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Beni Tourist Places to Visit in Beni, North Kivu, Congo, Central Africa, Africa

Beni Tourist Places to Visit in Beni, North Kivu, Congo, Central Africa, Africa

Beni is a city belonging to the North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, located on the tip of the Ituri Forest, between 0°30′ N latitude and 29°28′ E longitude. It is the gateway to two prominent natural tourist destinations, the Virunga National Park and the Rwenzori Mountains. The city of Beni is made up of four communes, Beni, Bungulu, Muhekera and Ruwenzori. Beni was one of the locations of DRC seeing the ferocious fighting during the Second Congo War (2001).

Beni relatively has all the basic facilities, including a traditional market and some modern amenities in the city include an airport and a university, named the Christian Bilingual University of Congo.

Connectivity to Beni:

Beni hosts an airport with scheduled flight services from Bukavu, Bunia, Goma, Isiro, Kalemie, Kisangani and Lubumbashi, served by Compagnie Africaine d’Aviation. The airport is situated around 14 km north of the midpoint of the city of Beni. Taxis are generally available at the airport or visitors can use rental car for more comfort airport travel.

Like most cities in DRC, bus connectivity from Beni to its nearby is not upgraded. So tourists are suggested to hire rental car for intercity travel.

Food and Shopping in Beni:

The cuisine of Beni reflects the diversity of different kind of communities living in the region, who are fond of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, manly like fish and dishes prepared from Cassava. Beni Market is a known option for shopping in Beni.

Things to do in Beni:

Visiting market and university
Walking
Bike riding

Tourist Attractions in Beni:

Christian Bilingual University of Congo:

The Christian Bilingual University of Congo is one of the identities of Beni, offering nearly all latest science and arts courses for Congolese students. Founded in 2006, the Christian Bilingual University of Congo is also a perfect place to get an awareness of Congolese culture, history and tradition.

Beni Market:

The Beni Market is a genuine Congolese traditional market, where products like locally produced food pockets, clothes, art and craft works affordable and worth a money. Keep in mind that no credit card facility there, so don’t visit the market without a local currency.

Okapi Wildlife Reserve:

The Okapi Wildlife Reserve is one of the noted tourist attractions of DRC, connected to Beni by direct road link. It is a World Heritage Site situated in the Ituri Forest, sprawling over an area of 14,000 km². Established in 1992, the reserve is a preservation site of around 5,000 okapi, 2,000 leopards, 4,000 elephants and a substantial number of crocodiles and chimpanzees. It can be explored best through a guided tour.

List of other places of interest in and around Beni include:

Beni Airport
Maiko National Park
Lake Edward
Kahuzi-Biega National Park
Garamba National Park
Mount Nyiragongo
Boyoma Falls
Virunga National Park
Livingstone Falls
Lola ya Bonobo
Maiko National Park
Jardin d’Eden
Salonga National Park

Best time to visit Beni:

Probably between the months of June and September is the ideal time to visit Beni in DRC when the city remains dry and supportive for outdoor activities.

Hotels in and around Beni:

Hotels are less in number in Beni, limited to traditional options. Hotel Bunia and L’Hotel Karibuni are hotels in Bunia, around 200 km from Beni. For more options, visitors can consider the national capital Kinshasa’s hotels that are as follows:

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

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

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

Basankusu is a town situated in the Équateur Province of the Central African country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is the seat of the Basankusu Territory, lying on the Lulonga River between 1°13′20″ N latitude and 19°48′10″ E longitude. Basankusu is located at an altitude of 371 meters, around 1200 km from the national capital, Kinshasa. Basankusu experiences a tropical rainforest climate with relatively humid weather year round.

History of Basankusu:

The history of Basankusu revolves round its title of trading post, which was notably initiated by the Abir Congo Company from the today’s DRC’s capital Kinshasa (previously Leopoldville) along the Congo River. The European colonization began in Basankusu probably by the end of 19^th century and ended with the country’s liberty in 1960.

How to reach Basankusu?

Basankusu is home to an airport with scheduled flight services from Kinshasa, served by Air Kasai. The airport is located within the town premise, can be reached by walk or rental vehicle.

Road connectivity from Basankusu to the rest of DRC is not in good condition, so visitors should take care of themselves. Visitors are also advised to bring a guided tour or a person familiar with the area to reach and explore the city easily.

Culture, Food and Shopping in Basankusu:

The Mongo people are the predominant ethnic community in Basankusu. Basankusu is well known for the production of Cassava, which is used to prepare a variety of dishes in Basankusu, including kwanga. Other famous dishes among people in Basankusu are Moambe, Mulenda, Pili pili, Loso na madesu and Fufu.

Basankusu Market is a perfect place to have the real experience of DRC shopping. There are also some modern shops in Basankusu but number is less.

Things to do in Basankusu:

Visiting port
Walking
Shopping at Basankusu traditional market

Tourist Attractions in Basankusu:

Bailey Bridge:

Bailey Bridge is a type of bridge constructed in Basankusu to connect it to outer world. Although the bridge is not strong enough, its distinct construction, location and surrounding scenery, makes it is one of the places of interest in Basankusu.

Lulonga River:

The Lulonga River originates at the town of Basankusu and flows around 200 km long before merging into the Congo River at the Lulonga town. In Basankusu, Lulonga River is a famous as a great sightseeing spot and a place to enjoy different water sports including swimming, boat riding and fishing.

Basankusu Market:

The Basankusu Market is a genuine DR Congolese market with a wide range of local specialties like cassava (staple food), artworks, leather bags, clothes and handicraft products. All are affordable and attractive but no plastic money is taken there.

Basankusu Airport:

The Basankusu Airport is one of the landmark sites of Basankusu, situated around 370 meters above sea level. The airport is small in size but its nice surroundings are big treat for visitors’ eyes.

List of other places of interest near Basankusu include:

Mount Nyiragongo
Virunga National Park
Okapi Wildlife Reserve
Garamba National Park
Boyoma Falls
Salonga National Park
Maiko National Park
Jardin d’Eden
Petites Chutes de la Lukaya
Lukaya River
Congo River
Lake Kivu
Livingstone Falls
Lola ya Bonobo
Kahuzi-Biéga National Park

Best time to visit Basankusu:

The best and most popular time to visit Basankusu is from June to September when the town comparatively receives less rainfall.

Hotels in and around Basankusu:

There is no such recommendable lodging facility in Basankusu but visitors can hardly find some traditional options. The below list includes tourist favor hotels in the capital Kinshasa (around 1200 km from Basankusu):

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

Places to Visit in Bandundu, Congo, Central Africa

Places to Visit in Bandundu, Congo, Central Africa

Bandundu is the capital city of one of the eleven provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bandundu Province. Bandundu is situated around 390 km northwest of the province’s largest city, Kikwit and around 400 km northwest of the national capital, Kinshasa. Bandundu is spread over an area of 222 sq. km, lying on the eastern bank of the Kwango River at an elevation of 321 meters, between 3°19′ S latitude and 17°22′ E longitude.

For visitors, Bandundu is a great scenic destination with river bank, where visitors can involve themselves in boat riding, sightseeing and fishing. Bandundu is also known for its traditional market with colorful traditional clothes and handicraft products.

How to reach Bandundu?

Bandundu houses a domestic airport with scheduled flights to Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The airport is situated around 4 km away from the midpoint of the city. The nearest international airport to Bandundu is the N’Djili International Airport in Kinshasa, around 370 km from Bandundu.

There are buses generally plying between Bandundu and Kinshasa, Mushie and Kikwit. Minibuses, rental cars and bikes are the prevalent options to get around Bandundu.

Food and shopping in Bandundu:

As the provincial capital, Bandundu houses many upgraded shops and restaurants with both local and branded items. Visitors can also visit Bandundu’s traditional market, where clothes, food pockets and handicraft products are available at affordable prices.

What to do in Bandundu?

Boat riding
City tour
Traditional shopping

What to see in Bandundu?

Kwango River:

The Kwango River flows through the town of Bandundu, offering different enjoyable water-sport activities for visitors like boat riding, sightseeing and fishing. It is a popular hangout place in Bandundu among both locals and visitors.

Traditional market of Bandundu:

The Traditional market of Bandundu is a place, where visitors can experience the real feel of DR Congo’s shopping. Products like clothes, handicraft products and food pockets are very cheaper here but don’t forget keep some local currency in the pocket as shops generally don’t accept cards.

Bandundu Airport:

The Bandundu Airport is one of the landmark sites of Bandundu, situated around 4 km away from the heart of the city. It is a modern airport with all basic facilities and is also famous among non-travelers for its pleasant location.

University of Bandundu:

The University of Bandundu is one of the recommended places to visit in Bandundu, where visitors can take the overview of local culture, tradition and history. It was established on 1 October 2004.

List of other places of interest near Bandundu includes:

Serpents du Congo
Zongo Falls
Ma Vallee
Cercle de Kinshasa
Kinshasa University
Congoloisirs
Virunga National Park
Mercato delle Stoffe Africane
Musee National de Kinshasa
Eglise CBFC-Gombe
Fiesta Club
Lake Kivu
Mount Nyiragongo
Lola ya Bonobo
Symphonie des Arts

Best time to visit Bandundu:

Probably from June to August is the best time to visit Bandundu in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Where to stay in Bandundu?

As like most cities of the country, Bandundu holds not much upgraded hotels, so visitors are suggested to drive towards the national capital Kinshasa to find better hotels to enjoy memorable hospitality services. The below list includes hotels in Kinshasa (around 400 km from Bandundu):

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

Tourist Places to Visit in Congo, Central Africa, Africa

Tourist Places to Visit in Congo, Central Africa, Africa

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is an African country situated in the African Great Lakes region at 2.88° S 23.656° E. To differentiate it from the nearby country the Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), the Democratic Republic of the Congo is called by the different names such as DR Congo, DRC, Congo-Kinshasa and Congo-Zaire. In terms of area (2,345,409 sq. km), DRC is Africa’s 2^nd largest country, after Algeria and 4^th largest in terms of population (around 77 million) in Africa.

Kinshasa is the capital and largest city of DRC. Although being economically one of the underdeveloped countries, DRC is well known among tourists, especially people who are fond of nature and wildlife.

History of the Democratic Republic of the Congo:

The history of DRC begins with Belgian exploration in the 1870s, led by Sir Henry Morton Stanley and it thoroughly came under the sovereignty of Belgium in 1908 with title the Belgian Congo. Finally DRC became an independent country on 30 June 1960 and the head of the Mouvement National Congolais party, Patrice Lumumba became as the first prime minister of DRC.

Getting the Democratic Republic of the Congo:

The N’djili Airport in the capital Kinshasa is the most important airport of DRC. This airport connects DRC to Istanbul, Johannesburg, Casablanca, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Brussels, Paris, Douala and Lagos.

The bus transportation of DRC extends to Uganda and DRC can be reached by train from Zambia. Intercity train service is not upgraded in DRC but bus services are relatively better than train service.

Culture, Food and Shopping in the Democratic Republic of the Congo:

The population of DRC is formed by hundreds of different ethnic groups with their own dialects. The recognized languages of DRC include Lingala, Kikongo, Swahili and Tshiluba.

Cassava is the Congolese’s major staple food and other popular dishes in DRC include Pili pili, Moambe, Fufu and Mbembe.

Congolese franc is the currency used in DRC. Kitchen devices, handicraft products and clothes are cheaper and popular in DRC.

Places to see in the Democratic Republic of the Congo:

Virunga National Park:

The Virunga National Park is the first national park of Africa (1925) and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. Covering an area of 7,800 sq. km, the park is highlighted by mountain gorillas and the lava lake of the Nyiragongo Volcano. Goma is the nearest city to VNP.

Mount Nyiragongo:

Lying around 3470 meters above sea level, the Mount Nyiragongo is a stratovolcano in the Virunga Mountains, situated around 20 km away from the city of Goma. This natural eruption phenomenon attracts a large number of tourists from all around Africa.

Boyoma Falls:

The Boyoma Falls is a spectacular water fall in Kisangani of Democratic Republic of the Congo, formed by Lualaba River. It is situated near the city of Kisangani, can be well explored well through a guided tour.

Garamba National Park:

Established in 1938, the Garamba National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, situated in the Orientale Province of DRC. Covering an area of 4,920 km², the park is mainly famous among visitors for elephant and rhino population.

Okapi Wildlife Reserve:

World Heritage Site, the Okapi Wildlife Reserve is located in the Ituri Forest, spanning over an area of 14,000 km². The park features diverse geographical characteristics like rivers, mountains and dense floral species. The park is also noted for the population of 4,000 elephants, 2,000 leopards and 5,000 okapis.

List of other places of interest in the Democratic Republic of the Congo:

Congo River
Lake Kivu
Livingstone Falls
Lola ya Bonobo
Kahuzi-Biéga National Park
Salonga National Park
Maiko National Park
Jardin d’Eden
Petites Chutes de la Lukaya
Lukaya River

Best time to visit the Democratic Republic of the Congo:

Generally from June to September is the best time to visit the Democratic Republic of the Congo, when dry season runs in the country.

Accommodation options in the Democratic Republic of the Congo:

The hospitality industry of DRC is modernly upgraded and most of its star rated top class hotels are concentrated in the capital city, Kinshasa. Apart from amenities, DRC’s hotels are also popular among visitors for a variety of mouthwatering traditional delicacies. Some prominent hotels in DRC (Kinshasa) include: