Republic of the Congo OVERVIEW
Congo, or Congo-Brazzaville as it is often called to avoid confusion with its much larger neighbor, the Democratic Republic of Congo, is one of the more developed African countries and also one noted for a number of things. Fancy some exploration? If you're traveling by ship, you'll have to put a bit of effort to cross the Mayombe Escarpment, a natural barrier rising up to 2,000 feet and carpeted with a dense, almost impenetrable, jungle forest. Once you do, the land is all yours to savor. Get ready for a lot of tastes - one of the most distinct and likely to linger in your memory will probably be the Congolese. Welcoming, ever enthusiastic about new visitors and born ready to have a good laugh, the Congolese are the land's best asset and a vital element of your Congo holiday adventure to follow.
Once you rub shoulders with the locals and perhaps have a game of table-football, which they seem to be extremely keen on, get yourself involved with the highlights. If you're looking for kicks, you'll have them here. Just steer towards the Congo Rapids and the river will have you whirl and swirl, splash and get soaked - both with water and scenic views. And remember, no water adventure is complete without the impressive Loufoulakari Falls, the Trou de Dieu and also the supreme surf beaches of Pointe-Noire - stunning pics to take back home guaranteed. You can't miss Congo's cult feature, the lowland gorillas, either. The land's virgin forests and reserves like the Kahuzi-Biega and Virunga National Park are sure to present an unparalleled lesson on the feathery and furry fellows, brightly illustrated with happy frolics of the chimps and a the mountain gorilla solemn face. This former French colony is not only a feast for naturalists. City lovers shall take plenty of delight in the capital of Brazzaville, its vibrant Poto Poto suburb and the beautiful Basilique Sainte Anne along with the brimming with hustle and bustle markets at Oluendze and Moungali.
Hopefully, the times of ethnic and political tensions as well as the six-year-long civil war which haunted Congo in the 1990s are over, no longer making the country's charm off limits to all but the most diehard of travelers. Who knows, you might soon be one of the backpackers exploring the mysteries of Africa's second biggest lifeblood river, the Congo.
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