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'The book is well written and a result of extensive research. Without being academic, it provides a wide range of information concerning the country's (sad) history. There is good advice regarding health and language. The chapters cover virtually all the country, even places that the tourist will not visit due to distance.' Registrodelivros 'The Bradt Travel Guide. Democratic Republic Congo is indispensable.' Calgary Herald
Product Description
The first full guidebook on both Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the People's Republic of Congo (PRC) in well over a decade, the Bradt guide provides full coverage of the major cities and national parks of the two countries. The Congos encompass Africa’s largest area of intact rainforest. Two eastern national parks, both World Heritage Sites, protect not only the mountain gorilla but the critically endangered eastern lowland gorilla as well. One of the last bastions in Africa for the seriously adventurous traveller, the Congos are open to serious travellers. The Bradt guide tells you how to travel both adventurously and safely.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Note: This review refers to the Katanga, Central Congo and Kinshasa chapters and the chapters with general information on the country, as I have visited only the aforementioned places.
Two details from the Kikwit and the Ilebo chapter make me wonder how carefully the information in this guide book has been researched. The guide book says that there are a Hotel A and a Hotel BCD in Kikwit. In reality there are no hotels with these generic names in Kikwit, and it is very unlikely that they ever existed as no one in Kikwit had ever heard of the Hotel A and the Hotel BCD. But what one can find on the web is a travel map of Kikwit, drawn and published by a traveller who has been in Kikwit in 2007 (google for steve is lost). On this map this traveller has labeled what is the Hotel Walir with A and a row of hotels (flophouses in reality) with B, C, D.
Another example, from the Ilebo chapter. Again, on the travel map one finds the Hotel da Palma, and the prices for the different room types are listed - Ordinary, Suite and Apt. What one can find in the Bradt guide book are a Hotel Palma, a Hotel Apt, a Hotel Suite, and a Hotel Grainary (which is probably corresponding to the ordinary on the travel map - the handwriting on the travel map is not clearly legible.). Of course, in reality no Hotel Apt, Hotel Suite and Hotel Grainary exist in Ilebo and it is very unlikely that they ever did as the guys of the DGM (Direction general de migration) had not heard of these places (and they are the ones who should know even if the most obscure place in Ilebo).
Apart from these embarrassing coincidences, much of the information is inaccurate, the book is riddled with errors, and the maps are only approximate (especially true for the Lubumbashi and Likasi map).
Even taking into account that there are no other guide books on the Congos and that writing a guide book on these two countries is not an easy task, overall this guide book can hardly be recommended. The general information on history, nature and culture is decent (though not much information on demographics and the arts), but there is nothing one cannot find on Wikipedia. There is not much practical information, and what practical information one can find is in large parts inaccurate (though the Kinshasa chapter is somewhat better than the Katanga and the Central Congo chapters, albeit at the price of being a bit thin and incomplete). Of course information can change, but some things never change such as the street layout or the location of historical buildings. Given that in many instances the Bradt Congo does not even get these things right makes me doubt that changing circumstances are the reason for the poor quality of the practical information in this guide book. In fact, the fifteen year old Lonely Planet Central Africa was sometimes a more reliable guide than the two month old (at the time of my travel) Bradt Congo.
Two details from the Kikwit and the Ilebo chapter make me wonder how carefully the information in this guide book has been researched. The guide book says that there are a Hotel A and a Hotel BCD in Kikwit. In reality there are no hotels with these generic names in Kikwit, and it is very unlikely that they ever existed as no one in Kikwit had ever heard of the Hotel A and the Hotel BCD. But what one can find on the web is a travel map of Kikwit, drawn and published by a traveller who has been in Kikwit in 2007 (google for steve is lost). On this map this traveller has labeled what is the Hotel Walir with A and a row of hotels (flophouses in reality) with B, C, D.
Another example, from the Ilebo chapter. Again, on the travel map one finds the Hotel da Palma, and the prices for the different room types are listed - Ordinary, Suite and Apt. What one can find in the Bradt guide book are a Hotel Palma, a Hotel Apt, a Hotel Suite, and a Hotel Grainary (which is probably corresponding to the ordinary on the travel map - the handwriting on the travel map is not clearly legible.). Of course, in reality no Hotel Apt, Hotel Suite and Hotel Grainary exist in Ilebo and it is very unlikely that they ever did as the guys of the DGM (Direction general de migration) had not heard of these places (and they are the ones who should know even if the most obscure place in Ilebo).
Apart from these embarrassing coincidences, much of the information is inaccurate, the book is riddled with errors, and the maps are only approximate (especially true for the Lubumbashi and Likasi map).
Even taking into account that there are no other guide books on the Congos and that writing a guide book on these two countries is not an easy task, overall this guide book can hardly be recommended. The general information on history, nature and culture is decent (though not much information on demographics and the arts), but there is nothing one cannot find on Wikipedia. There is not much practical information, and what practical information one can find is in large parts inaccurate (though the Kinshasa chapter is somewhat better than the Katanga and the Central Congo chapters, albeit at the price of being a bit thin and incomplete). Of course information can change, but some things never change such as the street layout or the location of historical buildings. Given that in many instances the Bradt Congo does not even get these things right makes me doubt that changing circumstances are the reason for the poor quality of the practical information in this guide book. In fact, the fifteen year old Lonely Planet Central Africa was sometimes a more reliable guide than the two month old (at the time of my travel) Bradt Congo.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
- In step with actual practise.
- Health care instructions very useful - no exxageration, no understatement!!
- Useful for travelers. As well good preparation for a long stay (our case).
- Health care instructions very useful - no exxageration, no understatement!!
- Useful for travelers. As well good preparation for a long stay (our case).
1 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A country which currently attracts a lot of stick, some justified and some unjustified.
This book is a sound travel companion which warns against the most difficult areas whilst retaining a sense of realistic positivity about one of the most undeniably beautiful countries on the Dark continent.
A very usefull guide, the only up-to-date one ehich can be trusted. An absolute must for anyone traveling to Congo.
This book is a sound travel companion which warns against the most difficult areas whilst retaining a sense of realistic positivity about one of the most undeniably beautiful countries on the Dark continent.
A very usefull guide, the only up-to-date one ehich can be trusted. An absolute must for anyone traveling to Congo.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Well written, heavy on the detail
This guide is an excellent read if you are interested in the Congo.If you are only interested in skipping through this wonderful country without appreciating its complex and... Read more
Published on 19 May 2009 by Dan "Wanderers!" Wicks
Congo (Country Guides)
This is a fabulous book. It is very detailed and helpful and explains the state of the counrty today. Read more
Published on 6 April 2008 by CookieMonster
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