Brazzaville

Capital on the north bank of the Congo River, facing Kinshasa across the water, with the Basilica of Sainte-Anne, the Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza Memorial and the Congo River rapids to see; head north to the Lesio-Louna Gorilla Reserve.

Brazzaville is the capital of the Republic of the Congo, set on the north bank of the lower Congo River where it flows out of Pool Malebo (Stanley Pool). It faces Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, across the river, making them the two closest capital cities in the world. Founded in 1880 by the French explorer Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza, the city served as the capital of Free France during the Second World War and retains many colonial-era buildings. Sightseeing follows the riverbank: downtown has the Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza Memorial, the Nabemba Tower and the riverside Corniche; in the northern Poto-Poto district you'll find the green-roofed Basilica of Sainte-Anne, the Poto-Poto School of Painting and lively markets; the southern Bacongo district has the Total Market and the Case De Gaulle; and the Congo River rapids on the southwestern outskirts are the best place to watch the great river surge past and look across to Kinshasa. Day trips in the surrounding Pool Department include the Trou de Dieu ("God's Hole") and the Loufoulakari Falls; about 140 km north, the Lesio-Louna Reserve offers sightings of western lowland gorillas released back into the wild, usually as an overnight trip. The climate is humid tropical: the dry season from June to September is cooler with little rain and is the best time to visit, while the rainy season from October to May is hot, humid and stormy. Chinese citizens must obtain a visa in advance, and a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry. Taxis are the main way to get around town; photographing government buildings and military sites is prohibited, and check the security situation before heading into the Pool Department. Plan on 2–3 days.

Top sights

• Basilica of Sainte-Anne du Congo – A green-tiled cathedral in the Poto-Poto district, with pointed arches that blend African elements. It is Brazzaville's most iconic buildin…
• Mémorial Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza – A white marble memorial to Brazza, the city's founder, where he is buried. Exhibits on his expeditions are displayed inside, and the front…
• Rapids of the Congo River – The first stretch of rapids where the Congo River leaves Lake Malebo. Turbulent brown waves and Kinshasa on the opposite bank make it Brazz…
• Poto-Poto School of Painting – Founded in 1951 as a cradle of modern African painting, the Poto-Poto School's elongated figures and bright color fields are renowned abroa…
• Poto-Poto Market – One of Brazzaville's liveliest traditional markets, with dense stalls selling African wax-print cloth, spices, smoked fish and household go…
• Marché Total (Bacongo) – A large mixed market in the southern Bacongo district, with vegetables, fruit, spices and cooked food; a good place to experience everyday…
• Sacred Heart Cathedral – A red-brick cathedral completed in the late 19th century, one of the oldest churches in Central Africa, witnessing a century of city histor…
• Corniche de Brazzaville & 15 August Bridge – A promenade built along the Congo River, where walkways and an elevated bridge offer views of the Kinshasa skyline and city lights reflect…
• Nabemba Tower – A glass-curtain-wall tower about 106 metres tall, once the tallest building in Central Africa and a landmark of the Brazzaville skyline.
• Case de Gaulle – Brazzaville served as the capital of 'Free France' during the Second World War, and de Gaulle lived here; the house is now the residence of…
• Trou de Dieu – A huge natural depression near Kinkala in Pool Department, with a cross-lined Way of the Cross on a central hill, combining natural wonder…
• Loufoulakari Falls – Waterfalls formed where the Loufoulakari River drops before flowing into the Congo, shrouded in mist and surrounded by jungle; a popular da…
• Lésio-Louna Gorilla Reserve – A gorilla reintroduction reserve north of Brazzaville, where visitors take boats along the river to look for western lowland gorillas retur…

Where to eat

• Mami Wata Restaurant – A family-run landmark on the riverfront boulevard, open since 2005, overlooking the Congo River toward Kinshasa. One of…
• Maman Ro Family Restaurant – A family restaurant in a house garden in Bacongo, where the hostess cooks a three-course traditional Congolese meal eac…
• La Mandarine Dessert Restaurant – A long-running city-centre dessert shop and restaurant, open since 1993, popular for its cakes, ice cream and Lebanese…

Itineraries

• Libreville, Pongara & Brazzaville Tour – Combine Gabon's coastal park with the capital on the Congo River to experience equatorial beaches and Central African u…