Lubumbashi is the second largest city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with a population of 1.8 million (2015), and the principal city of the Katanga region.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Creole Swahili is the principal language of the Copperbelt mining cities and is somewhat more different from classical East African Swahili than that spoken elsewhere along the eastern edge of Congo. Most people can communicate in French, and many of the elite are more at ease in French than Swahili. English is widely spoken in businesses.
Lubumbashi has several prominent examples of colonial architecture, such as the art-déco style Palace of Justice, the Grand Hotel or the cathedral Cathedral of Saint Pierre and Paul. Some have been restored in the last few years. 1 National Museum of Lubumbashi (Musée national de Lubumbashi), 750 Avenue du Musée. Has a collection of archaeological and ethnological artifacts of the regions history. (updated Jan 2021) 2 Cathedral of Saint Pierre and Paul (Cathédrale Saint-Pierre et Paul). Built in 1910. (updated Jan 2021) 3 Lubumbashi Zoological Garden, Boulevard Kamanyola. In addition to several predators like lions and tigers, this zoo has a large snake collection and termites museum.
1 Cercle Wallon (Belgium club), 2 Avenue de la Révolution. Eat, bar, tennis (incl. lessons), 10 pin bowling. 2 Lubumbashi Golf Club, Route du Golf. Designed in 1934, this golf club hosts numerous competitions each year and is open for guests. Watch one of football club TP Mazembe's games.
Plage Tshombe: several restaurants and bars, situated on Route du Golf at Lake Tshombe. Le Boucher: A high end restaurant on La Plage Golf. Lattelicious: an American style bar/restaurant and cafe in the Quartier du Golf. Cercle Grec (Taverna Communaute Hellenique): The Greek Club in town, serves a variety of mezze and other plates. It also has sports grounds and a playground. On Ave Kilela Balanda: Latte Lounge: Same owner as Lattelicious, located in town on Ave Kilela Balanda. Planet Hollybum: A hotel on Ave Kilela Balanda, which also has an Italian restaurant, specializing in pizza.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Lubumbashi typically sees ~25°C daytime highs and 0 rainy days.
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