Kinshasa

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Safety rating
3.5/10
Best time to visit
The drier season from June to September brings the most manageable weather for visiting.
Population
16.0M

Overview

One of Africa's largest and most exuberant megacities, Kinshasa pulses with Congolese rumba, art and street energy along the mighty Congo River. It faces Brazzaville across the water, the two capitals among the closest in the world.

Top attractions

See the Académie des Beaux-Arts, the lively Marché de la Liberté, the riverfront, and the nearby Lola ya Bonobo sanctuary.

Getting around

Battered taxis and minibuses are crowded and chaotic, so most visitors hire a private car and driver to navigate the gridlock.

Airports near Kinshasa

Kinshasa essentials