Lubumbashi

Creole Swahili is the principal language of the Copperbelt mining cities and is somewhat more different from classical East African Swahili than that spoken elsewhere along the eastern edge of Congo. Most people can communicate in French, and many of the elite are more at ease in French than Swahili. English is widely spoken in businesses.

By plane

• Lubumbashi International Airportserved internationally by South African Airways, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines and Zambian Airways. Flights within Congo D. R. are offered by CAA.

By car/truck

By bus

Connections via Zambia to Dar es Salaam and to South Africa.

By train

Passenger trains to Lubumbashi are slow, infrequent and often cancelled. However, it is possible to travel by train from such far away cities as Ilebo, Kalemie and Kindu. Departures are often a few times per month, or even more infrequent. There has been attempts to improve conditions of the railway over the recent decade but regular passenger services has yet to materialize. Inquires about departures should be made directly at the station or by contacting SNCC, the national operator. The colonial-era is centrally located.

Lubumbashi has several prominent examples of colonial architecture, such as the art-déco style Palace of Justice, the Grand Hotel or the cathedral Cathedral of Saint Pierre and Paul. Some have been restored in the last few years.

• Cathedral of Saint Pierre and PaulBuilt in 1910.

• Lubumbashi Zoological Garden

  address: Boulevard Kamanyola
  In addition to several predators like lions and tigers, this zoo has a large snake collection and termites museum.

• National Museum of Lubumbashi

  address: 750 Avenue du Musée
  Has a collection of archaeological and ethnological artifacts of the regions history.

• Cercle Wallon

  address: 2 Avenue de la Révolution
  Eat, bar, tennis (incl. lessons), 10 pin bowling.

• Lubumbashi Golf Club

  address: Route du Golf
  Designed in 1934, this gold club hosts numerous competitions each year and is open for guests.

• Watch one of football club TP Mazembe's games.

Plage Tshombe: several restaurants and bars, situated on Route du Golf at Lake Tshombe.
Le Boucher: A high end restaurant on La Plage Golf.
Lattelicious: an American style bar/restaurant and cafe in the Quartier du Golf.
Cercle Grec(Taverna Communaute Hellenique): The Greek Club in town, serves a variety of mezze and other plates. It also has sports grounds and a playground.
On Ave Kilela Balanda
Latte Lounge: Same owner as Lattelicious, located in town on Ave Kilela Balanda.
Planet Hollybum: A hotel on Ave Kilela Balanda, which also has an Italian restaurant, specializing in pizza.
India Spice: Indian restaurant, which serves buffet or a la carte.

• Bougian Villa

  phone: +243 811 743182
  address: Av Lukonzolwa 58/59
  Bougian Villa is a South African-owned Guest House claiming to offer the best accommodation in Lubumbashi. In-house restaurant (which offers good value home-style meals for breakfast, lunch, and supper), also a full bar, wifi internet, dstv, etc.

• AMS Guest House

  phone: +243 995465769
  address: 7409 Avenue de la Revolution
  18 rooms with air-con, DSTV, wi-fi and en-suite bathrooms, kitchenettes. Hotel also has a restaurant and bar.

• Grand Hotel Karavia

  phone: +243 815 583058
  address: 55 Route du Golf
  Formerly the old Sheraton Hotel that was abandoned for 10 Years, fully Renovated in 2010

• Park Hotel

  phone: +243 97032330
  address: 50 Avenue Munongo
  Built in 1929, this art deco gem is Lubumbashi's classic hotel. The inner courtyard has an excellent restaurant, with delightful live jazz most evenings.

• Hotel Belle-Vue

  address: Av. Kasai
  One of the most beautiful buildings in Lubumbashi. The rooms are simple and inexpensive. The balcony overlooking the busy street is charming.

Consulates

• Belgium

  address: Avenue Lufira 990

• South Africa

  phone: +243 81 700 5291
  address: 2875 Lumumba Avenue