Expatriates Forums in Congo-DRC

Tourist or Transit visa

luangwablondes — Wed Feb 18, 2009 11:05 pm

Author: luangwablondes

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 11:05 pm

Pedicle Road between Kitwe and Mansa Zambia opened at the end of 2008. I cannot find information on the visa requirements and documentation for vehicles to transit this section of the DRC. Can someone direct me to where I may find this information?

Robbie

FOREIGN DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN D.R. CONGO

Congo-DRC Info — Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:22 am

Author: Congo-DRC Info

Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:22 am

FOREIGN DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN D.R. CONGO

BELGIUM
Embassy of Belgium
Place du 27 Octobre,
Gombe,
Kinshasa
Phone: (+243) (89) 24 233 / (12) 20 110
Fax: (+243) (12) 21 058
E-mail: kinshasa@diplobel.org
Website: www.diplobel.org/congo

BENIN
Embassy of Benin
3990 Avenue des Cliniques,
Gombe,
Kinshasa
Phone: (+243) (9 128659
E-mail: abkin@raga.net

BRAZIL
Embassy of Brazil
97, Avenue du Roi Baudouin,
Gombe,
Kinshasa
Phone: (+243) 81700 9471 / 9472 / 81710 0204
Fax: (+243) 81346-4257
E-mail: brasemb.kinshasa@ic.cd , brasemb.kinshasa@gmail.com

CANADA
Embassy of Canada
17, Pumbu Avenue,
Gombe Commune,
Kinshasa
Phone: (+243) 895 0310 / 1 / 2
Fax: (+243) 997 5403 / 81 301 6515
E-mail: kinshasa@international.gc.ca
Website: www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/world/embassies/drc/

CHINA
Embassy of China
447, Avenue des Aviateurs,
Gombe,
Kinshasa
Phone (+243) 813 330263
E-mail: chinaemb_cd@mfa.gov.cn
Website: www.cg.china-embassy.org

CZECH REPUBLIC
Embassy of the Czech Republic
42, Avenue Kalemie,
Gombe,
Kinshasa
Phone: (+243) 81 3330134
Fax: (+243) 88 45847
Email: kinshasa@embassy.mzv.cz

DENMARK
Royal Danish Consulate General
3 Chemin Riviera,
Joli Parc, Ngaliema,
Kinshasa
Phone: (+243) 99 999 04
E-mail: cons_dk_drc@gmx.net , walter.f@mweb.co.za

EGYPT
Embassy of Egypt
519 Avenue Ouganda,
Gombe,
Kinshasa
Phone: (+243) 51 10137 / (+243) 12 34368
Fax: (+243) 88 03728

FRANCE
Embassy of France
97 Avenue du Tchad,
Kinshasa
Phone: (+243) 81 700 72 13 / 14

GERMANY
Embassy of Germany
82, Avenue du Roi Baudouin,
Gombe,
Kinshasa
Phone: (+243) 89 48 201 / 202
Fax: (+243) 99 25 943
E-mail: amballemagne@ic.cd

GREECE
Embassy of Greece
Immeuble de la Communaute Hellenique,
Boulevard du 30 Juin No 87,
Gombe,
Kinshasa
Phone: (+243) 81 8844862-3
Fax: (+243) 81 8801002
E-mail: gremb.kin@mfa.gr

ITALY
Embassy of Italy
8, Avenue de la Mongala,
Gombe,
Kinshasa
Phone: (+243) 81 8804302
Fax: (+243) 9975360
E-mail: ambitalykin@ic.cd
Website: www.ambkinshasa.esteri.it

JAPAN
Embassy of Japan
Building Citibank, 2 ème étage,
Avenue Colonel Lukusa,
Gombe,
Kinshasa
Phone: (+870) 763 959 667
Fax: (+870) 763 959 668
Website: www.rdc.emb-japan.go.jp

MOROCCO
Embassy of Morocco
5, Avenue de l'Ouganda,
Gombe,
Kinshasa
Phone: (+243) 88 01162
Fax: (+243) 88 01162
E-mail: ambmaroc.kin@ic.cd

NETHERLANDS
Embassy of Netherlands
Avenue Nzongotolo 11,
Immeuble Residence 55,
Gombe,
Kinshasa
Phone: (+243) 98001140 / 1142
Fax: (+243) 9975326
Email: kss@minbuza.nl

POLAND
Embassy of Poland
63, Avenue de la Justice,
Gombe,
Kinshasa
Phone: (+243) 817006327
Fax: (+243) 817006327
E-mail: kinpolamb@yahoo.com

PORTUGAL
Embassy of Portugal
270, Avenue des Aviateurs,
Gombe,
Kinshasa
Phone: (+243) 1 28844470
E-mail: portrdc@ic.cd

RUSSIA
Embassy of the Russian Federation
80, Avenue de la Justice,
Gombe,
Kinshasa
Phone: (+243) 998 743-189
Fax: (+243) 999 975-135
E-mail: ambrus_drc@mail.ru
Website: www.drc.mid.ru

SOUTH AFRICA
Embassy of South Africa
77, Avenue Ngongo Lutete,
Gombe,
Kinshasa
Phone: (+243) 88 48287 / 81 3330085
Fax: (+243) 880 4152
E-mail: ambasud@ckt.cd

SPAIN
Embassy of Spain
Building 30 Juin.
Building Communauté Hellénique,
Gombe,
Kinshasa
Phone: (+243) 81 8843195
Fax: (+243) 81 3010396
E-mail: ambespcd@mail.mae.es , ambespagne@ic.cd

SWEDEN
Embassy of Sweden
93, Avenue du Roi Baudouin,
Gombe,
Kinshasa
Phone: (+243) 9818 2528 / 9817 4289
E-mail: ambassaden.kinshasa@foreign.ministry.se

SWITZERLAND
Swiss Embassy
654, Boulevard Colonel Tshatshi,
Commune de Gombe,
Kinshasa
Congo (Democratic Republic)
Phone: (+243) 894 68 00 / 01
E-mail: vertretung@kin.rep.admin.ch

UK
British Embassy
83, Avenue du Roi Baudouin,
Gombe,
Kinshasa
Phone: (+243) 98 169100 / 11
Fax: (+243) 88 46102
E-mail: ambrit@ic.cd

USA
Embassy of United States
310, Avenue des Aviateurs,
Gombe,
Kinshasa
Phone: (+243) 81 2255872
Fax: (+243) 81 3010531 / 560
Website: www.kinshasa.usembassy.gov

HOTELS DIRECTORY IN D.R. CONGO / D.R. CONGO HOTEL GUIDE

Congo-DRC Info — Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:22 am

Author: Congo-DRC Info

Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:22 am

HOTELS DIRECTORY IN D.R. CONGO

Grand Hotel Kinshasa
Avenue Batetela,
Gombe,
Kinshasa
Phone: (+243) 81 811 0003
Fax: (+243) 884 1500 / 8801625 / 81 261 6009 / 16011
Email: grandhotelkinshasa@ic.cd , grandhotelkinshasa@yahoo.fr

Hotel Belle Vue
corner Avenue Mwepu,
Lubumbashi
Phone: (+243) 81 505 6409 / 81 815 1117
Email: eximint2@hotmail.com

Hotel Estoril
85 Avenue Kabasele,
Gombe.
Kinshasa
Tel: (+243) 89 891 2210
Fax: (+243) 139 8115
Email: hotelestorilrdc@yahoo.fr

Hotel Memling Kinshasa
5, Avenue du Chad,
Kinshasa
Phone: (+243) 81 700 1111
Fax: (+243) 81 301 3333
Email: info@memling.net
Website: http://www.memling.net

Park Hotel
50, Boulevard Mzee Kabila,
Lubumbashi
Tel: (+243) 9703 2330 / 9983 6586
Fax: (+243) 234 2793 / 2643
Email: cth_parkhotel@yahoo.fr

GETTING AROUND IN D.R. CONGO / D.R. CONGO TRANSPORT GUIDE

Congo-DRC Info — Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:21 am

Author: Congo-DRC Info

Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:21 am

GETTING AROUND IN D.R. CONGO

BY AIR

There are connections from N’Djili Airport (Kinshasa) to over 40 internal airports and 150 landing strips. Small planes may be available for charter.

BY RIVER

Over 1600km (1000 miles) of the Congo River are navigable and, in normal circumstances, there are services from Kinshasa to the upriver ports of Kisangani and Ilébo. Services at present, however, are unreliable owing to political instability and fuel shortages.

BY RAIL

The main internal railway runs from Lubumbashi to Ilébo, with a branch to Kalemie and Kindu, and from Kinshasa to the port of Matadi. Rail services are generally subject to disruption. There is no air conditioning, but there are couchettes and dining cars on the principal trains.

BY ROAD

Traffic drives on the right. Owing to poor maintenance, the roads are among the worst in Africa and only achieve a fair standard around the main towns. It is wise to check that bridges are safe before crossing. Vehicle thefts, including hijackings at gunpoint, occur.

Bus

Services run between the main towns but are crowded and unreliable.

Taxi

Available in Kinshasa but unreliable.

Car rental

Available on a limited basis at the airport.

Documentation: International Driving Permit required.

URBAN TRANSPORTATION

Conventional bus services in Kinshasa can be severely overcrowded. Minibuses and converted truck-buses also offer public transport, and are known as fula fulas. Pick-up trucks are known as ‘taxibuses’. A better standard of transport is provided by shared taxis, which are widely available. There is little or no public transport in most other large centres.

D.R. CONGO TRAVEL INFORMATION / D.R. CONGO TRAVEL GUIDE

Congo-DRC Info — Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:20 am

Author: Congo-DRC Info

Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:20 am

D.R. CONGO TRAVEL INFORMATION

Full Name

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Capital City

Kinshasa

Area

2,345,410 sq km
905,563 sq miles

Population
56,625,039

Time Zone

GMT/UTC +1 (+2 East)

Languages

French (official)

Lingala (other)

Swahili (other)

Religion

Roman Catholic (50%), Protestant (20%), Kimbanguist (10%), Muslim (10%), other syncretic sects and indigenous beliefs (10%)

Currency

New Zaire (CFAF)

Electricity

220V 50HzHz

Electric Plug Details

European plug with two circular metal pins

South African/Indian-style plug with two circular metal pins above a large circular grounding pin

Country Dialing Code

243

D.R. CONGO TOURISM GUIDE / TOURISM IN D.R. CONGO

Congo-DRC Info — Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:19 am

Author: Congo-DRC Info

Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:19 am

D.R. CONGO TOURISM GUIDE

This is a vast country, with an almost non-existent transport infrastructure; it has not been developed for tourism and this should be borne in mind when considering sightseeing.

KINSHASA & THE WEST

Kinshasa

The capital does not have many sights of historic interest, but the visitor interested in the past should not miss the prehistoric and ethnological museums at Kinshasa University, an ensemble of light, rectangular, well laid-out buildings standing on a hillside. A brightly coloured chapel crowns the top of the hill. Nearby is a corner of the equatorial forest surrounding a beautiful lake called Ma Vallée with a tavern on its banks.

Other attractions include the fishing port of Kinkole, the Gardens of the Presidential Farm of Nsele made of pagodas, and the extensive pools where angling and swimming may be enjoyed. In both the markets and the suburbs of Kinshasa, there are craftspeople who produce wood and metal items. The National Museum includes some unique pieces of national art.

SOUTHWEST CONGO & BANDUNDU

The Inkisi Falls (60m/197ft high) at Zongo and the caves in the region of Mbanza-Ngungu may be visited in one day, but it is preferable to stay for two or three days, for Mbanza-Ngungu is a pleasant resort with a good climate. While in the Mbanza-Ngungu area the visitor should stop at Kisantu to visit the Frère Gillet Botanic Gardens with their world-famous rare orchids.

Further west are the wild slopes and gorges of the River Kwilu, 120km (75 miles) from Mataoi; on the right bank of the river is a spot of rugged beauty called Inga. The woods, caves and waterfalls of Boma and equatorial Mayumbe and the Tombs of Tshela can be visited on the way to the ocean beach of Moanda.

Less easily accessible is the upper valley of the Kwango in the southwest. A long journey through a region of unspoiled natural beauty leads to the Tembo (formerly Guillaume) Falls.

CENTRAL & EASTERN CONGO

Kasai & Shaba

In the south, the Upemba National Park straddles the River Lualaba, northeast of Bukama, and includes several lakes inhabited by hippos, crocodiles and numerous aquatic birds. Here too are fishermen, cattle farmers and peasants, as well as a number of mining communities. Kananga and Mbuji-Mayi are typical tropical towns; Kalemie and the banks of Lake Tanganyika are reminiscent of the French Riviera.

The whole of the south is dotted with freshwater lakes such as Munkamba, Fwa and Kasai; there are also numerous impressive waterfalls, such as Kiobo, on the River Lufira, and Lofol, 384m (1259ft) high, north of Lubumbashi.

UPPER CONGO & THE KIVU

The high plateau of Congo extend across the eastern part of the country, around lakes Tanganyika, Kivu, Edward, Albert and Bukavu. Bunia is a small, pretty town featuring villas, restaurants and hotels.

In the north is the Garamba National Park, covering 400,000 hectares and featuring lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and giraffes. Lake Albert, which contains more fish than any other lake in Africa, lies at an altitude of over 618m (2027ft). It can be reached from Bunia, which is also the point of departure for numerous excursions into the forests and mountains, native villages, the Caves of Mount Hoyo and the Escaliers de Venus Falls.
Lake Edward is the home of birds of all sizes and colours. The highest peak in the Ruwenzori range is the Pic Marguerite, at an altitude of 5119m (15,795ft). The snowline is at 533m (1776ft). This region is also inhabited by gorillas and by the extremely rare okapi. The mountain scenery between Goma and Beni was regarded as some of the most spectacular in Africa, although the volcanic eruption of Nyiragongo, 3470m (11,385ft) in January 2002, damaged the surrounding area to some extent.

VIRUNGA NATIONAL PARK

Covering an area of 12,000 sq km (4633 sq miles), this comprises an immense plain bounded by two jagged mountain ranges that serve as a natural enclosure for the animals which roam at liberty in this huge natural reserve. Game includes numerous lions, elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, antelopes, hippos and colorful aquatic birds.