Founded by the Belgians in 1910 in order to develop the mining industry in the whole province, the charming colonial city of Elizabethville will be named in tribute to the wife of King Albert 1st. In 1965, President Mobutu Sese Seko decided to give it the name of the river, which flows through it. Lubumbashi.
Katanga becomes Shaba, which means, “copper” in Swahili. When taking into office, President Mobutu Sese Seko decided to rename Lubumbashi. A name that should be part of the history of the country the capital of Haut-Katanga, of which the chimney became, with the mine’s heap leach, the symbol of the city.
Lubumbashi, the economic heart of the Haut-Katanga, has just over 2 million inhabitants. It is a rather cosmopolitan city where people of different nationalities live together, most of them being actors in the mining industry.
Although very badly maintained, unfortunately, an architectural heritage of a great richness is still in state. The city still emanates today some kind of provincial peace both through its architecture, its urbanism and its way of life in the shade of trees along the avenues of the city center that survived the massive slaughter in recent years. Is it the altitude and the particular climate of the region and its historic past, still visible, making Lubumbashi so unique and endearing, like its inhabitants? Probably a little of it all.
Compared to other cities, Lubumbashi is quite clean and relatively modern, with large infrastructures. The many ongoing projects will change the face of the city in the coming years. It is also an intellectual and cultural center. His university (UNILU, which was home to several student protests put down through violence during Mobutu era), the various tertiary institutions on its territory, its National Museum that houses a contemporary art gallery open to the public. The zoo, which experienced a dizzying upgrading, renewal and maintenance-related replacement work, is also one of the best walks in the city. The city also has many entertainment and recreation sites in the area including a beautiful golf course, along Lake Kipopo (Lake Tshombe).
Lubumbashi is one of the few booming and constantly changing African cities, that has managed to maintain and protect a green lung in its heart. Lubumbashi’s Golf built in primary savannah, designed and landscaped in 1934 by Sir H. Graham Willis, British Consul General of Elizabethville, is a natural site that is home to a very rich biodiversity. It was listed in 2006 on the ecological heritage of the city of Lubumbashi. This exceptional site, sanctuary for many species of birds, is an oasis in the city.
“Lubum” as nicknamed by its inhabitants, a city whose development is surely to be followed… that could one day become “one of the most dynamic cities in Central Africa” according to the international press.
However, the city must learn to shape its development in modernity and fulfill the other requirements shared by these cities that have the capacity to meet tomorrow’s major challenges.
LOGBOOK
Going there
South African Airways
KINSHASA:
6147, Ngongo Lutete, Blv du 30 Juin, Gombe
+243 817005908 – +243 999925121
Email: [email protected]
LUBUMBASHI:
5967, KASAI
1964, LUMUMBA
Ethiopian Airlines
KINSHASA:
1525, Building Aforia, Blvd du 30 Juin, Gombe
+243 817006585 – +243 810884000
Email: [email protected]
Kenyan Airways
KINSHASA:
4, Du Marché
Building Riyad 2e Etage,
Admin: +243-999911239
Bookings: +243 999303440/1/2
Email: [email protected]
LUBUMBASHI:
Building LAC, Chausse Mobutu
Tel: +243 998414288 /+243 997019540
Email:[email protected]
Brussels Airlines
KINSHASA:
33 Blvd Du 30 Juin Kinshasa, RDC
+243 996017000
Email: [email protected]
Congo Airways
KINSHASA:
Building Futur Tower, Boulevard du 30 juin
+243 827772777
LUBUMBASHI:
5967,KASAI/ Lubumbashi
Sleep
Planet Holibum:
975, Kilela Balanda
+243 997030256
Pullman Karavia:
Route du Golf,
+24315583058
Riveside Hotel:
10, Chemin Public, Q. Tshamalale
+243 822631373
Bougainvilla Guest house:
5859, Lukonzolwa, Q. Golf
+243811851985
Eat
Le Green Tee:
Restaurant Golf Club
Route du Golf
+243 817106421
Pullman Karavia:
Route du Golf
+24315583058
Planet Hollibum:
975, Kilela Balanda
+243997030256
Latte Lounge:
Kilela Balanda
+243993626276
Le Bambou:
Tshiniama / Nyota
Quartier Golf
+243990866381
La Cité Interdite:
De la Liberation, Golf Terminus
+243822455007
Going Out
Le Monroe:
Hôtel River Side
10, Chemin Public
Quartier Golf – Tshamalale
+243822631373
River Rock:
Avenue Mwando – Quartier Kalubwe
ILevel:
Pullman Grand Karavia
Route du Golf,
+24315583058
