Lubumbashi

Lubumbashi is the second largest city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with a population of 1.8 million (2015), and the principal city of the Katanga region.

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

By train
While passenger trains to Lubumbashi are still slow, infrequent and often cancelled, there has been some upgrades in the early 2020s. Two brand new trains runs between Lubumbashi and Kananga, via Likasi and Kamina and numerous smaller towns. The New Diamant Béton and New Express Colombe trains both features couchettes, working electricity and a restaurant car. Journey times are still long, with the full route taking up to two days to complete.

Departures on other routes, such as those from Kalemie and Kindu, are still very infrequent and often limited to a few mixed passenger and goods trains per month. There are no trains from Zambia, the nearest station across the border is in Kitwe. Inquires about departures should be made directly at the station or by contacting SNCC, the national operator.



See


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.



Do

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

Buy

 * Carrefour Hyper Psaro.


 * Briquet Ville.


 * Golf Karavia.

Eat

 * 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.

Drink

 * Village Beau Site.


 * Matshipisha.

Consulates

 * 🇧🇪 Belgium
 * 🇿🇦 South Africa