Brazzaville can also be reached through Ethiopian Airline from Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) four times a week. For further information please visit www.ethiopianairlines.com. For people especially coming from Pakistan can take a flight to Dubai (Emirates, PIA, etc.) from Karachi, Lahore or Islamabad and then from Dubai to Brazzaville via Addis Ababa on Ethiopian Airline.
Royal Air Maroc operates three direct flights a week to and from Brazzaville to Casablanca. You may want to check www.royalairmaroc.com
'''''Night Clubs/Bars'''''
o '''Ram Dam''' This nightclub is located at Laico Maya-Maya Brazzaville Hotel. Cover charge is 5,000 CFA per person and includes one drink. All drinks, including water, are extremely expensive. Local, French and English music. Opens late. '''o Boom Boom Afrique''' This lounge is located on the road that goes to the Beach and the road where Score Supermarket is situated. Plays a good mix of French, American and African music. This is a lounge, not a dance club. No cover charge. o '''Diplomat''' Local hotspot where you can listen to local bands, see local dancers and enjoy local karaoke. There is a disco and dance floor located in the back via a separate entrance. Cover charge. o '''3 D Bar''' Located close to Exotic Palace restaurant, across from the roundabout close to Pharmacie Mavre. This bar/lounge is a favorite among the young and hip crowd in Brazzaville. This is a lounge-type bar with seating at the bar, outside on the patio-area or upstairs in the lounge area. No cover charge. o '''Chateau Rouge''' New nightclub located above the Chinese restaurant called Restaur Ant De Ta Paix in the Hotel de Ville area (located on the same street as La Mandarine and Noura restaurants). Cover charge is 5,000 CFA per person and includes one drink. o '''Les Rapides''' is a bar that any taxi driver would know. It provides a great view of the river, and you can run around in the river if you want. o '''La Maison Blanche''' (Plateaux) is a local club with three levels, great street meat, and local music.
'''''Zoo''''' (no animals since the war)
'''''Recreational Activities'''''
If you enjoy outdoor sports, bring equipment that you may need, such as picnic supplies, golf equipment, and sports attire. All equipment available locally is expensive. Photographic equipment and facilities are also available at double U.S. prices. The following clubs/hotels are open to paying memberships: o '''Tennis Club.''' Facilities include 10 clay courts with lights, a squash court, a swimming pool, and a large bar. Balls are supplied free. This club is located on the dirt road that is adjacent to the road leading to the National Stadium (close to roundabout going to Maya Maya Airport). o '''Brazzaville Golf Club.''' The club has a well-kept, nine-hole course (which by clever use of tees converts into an 18-hole course) with sand greens. It is on the grounds of the regional headquarters of the WHO, 20 minutes South from Brazzaville, and has a spectacular view of the Congo River and the rapids. tel: 528 3643 OR 663 7127. o '''Laico Maya-Maya Brazzaville Hotel.''' Offers monthly subscriptions for use of its tennis courts and pool. o '''Olympic Palace Hotel.''' Offers monthly subscriptions for use of its tennis court and pool. Monthly rates at Olympic are significantly higher than Laico Maya-Maya Brazzaville Hotel. Art is well developped with Bag made with African materials. For more infos pls contact "Promo Art", your only reference. A job well done.
The '''market of Poto Poto''' is fabulous. This is the West African quarter.
The '''Bakongo''' neighborhood is great for wandering around; at night there are a plethora of plastic-chaired bars and street food to choose from.
There are several great restaurants in Brazzaville. Any taxi driver can take you to one of these nicer places (5000 - 15000 CFA). Most places are closed on Sundays. Expect beers to be overpriced here (1000 to 2000 CFA).
'''Le Jardin''' (French) soft bread, lovely t-bone, great outdoor ambiance, sometimes live music first class place '''Etoiles de Jade''' (Moroccan: great tagine, vegetarian dishes, sometimes they don't have everything on the menu) '''Mami Wata''' (Continental) right on the Congo River, $30 Sunday night buffet, pizza, seafood, pasta, and salad. '''Chef David''' (There are several in town. This is the best pizza in town, and the best one is near City Center.) They also do carry-out. '''L'orchidee''' (french) is one block up from the roudabout in front of the Ministry of Finance. Great lobster. '''La Mandarine''' (Lebanese: ice cream! the best patisserie in town. also a great brunch place) '''Noura I and II''' (Lebanese) Hotel de Ville are. Known for chicken shwarma. '''Hippocampe''' (Vietnamese: weekend buffet, fabulous spring rolls, great staff, great seating area, expat hang-out) '''Hassan Burger''' (Lebanese) Hotel de Ville Area Between FESPAM headquarters and Belgian Embassy. Phone: 81 2334 or 666 2004. '''Les Bougainvillers''' Av. de l'amitie Centre Ville '''Pizzeria Royale aka River Bar''' on the corniche next ot the Brazza Mausoleum. Good pizza, cheap drinks, great view of the Congo river. '''Le Renouveau''' located at the corner across from the roundabout at Pharmacie Mavre. Serves local, fast food and some grilled dishes. Has a well stocked small bar inside. '''La Pyramide''' (Lebanese) located about 6 blocks west of Park N Shop. Wonderful tabouli! '''Le Bambino''' (Congolese and French) close to Exotic Palace. '''Pizzeria Centrale''' across from Le Renouveau, close to the roudabout at Pharmacie Mavre. Serves grilled dishes as well. Make sure to go a bit late (after 20:00) or be prepared to wait a while for the pizza. '''L'Sympathique''' (French) Down the street from Pharmacie Mavre. Good value, lunch and dinner. '''Le Missala''' (fine dining) located at the Olympic Palace. Italian cef presents a cotinental menu with flare. Expensive, elaborate, excellent.
Street food is mostly limited to beignets and manioc in centre ville. Egg sandwiches, and avocado and salami sandwiches are found at random. At night there is meat on a stick.
There is a HUGE market close to the Cathedral where one can buy decent African wear and bright colored materials - an adventure in itself.
'''''Groceries:''''' Currently, there is only one major grocery store in Brazzaville, as well as a few convenience type stores which carry some of the same products. Below is a list of supermarkets and convenience type stores: '''Casino''' (used to be Score) is the largest supermarket. Everything is overpriced here, but if you need your frozen pizzas, you need your frozen pizzas. Tel: 81 03 35. '''Park N Shop''' (close to the Mpila roundabout and Tower Nambemba). Tel: 548 2936 '''Ste. Regal''' (located close to Park N Shop, on the same street as Tower Nambemba). Tel: 527 5260
With enough patience, shoppers can usually find most of what they are looking for, but often not the brands to which they are accustomed.
The one major grocery store and a few other stores have a good selection of imported fruits and vegetables, but prices are a bit expensive. You can get a wide selection of local and fresh fruits from local markets around town. Below is a list of the local markets frequented by Americans and expatriates:
'''Marche De La Plaine''' (located around the corner from Casino supermarket). Here you can find a good selection of local fruits and vegetables. Be prepared to bargain for good prices. '''Marche Du Plateau''' (located close to BDEAC, across from Nenuphar restaurant). Here you can find some local fruits and vegetables, but you will find a better selection at the Marche de la Plaine. As always, bargaining is a must. '''Total Market''' (located in Bacongo). This is a large local market where you can find a good supply of fruits and vegetables, and local food products at low prices. All prices are fixed and displayed on products, so no need for bargaining. '''Marche de Poto Poto''' (in Poto Poto). This is the West African part of town.
'''''Butchers and Meat Stores:''''' There are two good butcher stores in town that sell both local and imported meats and seafood. There are also a few stores that sell frozen meat and seafood. See list below: '''Nenu Viande''' (located on the same street as Exotic Palace, close to Park N Shop). This store is run by a French butcher. It has a good selection of local and imported meat, but a limited supply of seafood. Check with the butcher to find out when seafood arrives. It also has an excellent selection of sausages. You can call and place an order for pick up later the same day. Tel: 81 4659 (general number). '''Casino Supermarket''' (located on the same street as the Brazza mausoleum): The meat section of this grocery store has a good selection of meats and seafood. '''Guenin or Coup:''' Located opposite the entrance to the _eBeach_f. Store sells frozen meat, fish, chicken, etc.
'''''Bakeries:''''' Local bread, white and whole wheat, is of good quality. You can buy fresh bread from the following bakeries: '''La Mie Doree''' (located close to La Mandarine) '''La Mandarine''' (Hotel de Ville area) '''Casino Bakery''' (inside the supermarket) '''Boulangerie de la Plaine Ex Leon''' (located down the street and around the corner from Score, next to the Marche de la Plaine fruit and vegetable market) '''Exotic Palace''' (across from Pharmacie Mavre, close to the roundabout)
Bread is cheap and sells out quickly. The best times to shop are between 9 and 11 a.m. on the weekdays and between 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. on the weekends. However, "street bread" can be found throughout the day for 100-150 FCFA. You can also find imported white and whole wheat bread from a few grocery stores, but they are expensive and sell out very quickly.
Small boutiques (mostly run by north Africans) are on every corner. You can find soap, pasta, croissants, basic goods here. They are reasonably priced.
'''''Craft Shops/Souvenirs'''''
'''Marche du Plateau Craft Market''' (located across from Nenuphar restaurant, close to BDEAC). Here you find a selection of crafts, mostly from the neighboring area. Bargaining is a must. '''Tala Na Miso''' (located on the same road as the Marche du Plateau craft market). This store specializes in wood carvings and some brass work. Shop owner gives a good deal if you are a frequent customer. '''Poto Poto Painting School''' (located in the Poto Poto area). Excellent selection of paintings from local artists. School is one of the best places to find local paintings. '''La Paille et La Poutre''' (located across from Park N Shop). This store stocks nice crafts, mostly imported from South Africa. Very expensive, but good quality items. '''Open Air Painting Market''' (next to the post office). Here you can find paintings by local artists. You can also find copper items and wooden sculptures. Bargaining is a must here. '''Souvenir D_fAfrique''' (a few shops down from Marche du Plateau, on the same road). Here you can find local souvenirs and trinkets. '''Olympic Palace Hotel Craft Shop''' (located at Olympic Palace). Here you can find local crafts, but they are very expensive. You can get better prices at the local craft markets listed above.
Beer: N'Gok, Munstig, Heineken, Guiness, Turbo King. Soda: Coke, Fanta, Tonic, Sprite
'''BOUGAINVILLERS''' BP 646 Tel. (242) 81 11 56 Fax (242) 81 11 81
'''HOTEL SAPHIR''' BP 1307 Tel. (242) 81 01 25
'''HOTEL BIKOUMOU''' Quartier de l'OCH
'''HOTEL MPAMA''' 141 Av. Loutassi PLATEAUX DES 15 ANS
[http://www.laicohotels.com Laico Hotels & Resorts Management Company]