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Latest Goma hotel reviews
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I found out that only notes of 5,10 and 20 Francs are in use (read: legal) in Goma.
The bigger notes carry a portrait that they don't like ;-|
So if you want to change money (on the border or at the minibus station in Gisenyi) don't accept any bigger notes or old Zaire money.
$10 equalled 3000 Francs in 02/2003, which means at least 150 notes.
It was therefore very useful to carry some small $ notes like $1 and $5, that are very much appreciated.
***True feb 2003***
Updated Jun 12, 2003
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Since Goma is not controlled by DRC government it's important to check if the situation is quiet.
Good sources are the various Western embassies in Kigali (Rwanda), organisations like Croix Rouge (that has an office in Gisenyi just across the border in Rwanda) and the "prefecture" in Gisenyi.
Less good sources are probably the Kinshasa based embassies since they have hardly any influence in the Goma region that is controlled by the pro-Rwandans rebelgroup RCD-Goma.
This is true feb 2003
Updated Jun 12, 2003
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The Rwandese will stamp your passport on exit which means that you'll need a new one when you return, even if it's the same day! Keep in mind that this will cost you $60 (!!!!!) unless entry to Rwanda is free because of your nationality (f.e. British,US & Germans are that lucky...).
The perfect solution if is to apply for a MULTIPLE ENTRY Rwandese visa, which cost the same as a single entry but is ONLY available if you get it from an embassy (f.e. in Kampala-Uganda) in advance!!!
On the DR Congo side you can buy your way through for $30, you'll be given a stamp but it's unclear what it means. Very likely it's useless outside the RCD-Goma controlled part of the country. Also the validity is not clear.
Due to rebel activity at the moment nobody would recommend to try to reach Goma in other ways than cross the border at Gisenyi in Rwanda and return the same way, but this will hopefully change.
If so, it would be possible to visit Goma (and the mountain gorilla's) on your way between Uganda and Rwanda.
***True feb 2003***
Updated Jun 12, 2003
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Mt. Nyiragongo is still very active (03/2003) and it's probably dangerous to go up unless you go with experienced geologists.
When we followed the road to the base of Mount Nyiragongo we were stopped by some armed men who told us to pay $30 for National Parc fee which would include a guided and guarded climb to the crater rim.
However it didn't look very official and I could easily imagine that some further on another one would show up to demand something similar. I didn't pay (and didn't climb) so cannot tell you about that.
There's an alert system showing coloured flags (green,yellow,orange or red) everywhere in & around town.
But if it's red you'll probably have already wondered why some 100.000's people are running away. In that case it would possibly be very wise to stay away from Goma and watch the eruption from Rwanda.
Updated Jun 12, 2003
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2 Reviews and 18 Opinions the hotel is a bit of a maze but makes it interesting. The swiming pool is 1st class. everything...
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Mt. Nyiragongo is still very active (03/2003) and it's probably dangerous to go up unless you go with experienced geologists.When we followed the road to the...
4 members live in Goma
Q: This sounds strange but.. has anyone had their hair cut in Goma, particularly men? The locals here all seem to shave their head...
A: Well, you have seen the barber shops im Goma, haven´t you? don´t expect to find a hairdresser with a lot of experience in cutting muzungu hair with schissors - the razor...
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1
A volcano changed Goma and the life of thousands
On 17/01/2002 Mt. Nyiragongo erupted, about 15 km from the town of Goma. A more than 100 meter wide river of lava thundered down the lower slopes of the volcano, right through the town into Lake Kivu,...
2
Goma is one of the town of the Democratic Republic of congo and my home town, A part of the town of Goma was destroyed in 2001 by lava fire From the Mount Nyiragongo a live Volcano located at about......
3
I first visited this town in 1996, shortly thereafter Laurent Kabila staged his uprising from this town and when I went back in the town was like something out of a Mad Max movie. All the buildings......
4
Where the earth spills fire...
Until the recent eruption in 2002 Goma was a comparably wealthy town on the north-eastern shore of Lake Kivu at the border to Gisenyi/Rwanda. Former President Mobutu had his residence in this...
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