Hello Congo (Brazzaville)!

I got the chance to visit Congo Brazzaville for work last month. It was a very short trip as I was only in the country for about 5 days. I always look forward to visiting new countries, no matter the duration, more so when they are usually less travelled to. So I was very happy for the opportunity.

The Republic of Congo or Congo Brazzaville – not to be confused with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) or Congo-Kinshasha is a country in Central Africa. Pointe-Noire, the city I visited is its second-largest city – after the capital.

Beach Congo Brazzaville

First Impressions of Point-Noire, Congo Brazzaville…

I tried to do some research before leaving Nigeria to get a sense of what Pointe-Noire would be like. I didn’t find many resources that talked about this but I got the feeling that it would be very much like cities in Benin Republic.

It was. Both countries belong to ‘Francophone Africa’, so the culture was pretty much similar. If I were to compare Pointe-Noire with a Beninese city I have visited, it would probably fit right in the middle between Cotonou and Ouidah. It wasn’t as chaotic as the former but not as calm as the latter.

Pointe-Noire Congo Brazzaville Pointe-Noire Congo Brazzaville

Generally, I loved Pointe-Noire the moment I stepped into the city. The weather was perfect – not too hot or cold; people seemed more relaxed and easy-going, my colleagues were amazing hosts and I got a very calm vibe from the city.

Getting a Visa to Congo Brazzaville from Nigeria

I needed to submit the documents below for the visa. I applied for a business visa; the requirements may vary slightly for a tourist visa.

  • International passport with at least 6 months validity and a minimum of 2 free leaflets
  • Letter from Immigration office in Congo – sent via DHL to Abuja
  • Original Letter of Introduction – sent via DHL to Abuja
  • Hotel reservation in coloured print
  • 2 passport photos(white background)
  • Copy of Work ID card
  • Flight itinerary
  • Certificate of incorporation from the host country and applicant’s country
  • International vaccination certificate (find out how to get the new e-yellow card here)
  • Copy of biodata page
  • Filled and signed visa forms
  • Copy of marriage certificate if married
  • Copy of Birth Certificates if travelling with kids

The actual visa processing time took only about 4 days but it took a little over a month to get the Letter from the Immigration office in Congo. The cost for the single entry one-month visa was ₦40,000.

Congo Brazzaville

PS: A requirement for entry into Congo Brazzaville is a copy of the letter of invitation from the immigration office, so be sure to travel with it.

Getting to Pointe-Noire from Nigeria

There are no direct flights from Lagos, Nigeria to Congo. So to get there, I flew with Ethiopian Airlines. First to Addis Ababa, where I spent the night and then to Pointe-Noire via Brazzaville. It was a really long trip for a journey that should have taken less than 4hours. However, I spent nearly 23 hours (layover time inclusive) getting there.

Ethiopia First View Addis Ababa

Other airlines that fly to Pointe-Noire are Air Cote D’Ivoire and Asky (combined with other airlines). With about 8hour flight time, Air Cote D’Ivoire is the fastest way to get to Pointe-Noire from Lagos. The airline operates the route from Lagos 3 days a week, alternating the days for the return from Pointe-Noire.

Les Gorges de Diosso Congo Brazzaville Les Gorges De Diosso lookout Congo Brazzaville

I enjoyed visiting Pointe-Noire a lot. I had a free weekend while I was there, so I got to explore the city a little. I’ll write about that in my next article.

QUICK FACTS – CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE

Where | Central Africa

President | Denis Sassou Nguesso (since 1997) via Wikipedia

Capital City | Brazzaville

Official Language | French

Currency | Central African C.F.A (1$ = 585.38 CFA)

Population | 5.261 million (2017)

What do you think about exploring the road less travelled? Is Congo on your list of places to visit?

4 comments

  1. Hi Amarachi!!!!!!
    It’s been a minute, I was on a self imposed blog break and I have missed this space so much!

    Congo – the two of them have never featured on any of my travel lists..just never crossed my mind.
    But I totally love the pictures, they have this Cotonou/Lome vibe.

    Huggss

    1. Good to have you back, Fisayo! I’ve missed you too 🙂
      Up until this visit, I also never had any of the two countries on my travel list but I would like to visit DRC now. I wonder how different it is from Brazzaville…

  2. Awesome article! The city looks clean and very developed.
    I wonder why a whole Lagos won’t fly directly to Congo.
    Anyways, I think Brazzaville is the capital of the Republic of Congo and about Population, please is it for Congo or just Brazzaville cos it’s really low?

    1. Thanks for your comment, Emmanuel. I guess not that many people fly to Congo, so there’s no reason for a direct flight. And you’re right, Brazzaville is the capital (I included that in the article).

      The population is for the entire country 🙂

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Guess where! 👀
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Let me be honest, that tripod was never going to see the light of day! 🤭
Let me be honest, that tripod was never going to see the light of day! 🤭
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What a beautiful city! 😍

#kamoriver #kyoto #japan
What a beautiful city! 😍 #kamoriver #kyoto #japan
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Clear views of Mount Fuji, a beautiful lake and swans... what more could I possibly ask for? 🥰
_____________________

If you visit the area, here are some places you'll find the swans + a perfect view of Mount Fuji 🏔🦢

📌 Hirano Beach 白鳥浜: There's an elderly gentleman who comes to feed the swans from around 8:30am to 4pm, so you're likely to see flocks of swans here
📌 In front of Koyu Club Hotel (コーユー倶楽部山中湖畔サロン)
📌 A little further down the road from the last location is a dock where you can also rent swan boats.

For clear views of Mount Fuji, winter, spring and autumn have the most days with clear visibility. You can always look up the weather forecast to see what the day's going to be like before you visit. 

Early mornings and evenings give you the best chance of seeing the gorgeous mountain without any cloud coverings 🤍 On this particular day, Mount Fuji was clearly visible throughout the day!

#lakeyamanaka #fujifivelakes #swanlake #japan
Clear views of Mount Fuji, a beautiful lake and swans... what more could I possibly ask for? 🥰 _____________________ If you visit the area, here are some places you'll find the swans + a perfect view of Mount Fuji 🏔🦢 📌 Hirano Beach 白鳥浜: There's an elderly gentleman who comes to feed the swans from around 8:30am to 4pm, so you're likely to see flocks of swans here 📌 In front of Koyu Club Hotel (コーユー倶楽部山中湖畔サロン) 📌 A little further down the road from the last location is a dock where you can also rent swan boats. For clear views of Mount Fuji, winter, spring and autumn have the most days with clear visibility. You can always look up the weather forecast to see what the day's going to be like before you visit. Early mornings and evenings give you the best chance of seeing the gorgeous mountain without any cloud coverings 🤍 On this particular day, Mount Fuji was clearly visible throughout the day! #lakeyamanaka #fujifivelakes #swanlake #japan
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This town was a beautiful surprise in Japan 😍

To get here, we travelled from Kyoto to Nagoya and from there to Nakatsugawa. From Nakatsugawa Station, we had to take another bus to Magome-Juku but the commute was so worth it!

-------‐‐‐--‐

Magome forms part of the Nakasendo Trail, a historic route that once connected Kyoto and Edo (modern-day Tokyo) during the Edo period in Japan. It traverses the mountainous heart of Japan, offering breathtaking views of forests, rivers, and traditional villages.

The trail is known for its 69 post towns where people would rest along the way. Today, parts of the Nakasendo are well-preserved, allowing hikers to experience a mix of nature and history as they walk through charming old towns like Magome and Tsumago, where time seems to stand still amidst the preserved traditional architecture.

#travelinspiration #japantrip #magome #travelwithapentojapan #travelwithapen
This town was a beautiful surprise in Japan 😍 To get here, we travelled from Kyoto to Nagoya and from there to Nakatsugawa. From Nakatsugawa Station, we had to take another bus to Magome-Juku but the commute was so worth it! -------‐‐‐--‐ Magome forms part of the Nakasendo Trail, a historic route that once connected Kyoto and Edo (modern-day Tokyo) during the Edo period in Japan. It traverses the mountainous heart of Japan, offering breathtaking views of forests, rivers, and traditional villages. The trail is known for its 69 post towns where people would rest along the way. Today, parts of the Nakasendo are well-preserved, allowing hikers to experience a mix of nature and history as they walk through charming old towns like Magome and Tsumago, where time seems to stand still amidst the preserved traditional architecture. #travelinspiration #japantrip #magome #travelwithapentojapan #travelwithapen
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Black Crow Castle, standing strong since the 1500s — a true Japanese gem!
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Travel Amarachi is VERY different from Home Amarachi! Am I living a fake life?😭😂

Because,my ideal day will start at 10 or 11am and end at 2am. I'm a night owl 🦉, not an early bird 🐦 - a complete opposite of who I become when I travel!

Tea or Coffee? No, thanks! I'll take a glass of orange juice please! 🍹 But "Travel-Amarachi" will take that matcha 🍵, with the beautiful cafe to matcha! See what I did there? 😉 #thefunniestgirlinNigeria #MFGN👑

I only hike for love ❤️ and my Love can faint if he goes on a trip that doesn't include any bit of hiking. So here we are!

+1: I am also a big home buddy. If you catch me outside, I must really love you! But Travel-Amarachi can't stay put in the hotel!
_____________________________

Over to you! What are some ways travel-you differs from home-you? Let me know in the comment section below!

#travelinspiration #japantrip #travelwithapentojapan #travelwithapen
Travel Amarachi is VERY different from Home Amarachi! Am I living a fake life?😭😂 Because,my ideal day will start at 10 or 11am and end at 2am. I'm a night owl 🦉, not an early bird 🐦 - a complete opposite of who I become when I travel! Tea or Coffee? No, thanks! I'll take a glass of orange juice please! 🍹 But "Travel-Amarachi" will take that matcha 🍵, with the beautiful cafe to matcha! See what I did there? 😉 #thefunniestgirlinNigeria #MFGN👑 I only hike for love ❤️ and my Love can faint if he goes on a trip that doesn't include any bit of hiking. So here we are! +1: I am also a big home buddy. If you catch me outside, I must really love you! But Travel-Amarachi can't stay put in the hotel! _____________________________ Over to you! What are some ways travel-you differs from home-you? Let me know in the comment section below! #travelinspiration #japantrip #travelwithapentojapan #travelwithapen
1 week ago
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An absolutely wonderful time in the most stunning country! 😍😍

#japantrip2025🇯🇵🌸⛩️
An absolutely wonderful time in the most stunning country! 😍😍 #japantrip2025🇯🇵🌸⛩️
1 week ago
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Public holidays should be your best friend if you work full time and love to travel. Eid and Easter fall between the months of March and June.

If you plan out your vacation time properly, you can:

🌸: get 24 vacation days ✈️ by taking only 12 days off! 🤯. Perfect for your Asian odyssey or West African road trip from Nigeria to Cote D'Ivoire 🚌

You can also split this time, taking shorter breaks in addition to the public holidays.

Take 12 days off from March 31 to April 21 to get 24 vacation days (including weekend and public holidays)! 😀 

Mar 31 - Apr 01: Likely Eid Al Fitr
Apr 18 - Apr 21: Easter

Send this post to your manager immediately! 🚀
Public holidays should be your best friend if you work full time and love to travel. Eid and Easter fall between the months of March and June. If you plan out your vacation time properly, you can: 🌸: get 24 vacation days ✈️ by taking only 12 days off! 🤯. Perfect for your Asian odyssey or West African road trip from Nigeria to Cote D'Ivoire 🚌 You can also split this time, taking shorter breaks in addition to the public holidays. Take 12 days off from March 31 to April 21 to get 24 vacation days (including weekend and public holidays)! 😀 Mar 31 - Apr 01: Likely Eid Al Fitr Apr 18 - Apr 21: Easter Send this post to your manager immediately! 🚀
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