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

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Helen's Take On...