Deadliest Journeys - Congo: The Last Train in Katanga

In Katanga more than 2000 people, three times the train's capacity, are squeezing in the carriages of the Swallow. Conditions are precarious on the train, which crosses the whole country in more than a week, stopping in several villages. But the journey isn't easy. The rails are poorly maintained, accidents frequent and the journey is risky.
00:00 The majority of roads in the Congo are either impossible to traverse or simply non-existent. Unfortunately, air travel, the only dependable mode of transportation, remains inaccessible to the Congolese population.
04:25 In the southern region, the Hirondelle train embarks on a journey that spans half the country, connecting Lubumbashi, the capital of Katanga, to Ilebo. This train serves as the sole lifeline for the most isolated villages.
13:40 During the rainy season, the roads become completely impassable.
20:00 Some individuals resort to crossing the country on bicycles in order to sell their goods.
27:15 Trains are frequently halted to accommodate hurried passengers.
31:21 Within the Congo, certain territories are still governed by traditional kings.
37:40 On dilapidated roads, bicycles require frequent repairs.
44:17 Regularly targeted by saboteurs, traffickers bring the train to a halt, disrupting its operations.

[@zepmarq]

I love this narrator. When he does both people in a conversation, it's the best.

[@petervare]

Absolutely agree 💯❤❤❤

[@LoLoLifeinFlorida]

😂I agree it means me laugh 😂

[@tracyruth4247]

I could listen to him all day...def the best!😊👍

[@spencerbaldwin2303]

One of my favorite series, also glad to have this narrator back

[@pixelphotographyByPrasad]

But unfortunately these filmmakers never mentions narrator's name

[@chrisbestking]

Me too!

[@loganstroganoff1284]

@@pixelphotographyByPrasad his name is don fanucci

[@c.curmudgeon2834]

It's amazing that people can deal with so much hardship and maintain a positive outlook on life, whereas we get offended by everything in western countries as we have lives these people would kill for.

[@5thdimension625]

The poorer, the less entitlement, and the kinder the person

[@itssimba9681]

Im proud to be African living in Africa.

[@rickjohnson6347]

IF these conditions appeared in the USA we'd loose 50+% of population

[@lambdalambdalambda257]

When you think you sound enlightened but you just sound dumb asf

[@SteelBlockBig]

They know risk. They are used to risk. They do it everyday

[@jacobmassey3897]

Full respect to the camera men who filmed on the roof of the train 😨👏

[@danielcrowley6518]

Bullshit.... stay out our land. Keep the mzungu away.... period.

[@davidchapaexproaloudthecit1302]

If you watch African documentary you became to know that African is most strongest people on earth Much love from zambia 🇿🇲

[@willlaw1672]

Love it when he does the voiceovers

[@incremental_failure]

The camera work, somewhat sarcastic commentary make this one of the best documentaries. There are many docus on this topic but none are this good. The French really know how to film stuff.

[@pixelphotographyByPrasad]

I just checked the narrator's voice.its my favourite narrator ...will watch this full video at night..,

[@ellenhenmi8119]

me too i love his voice

[@sharkamov]

Prasad Karandikar: I couldn't agree more. He's a treasure for these documentaries! 👍

[@chikeagbo3531]

The narrator's communication skills are unparalleled and his deep voice is resonating...

[@SteinOnkel]

Although he has a tendency to make up his own dialogue. Dude is holding an oil filter "We also have lights for night time" :D

[@avigdonable]

@@SteinOnkel yes, he is making up as he goes along.

[@willthomsen7569]

And in another video a guy has a broken windshield and he says in his language that some kids broke it with a rock and the narrator says it was shot out by an assault rifle and the driver was almost killed lol

[@Zifiron]

Everyone's favourite narrator. Great docu once again.

[@Zifiron]

@Todd Cornett I Dude :P

[@donnydavid2344]

Best narrator ever..thats why i love any show he narrats..salute 👍

[@emmanuelngoma6201]

What's his name please

[@Ritik1328]

​@@emmanuelngoma6201 ghonchuuuuu

[@agelessbeauty968]

I just love watching these documentary..it makes me appreciate my life and so thankful for all that l have..😊

[@pezpengy9308]

i can see why these folks are pouring across europes southern border. they lead a rough life down there.

[@Matthias333]

seriously

[@rameshvet6644]

Whenever see this documentary my life has nothing to worry about

[@indigeneieve648]

The Narration is superb..I love this Narrator..he makes it simply so u understand what is being said...I like these kind of Docs..BRAVO!!!

[@johnouma8134]

Legendary voice is back on air again. So sad despite the wealth underground Congo is languishing in penury,. A country that can light up the entire continent is in a sorry state due to bad governance. Oohh God help us we Africans

[@denzilrodrigues4428]

We always appreciate the narrator guys …which is the easiest job from the studios, but have we ever imagined the job of the camera crew ..?? They shoot from the bus roof overlooking dangerous valleys and roof of the train plus top of the truck cruising through dangerous roads ..yet captured the BEST shots possible ..hats off SIR job well done plus thanks for bringing us True Africa …we love Africa especially children ..ur a GREAT INSPIRATION AFRICA❤️

[@Ritik1328]

No one have easiest job chomuuuu

[@anythingstuff4605]

It's so sad Africa is in this state despite our minerals. I sometimes feel our minerals are a curse to us. I hope one day Africa becomes much more better. Greetings from Ghana 🇬🇭

[@floydlooney6837]

It seems that governments are a curse on the whole world

[@stonedwalljack9276]

To many blacks is the issue

[@anythingstuff4605]

@@stonedwalljack9276 what do you mean by that??

[@AbhishekKumar-ex4mh]

Every country has to go through this once in their journey towards success. But, thanks for this documentary. It's very tough to keep it so real.

[@chiefkyle1098]

The people from every other country migrated from Africa tens of thousands of years ago, yet ironically, Africa remains a third world country. All of their technology and modern convinces came from people that left Africa. It is weird.

[@AbhishekKumar-ex4mh]

@@chiefkyle1098 being poor by any reason isn't bad, but facilitating China as your guest in belief that China will make you prosperous is not proved anywhere. Africa has been looted badly by China. Although there are many reasons, practical solution is too have self interest policies that partly benefits others but long term benefit should come to Africa. Anyways, it's easy to say but tough to execute so I can not say much about it.

[@chikeagbo3531]

This episode is one of my favorites..I am addicted to this series but saddened by the negligence of African leaders..Our leaders have failed us...They are a bunch of greedy failures..GOD is watching and waiting patiently for the judgement day..

[@wachiramrm3925]

Leaders are ordinary people who decide to step up.

[@dbender88]

@@wachiramrm3925 lol not in politics buddy, not by a longshot

[@MrEnglischjules]

there is no god............

[@incremental_failure]

Leaders are a reflection of the people, that's true for every country. No corrupt leader cannot gain power without having large support.

[@bernhardhartl101]

I agree. The narrator is wonderful.

[@keepingyouinformed1259]

these ppl are soooo resourceful god bless them..i wouldnt last a day

[@teamallyracing1780]

Ohh you will just manage when pushed to the limit

[@kinzathinley7502]

Who else just started randomly watching this during lockdown and is now addicted

[@thedrunkenirish7800]

Same man haha

[@Naltddesha]

I absolutely love this series. These docs that are specifically focused on transportation in places experiencing extreme poverty, and the means they use to overcome for at the very least cope with the situation, is beyond fascinating. I was so happy to see that the playlist has over 100 entries

[@miss-africaz984]

Omg 🙏🏿🙏🏿😂😂 I swear I remember this train but let me tell u guys it was so nice and clean back in the 90 we lived in Ilebo I take the train to kananga for so many years .😭😭 ah Congo na ngai ba nduku 😭😭 c’est pas vraie .

[@bluecast1430]

Where do You live now? Still in Africa?

[@miss-africaz984]

@@bluecast1430 my dad used to work for oil company so we used move a lot in Congo ; I lived 3 years in ilebo ; 3 in kananga and every years where the school was done we use to take vacation in KIN ; so the company used to rent the all wango or voiture for use to travel was best day of my life ; live in kindu for 2 year ; Goma for 4 ; Lubumbashi for 3 ; Matadi 4 then KIN when I finished High school secondaire travel to Canada to now 😬

[@AutonomousPlayground]

@@miss-africaz984 that was a great story. I plan to visit DRC to travel on the train do you have any advice?

[@macknonlubega7700]

I don't know if am the only one who finds this narrator very funny, the way he voices over people in these tough conditions really cracks me up. I really thought Uganda is in a very bad state but this is too much!! Some countries should be FIFTH WORLD countries.

[@energydoku]

i love this documentary. and i really appreciate seeing you help out the poor as well

[@kevohwapipelinetransami4351]

2nd viewer here from Kenya Kanairo City 🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪

[@brianbett95]

😂😂😂😂

[@johngicheru7927]

Ngumi ni jamo

[@zacharymwenda6784]

this is how most of us lived in the 90's here in Kenya its sad to see the citizens of a very rich country in resources living this way. its bad😠

[@keepingyouinformed1259]

love the voice and the show thks so much,,

[@slimmaticthestrongone5613]

nice one I enjoy watching thanks for sharing

[@devally2432]

A vision into the future, around 2080, when the UK will be just like this. I'm gutted I won't be around to enjoy it.

[@patriciabrown8757]

I away s like to watch your documentary I am praying that though people will get a better way of life watching from Jamaica

[@raviruchikumardeepa103]

Great sir

[@prateekkumar4295]

In America we think our life is so hard.. lol compared to these people we live like kings. Respect to people who go to extreme lengths to put food on their table. 🙏🏽

[@paulgitau6055]

Don't say in America,say on your native India,you are not an American u are an immigrant from India.

[@samarittan9308]

@@paulgitau6055 That's presumptuous. He could have been born in the USA and inherited his parent's Indian name.

[@stonedwalljack9276]

@@samarittan9308 Doesnt matter still brown

[@ACMxxxx2]

Why’s it always gotta be someone else’s fault? Personal responsibility is big

[@olafjensen4508]

Cheers mostly always good

[@prabhatlamatamang]

THIS IS LIFE LOVE FROM NEPAL

[@jackkreacherr9339]

Strap on in boyz, time for another deadly adventure!

[@bnast6849]

Fun fact, those mud roads were actually paved some 60 years ago. But when the Belgians left there was no one to maintain them.

[@nash6435]

Watching from philippines... 😁

[@boylin9941]

Double p

[@wakawakaabby4779]

Me too 😩

[@scofab]

Someday these guys will figure out that if they get some tubing and weld two bicycles together the whole thing would be much easier... I grew up in PNG and no stranger to conditions like these... much respect for the struggle.

[@pnwRC.]

Great video showing some of worst roads in the world!

[@frnd4741]

It's not the road but the Corrupt governments who care less or nothing for their people while their wives fly to Europe to see their dentist..

[@Fony_turgeson]

this is the best narrator

[@kiwi88888]

i would of hated this with all my soul. god bless these people. this is just sad and crazy

[@realhomosapien]

This condition used to happens in my country's railway service back in the day before the government issued reform within the railway services in somewhere in 2014 (kinda forgot when)

[@megamind5117]

I don't understand why this series always shows uploaded 5 hours ago but it's 2-3 month old if I am right. It may be older. I don't know. Just an stunt to get more view. But i love this series.been watching this series since last year 🤟🤘👍👍👍

[@centredoorplugsthornton4112]

Originally shown on France 5 as part of the series Les Routes de l'impossible. Half hour version has different English narration but no translation.

[@antonyandrerenaissancearti977]

You have to be of brave heart and mind to survive in the congo

[@naghoprayerministryinterna1353]

The wicked evils Africa leaders have know dreams, thank you for your programmes.

[@princesstamara6364]

Lol, talk about it. imagine Congo is a rich country according to their history in their land but look the way they suffer like slaves in their own country. .. Oh my goodness! Lord have Marcy otherwise the situation in Congo it's very hard compare to other countries. African leaders you won't see heaven I swear upon the living God.

[@mohamaedsonnie3426]

They come together to condemn overthrow in Africa but never condemn long stay in power because it is in their own interest, our riches is on paper and in the hands of our wicked leaders,they don't believe in anything in their own continent, Education abroad, medical abroad, saving account abroad, good home to live abroad, oo Africa.

[@balavenders-yc5vr]

So many good comments !

[@Fony_turgeson]

maybe their "king" should take care of his people and the roads a little more seems he is living very well

[@mirela1894]

The King dies take care of his peoplе, he isn't apart if the government though do he cannot do anything about the roads.

[@gliang9406]

I hope the situation can get better in the future... It was amazing yet sad at the same time.

[@missasinenomine]

Vert sad. It won't get better. Not as long as there is tribalism.

[@missasinenomine]

Very. typo.

[@suderman2811]

Nothing will change Africa leaders are all dissame

[@gliang9406]

@@suderman2811 Things will change... African leaders are responsible for part but not all of these issues.

[@D00MSDAYMACHINE]

These talking chimps and monkeys need to be exterminated

[@missasinenomine]

23:00 Love the flip flop reflectors!

[@dreoneful]

Sad to say but this would never change not in our life time

[@ossiansandberg2396]

I always check if it's this narrator. if it is, I keep watching 🙃

[@gontlekabelo7439]

Me 2

[@habibiranie]

مرسی ممنون

[@anythingstuff4605]

My favourite narrator 😍😍🤭🤭🤭

[@rohandas5643]

Respect 👍🇮🇳

[@rubenrosario3728]

Respect to those bikers .

[@venessajackson9982]

Is this channel linked to “the free documentary” channel? Because it’s the same videos over there but it’s uploaded over here at a later time.

[@DoDo-bo7ut]

Looks like it to get more views..

[@romella_karmey]

Yeah looks like views farming.. But it's okay. This docu is worth to watch though. Just wished there are more newer docus they'll release

[@cliffpadilla5871]

You won't catch me riding this train.

[@getchasome6230]

Me neither, but that's because I'm never gonna go to the Congo.

[@kiturselassie813]

I love how commerce thrives an drives humanity

[@deniszlatevski9269]

25:34 Why the ground is blue is it the camera glitch or what?

[@sinnceer_era]

✌🏾🙏🏾🐜there is a better way . . . i go, to prepare a place for you . . . 🙏🏾✌🏾🐜

[@Zero-hl2zy]

The leaders get the best of everything God help them 🙏

[@gerhard6105]

Nice video. The bikers should buy a quad or so to transport their merchandise. And the rail company should buy double decker wagons.

[@kirsikkamakinen4035]

Irish know this region as much as Kongonese.

[@user-iq7ch2jk4x]

It's just one road! A long road for sure, but just one. Why does't the government properly pave this road with asphalt? It would make everything so much better.

[@pixelphotographyByPrasad]

Anyone know the voice over artist name? This is total injustice to voice artist that this film maker never mentions his name.

[@kaunyehhaibanta9593]

This is HELL in reality

[@jg7446]

1st😎👍🎉

[@gee2638]

We should always be thankful to God... Out there people go a lot just to set food on the table

[@wYd001]

If these people took it to them selves to do something about that road the situation would be different. Some times it is stupid of citizens just waiting on authority when they can do something themselves. It should take just a few nylon bags packed with dirt p and filling up those mega potholes to save the situation.

[@elemations6292]

I hope u Guys knew this is old I seen the French version

[@WestSideGorilla1980]

Wow the rails are in bad shape! They definitely need some development in Africa.

[@josephmusembi4391]

Same video been copied over from channel to channel. What a shame.

[@haddingtoniangcp2464]

Sharing is caring

[@chicagogyrl4846]

I saw that man jump on the train. He’s the one who probably cut it!

[@deborahnunn2394]

Oh yes there is one and only one more powerful than man ever could be and that is YAWEH GOD CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH

[@rossreynolds4719]

Wee could learn of these people they have a great outlook and it's very tough so no one in America UK our life is easy compared to these country's wee should b all smiles but wee are just unhappy people

[@b.g.bbeezo100]

Why is there no one willing to maintain the rails??????🤔🤔🤔

[@getchasome6230]

Because nobodys willing to pay them.

[@b.g.bbeezo100]

@@getchasome6230 Ok but they use those same rails to make money sooooo🤷🏾‍♂️

[@getchasome6230]

@@b.g.bbeezo100 didnt you watch the video? Those guys are barely able to make the trip, let alone fix the countries infrastructure. Smh. Wtf

[@b.g.bbeezo100]

@@getchasome6230 Yes I did watch the video and those people seem very resourceful they find a way out of no way I'm pretty sure if they really wanted to they could bring those rails to a better condition than they're in

[@getchasome6230]

@@b.g.bbeezo100 have you fixed the potholes in the road in front of your house? If not, why?

[@kiturselassie813]

If the governments of Africa were transparent and had vision of Africa in the 21st century. Imagine how things would be different

[@juniorbramble9827]

Everyone dressed like Papa Wemba RIP 🇻🇨🇻🇨🇻🇨🇻🇨🇻🇨🇻🇨🇻🇨👊🏿👊🏿👊🏿

[@giuseppesanna1117]

god bles them

[@pezpengy9308]

i feel so bad, every time i watch these i wish better things for these hard working folks. i use palm oil to feed my pet rats, and these folks are so happy to see a guy willing to sell them some into a pan. :(

[@chicagogyrl4846]

They put holes in the roof to hang their stuff, then the rain comes in. 😂🤣

[@paul06660]

A couch mounted atop a bicycle now I've seen it all. Definitely not very many fat people in this country.

[@KK-eu6ym]

Such a rich country above and under ground and to live in this condition 😡

[@teamallyracing1780]

U need a winch with these roads

[@uncleTee2023]

Tough life. It's mindboggling the entire DRC government cannot afford a CAT road grader and diesel just to clear the mud and potholes since they can't pave it

[@nailarae3633]

Steady uploading the same videos

[@th-fb1nl]

video and audio are out of sync.

[@armandharaidun7637]

Poor people ..... :(((((

[@Ch3loos]

Arent they most of them in France?

[@radenbahagia164]

The bike should modified by additional another rim a tyre at the back of the bycicle ......between feet away .

[@calebodhiambo9065]

This is where ruto wants to take kenya to...back to unimaginable poverty

[@davewave1982]

20:05 sweeping the ground, the most thankless job ever?

[@danielbrinkman8069]

bring back king leopold to show them how to fix the infrastructure

[@MrHellelement]

Any documentary about transnational train journeys are obligated to use this narrator.

[@simwaduncan777]

Check more of them on this link👇 kzbin.info/aero/RDCMUCmOCpBKeoBPp-HwarhIBA2g

[@chicagogyrl4846]

Why was that vendor pushing that little boy in the pink shirt??!

[@Ritik1328]

Brave camera man

[@genieleanthonyv.salazar3492]

why the government of congo don't pay attention to this problem especially the road is the most important route i the flow of their economy.

[@camX00]

The whole bike thing i don't get remove all the wheels from all the bikes and make a carriage .

[@diegopettini6101]

Then you need some horses or a cow