How can you get there?
There are basically three ways of getting to Matadi.

• by air
  First get to Kinshasa (ask SN BrusselsAirlines, Cameroon Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways/KLM Royal Dutch Airways, Air France, South African Airlines, Air Zimbabwe, Lignes Aeriennes Congolaises LAC, Air Gabon, Hewa Bora Airways ...) and then fly on to Matadi. There are daily flights from Kinshasa N’Djili international airport to Matadi Tshimpi, but you will have to pass the customs and collect your luggage already at N’Djili. A ticket to Matadi would cost you something like US$ 130 for the less then one hour flight.
  Airline companies:
  - Malila Airlift flies on Monday, Thursday and Saturday at 11h from Kin N'Djili. Office in Matadi: In Hotel Metropole, comcell 94 58 717.
  - Business Aviation has regular flights to Matadi. Contact: their Kinshasa office, +243 88 45165 - +243 88 00 622.
  - SOTRACO is another airline company that connects Matadi with Kinshasa.
• by train
  There are three kinds of passenger trains running between Kinshasa and Matadi: there is the train express, a luxury train with restaurant coach, and waitresses bringing soft drinks around. You will have to make reservations for your seats. There is a first class department that gets less crowdy. The train express runs some two to three times a week, but be sure to check its actual departure date (goes for the other trains also). Departure is around 7 in the morning, arrival some 8 to 12 hours later. A ticket is about US$ 50. Then there is the train bleu, which is less comfortable, slower and cheaper, but can well be done by the experienced traveller. Runs also two or three times a week. The other two or three days are serviced by the kibola-bola commuter train that stops on all the stations. It is cheap and lacks all forms of comfort. The ride will take at least 24 hours. This train got its name (kibola-bola means 'rotten') from the smell inside, as you will share the coaches not only with hurds of other passengers and their pondu, mafuta ya mbila and makayabu, but also with hurds of chicken, goats etc. This train is, for most people, a negative choise: you only travel with it when you dont have the money for another train, or if you have to travel with your goat.
• by bus
  This used to be a good option, but the road between Kinshasa and Matadi has become so bad, that most operators stopped servicing it to avoid losing their buses. The trip would take you something between 14 and 24 hours; a ticket will cost something like US$ 20. The bus station in Kinshasa is at the Parking Bandal-Moulaert; in Matadi buses take off in face of Vingt Mai in Kinkanda.

If you have a good all terrain vehicle (jeep or truck) you can hit the road yourself. It’s a very nice trip but the road is very bad.
If you would come from the other direction: the road that links Boma to Matadi is in very good condition. There are regular bus services.
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Where to stay?
Here you will find a short list of recommended hotels etc. This list is far from complete! It will be updated regularily from now on. If you would like to add something, please use the feedback form.

hotels

• Hotel Ledya
  Situation: Kinkanda Description: Newly built luxuory hotel Pricing: around US$ 100 for a room.
• Hotel Metropole
  Situation: In the heart of the city center. Description: This hotel is doubtlessly the flagship of all Matadi hotels. A very fine building (1930) with its cool atrium with terrace and shops. There is a bar on the ground floor, a restaurant with a very nice view over the river on the highest floor, and a discotheque (’top club’) which is the finest of Matadi. Pricing: you will pay US$ 60 for a room.
• Hotel Chez Tonton
  Situation: quartier Ciné Palace Description: Probably second best after Metropole. Situated in a calm residential quarter that is dominated by buildings from the old colonial days. They serve a good breakfast in the open air. There is a discotheque with a nice relaxed ambiance. Pricing: A room costs US$ 40 a night.
• Hotel Afrique du Sud
  Situation: Kinkanda, near OEBK Description: Situated on top of the hill, in a very non-urban setting. You can have your drink in the garden. There are an open air swimming pool and a tennis court at 100 meters.
• Hotel Soyo Inn
  Situation: Soyo, near Camp Midema. Description: Situated in the calmest neighbourhood of Matadi. There is a restaurant, and there are not only hotel rooms but also an appartment available. Pricing: A room costs US$ 23 a night.
• Hotel Kinmin
  Situation: In face of Institut Londe highschool Description: A rather cheap hotel, often used by travellers from Kinshasa that have to save their money to pay the customs for their car that just arrived by boat. A good choise for budget travellers, but bring your own bedsheets.

maison de passage

• Auberge Karavia      >picture
  Situation:Kinkanda, near Maman Dorkass. Description: If you are looking for a house rather than for a hotel, Auberge Karavia is the place to be. This neat one-storey building with garden has a living room, kitchen, bathroom with shower, and two bedrooms. During the night you will find a sentinel and watchdogs in your garden. That is, you will not find them, because you’re sleeping. Pricing: US$ 30 per night.