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West Coast Africa/Congo

G

Guest

Guest
Hi All,
I know that some of you are planning trips down to South Africa and
some of you are considering travelling down the west coast route.
Yesterday I was with a friend who earlier this year returned to the UK
from Kinshasa in the Congo where he was working as the Chief of Staff
for the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
I was asking him about travelling through the Congo region and he
mentioned the following that I thought might be worth passing on. The
advice applies to many African countries, but worth repeating.
If you are going to travel through the Congo, it is important to
contact the British Embassy in Kinshasa to get the most up to date
information.
Don't rely on any Maps. Most are around 30 years old and dreadfully
out of date - as he says it doesn't take long for the jungle to reclaim
an unused road.
There aren't any well maintained direct roads across the Congo, however
there are a network of roads in the area within about 100kms from the
coast that is your best bet for crossing the country.
Try and find some local contacts to advise you - the embassy may also
be able to help here.
Apart from that, keep an eye on forums like the HUBB to find out up to
date info.
I might try to get some more detailed info from him next time I see him
if anyone is interested.
--
Regards,
Julian Voelcker
Mobile: 07971 540362
Cirencester, United Kingdom
1994 HDJ80, 2.5" OME Lift
 
Hey Julian,
Thanks for the info.
We plan on crossing the congo somewhere at the end of next year. We
will probably be taking the route everyone else takes (cross the river
around matadi and out of the country again). We would really love to
take "the long route", ie: enter around Kinshasa and go all the way
to Lubumbashi. There used to be a road, but according to the latest
info on the hubb this is road is no longer in use for quite some time
now. And basicly non-existing for great parts. Also Mining permits
(read: pay lots and lots of cash) are required for the area.
Being that hard makes it extra attractive for us ofcourse ;-)
If you could get some up-to-date info on that route, it would be
greatly appreciated!
Cheers,
Fred
On 28/12/05, Julian Voelcker <[Email address removed]> wrote:
 
Hi Frederik,
I'll see what I can do, but suggest you contact the British Embassy out
there, they will have the most up to date info.
--
Regards,
Julian Voelcker
Mobile: 07971 540362
Cirencester, United Kingdom
1994 HDJ80, 2.5" OME Lift
 
On 28/12/05, Julian Voelcker <[Email address removed]> wrote:
About every country (including Belgium) have a negative travel advice
for DRC. That will be the standard reply you get from every embassy...
Some "real" info from people out there is always usefull.
Thanks!
Fred
 
Hi Frederik,
One of the key bits of advice was to get the advice from the British
Embassy actually out there. Once you get past all the usual warnings
you should be able to get some good local advice.
--
Regards,
Julian Voelcker
Mobile: 07971 540362
Cirencester, United Kingdom
1994 HDJ80, 2.5" OME Lift
 
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