Kinshasa
Capital of Democratic Republic of the Congo
Kinshasa is the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, housing a population of about 14.6 million as of 2020. Located along the Congo River, the city offers sites such as the Limete Tower and the Lola ya Bonobo sanctuary.
What to see
Visitors to Kinshasa can view the Limete Tower or visit Lola ya Bonobo, a sanctuary for bonobos. Additionally, the National Museum of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is available for exploration.
When to go
The city experiences high daily temperatures of 29 °C to 31 °C throughout the year. The period from June to August is the driest time, with minimal rain and low temperatures around 20 °C to 21 °C. Conversely, the months from October to May see significant rainfall, with the highest amounts occurring in November and April.
Getting there
The nearest airport is Maya-Maya International Airport in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, located 10 km away.
Top sights in Kinshasa
Weather by month
The warmest month is September, with an average high of 31 °C. The wettest is November, with about 261 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 30 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 29 |
| Average low, °C | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 |
| Rainfall, mm | 160 | 153 | 176 | 210 | 122 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 34 | 154 | 261 | 186 |
| Rainy days | 26 | 23 | 26 | 25 | 20 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 12 | 27 | 28 | 28 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Kinshasa (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
Also worth a look
- National Museum of the Democratic Republic of the Congo