Pool - Route Wiki

Pool is a region of the Republic of the Congo surrounding the capital, Brazzaville. While there is much to see in this beautiful region, Pool is the most dangerous region of the country (outside of the safe capital), as it is the base for a rebellion against the central government.

Cities

Brazzaville — the capital is home to one third of the country's people, and has been designated a City of Music by UNESCO
Kinkala

Other destinations

Ile Mbamou — the island at the center of Malebo Pool

Understand

Get in

By plane

Maya-Maya Airport (IATA: BZV), -4.2517°, 15.253031°. Brazzaville can be reached from Paris by Air France on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. There are flights from Johannesburg by South African Airways on Mondays and Thursdays. Brazzaville can also be reached through Ethiopian Airlines from Addis Ababa four times a week; Addis Ababa has connecting flights to numerous other international destinations, including Dubai. Royal Air Maroc operates three direct flights a week from Casablanca. Kenya Airways operates flights to Brazzaville three times a week from Nairobi. If you are a Sky Team associate, you can catch a KLM or Air France flight to Nairobi, and connect to Brazzaville from there. There are also many flights to other smaller capital cities in Africa, including neighbouring Kinshasa.

By ferry

You can also travel to Brazzaville from Kinshasa via boat, but it is recommended to fly directly into Brazzaville if your intent is to visit the Republic of Congo.

By train

Rail services link Brazzaville with Dolisie and the seaside city of Pointe-Noire. The national operator, CFCO has introduced a new "express" train named La Gazelle; however, it still takes a grueling 15 hours to complete the journey. On the plus side the train has air conditioning, a restaurant car and power sockets. There's also slower services, generally not recommended for tourists. The railway station, Gare de Brazzaville 📍 is located at Place de la Liberte.

Get around

You may use local green taxis, even if they are in a poor technical condition. Much as you would anywhere, take a security-first approach to taxis.

See

Palais du Peuple, -4.282925°, 15.265085°. Nice colonial palace built in 1901, today presidential palace. 2023-01-28
Markets of Moungali, Poto-Poto, Bacongo.
Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza Memorial, -4.27854°, 15.27938°, +242 055328740. 09:00-17:00 M-Sa, Closed Su. A marble memorial to this Italian-born French explorer, and a museum tracing the history and culture of the Republic of the Congo. 2023-01-28
Le Palais des Congrès, Avenue Des Armees (across from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs). The Palace of the Congresses. 2023-01-28
L’Ecole de Peinture de Poto Poto – Poto Poto Painting School
Les Rapides in Djoué, Ramsar site for endangered birds along the Congo River west of Brazzaville.
Brazzaville Zoo. 2023-01-28

Churches

Basilique Sainte-Anne of the Congo, -4.268626°, 15.284171°. Built by Roger Erell, 1949, one of the most beautiful modern churches in the world. 2023-01-28
Sacred Heart Cathedral (Cathédrale du Sacré-Cœur de Brazzaville). This Catholic church was constructed by Mr. Augouard and offers views of downtown areas such as Poto Poto and Centreville, and Kinshasa, the capital of DRC across the river. 2023-01-28

Do

Corniche, -4.28207°, 15.27224°. This is almost like a 'See' listing because you can get pretty wonderful views of Kinshasa across the Congo as well as the new Pont du 15 Août 1960 (Bridge of August 15, 1960), which was opened in 2016, as you are walking along the banks of the river here. This is probably the best place to go walking in fact in Brazzaville, just be careful at night. 2023-01-28

Recreational activities

If you enjoy outdoor sports, bring equipment that you may need, such as picnic supplies, golf equipment, and sports attire. All equipment available locally is expensive. Photographic equipment and facilities are also available at double U.S. prices. The following clubs and hotels are open to paying memberships:

Tennis Club, -4.269138°, 15.252073°. Facilities include 10 clay courts with lights, a squash court, a swimming pool, and a large bar. Balls are supplied free. This club is on the dirt road next to the road leading to the National Stadium.
Brazzaville Golf Club, -4.307243°, 15.207430°, +242 528 3643, +242 663 7127. The club has a well-kept, nine-hole course (which by clever use of tees converts into an 18-hole course) with sand greens. It is on the grounds of the regional headquarters of the WHO, 20 minutes south from Brazzaville, and has a spectacular view of the Congo River and the rapids.
Laico Maya-Maya Brazzaville Hotel. Offers monthly subscriptions for use of its tennis courts and pool.
Olympic Palace Hotel. Offers monthly subscriptions for use of its tennis court and pool. Monthly rates at Olympic are significantly higher than Laico Maya-Maya Brazzaville Hotel.
The market of Poto Poto is fabulous. This is the West African quarter.
The Bakongo neighborhood is great for wandering around; at night there are a plethora of plastic-chaired bars and street food to choose from.

Eat

Le Jardin (French) soft bread, lovely t-bone, great outdoor ambiance, sometimes live music first class place
Mami Wata (Continental) right on the Congo River, US$30 Sunday night buffet, pizza, seafood, pasta, and salad.
Chef David (There are several in town. This is the best pizza in town, and the best one is near City Center.) They also do carry-out.
La Mandarine (Lebanese: ice cream! the best patisserie in town. also a great brunch place)
Noura I and II (Lebanese) Hotel de Ville are. Known for chicken shwarma.
Le Renouveau at the corner across from the roundabout at Pharmacie Mavre. Serves local, fast food and some grilled dishes. Has a well-stocked small bar inside.
L'Sympathique (French) down the street from Pharmacie Mavre. Good value, lunch and dinner.

Street food is mostly limited to beignets and manioc in the downtown area. Egg sandwiches, and avocado and salami sandwiches are found at random. At night there is meat on a stick

Drink

Ram Dam. This nightclub is at Plato next to Nanu Fer restaurant. Cover charge is FCFA 5,000 per person and includes one drink. All drinks, including water, are extremely expensive. Local, French and English music. Opens late.
Château Rouge, Avenue Foch, -4.277176°, 15.277336°. Nightclub above the Chinese restaurant called Restaurant de ta Paix in the Hotel de Ville area (on the same street as La Mandarine and Noura restaurants). Cover charge is FCFA 5,000 per person and includes one drink.
Les Rapides is a bar that any taxi driver would know. It provides a great view of the river, and you can run around in the river if you want.
No Stress, -4.270697°, 15.288894°. A lot of foreigners and expats. Most of the taxis will know how to get there but you can always ask for instructions at the reception of your hotel.

Pool - department of the Republic of the Congo