Pointe-Noire is the second largest city of the Republic of the Congo. It is a major sea port and a tourist destination. The town has a very French feel to it because of the colonial past and the large number of French expatriates and tourists.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
The city, commonly known as PNR, had almost 1.2 million residents in 2017. Pointe-Noire is the centre of the oil industry of the Republic of Congo, one of the main oil producers in Central Africa. Pointe-Noire is also known for its fishing industry, which is often at odds with the oil development. Pointe-Noire has a wet season that spans from October through April, while the remaining 5 months form the dry season. Temperatures are somewhat cooler during the dry season with average temperatures of 24 °C. During the wet season, average temperatures hover around 28 °C.
It is OK to walk around the main parts of town. In Pointe-Noire, public transport is provided by private operators who operate buses, taxis or common taxis. It is very safe to travel around with a taxi. Taxis in PNR are shared so if you are in a hurry tell him to take you straight where you want to go, and pay FCFA 700-1000. If you take other people from the road you pay FCFA 150-350, depending on the length. For a longer trip (from the airport to the city), it takes FCFA 1000 to 2000. If you use a taxi more than 1 hour you will have to pay FCFA 3000 for that hour. For collective taxis, known as 100-100, which make round trips along a single route, their price is set at 150 CFA Francs
1 African Circle Museum of Pointe-Noire (Musée du Cercle Africain de Pointe-Noire). 09:00-20:00. A great repository of African masks, plus sculpture and painting. Souvenir shop is on the premises too. (updated Aug 2020) 2 Mâ-Loango Regional Museum. Housed in a former royal palace, displays artifacts (weapons, baskets, etc) pertaining to tribal life and the history of the region of the Republic of the Congo. CFA 2500. (updated Aug 2020)
1 Diosso Gorge (north of Pointe-Noire). Just outside Pointe Noire, there's the spectacular Diosso gorges. One can negotiate a taxi for the day to go there and forth. Local village boys have barred the route to the lookout point and ask about FCFA 2000 pp for entrance. 2 Côte Sauvage. The premiere beach of Pointe-Noire with pretty sand but a little bit contentious as far as surf, theft, and safety (at night) go. Be careful going barefoot too due to broken glass. (updated Aug 2020) 3 Tchimpounga Animal Sanctuary. Jane Goodall's chimpanzee sanctuary for rescued primates who have been caught up in illegal bushmeat trade. May be able to arrange tour.
Citronnelle, Opposite Atlantic Palace Hotel. Typical French patisserie, which has some excellent patisseries, cakes and fresh orange juice La Cite, Taxi will take you there. Typical bakery that also serves shawarma, sandwiches and kebab, for good prices, Shawarma is around FCFA 2000, try the Chocolate Bread (Pain de Chocolat) ~ FCFA 500. (updated Sep 2024) Kactus, Charles de Gaulle crossing (Across from Congo Credit Bank), ☏ +242 22 294 5025, +242 05 564 5025. 10:00-22:00. Home delivery and also sit-in restaurant. Very good pizza and Hamburger. The fish burger (as of 2012) is particularly good with a thick chunk of fresh grilled fish topped with cheese, tomato slice and lettuce.
Unlike many African cities, it is quite safe to walk in the main parts of the city and the beach area. There are relatively few beggars. Regarding the health issues one may reach different infrastructures available from hospitals, health centers and pharmacies that provide medication and primary consultation, below are some of those facilities; Pharmacie de la Raffinerie. Hopital de Loandjili. Pharmacie Pascal.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Aug, Pointe-Noire typically sees ~26°C daytime highs and 2 rainy days.
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