Kinshasa, the frenetic capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, is where the Congo’s thriving arts and music scene is on full display. That’s right, this hip city of 15 million, sprawled along the Congo River facing neighboring Brazzaville, is practically synonymous with culture, from the array of theaters and galleries to the flamboyant, dandyish fashions of the city’s sapeurs. You’ll find plenty of things to do in Kinshasa.
Weather-wise, travelers have two dry seasons to visit Kinshasa: roughly from June to September and again from December through February. You can still expect hot, muggy conditions but generally little precipitation. June is also when the JazzKif annual music festival takes place, while Fickin (Festival International de Cinéma de Kinshasa), which spotlights African film, is typically held each October.
Certain areas, such as Gombe, are more walkable than others. Still, a combination of Kinshasa’s notoriously thorny traffic and its sheer size make it tough to get around by anything but motorized vehicle, especially for long distances. Luckily, taxis are plentiful and tend to be reasonably priced. However, rideshare apps aren’t readily available, so your best bet is to ask about a driver at your hotel.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is the second-largest country in Africa, and each region is geographically and culturally diverse. To get a sense of the area (especially if you plan on continuing on to other destinations), head to the National Museum of Kinshasa (Musée National de Kinshasa), which gives an in-depth overview of the country’s varied communities through the lens of art and anthropology.
