Congo: Democratic Republic· Republic

by Sean Rorison

Overview

Known as the heart of Africa, the Congosare one of the last bastions in Africa for the seriously adventurous traveler.This revised guide tells you how to travel both adventurously and safely with the practical information and unique maps needed to explore this jungle territory. The Congos encompass Africa’s largest area of intact rainforest and much of the book is devoted to the spectacular wildlife including the mountain gorilla and the critically endangered eastern lowland gorilla. This is the only comprehensive guide to both Congos in English.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781841623917
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	10/16/2012
Series:	Bradt Travel Guide
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	8.30(w) x 5.30(h) x 0.70(d)

Read an Excerpt

Rising out of the jungle unlike any other sight in central Africa are Kinshasa’s towers, its lights, its chaos, its squalor. After spending weeks or months inside the far reaches of the Congos and arriving onto the paved yet pot-holed streets of the capital, one can easily be overwhelmed – quiet evenings of darkness are overtaken by raucous clubs, cluttered evening markets, throngs of touts and beggars. Truly maddening traffic unseen anywhere else in the Congos clogs the streets – from barely operating minibuses to convoys of tinted cars, thousands of people on the move in every direction, unknown faces of unknown people lurking in the corners of abandoned buildings, all living side by side in Kinshasa.

Table of Contents

Introduction      

PART ONE: GENERAL INFORMATION

Chapter 1 Background Information.Geography, Climate, History to the mid-19th century, Language, Religion, Natural history and wildlife

Chapter 2 Practical Information.When to visit, Highlights, Suggested itineraries, Health, Safety, What to take, Money, currency and banking, Budgeting, Time, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Sports, Travelling positively

PART TWO: DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO                        

Chapter 3 Background Information. History, Government and politics, Economy, People and culture

Chapter 4 Practical Information. Tour operators, Red tape, Embassies, Getting there and away, Media and communications

Chapter 5 Kinshasa. History, Orientation, Getting there and around, Local tour operators, Where to stay, Where to eat, Entertainment and nightlife, Shopping, Practicalities, What to see and do

Chapter 6 Around Kinshasa and Bas-Congo. Around Kinshasa, Bas-Congo, Matadi, Around Matadi, Boma, Tshela, Muanda, Mangroves National Park (Muanda Marine Reserve)

Chapter 7 Central Democratic Republic of Congo. Mbandaka, Salonga Parks, Faunal reserve of Lomako-Yokokala, Kikwit, Ilebo, Kananga, Mbuji-Mayi, Lodja, Kindu

Chapter 8 Katanga. Lubumbashi, Kasumbalesa, Sakania, Likasi, Around Likasi, Bunkeya, Kolwezi, Kamina to Kongolo, Manono and around, Kalemie

Chapter 9 Kisangani, Maiko and the North. Kisangani, Maiko National Park, Isiro, Garamba National Park, Okapi Reserve, Buta 172, Gemena

Chapter 10 The East. Goma, Virunga National Park, The Ruwenzori Mountains, Kiwanja (Rutshuru), Bunagana, Butembo, Beni, Bukavu, Idjwi Island, Kahuzi-Biega National Park, Uvira, Ituri Province

PART THREE: REPUBLIC OF CONGO                                           

Chapter 11 Background Information. History, Government and politics, Economy, People and culture

Chapter 12 Practical Information. Tour operators, Red tape, Embassies, Getting there and away, Getting around, Media and communications

Chapter 13 Brazzaville. History, Orientation, Getting there and around, Local tour operators, Where to stay, Where to eat, Entertainment and nightlife, Shopping, Practicalities, What to see and do

Chapter 14Around Brazzaville.Loufoulakari Falls and Bela Falls, Lac Bleu and the Gorilla Reserve, Lefini Reserve, Madingou and Bouenza Falls

Chapter 15 The West: Pointe Noire and Dolisie. Pointe Noire, Around Pointe Noire, Dolisie, Mossendjo, Mbinda

Chapter 16 The North. Oyo, Owando, Makoua, Parc National d’Odzala: Odzala National Park, Mambili, Ouesso, National Parc Ndoki-Nouabalé, Around Ndoki-Nouabalé, Reserve de Lac Tele (Lake Tele Reserve)

Appendices

Editorial Reviews

‘The book is well written and a result of extensive research. Without being academic, it provides a wide range of information concerning the country's (sad) history. There is good advice regarding health and language. The chapters cover virtually all the country, even places that the tourist will not visit due to distance.’ Registrodelivros

From the Publisher