Pigmies, lowland gorillas and chimpanzees!
80% of the World’s population of chimps live in the Republic of the Congo! Additionally, a survey in 2009 estimated a population of 125,000 lowland gorillas!
The Republic of the Congo, also known as Congo Brazzaville, is the former French Colony and should not be confused with its less welcoming neighbour, the former Belgium Congo and now the Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire). Congo Brazzaville gained independence from France in 1960
It is a country dissected by the Equator with impenetrable rainforests and jungle and a narrow 169km coastline. It is sparsely populated with slightly less than four million inhabitants, mostly living around the south west between the capital Brazzaville, on the River Congo and Pointe Noire, on the coast, The two cities are connected by rail, and most of the population lives in the towns and villages along the rail route.
The main attractions for visitors are the wildlife in the north where it borders Cameroon and the Central African Republic, the rapids of the Congo River and the surf and beach at Pointe Noire. Also well worth a visit is Brazzaville, which remains very French in its outlook, with a virulent cafe society frequented by ultra fashion conscious locals. Wine, cheese, croissants and baguettes are all fashion accessories.
After three decades of civil war this is a nation of people eager for a laugh, and fortunately with the newly found political and social stability, there is finally something to smile about.
The people come from various tribes and are almost entirely Christian. There is an American expat population, but most of the French have left. South Africans are increasing in number, bringing with them farming skills from the veldt.
In the hinterland there are pigmies, who make up about ten per cent of the total population..
Overall, it is a friendly nation of lively, gregarious people eager to talk to visitors and invite them to share their now jovial outlook. Often it seems as if chaos reigns....but you usually come out with a smile on the other side. And always there is the pulsating Congolese jazz, a very unique style copied by many, but like the English pub, it remains overall inimitable!
Congo
What To See & Do
- Sail on a traditional pirogue to observe the Atlantic Ocean sunset at Pointe Noire.
- Visit the Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Sanctuary
- The splendid Cathedral Sacre-Coeur offers some marvellous views of downtown Brazzaville, including Poto-Poto and Centreville as well as the taboo city of Kinshasa, set menacingly across the river.
- View impressive Congolese art at L'Ecole de Peinture de Poto-Poto
- Explore the River Congo, the second only to the Nile as the longest in Africa. It is a dramatic river with myriad rapids and fishing villages, and intriguingly provides the border with the “sinister” Democratic Republic of the Congo!
When To Go
The best time to visit is between June and September.
As the country is situated on the Equator, the temperature is consistent all year round, normally varying between 21 and 24 degrees centigrade and with high humidity.
There are two wet seasons; March to May and October and November.
The climate is quite similar to Kenya, with whom it shares the Equator
As the country is situated on the Equator, the temperature is consistent all year round, normally varying between 21 and 24 degrees centigrade and with high humidity.
There are two wet seasons; March to May and October and November.
The climate is quite similar to Kenya, with whom it shares the Equator
Sample Itineraries
Coming soon