I have lived, worked, and traveled in Africa for the past 15 years. Currently, I am stationed in Ka...
I have lived, worked, and traveled in Africa for the past 15 years. Currently, I am stationed in Kampala, Uganda. I work as a regional executive for an NGO.
Member since:29.12.2004
Reviews:9
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Legend has it that when an aircraft becomes too sick or too old to manage on it's own, the other aircraft in the herd sense its distress. At an appointed hour they accompany it on a very long journey to the hidden aircraft burial grounds somewhere deep in the jungle. That hidden aircraft burial ground is called: Kinshasa Airport.
The Kinshasa airport sits on the outside of Kinshasa, about a 1/2 hour drive from the city center. It has been a very, very long time since I have seen an operational DC-8 aircraft. But, sitting on the tarmac surrounding the terminal I saw one...along with many other aging aging 727's, DC 9's, and lots of older Russian aircraft ... many of which are still flying in and out of the interior cities of the DRC. Some, however, seem to be loosing parts as they sit on the tarmac.
Upon arrival at Kinshasa, you find your way into the large arrival area. There are four or five immigration booths where immigration officers stamp your passport. After working your way through the line you will pass through a large door into the customs/baggage claim area. There will be numerous apparent loafers around the door, and they may ask to see your passport. Some of these are, indeed, loafers and others are security agents. Ask to see identification before allowing anyone to gain possession of your passport. After baggage claim, you will present your baggage to the customs officer for inspection. Be very careful that your passport does not contain any visa or stamp from Burundi, Rwanda, or Uganda as a state of hostility exists between those countries and the DRC.
Milling about in the baggage claim and customs area will be a large number of baggage touts. Be careful about accepting their offers to carry your baggage. The taxi touts will be around the exit doors as well. They will want to negotiate a taxi for you to take into town. Be exceptionally careful of these touts as they can also be baggage theives.
I have a personal standing rule about riding in taxis: I NEVER ride in a taxi in which there are additional helpers to the driver. In Kinshasa, I was accompanied by two plainclothes security agents that turned out to be robbers. It was only through careful verbal manipulation that I was able to get them out of the taxi before they were able to ambush us on a lonely stretch of road. The drive into Kinshasa cost me US$50. Be very careful as the DRC has a partially dollarized economy and prices can be exceptionally high.
Departing from Kinshasa is an exciting experience. Be sure to allow at least three hours for departure. Arrival at the airport you will have to pass through an initial security barrier where security personnel will check your passport and tickets. The round main terminal building will be jammed with people ... some of whom are flying. Finding the proper counter for your flight will take some work. Be careful about asking for directions, as some con-artists work the terminal and look for "lost" souls who don't know the procedures.
Entering into the the waiting lounge area will require a great deal of patience. You will be solicited for bribes to pass through the gate into the waiting lounge. But, once into the lounge area the entire atmosphere begins to change. Inside the waiting area--after the customs and immigration inspection--you will find two or three different places making quick snacks. There is also an upstairs "VIP Lounge" area that you can enter into by showing your frequent flier card (almost any will do the trick)...or...five dollars. The snacks are basic and edible. The upstairs lounge is a good place to watch for your flight--and, you WILL want to watch, longingly, for your escape from Kinshasa. Flight arrival and departure times are estimates at best.
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