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Ikela Tourist Places to Visit in Ikela, Tshuapa, Congo, Africa

Ikela Tourist Places to Visit in Ikela, Tshuapa, Congo, Africa

Ikela is a town belonging to the Tshuapa District in the Équateur province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is situated on the bank of the Tshuapa River, between 1°11′ S latitude and 23°16′ E longitude. Ikela is a town with relatively all basic and modern facilities including an airport. Ikela is the administrative centre of Ikela Territory. Ikela originated as a trading post in the beginning of the twentieth century during the Belgian colonial period. Ikela was also one of the cities of DRC heavily damaged by the Second Congo War. Currently Ikela is mainly noted as a market town.

Connectivity to Ikela:

Like most Congolese airports, Ikela Airport is currently inactive, which recives no scheduled flights. The closest year round functioning airport to Ikela is Boende Airport, which is situated around 400 km from Ikela and operates scheduled flights from Kinshasa and Mbandaka, served by Compagnie Africaine d’Aviation.

Ikela is connected to Boende by direct road link towards the northwest and Kisangani towards the northeast. Buses are rare to see in Ikela but visitors can hire a car or bike from the locals for local travel.

Culture, Food and Shopping in Ikela:

Before reaching any city or town, knowing local culture would be helpful to mingle with locals. When come to Ikela’s culture, the greater percentage of people are Christians, who are fond of nature and show ultimate interest in serving visitors.

When comes to food and shopping, Ikela houses few modernized shops and restaurants but many traditional options with tourist favor items.

Things to do in Ikela:

Walking at Tshuapa River
Town tour
Shopping

Places to see in Ikela:

Tshuapa River:

The Tshuapa River measures a length of approximately 1000 km, which flows through the town of Ikela. Apart from Ikela’s people considered it as an economy source, the Tshuapa River is famous among tourists coming to Ikela, who use it to enjoy different water sport activities like fishing, swimming and relaxation point.

Ikela Airport:

The Ikela Airport is situated within the city premise. Although being inactive, the airport sees a large number of visitors year round for its nice location and lovely and impressive surroundings.

Parc National De La Salonga:

UNESCO World Heritage Site, Parc National De La Salonga or the Salonga National Park is the largest tropical rainforest reserve of Africa, situated to the southwest of Ikela. Established in 1970, the park occupies an area of 36,000 km², housing a wide range of animal species, including Congo Peacock, leopards, forest elephants, Dryas monkeys and bonobos. The park is also frequented by bird lovers and hikers.

List of other places of interest near Ikela include:

Garamba National Park
Boyoma Falls
Livingstone Falls
Okapi Wildlife Reserve
Tumba Lediima Natural Reserve
Bailey Bridge
Basankusu Market
Salonga National Park
Maiko National Park
Petites Chutes de la Lukaya
Lola ya Bonobo
Kahuzi-Biéga National Park
Mount Nyiragongo
Virunga National Park

Best time to visit Ikela:

The tour of Ikela can be enjoyed best between the months of May and June when weather is greatly supportive for outdoor activities in Ikela.

Hotels in Ikela:

Hotels are limited in Ikela, highly traditional options with limited facilities and services. So visitors can consider the suggestion of considering the national capital Kinshasa’s hotels for accommodation, which is also recommended and hotels in Kinshasa are provided below:

Fleuve Congo Hotel
Guest House Residence
Hotel Ave Maria
Castelo Hotel
Hotel Pour Vous
Hotel Memling
Guest House San Pedro Kinshasa
Residence Le Consul
Havre de Paix
Guest House de Ma Campagne
Grand Hotel Kinshasa
La Difference Plus
Hotel Belle Vie
Hotel Royal
Hotel Amaritsah

Beautiful Tourist Places in Bukavu, South Kivu, Congo, Africa

Beautiful Tourist Places in Bukavu, South Kivu, Congo, Africa

Bukavu is a city situated in the South Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, located around 2450 km east of the national capital, Kinshasa. Bukavu is the administrative centre of the South Kivu province, located on the southwestern shore of Lake Kivu at an elevation of 1,498 meters. The geographical coordinates of Bukavu are 2°30′ S 28°52′ E and the city covers an area of 60 sq. km.

The magnificent structure Our Lady of Peace Cathedral is the prime landmark of Bukavu. Bukavu itself houses many manmade and natural tourist attractions and is also the gateway to Kahuzi-Biéga National Park.

History of Bukavu:

Historically Bukavu was one of the parts of a regional power Bushi Kingdom. Before the arrival of Belgians at the end of the 19th century, Bukavu had also seen the reign of the Arab rulers. The Belgian colonial authority founded Bukavu in 1901 and ruled until the country’s independence in 1960.

Conenctivity to Bukavu:

Bukavu is served by Kavumu Airport, situated around 30 km north of the city centre of Bukavu. The airport probably receives scheduled flights from Kinshasa. The closest international airport to Bukavu is Goma International Airport. This airport operates flights from Beni, Kinshasa and Kisangani and is situated around 640 km from Bukavu.

Although road is not paved, Bukavu can be reached by bus from Goma and Kisangani. The local transportation of Bukavu is catered by minibuses and rental cars.

Food and Shopping in Bukavu:

Bukavu is comparatively upgraded city than most Congolese cities with both traditional and modernized shops and restaurants. Here are two recommended restaurants in Bukavu:

Roby
Orchids

Things to do in Bukavu:

Exploring lake
Visiting nearby national park
Boat riding
Fishing

Tourist Attractions in Bukavu:

Our Lady of Peace Cathedral:

The Our Lady of Peace Cathedral is a splendid manmade structure and the highlight of Bukavu. It is visited by a substantial number of people, both devotees and tourists throughout the year for its striking construction and holiness.

Lake Kivu:

The Lake Kivu is spread over an area of 2,700 sq. km, situated on the border of Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. The city of Bukavu lies on the southwestern shore of the lake, where one can enjoy fishing, boat riding, swimming and many other different water sports.

Kahuzi-Biéga National Park:

Situated around 30 km west of Bukavu, the Kahuzi-Biéga National Park is one of the renowned tourist destinations of DRC and it gained place on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. The park is mainly famous for Eastern Lowland Gorillas and other floral species include hylochere, Maclaud’s horseshoe bat, and Alexander’s bush squirrel.

List of other places of interest near Bukavu include:

Panzi Hospital
Virunga National Park
Mount Nyiragongo
Garamba National Park
Boyoma Falls
Maiko National Park
Salonga National Park
Zongo Falls
Musee National de Kinshasa
Petites Chutes de la Lukaya
Virunga National Park
Okapi Wildlife Reserve

Best time to visit Bukavu:

Bukavu features a tropical wet and dry and the best time to visit Bukavu is from May to September.

Hotels in and around Bukavu:

Being a prominent tourist destination, Bukavu houses many well facilitated hotels with the blend of traditional and latest amenities like food on request, AC, TV and arrangement of vehicle for local sightseeing. All the major hotels in the city offer advance booking facility for visitors’ convenience. The popular hotels in Bukavu and Goma (around 210 km from Bukavu, the last 7 hotels) are as follows:

Eden Hotel
Orchids Safari Club
Hotel Horizon
Hotel Mont Kahuzi
Hotel Elila
Hotel Residence
Hotel Horizon
Nard Hotel
Hotel Ihusi
Mbiza Hotel
VIP Palace Goma
Linda Hotel Goma
Hotel Congomani
Hotel la Versaille
Ishango Goma

Places to Visit in Boma, Congo, Central Africa, Africa

Places to Visit in Boma, Congo, Central Africa, Africa

Boma is a town situated on the banks of the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, around 100 km from the country’s border lying on the Atlantic Ocean coastline. It falls under the Bas-Congo province, covering an area of 65 sq. km. Boma hosts a port on the river bank with exportation of bananas, cacao and timber. Boma geographically coordinates with 5°51′ S latitude and 13°03′ E longitude and lies around 60 meters above sea level. Boma experiences a tropical wet and dry climate.

History of Boma:

Boma initially originated as a slaving station in the 16th century. Boma served as the capital of the Congo Free State and Belgian Congo from 1886 until the capital moved to Léopoldville (the present capital Kinshasa) in 1926.

How to reach Boma?

Boma hosts an airport but probably no flights serves airport currently. So international tourists are advised to reach Kinshasa Airport first and then they can choose rental car or bus there to reach Boma.

Boma is located around 550 km (by road) southwest of Kinshasa, the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

There are generally scheduled buses plying between Boma and Kinshasa every day, served by many prominent bus companies in the country.

Culture, Food and Shopping in Boma:

Boma was the birthplace of many famous artists, including poet Antoine-Roger Bolamba and singer Mpongo Lanu. There are many nice restaurants and shops in Boma, of which most are traditional options.

Things to do in Boma:

Walking
Shopping
Visiting port

Places to see in Boma:

Boma Port:

Boma has a port on the Congo River that is well built and maintained, playing a major role in Boma’s economy. The port is also famous as a nice sightseeing spot, where visitors can involve themselves in boat riding, swimming and many other water sport activities.

Boma Airport:

The Boma Airport is situated around 3 km east of the heart of the Boma city centre. The airport lies at an elevation of 8 meters and has a runway measuring a length of 887 metres. The airport’s nice constriction receives tourists in a large number throughout the year.

Matadi:

Matadi is a city holding the most important seaport of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is situated around 100 km from Boma by road and houses many popular tourist attractions including Matadi Bridge and Matadi Port. The city is also located in the vicinity of the natural attractions, Yellala Falls and Mount Cambier.

List of other places of interest near Boma include:

Livingstone Falls
Lola ya Bonobo
Garamba National Park
Boyoma Falls
Kahuzi-Biéga National Park
Mount Nyiragongo
Maiko National Park
Petites Chutes de la Lukaya
Virunga National Park
Okapi Wildlife Reserve
Salonga National Park
Zongo Falls
Musee National de Kinshasa
Kinshasa University
Lola ya Bonobo

Best time to visit Boma:

The most preferred time to visit Boma is from May to September when the city remains dry, making Boma’s tour memorable.

Hotels in Boma:

Boma houses a very less number of tourist favor hotels, so most tourists visiting Boma refer hotels of the capital Kinshasa for accommodation purpose as where all types of modernized budget, midrange and luxury hotels can be found. As buses are not frequent between Boma and Kinshasa, visitors are advised to rent a car for travel. The major hotels in Boma (around 550 km from Boma):

Fleuve Congo Hotel
Hotel Memling
Guest House San Pedro Kinshasa
Guest House Residence
Hotel Ave Maria
Residence Le Consul
Havre de Paix
Castelo Hotel
Hotel Belle Vie
Hotel Royal
Hotel Amaritsah
Hotel Pour Vous
Guest House de Ma Campagne
Grand Hotel Kinshasa
La Difference Plus

Tourist Places to Visit in Boende, Congo, Central Africa, Africa

Tourist Places to Visit in Boende, Congo, Central Africa, Africa

Boende is a town situated in the central-western part of the central African country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is located on the southern bank of the Tshuapa River, between 0°44′ S latitude and 19°12′ E longitude. Boende has an airport facility and also houses a river port, from where ferries connect Boende to Kinshasa. Boende is the administrative centre of Tshuapa District and other towns in Tshuapa District are Monkoto, Ikela, Djolu, Bokungo and Befale. One of the national languages, Lingala, is widely spoken in Boende.

How to reach Boende?

There is a small airport in Boende that receives flights from Kinshasa and Mbandaka, served by Compagnie Africaine d’Aviation. The airport is not too far from the town centre, can easily be reached by foot. Visitors can also use rental vehicle if they don’t want to walk.

Boende is reachable by ferry from the national capital Kinshasa through Mbandaka but that is too long and time killing. So by flight is a best way to get Boende from Kinshasa. The road connectivity of Boende stretches to Mbandaka towards the west, Ikela towards the east and Basankusu towards the north.

Culture, Food and Shopping in Boende:

Lingala is a widely spoken language in Boenda and locals also have an awareness of French as it is the official language of the country. Boende has a traditional market, apart from this there are also many nice traditional restaurants in Boende.

Things to do in Boende:

Boat riding
Day tours
Walking
Traditional shopping

Tourist Attractions in Boende:

Tshuapa River:

The Tshuapa River flows near the city of town of Boende, where a port is established with ferry facility. This is also a nice sightseeing spot among both locals and visitors.

Boende Airport:

The Boende Airport is one of the landmarks of Boende, situated walk-able distance from the town centre. Apart from travelers, Boende is also frequented by non-travelers as its location and pleasant surroundings are charming.

Mbandaka:

Mbandaka is a city, situated around 500 km west of Boende, connected by direct flight services. Mbandaka is a city with many popular manmade and natural attractions like Botanic Garden of Eala, Church of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart and Banque du Congo belge.

List of other places of interest near Boende include:

Parc National De La Salonga-Nord
Tumba Lediima Natural Reserve
Bailey Bridge
Basankusu Market
Garamba National Park
Boyoma Falls
Livingstone Falls
Lola ya Bonobo
Kahuzi-Biéga National Park
Mount Nyiragongo
Virunga National Park
Okapi Wildlife Reserve
Salonga National Park
Maiko National Park
Petites Chutes de la Lukaya

Best time to visit Boende:

The best and most popular time to visit Boende is from June to September.

Hotels in and around Boende:

Like most Congolese cities and towns, Boende also owns underdeveloped hospitality industry. So visitors’ convenience, below is provided hotels in the country capital, Kinshasa, where all sorts of tourist favor hotels can be found and they can also booked through online prior to reaching the site.