Kinshasa
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Kinshasa is the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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[edit] Understand
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.
[edit] Get in
[edit] By plane
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, 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.
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 having a badge or pass of some sort (I'm not sure what that is but they told us not to take a cab and let our people handle getting us to the airport).
[edit] By train
[edit] By car
[edit] By bus
[edit] 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.
[edit] Get around
[edit] See
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
[edit] Do
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.
[edit] Learn
[edit] Work
[edit] Buy
[edit] Eat
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 (and $40 at the hotel for one).
[edit] Budget
- Al Dar, near the hotel Memling. A Lebanese restaurant in the center of town. 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.
- La Bloque, Bandalungwa. One of the better known being roadside stalls.
- Mama Colonel, Bandal. An excellent restaurant. The menu has only 4 items - chicken, fish, fries and plantain - but they are barbecued to perfection.
[edit] Mid-range
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.
- 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.
- Association Belgo Congolais (ABC). Serves meals for about $10 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.
- Cercle Hellaise. Greek food with outdoor dining by the pool.
- Chez Gaby. Portuguese-style. 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.
- La Piscine. Outdoor tables arranged around a swimming pool-great settings and good food in the $20-$30 range if you choose restrainedly.
- Le Roi du Cossa 220 Ave Mpolo (just off the Boulevard), Gombe. A Portuguese restaurant is always a good bet for seafood, and this is no exception.
[edit] Splurge
The more expensive restaurants are in Gombe.
- Caf-Conc. The most expensive restaurant in the DRC, allegedly!
- Chez Nicolas
- Chateau Margaud
- Golf Club
- Grand Hotel
[edit] Drink
Kinshasa becomes alive most nights when residents head to Matonge, a place filled with dancing bars, restaurants and night clubs. Go to a local nightclub and learn how to dance Congolese rhythms. Get ready to shake your booty!
- Chez Ntemba. A hopping place after midnight.
- Mambo
- Standing
- 36.
[edit] Water
you cant drink from the tap.... so if you're on the go, get some minerals water...
[edit] Sleep
[edit] Budget
- Hotel de La Gombe
- CAP (Centre d'accueil protestant)
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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
[edit] Contact
[edit] Stay healthy
Don't drink the local water. Bottled water seems to be cheap enough but sometimes hard to find for a good price. The best way is if you are staying in a upscale hotel that provides it with the room just tip the housekeeping staff to get extra bottles put in your room (usually if you tell them while giving them the money that works the best, and after the first 2 days of asking for the water you usually don't have to worry about telling them anymore, just give them the $5 a day).
[edit] Stay safe
It is highly recommended that you have someone with you at all times that is a local (besides while being in your hotel). Cab drivers will usually stay with you too when going to local shops and making quick stops and will serve as your translator if you get a good one. Be careful with any equipment you have with you such as digital cameras, and video equipment. Also be careful of what you take pictures of. Even though they say no photos at the airport and of government buildings a lot of times the police and UN people will get upset if you are videoing at other places where technically it's supposed to be ok to do. Just be sure to have plenty of locals with you that know what they are doing and can provide security and a way out if you get stuck or in trouble. Follow their advice and pay attention when out and about. When in doubt about taking a photo of something don't until you get very clear instructions that it is ok. Don't keep cameras in open view unless you've been cleared to take a photo (which is just like taking a photo to them it seems). Also be prepared for hostility and positive reactions when taking photos.