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Capital and most populous city of DR Congo
Photo: flickr:Radio Okapi, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Kinshasa is the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It faces Brazzaville, the capital of the neighbouring Republic of the Congo, which can be seen in the distance across the wide Congo River. While sprawling, chaotic and often intimidating, Kinshasa is also a major cultural and intellectual center for Central Africa with a flourishing community of musicians and artists.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Musée national de la République Démocratique du Congo
First opened in 1970, this museum moved to new premises in June 2019. Hosts a large selection of ethnographic objects.
The world's only sanctuary for orphaned bonobos. Since 2002, the sanctuary has been located at Les Petites Chutes de la Lukaya, just outside of Kinshasa.
A small village in the eastern part of the city's rural area. It's on the RN1 (Boulevard Lumumba), further than the airport. It has a nice restaurant area where you can enjoy all the local food on a terrace. A lot of people come here to relax so there's a lot of people trying to get you into their business. If you go closer to the river there's a fisherman market where food from the river is brought. Be careful if you want to take pictures, you'll probably have to pay someone first as this is considered the international border.
A small village in the eastern part of the city's rural area. It's on the RN1 (Boulevard Lumumba), further than the airport. It has a nice restaurant area where you can enjoy all the local food on a terrace. A lot of people come here to relax so there's a lot of people trying to get you into their business. If you go closer to the river there's a fisherman market where food from the river is brought. Be careful if you want to take pictures, you'll probably have to pay someone first as this is considered the international border.
It might seem a little out of place in Africa, but it's a commercialized drive-thru wildlife safari hosting lions, giraffes, etc, plus it also has a restaurant, pool, and pedestrian suspension bridge across the Nsele River.
A private park and relaxation area with superior views of the mighty Congo River.
Tour de l'Échangeur de Limete
One of the tallest buildings in Africa. Planned as a monument to Patrice Lumumba in 1966, the tower remained unfinished for decades until finally completed in 2011. As of 2022 it's possible to visit the surrounding garden, but the tower itself is not open.
Catholic Church built in 1947.
Le Caf Conc
The most expensive restaurant in the DRC, allegedly!
High class restaurant, belongs to the golf club.
Great food. Belgian-French influences with a few Congolese dishes. Rather pricy but worth it, generous portions and great service. Safe parking on hotel premises
A terrace patio bar overlooking the city with tiki torches.
A hopping place after midnight.
Lots of soft neon lights, and a courtyard.
Cigars, tapas, champagne, little twinkly lights.
Small western-style bar and disco.
Upscale club/lounge.
Strobe lights on dance and party floor.
On the boulevard in the Gecamines/Sozacom building, the highest building in Kinshasa, close to the central station. Definitely an interesting experience for those that dare confront the local girls.
The style bar of the Sultani Hotel has been changed and is now providing a comfortable feeling and (jazz) partys every Friday, live music, no ticket to pay. Prices for drinks start at about 8 USD for cocktails.
The Memling's main bar. Classy setting. Business during the day, try their wild Congolese tea infused with lemongrass, a must. Cozy lounge in the evening with jazz, blues, soul music in the background. Happy hour from 18:00-20:00, where they do BOGO nights for draught beers and kwilu rhum cocktails and world music
The Memling Hotel's pool bar, nice food, has an upper terrace, a little oasis overlooking the pool with semi-private little gazebos - great little romantic hangout. The pool bar & charcoal grill definitely serves the best burger and bbq in town. Safari BBQ in dry season. Does BOGO nights/Happy Hour for draught beers and kwilu rhum cocktails from 17:00 to 19:00. Enclosed, guarded parking on the hotel property
Outdoor pool and patio.
Hotel featuring breakfast and other dining.
Pink structure
A simple 3-star hotel just off the main boulevard, with swimming pool.
Probably the best and second most expensive hotel in town. Has been around since 1937, and has since then maintained its place as the city's Number One venue on this side of the river. Wireless Internet throughout, nice but small pool, bar and restaurants, good Belgium food. Expect to pay US$300/night plus $28 for breakfast and $30 for 24 hour access to Internet ($75 for week). Hertz car rental are at the hotel, along with mobile phone companies, gift shops and the usual souvenirs. Excellent conference facilities, the hotel is located within 5 to 10 minutes of the city's main business and political ventures.
The Grand Hotel is the other fancy hotel in the city, and well located near the river, embassies and luxury homes; it is frequented by locals as well as internationals. Located near the Congo River and near new developments including the Financial Centre and new shopping centres.
4-star. Expect to pay US$270/night Bed &Breakfast, with Wifi, tea coffee and water complimentary. Restaurant, cafe, cigar lounge, conference centre, in the city centre next to Brussels Airlines office.
In the city centre, close to the River Congo. There is wireless Internet included in the price and provided throughout the hotel. Prices start at US$175 for a room. The price/quality ratio is attractive compared to the other hotels. The hotel offers a business lunch for $15 which is quite rare to get in the otherwise very expensive city. Staff are motivated and speak English, French, German and Chinese.
Renovated in 2012, Fleuve is now one of the most luxurious hotels in town.
Hotel Pyramide is a small, but luxury hotel, about 5 km out of the city centre. All rooms have a bathroom with Jacuzzi, warm water, hairdryer and a fridge. In March 2008 however, there was only cold water available and in insufficient quantities to take a proper shower or bath. Most rooms are spacious (some are like a small apartment) and dispose of flatscreen TVs and one or two air-conditioning units.
A small guesthouse across the street from Grand Hotel. Great location in Gombe, a block away from the River Congo (great walking/jogging route) and many of the European embassies. About the same price as the Grand Hotel, but here the price includes free wifi in all the rooms. A calm oasis in Kinshasa. Some English spoken. Only 9 rooms (avoid rooms 1 and 3). Also a well-used conference facility, and the quality of service deteriorates when staff are occupied with a function. There are small fridges in the rooms, but no safe deposit facility, and only a couple of French/Congolese TV channels.
Pool with diving board.
Supermarket chain. Stores are in many parts of town.
Larger supermarket chain available in several parts of town
By train
The railway of Congo covered the entire country during colonial times, but has deteriorated.
By car
Apart from the road Matadi to Kinshasa a car is no means for overland travel.
By bus
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.
Kinshasa is notorious for its huge traffic jams. It can take up to 2 hours to travel 500m. Avoid commuting time to go around the city.
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Brazzaville · International · BZV
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