants.
Kahuzi-Biega National Park (600 000 ha) is home to the famous mountain gorilla, as well as elephants, chimpanzee, monkey and leopard.
Garamba National Park (500 000 ha) is where one can visit the Domestication Centre of the African Elephant, in Gangala-na-Bodio. Amongst the animals to be found in the park, one can view elephant, hippopotamus and the north white rhinoceros.
Upemba National Park (1 200 000 ha) is populated by lion, leopard, elephant and zebra; Kundelungu National Park (220 000 ha) has antelope and chimpanzee; the Salonga National Park (3 600 000 ha) has monkey, bonobo, chimpanzee and hippopotamus and the Maiko National Park has antelope and okapi.
The Mangrove National Park is home to nine species of endangered mammals. A designed wetlands site, it consists of coastal and river waters, islands ponds and swamps. The park also contains reserves for the local fisheries.
The Democratic Republic of Congo at a glance
Time zone: Western side – GMT + 1, Eastern side – GMT + 2
Climate: The climate is hot and humid in the equatorial river basin, drier in the southern highlands and wetter in the eastern Highlands. North of the equator, the wet season runs from April to October, while south of the equator, it runs from November to March.
Clothing: Lightweight clothing is worn throughout the year, although a jacket or jersey is advisable for the evening.
Languages: French is the official language. Of the 450 tribal languages of the country, Swahili, Kikongo, Tshiluba and Langala are the most widespread.
Population: The population of the DRC was around 60 million people (as at 31st July 1998), of which 48 % were under the age of 14. Due to the war that started on 2 August 1998, the population has since been reduced to 56 millions. There are over 200 African ethnic groups in the country, the majority of which are of Bantu origin. The Mongo, Luba, Kongo and Mangbetu-Azande people make up approximately 45 % of the population.
Health: The country is a high-risk malaria area, and tropical diseases such as yellow fever, cholera, bilharzias and meningitis occur in rural areas. Medical facilities are limited and visitors are advised to carry their own full medical kits.
Transport: A national airline, Ligne Aérienne Congolaises, and many private airlines operate internationally, and there are several regional airlines. Hewa Bora Airways, a private airline, operates small aircraft both nationally and regionally. International airports are situated in Kinshasa, Kisangani, Gbadolite, Lubumbashi and Goma. There are 210 local airports, of which 104 have paved runways.
The railway system of the country is operational, but the roads are in poor condition, becoming almost impassable in the wet season. There are 11 ports and harbours in Kinshasa, Boma, Matadi, Kisangani, Kindu, Kalemie and Goma.
Communications: There are limited mobile cellular and normal telephone facilities, and some use of the Internet is possible. There are 10 television stations and AM and FM radio stations.
Electricity: The electricity supply is 220/240V AC, 50Hz.
Water: Tap water is not safe to drink and should be boiled or purified.
Currency: The currency is the Congolese franc (CDF), which can be broken down into 100 centimes. Credit cards have limited use and US dollars, pound sterling and Euros are also accepted.
Banking hours: 08h00 to 11h30, Mondays to Fridays.
Public Holidays: 1 January: New Year’s Day, 4 January: Commemoration of Martyrs of Independance, Good Friday (varied), Easter Monday (varied), 16 & 17 January: National Hero’s Day, 1 May: Worker’s Day, 17 May: Changes of the System, 24 June: Pisces Day, 30 June: Independance Day, 1 August: Parent’s Day, 25 December: Christmas Day.
Entry regulations: All visitors entering the DRC require a valid passport and a visa, as well as a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Special travel permits are needed for entry into the central mining regions; and other permits may be required, depending on the level of unrest in the area.
Don’t miss: Travelling on the Congo River by boat, visiting Lake Tanganyika and Lake Kivu, the Pende dancers and masked Yaka, the Gungu Festival.
