Ma Vallee, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

4napparawy 5:00 PM Nov 1, 2010

What a scene!
Lake Ma vallee is not far from Kinshasa, it can take about 1.5 hours driving. The scene is really beautiful, you can take pedal boat into the lake. There is one cafeteria but never eat!Ofcourse do not travel alone , you must have some natives.

4TroisChatsLies 5:00 PM Apr 19, 2015

Great day trip from Kinshasa
Contrary to what a previous reviewer said, this is a great place for tourists if they want a peaceful getaway from the hustle and bustle of Kinshasa. The paddle boats cost around $5 per 20 minutes. The food is around $10 - $15, and we found the chicken was much better than the beef -- and our group was so large they actually ran out of fries. My suggestion is to order your food before taking the 1.5 hour walk around the lake. The kitchen is extremely slow (2 hour wait), and it's true we had to wait almost an hour just to get our bill. The reason I'm giving it 4 stars is because despite the waits, it was a lovely getaway, a nice walk, gorgeous scenery, adequate bathrooms, and this kids young and teens all had fun. The only real drawback to the place is the flies. There are so many while you're trying to eat that it is a serious turn off. However, for residents of Kinshasa it's a nice place to go about once a year. There is a park "entrance fee," which is usually waived when you order from the restaurant. If you bring your own picnic lunch however, you will likely be charged the entrance fee. Be SURE to bring: bug spray, toilet paper, sunscreen, hats.