Things to do in Kinshasa City

Kinshasa is the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It lies on the southern banks of the great river Congo and 515 miles away from the Atlantic Ocean. Kinshasa has grown from a small fishing village into one of the largest metropolitan areas in Africa. In the past 30 years, Kinshasa has become the cultural and intellectual Centre of the Democratic Republic of Congo. This cultural influence has spread to other parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Kinshasa is the largest French speaking city in the world. The city is divided into residential, commercial and industrial zones. The industrial zone is located in the eastern part of the city, while to the west lies most of the residential apartments for the elite class of Congolese and Europeans. Most of the key administration building, embassies and offices of international organizations lie at the center.

Kinshasa is one of the most densely populated cities in Africa with about 17,000,000 people. Most of the population is young (below 22 years). The high population in the capital is mainly attributed to the civil wars that have affected the country in the recent past. Many people run away from insecure parts of the country to the large cities. Like in many developing countries, there is a sharp contrast between the poor and the rich class. One will be astonished to find great opulence and mansions in places like Binza and Ndjili while some other parts consist of mainly slum areas with the occasional middle class buildings. Most of these slum areas have poorly paved roads and you get this feeling that they are occupied by new arrivals from the remote parts of the country. Despite the contrasting lifestyles, chaos and years of civil war in some parts of the country, Congolese people have zest for life, flamboyant fashion and music.

Congolese music developed a lot faster than in other parts of Africa. By the 1960’s, Congolese music was already popular in most African countries. In Franco Luambo, Congo produced one of the best guitarists Africa has ever seen. His recordings were great masterpieces with rich wordplay covering every aspect of life. The Congolese musicians in Kinshasa were among the first to appreciate and introduce high quality recordings and live performances. The audiophile will be impressed with the quality of Congolese recordings especially in the late 1970’s and 80’s. How is the weather in Kinshasa? The temperature in Kinshasa is generally warm for much of the day from May to September. Temperatures generally drop during the rainy season between October and May.

What at the key attractions in Kinshasa? Before we go to them, you might find our article about the tourist attractions in Goma and the things to do in Congo interesting. We also have information about the top game parks in Congo.

Things to do in Kinshasa City

Check out Lola ya Bonobo: This is the only sanctuary for orphaned bonobos. Bonobos are also known as dwarf chimpanzees. They are smaller than the common chimpanzee and are only found in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This bonobo sanctuary is located in a place called Kimwenza which is outside the city. Bonobos are threatened with extinction and their numbers continue to dwindle even after being listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Their main threat comes from humans. Apart from habitat loss due to human encroachments, Bonobos are also victims of poaching, animal trafficking and are hunted for their meat. When rescued, the little primates are taken to Lola ya Bonobo, rehabilitated and taken care of until they are ready to be released back into the wild.

Visit the National Museum of Kinshasa: The Musée National de Kinshasa is a museum of historical and cultural significance to the people of Congo. It is where one can learn about the history of the city and it’s significance to the country. The museum has an archive consisting of about 46,000 objects with information about the country’s history, wildlife, rivers, lakes and the different tribes. Staff at the Museum will take you through the exhibits after which you can go and marvel at the Congo river.

Visit monumental buildings in the city: Palais de la Nation is the first place to start with. The facility was built in 1956 as the residence of the Belgian governor at the time but was later used by Patrick Lumumba (first president). Palais du Peuple or People’s Palace is another major building worth visiting. It is where the laws of the country are made. If you are on a mission trip to Congo, you should check out the Nôtre Dame Cathedral. This cathedral was built in 1947 with brick and striking glass finishing. Église Ste Anne sits on a more spacious compound and is the main Roman Catholic church in Kinshasa. To see the largest catholic church in Congo, you need to drive 120 kilometers away from Kinshasa up to Kisantu. Other prominent buildings with interesting architectural works are the International Trade Centre, the head office of the mineral marketing agency and the national broadcasting corporation. You should also read our article about the things to do in Nairobi.

Go to African Park Adventures: Lac de Ma Vallee is the name in French. This amazing park is built away from the city center. It consists of water bodies, forests and wildlife. It is an excellent place for family outings or if one is interested in a quiet place for relaxation away from the fast life of the city.

Go to the Kisantu botanical garden or visit the snake farm: After exploring Lac de Ma Vallee, you can go to this botanical gardens to enjoy the nature in a quiet and serene location outside the city. The gardens are a collection of several tree species, including old ones like cactus and herbarium. The gardens also have a restaurant serving local Congolese food as well as snacks. After visiting the botanical gardens, you might also be interested in a snake farm which is located 28 kilometers away from the city center. Serpents du Congo is home to both venomous and non-venomous snakes.

The Zongo Falls: The Zongo waterfalls lie 130 kilometers away from the city. The falls are surrounded by quiet and beautiful scenery which is quite different from what you would experience in the main city. It is an excellent spot to go to for the weekend or if you want somewhere quiet for relaxation. You can choose to walk into the rain-forest, go birding or spot small primates.

Hangout or go to the bar:  There are several places where you can go out for an evening of fun, partying and mingling with the locals or community of expatriates. Jardin d’Eden-kinshasa is a music bar and restaurant with a resident live band specializing in classic Congolese rumba. It’s an excellent place to go for relaxation and meeting new people. Kwilu bar is ideal for relaxation after work. It sits on a nice tropical garden and offers cocktail drinks (including rum). If you like loud music as you take your favorite local bear, then you should go to Bar La Crèche. Centre Culturel Français also organizes live band performances as well as cultural events and art exhibitions. Other places to consider in case you are interested in live band music is Espace Mutombo Buitshi and Zamba Playa for their talented local artists/bands.

Clubbing: The best dancing club in Kinshasa is arguably Fiesta Club. The club is popular with the working class. Expect to find the best DJs in town there. Music goes on up to the early morning. If you are tired of dancing, you can play pool, eat at the restaurant or just relax at the main lounge. If loud club music is not your thing, we recommend soft music at Montecristo Kinshasa. Another club worth considering is Black & White.

Attend Cultural Events and Shows: Those who love cultural performances will not be disappointed while in Kinshasa. Texaf Bilembo is one of the best places to go for cultural performances. The Centre has a cultural and arts gallery which hosts events and shows films. While there, you can also buy local books and handicrafts. You might be interested in our article about the top attractions in Dar es Salaam.

Eat out and try the local cuisine: Kinshasa is a large city with a large expatriate community. Because of that, there is no shortage of quality restaurants and places to eat for all types of food. If you are interested in the local cuisine, you can try out Poulet à la Moambé. This very popular Congolese dish is made up of 8 ingredients including chicken, cassava leaves and palm butter. The combination is then served with ugali (mixture of millet and cassava flour). Fish is a popular dish in Kinshasa and throughout the country because of the many water bodies. The food can be washed down with coconut drink, milk, rum or local beer.

Which are the places to eat out? There are many but you can try out Chez Flore for strictly Congolese food but with an opportunity to meet the locals. A Casa Mia and Limoncello serve both European and local dishes while Le Palais serves the best Lebanese food. For tasty sandwiches, salads, pastries and other international dishes, you should visit Eric Kayser. Restaurant Al-Dar specializes in Lebanese food and is where the affluent go to buy fast foods after work before rushing home. Fusion serves European, Chinese and Indian cuisines (in form of buffet) in a large room. All you need to do is pay a certain amount and eat all you can. You can also check out Patisserie Nouvelle after the French embassy for their pastry and coffee and Limoncello for great Italian food.

Visiting the art galleries, schools and shops: If you are wondering where to check out the local artisans, then look no further than Symphonie des Arts and Académie des Beaux-Arts. Symphonie des Arts displays pictures and art crafts from the different cultural groups in the country. Académie des Beaux-Arts is arguably the best art school in the country. It is where you get to see all the beautiful works by students, promising artists and their professors. If you want to support a good cause should go and support the disabled artists at Je Gagne Ma Vie.

Visit the city markets: The best way to learn about the culture of a new country or city is to visit their main markets. It is in the market that you will meet the everyday people and get to learn a lot of things. The first place to check out is the central market also known as  Le Grand marché. It is the biggest market in the country and one of the largest in Africa. Go with someone who knows the place and try not to move with any valuables.

Things to consider when visiting Kinshasa City

The Democratic Republic is a country that is still struggling with civil wars especially in the North Eastern part of the country. The results of the civil wars and political instability is clearly visible once you enter in the country. Go expecting that nothing is perfect. The country is blessed with vast natural resources and will one day be visited by many. For now, tread carefully when you visit the Democratic Republic of Congo. Kinshasa is relatively safe but visitors need to exercise caution especially when moving alone and in the night. As a developing country with many people living below the poverty line, there are cases of mugging, pick-pocketing and outright theft. Always seek advice from trusted locals, your hotel staff or driver when going out and to places you are not familiar with.

The best way to Enter Kinshasa is by air. Kinshasa airport is becoming one of the busiest in central Africa and receives flights from Istanbul, Lagos, Johannesburg, Brussels and Paris. The airport is located outside the city. After disembarking from the plane, you have to drive for about 25 kilometers to reach the city Centre. Taxis can be got from the airport but you can also hire a private car. It is important to note that apart from a valid passport all travelers are required to have the Congo Visa and yellow fever vaccination card before entering into the country. The Congo Visa costs $100 and needs to be applied for at least a month before a trip.