Travel Guide To Kinshasa, Congo Democratic Rep Of

Kinshasa is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The city is located on the Congo River.

Once a site of fishing villages, Kinshasa is now an urban area with a population of 10,076,099 inhabitants in 2009. The city of Brazzaville (about 1.2 million inhabitants in 2007 with its suburbs), capital of the Republic of the Congo, lies just across the Congo River from Kinshasa. Together with Brazzaville, the combined conurbation of Kinshasa-Brazzaville has thus nearly 12 million inhabitants - making it the most populous transborder metropolitan area in the world. Because the administrative boundaries cover such a vast area, over 60% of the city's land is rural in nature, and the urban area only occupies a small section in the far western end of the province.

Kinshasa holds the status of the second largest city in sub-Saharan Africa and the third largest in the whole continent after Lagos and Cairo. Although it has no significant native French speaking population, it is often considered the second largest officially francophone city in the world after Paris, inasmuch as French is the language of government and commerce, and is used as a lingua franca. If current demographic trends continue, Kinshasa will surpass Paris in population before 2020.

Residents of Kinshasa are known as Kinois (French) or Kinshasans (English).

Under the Koppen climate classification, Kinshasa has a Tropical wet and dry climate. It features a lengthy rainy season which spans from October through May and a relatively short dry season which runs between June and September. Due to fact that Kinshasa lies south of the equator, its dry season begins around its "winter" solstice, which is in June. This is in contrast to African cities further north featuring this climate where the dry season typically begins around January. Kinshasa's dry season is slightly cooler than its wet season, though temperatures remain relatively constant throughout the year.

Getting there and getting around

Kinshasa can be reached in from around 28 locations in UK and Ireland with airlines such as Afriqiyah Airways Kenya Airways, Brussels Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, KLM, Air France and Royal Air Maroc.

The Kinshasa airport used to have a terrible reputation for corrupt officials asking for bribes. They have improved things 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.

Keep in mind that when returning to the airport to leave you can not drive your car or take a cab onto the airport property without paying for parking / access $5 or $10.

A taxi into town will probably cost you $30 - $50 (usually without air conditioning!). It is an hour's drive into the centre of Kinshasa. Best option is to get a shuttle offered by one of the travel companies on the right outside the arrivals door.

Other modes of transport include train, bus, taxi, boat and car with various economical choices and packages.

Places to see

Some of the must-see places in / around Kinshasa are Congo River, Yacht Club Kinshasa, Le Marche des valeurs, Academie des Beaux Arts, Symphonie des Arts, Jardin d' Eden, kinkole Fish market, The Boboto centre, The Zoo, Grand Marche, Chutes de Lukia, A.A.C Bonobo Sanctuary, Kisantu Botanical Gardens and Lac de ma Valle.

Food & Drink

The renowned eateries in / around Kinshasa include, but are not limited to, Al Dar, La Bloque, Mama Colonel, Association Belgo - Congolaise, Marie Kabuang , Chez Gaby, Chez Philo, La Piscine, Girrasol, Le Roi du Cussa, Green Garden, Pizeria Extreme, Pizeria Opoeta and Greg's Bar, Mangoustan restaurant, Papageno, Caf-Conc, Ciboulette, Chez Nicolas, Le Cercle Gourmand and Grand Hotel.

When it comes to drinking Kinshasa, has got even more to offer. E.g. Matonge, Bonmarche, Bar L'Entr'Act, Savanna, Mambo, Bar of Sultani Hotel, VIP Bar, Standing, Bar La Piscine, Ibiza Bar, 3615 and Chez Ntemba.

Entry Requirements - Visas

All British passport holders need a valid visa to travel to DRC. This must be obtained before travelling. To arrange this, contact the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo:
45-47 Great Portland Street
London
W1W 7LD
Telephone no: 0207 580 3931

A Rwandan or Ugandan immigration stamp in your passport should not prohibit admission, but you may still experience difficulties on arrival in the DRC via Kinshasa if you do have them. Visitors arriving from the UK have recently experienced problems on arrival at N'djili airport, Kinshasa.

Entry Requirements - Satellite phones, GPS receivers or Military clothing

You should not bring satellite phones, GPS receivers or military clothing into the DRC as this could lead to difficulties with the security authorities.

Entry Requirements - Yellow Fever vaccination certificate

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory and you will be asked to produce one on arrival. You are advised to produce your yellow fever vaccination certificate when applying for your visa to enter DRC.

Congo (Democratic Republic), Kinshasa, British Embassy

Address:
British Embassy
Kinshasa
Democratic Republic of the Congo
BFPO 5319

Telephone:
0813300252/3/4

Fax:
(243) 813 46 4291

Email:ambassade.britannique@fco.gov.uk

Office hours:
GMT:
Mon-Thur: 0630 - 1500
Fri: 0630-1300
Local Time:
Mon-Thur: 0730-1600
Fri: 0730-1400
Out of hours, Embassy answer machine gives a contact number

Website: http://www.ukindrc.fco.gov.uk/en

Country	Democratic Republic
	of the Congo
Province	Kinshasa
Time Zone	UTC/GMT +1 hour
Language	French

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