Soccer, the king of sports
As elsewhere on the African continent, soccer is the country's most popular sport. The national team, nicknamed Les Léopards, regularly draws large crowds. During the Zaire era, they were the first sub-Saharan team to qualify for a World Cup (in 1974), and have twice won the African Cup of Nations (1968, 1974). More recently, they finished3rd in the continental competition in 2015 and failed in their final play-off match against Morocco to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. A revival yet to be confirmed. On the club front, the legendary and ultra-popular Tout Puissant Mazembe, based in Lubumbashi, is the country's most successful club and boasts one of the most impressive records in African soccer, including 5 African Champions Leagues.
In Kinshasa, the "fight of the century
When you think of the Democratic Republic of Congo (then Zaire) and its capital Kinshasa, how can you not think of boxing? Ever since October 1974 and the "fight of the century" between boxing legend Mohamed Ali and George Foreman. A fight initiated by Mobutu in today's Tata Raphaël stadium. The climax was dubbed "The Rumble in the Jungle", and it was a battle for the heavyweight championship belt of the world. In 8 anthological rounds (which began at 4 a.m. for American television, which broadcast the fight at 10 p.m.), Ali reclaimed his belt by knocking out Foreman in front of 100,000 spectators shouting in Lingala "Ali bomaye! It remains, of course, the most legendary sporting event ever staged on Congolese soil.
Some nature activities
Farniente and swimming. In addition to the swimming pools of the big hotels, you can enjoy the small access to the sea (35 km), which lies on the Atlantic Ocean side of the Moanda territory at the mouth of the Congo River. For idleness, head for Moanda beach, located at the foot of the cliffs and part of the Mangrove Marine Park, where locals gather every weekend. And you can hire speedboats in Moanda to take you up the coast to Mangrove Island. The beach at Nsiamfumu, the other small seaside resort further north, is also worth a mention.
Fishing. Sport fishing is quite popular with experienced locals, given the country's exceptional hydrography (lakes, rivers, etc.) and the opportunities offered by the Congo River. Particularly demanding is the tiger fish (goliath tiger fish). For more information, contact your local fishing agency.
Hiking and trekking. Hiking and trekking enthusiasts will find the Lakes and Volcanoes region the ideal place to set down their backpacks. However, it is strongly recommended to be accompanied by local guides who know the safe areas to avoid armed gangs. In this region, large lakes, mountain ranges, volcanoes (active or extinct), dense equatorial forest and savannah are all potentially formidable nature playgrounds. The national parks alone could develop a tourism industry centred around safaris, trekking, mountaineering, etc., sectors that would enable the tourism industry to multiply the number of foreign tourist stays. Starting with the Kahuzi-Biega National Park and its mountain gorillas, or the Virunga National Park, where you can also observe mountain gorillas, chimpanzees and, above all, climb the incredible Nyiragongo volcano. You will find information and the possibility of organizing your treks in the various agencies mentioned in this guide(Kivu Travel, River Congo Expeditions...).
