In early June, I’m planning to go from Congo Brazzaville to RDC and to use the Luozi ferry. Has anyone got recent experience, in particular on two things:
1. I’m thinking of going via Boko. Is this the main route? Is it reasonably straightforward? Has anyone experience of other possibilities for getting to Luozi?
2. I’ve heard the RN1 (the old road from Brazza to Pointe-Noire) is closed near Kinkala, i.e. where you head south to Boko. Is this right? If so, what route do you take to get on the road to Boko?
Thanks

Hi Michael,

I crossed from Congo to DRC last year around that time.
There were conflicts at that time in the region between Brazza and Luozi.

So I rode my bike to Dolisie (Congo) then went straight south into DRC. Once you reach route N12 you can head to Luozi or directly towards Matadi. I went to Luozi because I wanted extra offroad riding. Between Congo and the N12 you will be without map and gps tracks for a little bit. You will run into a few forks but there is nothing to worry about. If you take a wrong one that doesn't head south within a reasonable distance, just turn around and take the other. The main idea is to head south.

What bike are you riding? You need to like offroad riding. Depending on the rain, the biggest obstacle was a deep but short pool to cross. Water level was about 10cm above the airbox intake of a DR650. It is no problem if you don't stop in the water. There are a few locals at the pool who carry bikes above water. I prefered to ride my bike in the water instead.

The custom leaving Congo are very easy. In the last village, i stopped at the police station and had a chat with the officer. I asked If I could camp in front of his station and he said yes. Then he asked me if I had my exit stamp. I said no. Then he offered to take my passport and go get the stamp for me while I pitch my tent. He looked legit and I wanted to spice things up a bit so I told him sure! Then he jumped on his motorbike with passport and went away... I have to admit that it is an interesting feeling to see someone leaving with your passport when you don't know where he is going. About 30min. later, he showed up with another guy on his motorbike. It was the immigration officer. We had a small chat and told me to have a good night and that I'm ready to go anytime tomorrow morning. Do what I did at your own risk!!!

Bring your food for diner and if you need fuel someone has some in bottles in the village.

The DRC custom is a small village, half the village with be around you as the officer fills his papers. They are very friendly. You have time to scare the kids while acting like a monster, people were asking to have their pictures taken. It was a fun crossing. If your french is not good, I do recommend that you to bring you own ink for the customs on the DRC side. When the offical at the border stamped my passport, he barely had ink and the immigration stamp was not complete. It makes things later more interesting with the other officials. They could not see where I entered in DRC and were worried. I got extra exit interviews when I left DRC. I like those interactions so for me it was entertaining but maybe it will not for you.


Custom may checked on you again in Luozi. The immigration officer showed up at my table while I was eating at a restaurant. He filled his papers while I was eating. When he asked me for a copy of my passport I told him It was under all my gear on the bike. He told to keep eating and that he would go do the photocopy for me. I decided to go for the premium service and give him my passport and he left. He didn't even ask me any money for the photocopy. He came back later and wished me a nice stay. I could not ask for more service then that: Clearing custom at a restaurant! That was a first for me!

Africa get bad press regarding officals and I wanted to mention that some are doing a very good job.


Let me know if you have any questions,
Patrick

Thanks Pat, that's all very helpful. I'm on 4 wheels in a Defender.

Am I right that your route was Dolisie, Kimongo, Londela Kayes and then to the border and down to the N12? That would be particularly good if I come in the Dolisie way but I haven't decided on that yet.

I hadn't thought about going on to Matadi, but that looks a possibility.Is the N12 reasonable, or a slow track?

Thanks also for the comments on officials; I also think they get a bad press, though I'm not sure I'd go as far as you! I'll get some ink, if nothing else it can be a present.

You are right about the route you described.

The N12 is a slow but wide track. Expect it to be in bad shape because you are at the end of the rainy season and there will be mud pools. They may be deep. Do you have a winch in case you need it? There will be deep ruts also.

A few kilometers after leaving Congo there will be a bad track going up a steep hill. There is no shoulder on one side. It is better to drive that when dry (wet hard pack is very slippery).

It is mostly local bikes who cross between the N12 and Congo. It will look like single tracks for bikes. When looking at the tracks in more details, you can see that some 4x4 are passing but it is very rarely (the grass has time to grow over the second tire tracks. I did meet a couple in Namibia who took that crossing in a 4x4 Van. It is hilly at the beginning but it gets flatter as you progress.

Between Congo and DRC, some villages don't like to have 4x4 crossing between their houses. Some locals put poles to block the dirt paths and only allow bikes. There are detours by the side those villages. Just take it easy around them. You may want to check on google to get an idea of the road you need to take since you are in a 4x4 and turning around is more complicated. A section of the tracks between Congo and DRC is on openstreetmap.

Patrick

Thanks, that's really useful. I have got a Tirfor, but I prefer not to have to use it, particularly because I'm alone on this trip!
I hope I'm going to get some comments on the other possible routes that might be easier, but your route does sound a nice one.