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DRC West to East
I'm currently in West Africa and am very interested in crossing the DRC from West to East on my way down to Cape Town and am currently researching the feasibilty of this.
My preferred route would be from Cameroon, through CAR to Bangui and across into northern DRC, before heading towards Kinshasa... Does anyone have information on security in this area of CAR and DRC? Are there alternatives that I should consider? Would I be best to stick to the main roads which I would presume to be in slightly better condition or smaller roads which will be even rougher but may have less problems with people in authority etc... Note that I am travelling with a bicycle and so if necessary can take river transport etc... Would appreciate any ideas and comments on this. Thanks Time and patience I have plenty of.... |
That is one hell of a trek, especially with a bicycle. I would suggest reading "On foot through Africa" by Ffyona Campbell. She walks across DRC (zaire as it was then) with a 4x4 for back up. It was hard going to say the least.
There are two principal routes across the DR Congo that are West to East, having done both, I can describe them here to you: 1. West to (South) East - Kinshasa to Lubumbashi (nr. Ndola, Zambia). This is only by road (no river barges etc.) and is very difficult even in the dry season. I would never even dream of it in the wet season. (Back in the day) I assumed that this route would take me about 20 days with a 4x4. It ended up taking 2 months and countless breakdowns and repairs and contracting malaria once. Its an amazing trek if you are up for it, but with a bicycle, in short - forget it! 2. West to East - Kinshasa to Kisangani (River barge) This is the main route across DR Congo by river. It is essentially a large barge (or several strapped together) and is pushed by a tugboat. This is an ideal method to cross DR Congo if you are on bike. It takes about 3 weeks or so (no timetable to follow as such, ask around in Kinshasa or Brazzaville). However, upon arrival in Kisangani there will be a problem - you still need to cross about 1/4 of the Congo to Uganda. The roads here are awful, but the locals use push bikes to transport palm oil in 20l jerrys (6 or so at a time!) so it is do-able. Not sure on the current regs. on entering Uganda from DR Congo (check with the embassy). Regarding crossing from CAR to DCR: In short - don't. There is so much corruption and crime in CAR esp. in the border areas. The chances are almost 100% that you will either be held at gun point or threatened in some way. The best way to go from West to East is as I have described above. And, with all due respect, in the event of a crisis in CAR, a bicycle is not the greatest of get-away vehicles. All in all, sounds like a brilliant idea. This is however, not easy going by any means! Do your research (though this will only take you so far). The best method is to just get there and ask around. After Uganda: Uganda to Cape Town is fairly easy going. You can cycle down to Bujumbura (Burundi) and get a boat down Lake Tanganyika to Mpulungu in Zambia. After that, easy going down to Lusaka and Livingstone. After which, 2 options: 1. Across Vic. falls into Zimbabwe, south to South Africa etc.. 2. Down through Botswana and into South Africa etc.. On balance, I'd go for option 2. Zimbabwe is not so good lately! Chances are, you would have your bicycle stolen or worse. Given this, IMO, Zimbabwe is a far more beautiful and colourful nation than Botsawana. It's up to you! There, I hope I have been concise enough. Any more needed, just post a reply! |
Try and get hold of a copy of Tim Butcher's book, Blood River, which describes the route east of Kisangani to close to the Ugandan border.
Blood River by Tim Butcher ~ Published By Chatto & Windus I was in Kinshasa last month and visited the port to check on the barge schedule to Kisangani - they seem to be relatively infrequent, so you will need to have plenty of patience to find one. |
Matt,
Incidentally, do you reckon the barges there nowadays (I was last there about 25yrs ago) would take an 18ton MAN chassis motorhome? Are there the facilities to launch it onboard? Also, any idea of the frequency (gist of it) bimonthly, monthly etc?? |
trans-african - thanks for the info: exactly the kind of thing I was after. I'll look into the options further and no doubt will have some more questions to ask!
My route after DRC I am happy with from wherever I end up in East Africa - I intend to head Malawi, Zambia, across Botswana, Namibia and the down to South Africa... I know this may seem a ridiculous question seeing as I want to cross west to east through DRC, but is it possible to cross into Angola from the DRC? I had read somewhere about a train to Dilolo... but not sure if the border is open. Matt - Tim Butcher is in part to blame for my wanting to cross the DRC. I read the book shortly after hearing Tim at the Hay book festival a few years ago! I know of one cyclist who crossed CAR - DRC to Kisingani, but this was in 2007. I also met a French guy who spent 3months walking across the Congo last year, so I know that it is at least possible! |
takeonafrica,
The border between Angola in the North (i.e. Matadi (coming from kinshasa) towards Luanda) is indeed open for traffic. However, the border to the East with DRC is very iffy. Angola has recently got "up tight" about it in an effort to prevent diamond smuggling from DRC. It may or may not be possible. The best thing to do about this is either ask a. in the embassies of BOTH countries. (This is critical as in central africa, the right hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing, let alone the left!!) b. locally in Kinshasa and Luanda or you could just turn up and see, though I don't reccomend this. Back in the day I did cross this border (between Dundo and Tshikapa), but things were different then... Regarding the train to Dilolo, this is the train that comes from Lubumbashi in the south of DRC. There were plans recently to extend it into Angola but, as with most things in this part of the world, I will belive it when I see it! This has yet to materialize. Basically, the best bet is to cross the DRC by barge from Kinshasa to Kisangani then road it to Goma and Uganda. Then continue south etc.. CAR-DRC: yes I am aware that this route is possible but it is fraught with danger. My advise is to stay away for the time being. P.S. Just send a post if you have any more questions! I am happy to help. |
trans-african: thanks again.
I only meant by my comment that crossing the DRC was possible, not specifically the CAR-DRC route. (note to self: check I've written what I mean before posting!) Have already taken on board what you said about security/safety in CAR - inclined to agree - and am now looking at the barge to Kisangani option... If the train doesn't continue into Angola then that option is out of the question I think due to the danger of mines in the East of the country. |
Yeah, the barge from Kinshasa to Kisingasi really is the best option. If you find the roads too bad to cycle on (between Kisingani and Uganda), you can always hitch (or pay for) a ride on a truck as there are several plying that route. They will take time though as the roads are bad (and the drivers are lazy too).
Enjoy the trip! If you take the barge, post a comment or message me on the situation atm! I am quite keen to know. Happy travels. |
Hi,
Conventional wisdom is that a DRC west to east crossing is currently impossible because the security situation is dire. There are militias and warlords all over the show, each with their own little fiefdom. However, with a bicycle your options are a lot more flexible, eg overflying war zones, hitching rides with the UN or aid workers, the river ferry or barges etc. Whatever you do, make sure you know what the security situation is in the section up ahead. Tony |
Hi Tony,
Thanks for the advice on DRC. However, in my experiences in the congo amounting to over 3 years totally of being in the nation as a traveller (well, Zaire as it was then), the worst parts, in terms of security are those areas held by the government, not the rebels in the North East. Of course I am not reccomending to anyone to plough their way through the DRC without any consideration to security, I am just saying that (in my experiences) it is much over-inflated. Naturally, there is far greater array of options of travel in the DRC when it comes to a bike. Flying is the most simple and obvious, though given the track record of airlines in the DRC I would personally pass on this. Besides, flying is not the mode to use if you actually want to "experience" the country. There is a great difference between a departure lounge in Kinshasa and travelling over mud tracks with ruts 2m deep passing by little visited villages where you're the only western person to pass by in 10 yrs. As I have said in earlier posts, the barges are capable of taking a 4x4 (probable several), so a bike is no issue at all. The only real issue with this (for any traveller) is the timing. There are no timetables to follow as such, but if you have no limits, just go for it! Last I heard there were some convoys (weekly I think) from Kisingani to Goma and into Uganda. Not sure about that atm, best to check with someone who has passed by recently. (Don't bother asking at a DRC emabssy, they haven't even a clue what is going on in Kinshasa, let alone the far side of the country in the jungle). |
Jut meet two Aussie bikers (ktm's) who came through DRC from Zambia to Kinshasa. They need a few more beers by the looks of them. Will pass on info or their contact details as they come to hand...
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Barges
I was told the barge schedule from Kinshasa to Kisangani was "irregular", but it was likely that there would be at least one a month. One departed whilst I was there, so I can confirm they do still travel that route.
As to the question of whether it would hold an 18T truck? There were several containers on the barge I saw that were of a similar dimension, so your truck would fit, although I don't have any info on whether the barge would support the weight of the truck. |
Thanks matt,
Do you have any idea of the costs?? For any vehicle that is? also, are there suitable facilities to load vehicles onto the barge?? |
Hi, I'am "looking into" going Kinshasa - Lubumbashi on a motorcycle around August (dry season), but I realize it's extremely ambitious and I will reasses once I've come a little farther on my West Coast trip (currently in Western Sahara).
This guy has done Lubumbashi - Kinshasa by public transport. A highly recommended read: My DRC experience Lubumbashi to Kinshasa. part 1 - Lonely Planet travel forum My DRC experience Lubumbashi to Kinshasa part 2 - Lonely Planet travel forum Start on his blog here: [url=http://www.steveislost.com/blog/im-a-congolese-now.html]I’m a Congolese now!!!! |
There is a loading ramp at "The Beach" where the Brazza-Kinshasa ferries dock, which would be suitable to load your truck. However the barge I saw being loaded was some distance from this on the docks, and there didn't appear to be any suitable loading point for a truck. Bike or motorbike would be fine to load.
I imagine you could probably negotiate for the barge to stop at the ramp at The Beach and load there, but can't confirm this. Can't really help on detailed pricing info as I only had preliminary discussions with a fixer, and never got around to negotiating with the barge captain. I would expect a few hundred US$ as a minimum for a motorbike. No idea re the price for a truck. |
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I ride a DR650 but might opt for a DRZ 400 if I was to do this. Here are some pic sets from a Dutch HUBB member who did it in a 4x4 a few years ago. http://www.radiobaobab.be/index.php?id=510 An overland guide was thinking about running a two-month tour, wonder if he will pull it off. Note he cites the dry season as June & July. http://overlandtravel.com/truck-trav...ca/tour_71.htm |
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Also read this post, was thinking of going by road initially but the boat sounds cheaper, faster and a whole lot less hassle! |
Oops, forgot to ask if it's possible to hop on the boat from somewhere in Congo-Brazza? I'm under a bit of a time constraint at the mo so need to start moving quick. Thanks.
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check out this chap
I met this chap in Tanzania in 2007 he is seriuosly adventurous or mad, I hope it is of some use, have a good trip
to-adi - Adrian Guggisberg - Home |
For all in this thread and wishing to travel to/through DRC, I live already for a while now in Lubumbashi (aid worker - and ex-overlander), so if you need some more info or a place to stay and shower, feel free to contact me...
As a general rule however already: avoid AT ALL COSTS if possible to travel in DRC around 30th of June... I can assure you, not a good time - and although nothing is sure in this country, the 50 years independance this year could all too well create some problems... don't say I didn't warn you ;) Jef |
Ask the right questions
Hi
If you are planning on heading toward Uganda I'd be clear on who you are listening to. Until the early 1990's it was a popular route - but still dangerous and difficult. Since then about 5 million people have died due to the civil war, and over 10 million have moved to Kinshasa (it's worth asking why?). People will tell you they have been all over DRC. NGO's and UN etc travel all over DRC, but I'm guessing most go east by air, or enter from Uganda. China are building roads and railways to east DRC, but again from the east. Has anyone done the route recently and got through? I motorbiked in the west of DRC without problem - but be very clear on what you are taking on if you go east. Where ever you go - best of luck. PS. Don't take this advice to either go or not - I'm just saying ask the right questions to the right people. |
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I can only agree with that - UN and especially INGO's are often very good sources of information, and although they (we) tend to be on the cautious side, they usually know best about local situations in terms of transport and security. In certain area's you can even try to hook on to a convoy or something... in countries like DRC you should always try to hook up with INGO's - and apart from the info you get about the place you are (including the bars!), they can often hook you up with other INGO's in the area you're going through or to... and the nice thing is that you can always ignore their advice anyway ;) cheers/jef |
Hi Trans-African, what experience have you got in northern DRC recently? I ask because we want to drive 4x4s from Sarh - Zongo - Lisala. So much to find out and very few sources of credible info. All the best, Alastair
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Hi - I'm now in Kinshasa (liking it here!) and it's make my mind up time for choosing a route across to the east. Would really appreciate comments/thoughts/advice on options, taking into consideration current security issues and weather (onset of rainy season, esp. in north).
1. There is a boat leaving Kinshasa for Kisangani in about 1week's time. It should take 3 weeks to get to Kinshasa. From there, the road to Goma, via Butembo has been recently improved by the Chinese. But not sure of the security situation in this area. I would ideally like to cycle the route but if travel is by convoy for example then I would have to take a truck. 2. I could take the road from Kinshasa to Kikwit, Kananga, Mbuji-Mayi, Kabinda and across to Kalemie. From there I could take a boat to Uvira but then not sure if I could get to Bukavu. I am also aware of the recent UN report about mass rapes in eastern DRC which I believe occurred around Uvira. I may also be able to take a boat from Kalemie to Kigoma in Tanzania but then I would miss out Goma and seeing the gorillas/volcano which I would like to do. 3. I could follow the road from Kinshasa to Lumbumbashi into Zambia. Again, would miss eastern DRC for gorillas etc and rest of east africa. Also I would then be continuing the rest of my journey through Namibia etc when the weather's not great. Or perhaps you have a better alternative.... Thanks, H |
As Tourist, please forget about any trip to both kivus, Ituri or Haut Huele unless you have been there before and you have strong local contacts.
If you go by the south to Lubumbashi you will still have enough challenge to enjoy your trip... :thumbup1: Quote:
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Drc
Takeonafrica,
Hi im looking at doing a trip West Africa trip and want to cross West to East through DRC and have been looking through old threads on the forum looking for information. I have been chatting to some guys in South Africa about it and have changed my mind about crossing in the northern part but im interested how you went crossing down in the south? I wont be on a bike but in a very well set up 4x4. I use to work as an overland driver doing Eastern Trans trips so i know not to listern to everything i hear as a lot of people are scared of Africa and the unknown. Having said that i do know that DRC is not the most traveled place by tourist!!! I do know of a guy i use to know getting through DRC through the northern part and he said it was really hard and had some moments but its not as bad as people make out?? Any information you have from your resent trip would be much appreciated Cheers Patrick (travelingaustralian) :funmeteryes: patdavey78@gmail.com |
My friends just crossed DRC from West to east on their motorbikes, first they tried the barge Kinshasa Kisangani, but in the end they drove to Lubumbashi:
Home is where we are exellent video on travelling on the barge to Kisangani: YouTube - ‪GBEMANI - RAFIOT DE L'ENFER 1‬‏ |
Hi, I crossed, by bicycle a few months ago from west to east - well north west (Zongo on the border with CAR) and exited from Bukavu into Rwanda. Many people on this forum gave me mostly negative advice. There are plenty of corrupt officials around, but overall the Congolese are positive people. There are some tracks I followed that would be impassable on 4-wheels, but if you stick to the main roads (still jungle tracks at times) you should be able to make it through. I blogged about the experience on my website - The Big Africa Cycle - from the UK to Cape Town If you need useful contacts then please get in touch before I delete their numbers from my phone.
All the best, Peter |
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If it would not be to much troble i would love those contact details. At the moment i am planing crossing in the South East to West. Ill have a read of your blog to get an idea of how it was for you. PM me with the contacts. Cheers Patrick travelingaustralian |
I am going to leave from Kinshasa to Kisangani tomorrow, if they dont tell me again to come back the next day because of the diesel that hasnt arrived yet, like they did the second time today.
Has anybody got recent informations about the piste Kisangani - Bukavu ? greetings from Kinshasa |
I'm in Goma and I've been asking around about the road to Kisangani. The people I've spoken to all told me it's ok, both the condition of the road and the security situation. Definitely not a good road but doable. One guy guestimated that it would probably take about 3 or 4 days. None of these people were super-reliable. I'll keep you posted when I find somebody who seems like they actually know the road.
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Thanks, sounds promising. I also read somewhere that the chinese worked on that road during the last years. You will take the boat to Kinshasa from Kisangani ?
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I was intouch last year with a friend who works for Medicins Sans Frontiers, his opinion was much the same. Shitty road, but definitely doable once the rains have relented.
Looking forward to hearing about it. BTW, off topic, but love this video from Al Jazeera....local truckers driving from Lubumbashi to Bokama....one month to do 600kms! Risking it all - DRC - YouTube= |
It is raining, though. I've been in the area for a couple of weeks and it's rained every single day.
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story we heard
Hi
We met an english cicling for 2 years and a half in Africa that did it last year with no problems. Just take lots of water pills because there are not shops around. He had no security problems, and he took a train in some part to make it faster. We are driving and old car, so we couldn t make it, but it must be a super nice ride. CHeerrs Carlos Not 2 late trip (father and son roud Africa on a Renault 4L) |
Hi, I'm Dave's friend, I did on a Land Cruiser Kisangani to Niangara and Kisangani to Goma last october. Road no problems on the dry season but be very careful around Beni and Rutshuru, kidnapping and shooting are not uncommon. Once in Kisangani you can jump into a barge all the way to Kinshasa.
the road you need to take is: goma-rutshuru-lubero-beni-komanda-niania-bafwasende-kisangani (3 to 4 days) Regards |
Peter Gostelow of Bigafricacycle recently cycled across Northern DRC and his website is pretty detailed www.thebigafricacycle.com/
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