For long Congo has had a negative image on the international scene dominated by civil wars and corrupt political officials yet the country is blessed with a variety of wildlife species including the endangered mountain gorillas. The country is located along mid West Africa coast neighboring Central African Republic, Congo (Brazzaville), Gabon, Angola and Cameroon with its capital city in Kinshasa. Most of the land area of the country is covered with the massive equatorial forests with many rivers and streams that flow along. The equatorial forest of Congo is a home to many bird species, mammals, primates, butterflies and other aquatic wild life like frogs, fish and reptiles like crocodiles among others.
Congo is used to refer to two countries; Democratic Republic of Congo with the capital city in Kinshasa and republic of Congo whose capital is Brazzaville. These two countries have for so long had a lot of instabilities however it’s worse in Democratic Republic of Congo and all visitors/ tourists going there are always cautioned to get enough information about what they are getting in to and maximum security.
Tourist attractions
Kinshasa
This is Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital city located at the Atlantic Ocean coast. The city is very famous for its pictorial artifacts at the University of Kinshasa, Nsele presidential farm gardens, Kinkole fishing port plus many night clubs and happening places.
Wildlife
Congo is blessed with a variety of wildlife species ranging from crocodiles, bird species, hippos, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, lions, the famous Virunga Mountains, mountain gorillas. The countries also have many water bodies that include Lake Albert and Lake Edward shared by Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, Lac Bleu in republic of Congo, rivers like
Lualamba, Kouillou, the Rwenzori ranges that cuts across to Uganda. Other major attractions include Inkisi falls, Loufoulakari falls, cliffs, gorges, caves and orchid botanical gardens at Mbanza- Ngungu.
Climate
The Congo has a tropical climate, remaining consistently hot and humid all year round, particularly in its equatorial regions. Annual temperatures average between 21C and 27C. The rainy season lasts from October to May with the Congo’s northern rainforests having an annual rainfall of 1100 mm.
Climatic Conditions
Congo’s annual temperatures range from 21-27C with an average rainfall of about 1100mm. the temperature is mainly humid and year through out the year. The region has two main seasons the wet and dry season. The wet season mainly starts around October and ends in May.
Health
There is a high disease risk in especially in democratic republic of Congo and therefore travelers are advised to get proper information and advice regarding the necessary vaccinations they are supposed to get before they visit the country.
It’s also advisable to move with cash or a credit card because most times medical providers do not accept payments through insurance companies. These medical personnel’s also prefer immediate payment after doing their jobs.
Where to stay
There are various low cost accommodation facilities in Congo best for back packer tourist. Better accommodation facilities can be got in the main urban cities of Brazzaville, Kinshasa, Pointe Noire and Loubomo. Le meridian hotel is the most prominent standard hotel offering international standard services selling both African and French cuisines. Other standard hotels can be got in pointe noire and Kinshasa. Most of the low cost accommodation facilities are of poor hygiene and mainly offer basic services.