Brazzaville, the Capital city of the Republic of Congo, is a vibrant, bustling city with everything to offer her visitors, from accommodation to restaurants, pubs, shopping, places of entertainment and much, much more!
If you are planning a holiday here, then the following list of parks and some of the best attractions in Brazzaville should help to keep you happily busy, every day during your stay.
Parks and Other Outdoor Activities.
1. Reserve Naturelle de Gorilles de Lesio-Louna-Lefini – if you are an animal lover, then you will definitely want to spend time at this reserve that is home to monkeys, gorillas, hippos and a wide variety of different birds.
As a visitor here, you will have the opportunity of being in one of the few areas on earth where you can see the famed silver-back gorillas.
Experiencing these magnificent animals in their natural habitat, will undoubtedly be a highlight of your stay in Brazzaville and leave you with memories that you will carry with you for the rest of your life!
2. Sakana Island – a visit to Sakana Island is a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of Brazzaville. Apart from the beach, there is also a swimming pool where you can relax and take in the scenery, as well as a luxurious gym if you want to work up a sweat before you go swimming.
Children are catered for too. The island has a special area for children, where they can work off that pent-up energy on the merry-go-round, trampoline and several other activities. Food and beverages are available to purchase, as well as overnight accommodation, should you want to spend a day or two on the island.
3. La Corniche – if you need time to wind down after days of sight-seeing, then this beautiful embankment is the place to go. This is where you can stroll around and take in the spectacular views of the mighty Congo River, all the way to Kinshasa.
When you reach the end of La Corniche, you will get to an enormous bridge that connects the presidential palace to Brazzaville central. If possible, be at the bridge at night, when it is all lit up – an absolutely breathtakingly beautiful sight!
4. Les Rapides – head to Site Touristique Les Rapides, a bar situated just outside Brazzaville, and you will be able to enjoy a meal and a few drinks while taking in the view of these wide, powerful rapids on the Congo River. Although the majority of people like to watch the rapids from this popular bar, the best place to see them is along the sandy roadway after you cross the bridge.
5. Enjoy a boat ride over the Congo River – this is an absolute must-do if you are a nature lover and appreciate fantastic views! Taking a boat ride over the second-largest river on earth and the second-largest river after the Nile, in Africa, is calming and therapeutic, but at the same time loads of fun!
Thousands of visitors to Brazzaville enjoy this outdoor activity, especially late in the afternoon when as a bonus, they get to see the stunning sunset as well. Apart from the spectacular views that you can enjoy, the boat ride will also give you the most beautiful views of neighboring Kinshasa.
Cultural.
1. Basilique Sainte-Anne Cathedral – if you’re a lover of beautiful buildings, then make your way to what many consider to be one of the most stunning buildings in Brazzaville, the Basilique Sainte-Anne Cathedral. Designed by Roger Erell, a French architect, the building is a mix of local and Western architecture and has a bright-green roof and fabulous, carved copper doors. Truly well worth a visit.
2. Institut Français du Congo Arts Center – if you’re looking for a great place to visit where you can enjoy a bit of everything, then the Institut Francais du Congo Arts Center is for you. This is where you can see plenty of art, photo exhibitions, listen and dance to live music, or watch a movie at the cinema. There is also a restaurant/snack bar, where they serve food at very reasonable prices. To round off your time here, you can wander through the shop on the premises and purchase some amazing arts and crafts produced by the local people.
3. Brazza Memorial – it was Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza, the Italian-French explorer who founded the settlement that is today Brazzaville. In 2006, his body was returned to Congo and interred in this superb monument. His statue stands outside, overlooking Brazzaville.
4. Palais du Peuple – this landmark is the home of Denis Sassou, Congo’s long-running president. Many visitors to Brazzaville come here to view and admire this impressive building, but do note that it is heavily guarded and photographing or approaching the building is not permitted.
5. Biblioteca Nacional de la República del Congo, Brazzaville – center of science and education.
Markets.
Shopping is always high on the to-do list of holidaymakers! Your holiday in Brazzaville will not be complete if you don’t pay a visit to one or more of the many markets in the area. These are guaranteed to leave you with unforgettable memories of shopping experiences like no other!
Just a few of the Markets are:
1. Marché Total – situated in Bacongo, this is Brazzaville’s largest market, where all sorts of things can be purchased, from monkeys to fabulous Congolese fabrics and everything in between! You will certainly find items here that you won’t find in many other markets in the world!
2. Marché Poto-Poto – situated in the center of one of the busiest neighborhoods in the city, this huge market, where all sorts of food-related products are sold, is a great place to mingle with the locals as they shop for fruits, vegetables and other groceries.
3. Marché Touristique – geared for tourists, the Marché Touristique is the perfect place to shop for locally-produced woodcarvings and woven fabrics that will make fantastic gifts for your loved ones back home.
There is no doubt that, after going through the above list of parks and attractions, cultural activities and an array of extremely unique markets, you will realize that Brazzaville is a great holiday destination and will start planning your trip there without hesitation!
Enjoy your Brazzaville experience!
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