Places to Visit in Mbuji-Mayi, Kasai-Oriental, Congo, Central Africa, Africa

Places to Visit in Mbuji-Mayi, Kasai-Oriental, Congo, Central Africa, Africa

Mbuji-Mayi is the capital city of the Kasai-Oriental Province in the Central African country the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mbuji-Mayi holds the title of the 3^rd largest city of DRC in terms of population, after Kinshasa and Lubumbashi. Mbuji-Mayi is located around 1230 km east of Kinshasa, the capital of DRC. Mbuji-Mayi experiences a tropical wet and dry and lies between 06°09′ S latitude and 23°36′ E longitude. Mbuji-Mayi covers a total area of 135.12 sq. km, while its elevation measures 549 meters. The economy of Mbuji-Mayi is concentrated on diamond mining.

History of Mbuji-Mayi:

The name of Mbuji-Mayi may be derived from the local Tshiluba language, in which Mbuji-Mayi means Goat-Water, referring a large number of goats in the area and the city’s position on the Sankuru River. Mbuji-Mayi came to limelight with the discovery of gold mine around 1910.

How to reach Mbuji-Mayi?

Mbuji-Mayi hosts an airport with scheduled flights from Kananga, Kinshasa and Lubumbashi, served by Korongo Airlines and Compagnie Africaine d’Aviation. The airport is situated around 6 km away from the midpoint of the city of Mbuji-Mayi.

There are a limited number of scheduled buses plying between Mbuji-Mayi and Kinshasa and Lubumbashi, so visitors are advised to hire a rental car to travel between these cities comfortably.

Food and Shopping in Mbuji-Mayi:

Being a commercial city, Mbuji-Mayi houses many nice tourist favor shops with local specialties like handicraft products, clothes and jewelry. Mbuji-Mayi also houses many nice restaurants with both local and international menus.

Things to do in Mbuji-Mayi:

Day tours
Walking
Fishing

Tourist Attractions in Mbuji-Mayi:

Diamond mines in Mbuji-Mayi:

Mbuji-Mayi is well known for its diamond mines managed by Societé minière de Bakwanga and Diamant International. These mines can be visited with a prior permission to know the methods used to process diamond in the region.

Sankuru River:

The Sankuru River is one of the important rivers flowing in DRC and measures a length of approximately 1,200 km. The city of Mbuji-Mayi is located on the banks of the river, where visitors can enjoy different water-sport activities including swimming, fishing and boat riding.

Mbuji Mayi Airport:

Lying 677 meters above sea level, the Mbuji Mayi Airport is situated 6 km away from the centre of Mbuji-Mayi. Apart from regular travelers, the airport is also well known among visitors for its nice construction and lovely surrounding environment.

University of Mbuji Mayi:

The University of Mbuji Mayi is one of the identities of Mbuji-Mayi. It was established on 1 October 2004 and is also known for organizing regular cultural activities apart from offering latest science and commerce courses.

List of other places of interest near Mbuji-Mayi include:

Livingstone Falls
Zongo Falls
Ma Vallee
Musee National de Kinshasa
Symphonie des Arts
Mercato delle Stoffe Africane
Kinshasa University
Serpents du Congo
Lola ya Bonobo
University of Kinshasa
The People’s Palace
Stade des Martyrs
Pool Malebo
Cercle de Kinshasa

Best time to visit Mbuji-Mayi:

As like most parts of the country, from June to September is the best and most preferred time to visit Mbuji-Mayi.

Hotels in and around Mbuji-Mayi:

There are few modernized hotels located in Mbuji-Mayi with all basic facilities and services, including AC, internet and TV. Visitors can also have mouthwatering traditional delicacies in such hotels. For more options, visitors can consider the national capital Kinshasa’s hotels that are listed below: