Île Mbamou

Île Mbamou is the largest island in the Pool Malebo, the wide stretch where the Congo river spreads out between Brazzaville and Kinshasa before dropping into the cataracts downstream, and it belongs to the Republic of the Congo. It is largely grassland and sandbank with fishing settlements and grazing, and from it both capitals are visible across the water, the only place in the world where two national capitals face each other across a river.

What you actually see

• The Pool Malebo - the wide stretch of the Congo the island sits in.
• The two capitals - Brazzaville and Kinshasa both visible across the water.
• The grassland and sandbanks - the island's low open ground.
• The fishing settlements - the communities working the river from the island.

When to go

June to September is the dry season and the water is lower. The river rises after the rains. Boats run from Brazzaville on arrangement.

Honest expectations

There are no facilities on the island. Boats must be arranged and the river has strong currents. The island sits on an international boundary and movement may be monitored.

Nearby

Brazzaville is south, and the Congo river surrounds it.