Lubumbashi is the Democratic Republic of the Congo's second city, the mining capital of the country's far south near the Zambian border, with around 1.4 million people. Most international visitors come for business in the copper and cobalt industries, and this guide covers how the city works, plus the checks worth making before any DRC trip.
Book an airport transfer to Lubumbashi
Fixed-price private transfers with English-speaking drivers. Meet-and-greet included.
Getting to and around Lubumbashi
## Getting there and around
Lubumbashi International Airport, the DRC's second busiest, lies about fifteen kilometres northeast of the centre, a drive of twenty to forty minutes. It is served by regional and international carriers including Brussels Airlines, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Airlink, Air Tanzania, and Congolese operators. From the airport, an official taxi runs roughly twenty to forty US dollars, agreed before departure, while hotel-booked transfers at forty to sixty dollars offer fixed prices and are the more reliable choice. Shared minibuses are the budget option in town, and car hire starts around fifty to seventy dollars a day.
Things to see & do in Lubumbashi
## What to see
Lubumbashi's interest is workmanlike but real: the Lubumbashi National Museum and the colonial-era post office reward a look, and the city's Belgian-era street grid and mining-town character tell the story of the Katanga copperbelt. Further afield, Kundelungu National Park to the north holds Lofoi Falls, among Central Africa's tallest at around 340 metres, a genuine excursion for those with time and a four-wheel drive.
Tours & experiences
Top tours & experiences in Lubumbashi
Browse Viator’s catalogue of Lubumbashi tours, day trips, and experiences. Most include free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity.
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Neighborhoods & food in Lubumbashi
## Practical notes
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Practical info & when to visit
The dry season from May to September is the most comfortable window. Visas, yellow-fever certificates, and registration requirements apply to the DRC, and conditions in the country vary by region, so check your government's current travel advice for the DRC and the Haut-Katanga region before booking. Lubumbashi runs on cash and negotiation: carry small US dollar notes, agree prices in advance, and arrange airport pickups through your hotel for arrival after dark. Business travellers will find the hotel scene concentrated in the centre, and letting your hotel arrange logistics remains the smoothest way to operate here.