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> Zaire [Democratic Republic of Congo]
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Travel - Internal
Note: There are indefinite restrictions on tourist travel within or across the country. A permit from the Ministry of the Interior is required for all travel outside the capital. Government curfews are in force in Kinshasa.
AIR: There are connections from N’Djili Airport (Kinshasa) to over 40 internal airports and 150 landing strips. Small planes may be available for charter.
RIVER: Over 1600km (1000 miles) of the Congo River are navigable and, in normal circumstances, there are services from Kinshasa to the up-river ports of Kisangani and Ilébo. Services at present, however, are unreliable owing to political instability and fuel shortages.
RAIL: The main internal railway runs from Lubumbashi to Ilébo, with a branch to Kalemie and Kindu, and from Kinshasa to the port of Matadi. Rail services are generally subject to disruption. There is no air-conditioning, but there are couchettes and dining cars on the principal trains.
ROAD: Traffic drives on the right. Owing to poor maintenance, the roads are among the worst in Africa and only achieve a fair standard around the main towns. It is wise to check that bridges are safe before crossing. Vehicle thefts, including hijackings at gunpoint, occur. Bus: Services run between the main towns but are crowded and unreliable. Taxi: Available in Kinshasa but unreliable. Car hire: Available on a limited basis at the airport. Documentation: International Driving Permit required.
URBAN: Conventional bus services in Kinshasa can be severely overcrowded. Minibuses and converted truck-buses also offer public transport, and are known as fula fulas. Pick-up trucks are known as ‘taxibuses’. A better standard of transport is provided by shared taxis, which are widely available. There is little or no public transport in most other large centres.
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