Republic of the Congo: holidays, climate
Date | Holiday |
January 1 | New Year |
March 18 | Mary Ngouabi Day |
March April | Easter |
1st of May | Labor Day |
May June | Pentecost |
15th of August | Independence day |
November 1 | All Saints Day |
25 December | Christmas |
Source: Countryaah – Congo Holidays
Climate
The climate in the north of the country differs somewhat from that in the south.
Northern areas
The temperatures in the north of the country are very constant. The average daytime temperatures remain around 29 – 31 °C all year round. At night they stay at around 20-21 °C all year round. There is also no clear rainy season. From May to August there are about ten rainy days per month. After that, the precipitation increases until there are about 15 rainy days in November. Then the rainy days decrease again, in January there are seven days of rain.
Southern areas
In the south, greater temperature differences dominate the climate. The average daytime temperatures are from December to Mayat about 27 °C. From June to July they are only 25 °C. After that, however, they rise to 30 °C in October. At night they drop to 15-16 °C from October to April and even to 8 °C from June to July. From the end of May to the beginning of September there is a clearly recognizable dry season in which there is no rainfall at all. The rainy season lasts from December to March. During this time there are an average of 19-23 rainy days per month.
Attractions
- Abbreviationfinder.org: Presents the way that CG stands for the nation of Republic of the Congo as a two-letter acronym.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Sangha Tri National Park
The SanghaTri National Park is an amalgamation of national parks in the Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic and Cameroon, making it one of the cross-border world natural heritage sites.
In Cameroon it is the protected rainforest areas of the Lobeke National Park with the Boumba Bek Park and Nki Park. The Ba’Aka pygmies, for example, live in this park and their habitat is protected there.
In the Republic of the Congo, the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park is one of the protected areas.
Approx. 2,000 elephants, approx. 2,800 gorillas and many other species of mammals that are native to the rainforest – such as swamp antelopes, forest buffalos, bongos, leopards and chimpanzees – live in Lobeke Park. There are clearings in the forest guarded by rangers, where elephants and monkeys can often be found.
There are also many endemic birds, amphibians, swallowtail butterflies or forest pigs that only occur here. In the lakes you will find a very high fish population with some endemic fish species.
The species diversity of plants in the rainforest is also very abundant. The people who live here harvest bush mangos and honey, which they also sell.
The protection of these forests is absolutely necessary because they are constantly being cleared, not reforested and therefore large areas are already karstified. The penalties for illegal fishing and poaching are very high, unfortunately poachers are caught far too rarely. Special attention – with particularly high fines – is placed on the illegal trade in ivory.
Cities
Brazzaville
The capital of the Republic of the Congo is located in the southeast of the country, only separated from Kinshasa by the Congo River. The city, known for its numerous colorful markets, presents itself as a varied and exciting experience.
About 1.2 million people live in the shadow of the 106 meter high Tour Nabemba, the undisputed landmark of the city.
The important traffic junction Brazzaville offers its visitors not only the everyday Congolese chaos but also a short journey through time into the colonial history of the country, which can be read in buildings such as the Basilica Sainte Anne, the temple mosque and the Cathédrale de Sacré Coeur. As an excursion option, one should consider the rapids of the Congo, which bubble south of Brazzaville.
Loubomo (formerly Dolisie)
About 110,000 people live in Loubomo, formerly Dolisie. This city in the south of the country was once founded as a stop on the Congo-Océan railway line, which runs from Point-Noire to Brazzaville. Today’s third largest city in the Republic of the Congo has meanwhile advanced to become an important railway junction.
Point Noire
If there is a tourist center in the Republic of the Congo, it is Point Noire. Sandy beaches, diverse entertainment options and the flair of an Atlantic city attract not only the affluent Congolese, but also visitors from all over the world. With more than 630,000 residents, the second largest city in the Republic of the Congo has the most important seaport in the country with the port, which was completed in 1939. He made Point Noire the economic metropolis of the republic.
Special structures
Basilique Sainte-Anne in Brazzaville
The very remarkable Basilique Sainte-Anne in the capital Brazzaville was built in 1949 by Roger Erell and is so famous for its roof made entirely of green tiles. The basilica can confidently be called one of the most beautiful modern churches in Africa.
Cathédrale de Sacré Coeur in Brazzaville
The oldest structure in Brazzaville was built in 1894. In addition to its wonderful architecture, the Roman Catholic Church offers good views of districts such as Poto Poto and Centerville. On the other side of the river you can also see Kinshasa, the capital of the DR Congo.
Palais du Peuple in Brazzaville
The People’s Palace was built in 1901. Today the colonial building is at the disposal of the country’s president.
Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza Memorial in Brazzaville
This artistic marble construction next to the American embassy is reminiscent of Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza, a famous traveler of Italian origin to Africa. He also gave the capital of the Congolese Republic his name.
Tour Nabemba (also Elf Tower)
At 106 meters high, the Tour Nabemba is the tallest building in the Republic of the Congo. The building, named after the highest mountain in the country, could only be realized with the financial support of the French oil giant Elf Aquitaine, which explains the nickname “Elf Tower”. With this mammoth architectural project, the government of the Republic of the Congo wanted to demonstrate Brazzaville’s superiority over Kinshasa (DR Congo). The tower, built from 1982 to 1986, was designed by Jean Marie Legrand. It consists of a total of 30 floors, on which ministries and offices of charitable institutions are housed. After the tower was badly damaged during the civil war in 1997, it was restored, and the renovation costs were higher than the actual construction costs. The tower is also controversial because it devours around £ 3 million in maintenance costs every year. That seems cynical in a country where the health, education system and infrastructure are largely in ruins.
Brazzaville Markets
The colorful and lively markets are Brazzaville’s main attractions. The best known is the Marché Total, a hodgepodge of local foods that seem to cover everything from cassava to caterpillars. Central African carvings, weavings and masks are on offer at the Marché Touristique. Also recommended is the Poto Poto Market, which is located in the city’s West African quarter.
natural beauties
Conkouati-Douli National Park
In the dry season it takes about five hours by car from Brazzaville to Conkouati-Douli National Park, where elephants, gorillas and chimpanzees live. You should definitely take a tour guide and get him to sail the Ngongo River as late as possible and without a motor, because then the chance is highest to actually see the most spectacular animals.
Île Mbamou
About an hour from Brazzaville is the government-owned Île Mbamou, a very clean and pleasant island on which there is unfortunately not much to do – apart from swimming and relaxing.
L’arbre de Brazza near Loubomo
This is a gigantic baobab tree named after Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza. It rises about eight kilometers from the center of Loubomo.
Lesio Louna Gorilla Reserve
The gorilla reserve of the Republic of the Congo is located north of Brazzaville and is dedicated to protecting the indigenous gorillas. It is highly recommended to join one of the tours or to organize one yourself. An overnight stay in one of the tourist accommodations in the park can also be part of such an undertaking.
Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park
The huge Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park on the border of the Central African Dzanga Sangha National Reserve is the largest national park in the Republic of the Congo.
Parc National D’Odzala
The Parc National D’Odzala, one of the most interesting national parks in the world, is not only famous for its dense rainforest, which almost completely covers it, but is also visited mainly for its breathtaking fauna. Gorillas, forest elephants and chimpanzees. Although the EU-funded organization ECOFAC makes bookings for park visits, contact has been difficult in the past. Anyone who has managed to get an appointment for a tour needs to be in good physical condition, because the marches through the dense rainforest can sometimes be very exhausting.
Tiger Fish Congo Camp
In this natural paradise you can hunt for the largest tiger fish on earth. The largest tiger fish ever caught weighed 56 kg.