Assistance Offered in Kinshasa

[IanInDRCongo]

All,
just joined HU, so wanted to introduce myself. I am currently half way through a three year posting from UK to DR Congo, based in Kinshasa. If you are passing through Kinshasa, I may be able to offer free assistance if needed, as I am in a secure compound and have fairly comprehensive vehicle tools. Having covered the local area and the Angolan border crossing options on both two and four wheels, I can advise on current status.

[Cam Johnson]

Welcome to the HUBB mate, surprised you weren't here already! Thanks again for your hospitality last year. I made it all the way until Mt Kenya before my KLR snapped the timing chain and I had to truck into Nairobi. It sits there up to this day in pieces as I've gone off to work back in West Africa. When are we going to hear a ride report from you?
Cheers, Campbell.

[rndef]

Originally Posted by IanInDRCongo

All,
just joined HU, so wanted to introduce myself. I am currently half way through a three year posting from UK to DR Congo, based in Kinshasa. If you are passing through Kinshasa, I may be able to offer free assistance if needed, as I am in a secure compound and have fairly comprehensive vehicle tools. Having covered the local area and the Angolan border crossing options on both two and four wheels, I can advise on current status.

Hey Ian,
I'm very close to leaving from Portugal to South Africa and back on a XT600E.
I'll be going through Kinshasa so maybe will give you a "shout" and we can get toghether for a few s! Cheers

[romnek72]

Try this border crossing Kinkala -Boko -luozi-malanga.
Ferry cost aprox $2usd,( some times is free)no corrupt officials.
Louzi the only one catholic mission, safe place to camp.
Road to louzi is bid challenging during wet seasons but on xt should be fun.

[rndef]

Originally Posted by romnek72

Try this border crossing Kinkala -Boko -luozi-malanga.
Ferry cost aprox $2usd,( some times is free)no corrupt officials.
Louzi the only one catholic mission, safe place to camp.
Road to louzi is bid challenging during wet seasons but on xt should be fun.

Thanks Romnek72, great tip,
will probably do. Seems a great alternative from the hectic and costly Brazzaville-Khinshasa crossing.
Will keep in touch, cheers,

[IanInDRCongo]

Hey Campbell. Good to hear from you. Sorry to hear about the KLR. Any plans to do a Lazarus on it?

Funny you ask when I might do a ride report. Heading south next month with a mate on a couple of F700/800GS's, having done a recce across the Angolan border a few weekends ago. We have a month to play with, so intending to bimble through Angola and reach Windhoek before returning to Kinshasa. Will not be as epic as your Kinshasa to Lubumbashi run but should be fun.

Take care,
Ian.

[sombreroboat]

Hi Ian!
We are in brazza now and discussing the route to lubumbashi as we might not be able to get angola visas here. we hear different stories whether its rainy season or not, maybe you can give us a better insight on the current status of the route to lubumbashi? In the meantime we will be trying to get our angolan visas in dolisie and point noire. If this doesnt work out, we should share our stories over a few s!
cheers! bart and jasmin

[IanInDRCongo]

Hi Bart and Jasmin.

Sorry for the late reply. Did you make the crossing yet?

This is definately the rainy season, so the Kin-Lub route would be epic right now.

Can you attempt to get an Angolan visa in Kinshasa? Do let me know when you are here so we can do a or three.

[whereinafrica]

Hey Ian! We are currently in Yaounde waiting on a few visas and will be heading down through Congo and into DRC in our Landy Defender in the next few weeks. Would be great to have a few bevvies in Kinshasa if you're around!

Interesting to read about the alternative route into DRC via Kinkala/Boko as we're not super keen on the Brazza/Kins ferry. Do you guys know if this is possible in 4x4 and what the state of the roads is like?

Cheers, Paul & Kate

[IanInDRCongo]

Hi Paul & Kate,
how are you getting on with the visas? Officialdom here recently seems to have moved the goalposts on visas, so hope that is not making things more difficult.

A couple of lads took the Kinkala/Boko ferry route on bikes last year but that was in the dry season. I would say it is worth a go in a Defender. I would similarly not trust the Brazza/kin ferry.

When are you due here? I am around until 24th Apr, then overlanding on two wheels south to Windhoek and back for a month. Do say if you are coming through Kinshasa before that. I have a Defender here and tools to fix most things on them. Can also get spares if required given enough notice.