Tourist Places to Visit in Kolwezi, Congo, Africa

Tourist Places to Visit in Kolwezi, Congo, Africa

Kolwezi is a city situated in the Katanga Province in the African country the Democratic Republic of the Congo, around 300 km northwest of the country’s second largest city, Lubumbashi and 2000 km southeast of the country’s capital and largest city, Kinshasa. Kolwezi lies around 1,448 meters above sea level, between 10°43′ S latitude and 25°28′ E longitude and sprawls over an area of 213 sq. km. The economy of Kolwezi is centered on mining activities, mainly on copper and cobalt mining. Kolwezi is home to the University of Kolwezi and the Kolwezi Airport.

History of Kolwezi:

Kolwezi was founded during the Belgium colonial rule in 1937 as centre of the High Katanga Mining Association’s western mining group. Kolwezi was also the scene of the Battle of Kolwezi.

Conenctivity to Kolwezi:

Kolwezi Airport is situated around 6 km away from the midpoint of Kolwezi city and receives flights from Lubumbashi, served by Compagnie Africaine d’Aviation and Korongo Airlines.

There is direct road connectivity from Lubumbashi to Kolwezi, catered by daily buses and minibuses. The local transportation of Kolwezi is served by minibuses, taxis and rental vehicles like cars and bikes.

Food and Shopping in Kolwezi:

There are a limited number of shops and restaurants found in the city of Kolwezi, of which most are traditional options. For more options, Lubumbashi (around 300 km from Kolwezi) is a perfect option, where all sorts of modernized and traditional can be found.

Things to do in Kolwezi:

Day tours
Shopping
Fishing
Visiting mining sites

Tourist Attractions in Kolwezi:

University of Kolwezi:

Founded on 1 October 2004, the University of Kolwezi is one of the identities of Kolwezi. Earlier called University Centre of Kolwezi, the university is allowed for visitors with a prior permission to know the local culture and history.

Lake Nzilo:

The Lake Nzilo is a manmade lake, situated around 16 km northeast of the city of Kolwezi. The lake measures a surface elevation of 1,200 metres and surface area of 200 square kilometers. It is a great sightseeing spot for visitors.

Musonoi Mine:

The Musonoi Mine is a mining complex located near the city of Kolwezi. Visitors are welcome to mine to explore the local mining process with a prearranged tour or permission at the site.

Upemba National Park:

Situated to the northeast of Kolwezi, the Upemba National Park is spread over an area of 11,730 km² with diverse geographical features, riparian zones, marshes, lakes and wetlands. Shoebill and Wattled Crane are the major bird species found in the park. It was established in the year 1939.

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

Kolwezi Airport
Lualaba River
Maiko National Park
Lake Edward
Mount Nyiragongo
Boyoma Falls
Jardin d’Eden
Salonga National Park
Okapi Wildlife Reserve
Kahuzi-Biega National Park
Garamba National Park
Virunga National Park
Livingstone Falls
Lola ya Bonobo
Maiko National Park

Best time to visit Kolwezi:

Throughout the year is best, especially during the dry months between June and September is best to visit Kolwezi in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Hotels in and around Kolwezi:

JIT Guesthouse and Hotel Le Manguier are the two well known hotels in Kolwezi with basic and upgraded facilities and services. Visitors can also refer Lubumbashi city to find star rated hotels. Buses are generally frequent between these cities. The list of hotels in Lubumbashi (around 300 km from Kolwezi) includes: