Kalemie

Understand

The town was founded in the 1890s as a Belgian military base called Albertville or Albertstad.

Getting there

Reaching Kalemie is difficult and travelling overland can be quite a dangerous journey. There are flights from the capital Kinshasa and Lubumbashi a few times per week with FlyCAA. Flying is by far the most convenient way of travelling here. There is an infrequent rail service from Lubumbashi, officially two-three times per month, but delays and breakdowns are common. Travelling by road is equally frustrating as the main road, the north-south N5, is often impassable. Kalemie being a port city, boats arrive here from other ports on Lake Tanganyika such as Kigoma. However, safety is an issue and accidents happen with some regularity.

1 Kalemie Airport. CAA operates flights from Kalémie to Lubumbashi and Goma 4 times a week. Before boarding, you will need to buy a local gopass (20USD). Upon arrival, all foreigners go to the right of the arrivals to an annex building to get registered (and need to have professional motives). (updated Jan 2021)

See

1 Pro-Cathedral of Christ the King (Pro-cathédrale Christ-Roi). (updated Feb 2026) 2 Saint-Albert Church (Église Saint-Albert). Historic church. (updated Jan 2021) Stade Kitshanga. Stade Mamba.

Buy

Marche du port. Ma maison. Marche Katanga Kivu. SNEL. Marche Lubuye. Brasimba. Horizon House.

Eat

Papa Senegalais. Restaurant OKAPI. Restaurent La Prunelle.

Drink & nightlife

DA RAISSA Resto - night club. Rio. Village Lubuye.

Sleep

1 Musalala Hotel Kalemie, Ave Tanganyika. Beachfront hotel with basic amenities. (updated Oct 2018) Hotel Kalemie. Mahobilali. Quaritier de la Paix. Hotel TCHAM.