Matadi
Democratic Republic of the Congo · Africa
About Matadi
Matadi is the chief sea port of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the capital of the Kongo Central province, adjacent to the border with Angola. It had a population of 245,862 (2004). Matadi is situated on the left bank of the Congo River, 148 km (92 mi) from the mouth and 8 km (5.0 mi) below the last navigable point before the rapids that make the river impassable for a long stretch upriver.
Matadi was near the site of the state of Vungu, which was first mentioned in 1535 and was said to be destroyed in 1624.
Matadi itself was founded by Sir Henry Morton Stanley in 1879. It was strategically important because it was the last navigable port going upstream on the Congo River; it became the furthest inland port in the Congo Free State. The construction of the Matadi–Kinshasa Railway (built between 1890 and 1898) made it possible to transport goods from deeper within Congo's interior to the port of Matadi, stimulating the city to become an important trading center. Portuguese and French West-African commercial interests influenced the city's architecture and urban design, which borrowed from the neighboring colonies in Angola and the Congo-Brazzaville.
Matadi travel guide
Understand
Founded in 1879 by Sir Henry Morton Stanley, Matadi has a strategic position along the Congo river as it's the last navigable port before the impassable Livingstone Falls. It's the gateway to the world for Democratic Republic of Congo and the country's largest port.
Getting there
By plane There's no scheduled flights to Matadi, but the small, unpaved, Matadi Tshimpi Airport can handle small charter flights.
By road Travelling by road is possible as national road N1 between Kinshasa and the Atlantic port of Banana passes through Matadi. The road is generally in acceptable condition with many paved sections, however there are rough parts which requires a 4x4 vehicle. It's recommended to make inquirers before travelling. Matadi is also the site of the only bridge across Congo river proper. Matadi is next to the border with Angola and it's possible to travel by road from Northern Angola. The nearest city across the border is M'banza-Kongo, while the distance is just over 120 km the state of roads make the journey challenging.
By rail A better option might be travelling by rail. Passenger trains are once again running to Matadi from the capital Kinshasa. Trains are semi-modern with first-class seats and a dining car. There are departures 1-2 times a week and with a journey time of just seven hours it is one of the faster train services in central Africa.
1 Matadi railway station (Gare de Matadi) (Located just north of city centre.). (updated Nov 2019)
Getting around
There are many possibilities like the usage of boda-boda, taxi, bus, and as well railway transport which cross the city.
See
1 Cathedral of Matadi (Cathédrale Notre-Dame Médiatrice), 1 Avenue de la Mission. Built in 1892. (updated Nov 2019) Matadi Bridge. Port of Matadi.
Eat
Hotel Vivi Palace. Hotel Formoza Matadi.
Sleep
1 Hotel Métropole, 2 Avenue Kinkanda. A colonial building built in 1930. While having lost much of its international flair it's still a very decent hotel. (updated Nov 2019) Auberge de la Paix. Avenue Colonel Carine Lokanga Matadi.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.