About
Lubumbashi is the second-largest city in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the country's mining capital. It lies in Haut-Katanga Province, in the south-east of the country, and is known above all for its copper and cobalt production. The city was also known as Élisabethville, a name you may still see on older maps and in some references.
For most visitors, Lubumbashi is less a city of set-piece sights than a window onto the working economy of the Katanga region. Its industrial and commercial role shapes the atmosphere: business travellers, traders and mining professionals move through its streets, and the rhythm of the place follows the mines and markets around it.
What a visit offers
- A look at an important industrial and commercial hub in the Katanga region
- An introduction to the copper and cobalt economy that gives the city its character
- A base from which to explore the wider province
Because the facts available here are limited, it is best to check current conditions before you travel: transport links, accommodation, safety advice and the situation in the province can change. Local guides and official travel advisories are the most reliable sources for up-to-date practical information.
Lubumbashi suits travellers interested in economics, resources and the realities of southern Congo rather than in a conventional tourist circuit. Approached with that curiosity, it rewards a patient, observant visit.