Exploring Pointe-Noire, Congo in 24 Hours

Given a free weekend in Pointe-Noire, I decided I’d check out the city a little. While researching what to do, I read a few articles I came across on the internet. Most recommended going out to the beach, so naturally, that was my first stop.

Breakfast Pointe-Noire

Because of my impeccable sense of direction and French-speaking skills, I wound up taking about 30 minutes for what should have been a 5 minutes trip. The beach was literally a 5-minute walking distance from my accommodation. Only when I was faced with seaport and Immigration Officers did I realize that I was heading the wrong way!

But all is well that ends well, I found myself at the beach moments later.

Pointe-Noire Beach

Hanging out at Côte Sauvage, Pointe-Noire…

Except for a few photographers and children, the beach was practically empty when I got there. It was also very clean. I walked around a bit, watched people surf and tried to make conversations in ‘broken’ French. Then, I headed to the Yes Club restaurant to get breakfast.

Breakfast Pointe-Noire Breakfast by the beach PNR

After breakfast, I walked around some more and checked out a few art shops before heading back to the guest house. My colleagues had offered to take me to Les Gorges de Diosso, a canyon located just outside Pointe-Noire. We weren’t able to make it down the same day but we visited the following day.

Pointe-Noire Art

The drive to the Diosso Gorges (Les Gorges de Diosso) was about an hour (maybe slightly less). We passed by a few villages and a beautiful road lined with several trees. My colleague told me they were planted a few years back by a private company in Pointe-Noire.

Congo The Republic of Congo Brazzaville

Les Gorges de Diosso…

We arrived at the Diosso Gorges – which was quite stunning and spent a few minutes admiring it from the viewpoint. There were a few locals manning entry into the area and we had to pay a fee to gain access.

They also told us we could pay for a guide to lead us down for a hike but we had to decline as it was quite late.

Les Gorges de Diosso Les Gorges De Diosso lookout

We left the gorges and made one last stop at another beach from where we could see the ‘Black Point’ – a place that inspired the city’s name.

Beach Congo

From there, we headed to a local restaurant for dinner and an insightful conversation with a few other colleagues. And then, we called it a day.

Chez bia Pointe-Noire

Technically, this was 48 hours in Pointe-Noire but I could have easily fit everything into a single day. 🙂

24 hours in Pointe-Noire

QUICK FACTS – CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE

Where | Central Africa

Capital City | Brazzaville

Official Language | French

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

Population | 5.261 million (2017)

10 comments

  1. Thanks for sharing your adventure in my hometown with the rest of the world. Love it 😘

  2. looks like a beautiful and deserted part of the world! I’ve always wondered what this country was like as you don’t see much info out there for travellers for this part of Africa.

    1. I agree, there aren’t that many people traveling to Congo for tourism. I was very glad for the opportunity to go.

  3. Hahaa… the 30 minute walk to the beach. that fish and plantain looks good!!!

    1. Sis! I need to find a solution! At least I got to see some other parts of the city I would not have necessarily gone to. So hey, Lemonades!

  4. I live for long walks on the beach! They are so serene and therapeutic for the mind and soul. It must have been nice to be lodged within walking distance of the sandy shoreline. Looks like you really had a good time in Congo overall. – http://www.jamilakyari.com

    1. I did have a good time there and yes, proximity to the beach felt really good! Thanks fro stopping by, Jamila 🙂

  5. Nice one Amarachi. I feel like I’m learning lots about Africa through you! Also, it’s lovely to hear about Congo Brazzaville as lots of my friends are from Kinshasa!

    Madeline
    madelinewilsonojo.com

    1. Thanks Madeline! I’m also learning so much about the continent through these opportunities to travel through it and enjoying sharing my experiences with you and everyone else who reads 🙂

I love to hear from you, Leave a comment here!

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Guess where! 👀
20 hours ago
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1/9
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! 🤭
2 days ago
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2/9
What a beautiful city! 😍

#kamoriver #kyoto #japan
What a beautiful city! 😍 #kamoriver #kyoto #japan
3 days ago
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3/9
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
4 days ago
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4/9
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
6 days ago
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5/9
Black Crow Castle, standing strong since the 1500s — a true Japanese gem!
Black Crow Castle, standing strong since the 1500s — a true Japanese gem!
6 days ago
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6/9
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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7/9
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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8/9
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! 🚀
1 month ago
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9/9
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