Each one of us probably has a city they prefer the most. I love to travel the world, but I dream of living in Goma, the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is a city located 1,500 meters above the sea level.

Goma is the capital city of the North Kivu Province. It is the tourist city of the country, located at about 1,500 meters above sea level in the Rift Valley. It covers an area of 6.45 square kmcovered with undulating volcanic rocks at the foot of the Nyiragongo volcano.

Yes, since I have been on Earth, I am told that the volcano is the most dangerous, but in my eyes, it remains the most beautiful place for tourism. It is bordered to the north by the territory of Nyiragongo, to the south by the province of South Kivu, to the west by the territory of Masisi and to the east by the Republic of Rwanda.

Do you want to immigrate or go sightseeing in Goma? Well, you should know that Goma has a temperate oceanic climate, without dry season and has been temperate according to the Koppen-Geiger classification. (The most widely used system for classifying global climates). The average temperature in Goma is 18 degrees C. This, is throughout the year. Rainfall averages 363.6 mm. It has two municipalities or communes. The commune of Goma and the commune of Karisimbi.

The majority of the population speaks the Swahili language, but since Congo has four national languages, some use Lingala others Kikongo and others Tshiluba.

How do I get to Goma?

You can enter Goma via the sea, Lake Victoria or by air. This city built at the foot of the Nyiragongo and Karisimbi volcanoes is entirely covered with volcanic soils with a little rugged relief.

In Goma, there is also Lake Kivu. It is among the largest ponds in Africa, and is a must-see destination for travelers. It serves as the border between the DRC and Rwanda. This city has four major intersections, commonly known as roundabouts. These are Sygners, INSTIGO and BDGL, this one is also known as “mombunda” or “volcano”, following a recently built monument representing the volcano. Finally, we have the Chukudu roundabout with its imposing golden monument. The “chukudu” is the pride of the city. It is a means of transportation born in 1970. It is a giant trotting made of pieces of reclaimed wood and a few metal parts. The chukudu is neither a scooter nor a van but provides transport services up to several hundred kilos.

It really is an essential part of the local economy. Many visitors from all over the world, when they arrive in Goma, rush to immortalize their stays by photographing themselves on this mascot of the city. But beware, Goma does not only have this monument. Another facet of Goma is its restaurants and hotels by the lake.

Access to the lake is really difficult because, the big “bwana”, meaning the rich people, have monopolized this space and have built either villas that they rent to international organizations as service offices, or beautiful hotels and restaurants such as Kivu Lodge, Le Chalet, Ihusi hotel or Serena. Or green spaces where those who are getting married pay to take pictures or rent for their civil wedding ceremony. However, there is a good restaurant, not by the lake, but has made its name for years, the Magali restaurant.

If you arrive in Goma, you are hungry and do not want to wait in a restaurant, there are large supermarkets like Kin-Marché, Go-Marché and Ok Market, all run by Asians who have set up in DR Congo. As for markets, the city has three main ones namely Kituku, Alanine and Virunga. Are you looking forward to visiting the city of Goma? Now you have an idea about it!