Any Travels

Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly Zaire , republic (1995 est. pop. 44,061,000), c.905,000 sq mi (2,344,000 sq km), central Africa. It borders on Angola in the southwest and west, on Cabinda and the Republic of the Congo in the west, on the Central African Republic and Sudan in the north, on Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania in the east, and on Zambia in the southeast.

Zaire has changed names back to Congo again. Officially its called the Democratic Republic of Congo, but since this name hardly distinguishes it from (French) Congo (which is also a republic and probably more democratic) we use the terms Congo Kinshasa and Congo Brazaville. Congo Kinshasa is the the biggest country in black Africa. It was quite good for traveling if you like your travels on the rough side, but after the death of Mobutu it is so unclear who rules what part of the country that it is too dangerous for most tastes.

Kinshasa
The capital and largest city of Congo with over 4 million inhabitants is a large, sprawling city on the Congo River directly across from Brazzaville, Congo Republic. It is one of the craziets places on the planet right now.

When things return to normal there, be sure to visit St. Anne’s Cathedral (and the art market nearby), the botanical gardens, the Aviators’ and Stanley monuments and the ethnological museum at Lovanium University.

Also spend some time people watching and walking through both the old and new sections of town to look at the various shops. In the Gombe district, the most affluent part of town, upscale shops and restaurants can be found. At night, visit the restaurants and nightclubs in the Matonge area downtown, where the high pitched sounds of live pop music ring out. Be aware that the area is notorious for robberies. Plan to stay one night in the capital. Should you have additional time, hire a taxi or car with driver and take a day to drive along the Congo River road to Zongo Falls, stopping at the little villages along the way.


The official language of the Democratic republic of Congo is French, although four local languages are widely spoken and considered as national languages too: Swahili in the east, Kikongo in the western regions, Tshiluba in the south, and Lingala in and around Kinshasa, and along the Congo.

In all there could be as many as 200 languages spoken throughout the country.

Congo's security situation is at best 'unstable,' its infrastructure in shambles and many of its citizens in fear for their lives. As for travellers, the DRC remains a no-go zone.