Roads DRC (West) - doable?
 

I am curious to learn how the condition of the roads in West-DRC are, more in particular the road between Matadi and Kinshasa. I see a lot of horror videos and read a lot of those stories, but I never know exactly where it is.

Could anyone give me an update?

Hi,

The road from Matadi to Kinshasah is a breeze depending on your riding scills the road from Brazzaville to Dolisie is sandy and a little more chalenging. During the worst part you can take the train track but the real chalenge is waiting in Kamerun during rain season:

Riding the rough west coast through Africa - Transafrika part 3

Travel save, Tobi

Thanks again, Tobi. May I assume that the Matadi-Kinshasa road you mean is the N1 (to the east, or partly N12 (northwards from Matadi)?

Given the current instability of DRC, this country is my main concern not to get stuck...

Yes I had to rush because my visa was expired so I took the N1 :)
The current situation in Mali would worry me more...

Great, then it's clear to me. My riding skills in sand are fine, in mud (or at least black cotton soil) quiet bad. So apparently nothing to worry about regarding the DRC roads to be taken. Time to shift my concerns to Mali indeed.

Matadi - Kinshasa is perfect new asfalt all the way.

What is your overall route?

I recently came through Brazzaville and crossed the Congo via the Louzi ferry. The road from Brazzaville to Boko is good tar, from there it is about 40k of shocking road that has not seen attention since before the Belgians left. South of the river the road to Songololo was a reasonable dirt track.

To answer my own questions: between Matadi and Kinshasa is indeed good tar (although crazy drivers/cars). See also

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...rry-or-65649-2

for sound advice on the Luozi route.