TOURISM IN CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE(Africa)
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Famous for its welcoming culture and rich history, the Republic of Congo has a well-developed tourist infrastructure. Whether you’re interested in safaris, rain forest hikes, sun-drenched beaches, or Brazzaville’s vibrant mix of art, nightlife, and history, Congo-Brazzaville has you covered.
Not to be confused with the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire, also known as Congo-Kinshasa), Congo-Brazzaville nevertheless shares that region’s natural beauty and is much easier for outsiders to navigate and explore.
The Top 10: What to Do in the Republic of Congo
1. National Parc Ndoki-Nouabalé: Besides being home to more than 1,000 species of plants, as well as gorillas, elephants, antelopes, and over 300 types of birds, National Parc Ndoki-Nouabalé is one of the country’s best-staffed parks. The virgin rain forest is not navigable in some places, and a guide is essential for walking or boat tours. Most visitors to the park arrive via airplane from Brazzaville or Pointe Noire.
2. Lesio-Louna Gorilla Reserve: The Congo is home to some 80 percent of the world’s wild gorillas and chimpanzees, and even the most nature-averse traveler will fall in love with the chimp families and majestic gorillas that romp around the country’s several reserves. Although Ndoki-Nouabalé National Park remains the best location for seeing all kinds of wildlife, Lesio-Louna virtually guarantees close encounters with primates and is quite accessible, only a short drive north of Brazzaville.
3. Brazzaville’s Waterfalls: Although Congo-Brazzaville’s waterfalls are generally not as impressive as the ones in Congo-Kinshasa, Loufoulakari Falls and the nearby Bela Falls are the exceptions that prove the rule. Cutting noisily through a tangle of untouched rain forest, these waterfalls are relatively easy to reach from Brazzaville and offer lovely panoramas of the surrounding forest.
4. Poto Poto: Perhaps Brazzaville’s most famous arrondissement, Poto Poto draws in many tourists with its sprawling market, where you can bargain with local vendors for handicrafts, food, and clothing. Traditionally part of the West African area of town, Poto Poto is also known for a laid-back and popular bar scene as well as its painting school, established in 1951.
5. Pointe Noire: This city’s convenient port (possessing the only deepwater harbor in Africa south of Dakar) and offshore oil reserves make it a center for opulence and expats, although most of the locals still live in poverty. Pointe Noire has a livelier and more expensive club scene than Brazzaville, but it is generally worth the cost. Visitors have a choice between the pricey bars on Avenue General de Gaulle and a more authentic experience in La Cité, Pointe Noire’s “African district.” The beaches outside the city are world class, and diving equipment and fishing boat rentals are readily available.
6. Northern Congo Trekking: Although driving to this part of the country is not a pursuit for those with weak stomachs (or weak transmissions), doing so affords as much authenticity as you can get in Africa, and the lifestyle in its traditional villages is vastly different from what one can observe in Pointe Noire and Brazzaville. It is possible to hire a guide from Ouesso, Oyo, or Owanda who can lead you on rain forest hikes, and will also take you to pygmy villages on request.
7. Basilique Sainte-Anne and Central Mosque: In architecturally sophisticated Brazzaville, places of worship aren’t just lovely; they’re innovative, serene, and difficult to bypass. Why would anyone want to? Basilique Sainte-Anne is a gorgeous modern Catholic church, and the Temple Mosque has attractive mosaics and a beautifully decorated inner chamber.
8. Congo Rapids: The rapids, which start and stop along the Congo River between Brazzaville and Kinshasa, are unsafe to raft on but are quite pretty and wonderful to walk along. Most of the city’s bars and clubs are nearby, so the white water is a picturesque location at which to mingle with expats and locals.
When to Go
Congo’s wet season lasts from October to May. During that time, roads tend to turn into muddy quagmires and unwitting tourists into mosquito bait. Avoid this period, especially if you plan on venturing outside of Brazzaville or Pointe Noire. Instead, visit between June and August or during the shorter dry season in December.
Asian companies invest in transportation in Congo-Brazzaville
The Congolese government and a state-owned Chinese company AVIC International Company signed an agreement in Brazzaville to repair Chinese-made planes and supply aircraft for the revival of the state-owned carrier Air Congo. The agreement will enable Air Congo to benefit from maintenance service, repair the M6 60 type plane grounded because of the lack of spare parts and take delivery of a similar plane in February 2013.
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European tourists still remain important part of the incoming receipts
As many immigrants have their relatives in Congo-Brazzaville, the inbound flow from European countries (France, Belgium) has an impact on the country’s receipts from tourism. Europe is also considered as a potential source of ecotourists, who would come to the country to see its rich nature.
The Pointe-Noire-Brazzaville National Highway
The presence of a port and the construction of an international airport is turning Pointe-Noire into a leading city in international African trade. Eventually, once the final section is completed in 2013, the national road will pass through all the major cities of the Congo: Nkayi, Madingou, Loutété, and Mindouli. This road will promote economic and social development in the country, improving transportation means for citizens and establishing easier access to health facilities and education. The road should also help promote both domestic and international tourism by opening up the northern part of the country.
Congo opens up to the world with airports
The Maya-Maya International airport of Brazzaville, which is being expanded and modernised, will, upon completion of this work, be one of the most modern airports within the subregion. The government’s decision to upgrade the country’s airports shows Congo’s willingness to open up to the world. Built by Chinese development company Weihai International Economic Technical Cooperative Co Ltd, the airport in Maya-Maya is undergoing renovations that should be completed by the end of 2012. The new airport will feature seven air passenger bridges, two of which will accommodate the largest planes. Officials hope to welcome two million passengers a year. The airport will have parking capacity for up to 800 cars and a world-class hotel is being built nearby. The second airport in the country under construction is Ollombo International airport. Renovating the airports in Congo would allow for the development of prosperous inbound flows.
Travel alert still in place for some parts of Congo-Brazzaville
Congo-Brazzaville is relatively stable and still recovering from the Civil War. However, travel alerts as a result of armed robberies and roadblocks continue to be in place in some parts of the country, which remain unsafe for travellers, in particular the Pool region south of Brazzaville along with the Ubangi River on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo and on the rail routes between Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire.
Congo was a perfect destination before the civil war. Will a Marketing Plan solve the problem?
