The Journey To Congo 🇷🇼⇨🇨🇩 (#79)

In western Rwanda lies Lake Kivu, which marks the border between Rwanda and the DRC (Congo). Not too long ago, it was possible to easily cross the border at Gisenyi and spend a day or 2 in neighboring Goma. But these days the border, like everything else, has become a complicated mess. One day, after downing a few glasses of the local Gwagwa moonshine, I decided I would walk all the way to the border and try to sweet talk my way in. This is the record of that journey.
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Instagram: tommyelforastero
Patreon: www.patreon.com/sabbaticaltommy?fan_landing=true
#sabbatical #rwanda #congo

[@robinthomas4416]

Tommy, thank you for showing us these awesome places in Africa. I am a senior of 65 and I have stage 4 cancer. I live through your journeys, and I pray that before I go to the Lord that I can still visit Africa. I have seen all of your videos at least three times. I watch everyday, and I can hardly wait to see when a new one comes. thank you from the bottom of my heart. I've been trying to pick up a few words in Swahili too. I love you. stay safe and may God bless you always.

[@hk254lyt8]

Stay strong ❤️

[@roadtosanity6369]

May God continue to shower you with his boundless love, dear!🙂👍🏾

[@SabbaticalTommy]

Man...you really touched my heart with that comment. I hope you do make it over here, and I'll remember that you're watching when I make these. God bless

[@robinthomas4416]

Gosh Tommy, you’ve touched my heart Immensely by responding. I never thought that you would. Thank you!! Thanks everyone for the kind words and likes. Maybe next year I’ll be in Africa too if the Good Lord allows. I’m as always excited for the next video.

[@berthekabwe871]

Your comment is sweet and touching. I will keep you in my prayers❤❤❤

[@ValentinaMitchell1]

Watching all of Tommy’s previous videos!

[@colkestrel]

Right before you said Rwana is beautiful I was thinking man that country is beautiful.

[@lidiasantoro3098]

I'm blown away with the quality of infrastructure in this little country. What an example to the rest of the world! Congratulations Rwanda!!!

[@maureenalder8905]

Rwanda sure is beautiful...keep the vid's coming Jonny kiss 😘 🇬🇧

[@frog4886]

As long as I can remember I've always wanted to visit Africa. I know I'll never get to go. Thank you Tommy for sharing your journey.

[@irenedavo3768]

Where are you?

[@MrNorthshoremc]

Why

[@frog4886]

@@irenedavo3768 America

[@frog4886]

@@MrNorthshoremc medical reasons

[@markusruhl6073]

Beleive you can yes you can

[@PetsterB]

I was very impressed with the building style and quality of the infrastructure, I was pleased that you got around to mentioning it.

[@babakmortazavi1771]

your french is perfect bro perfect grammar and your pronunciation is very good

[@williebrown4266]

You’re right about wanting to visit and see the DRC. I spent 4 years there and I think, historically it is the most interesting country on the Continent. It’s my understanding that with your US tourist passport you can easily obtain a visa at the Congolese embassy in South Africa.

[@tendaifushai5651]

And Zimbabweans go there without a visa (90 days)

[@katundmayanlaura9899]

Tendai Fushai yes

[@azizkarim8106]

Great video, Tommy! Rwanda is so impressive compared to other East African countries. It would be awesome if you can make it to Burundi

[@eze.k9593]

Racism detected

[@endoftheworld6630]

@@eze.k9593 It is the truth

[@Patrick-wn6uj]

@@eze.k9593 you really don’t understand what racism is

[@MrElhabib123]

Rwanda highly recommended.... amazing country

[@bmwman5]

Nice video. Tommy has that golden touch with languages and meeting new people. 👍

[@mawalekiwajji116]

You see the difference with Africa, you can be a stranger, but no body calls police on you, everybody either greets or mind their business

[@201hours8]

Don't generalize. In many African countries, people do NOT mind their business ... AT ALL.

[@Tennessee6447]

You must be watching a completely different set of videos!

[@musical_lolu4811]

And where's the police to call to begin with? It's not like the US where they have PDs up the wazoo that a lot of citizens just call for the most random of reasons. Here they ain't got time for all that. They only deal with serious or potentially serious issues. More or less, the people are on their own.

[@b-red22]

I've been waiting for the next video... thank you for sharing. You definitely have the best content on KZbin!

[@tombimashri8149]

Agreed

[@MissBessie]

Im always watching your video Tommy I feel so relax while watching you😍How i wish you upload videos everyday..watching from Philippines 🇵🇭

[@nasserkarby267]

So beautiful and breathtaking sights you showed us. Thanks Tommy Eagerly waiting for the next episode Thanks man 👍

[@vesh]

This guy just goes everywhere

[@frankderossi795]

He reminds me of bald and bankrupt but more hes linguistically impressive.

[@mwanikimwaniki6801]

@@frankderossi795 By far lol

[@tiararismawati5763]

Congo looking for treasure dude☺🙌

[@olindetroit7636]

@@frankderossi795 Mr.Bald is to obsessed with everything Soviet to worry about Africa. I think he made one or two trips into Northern Africa. Somewhere in Morocco.

[@tombimashri8149]

@@olindetroit7636 he did visit Kenya too

[@css1078]

I lived in Gisenyi for over a year on the border of Congo Goma, amazing placed loved every day, 100% going to retire in that place looking over lake Kivu

[@popwayne677]

Rwanda certainly is a beautiful country. We drove from Kigali to Gisenyi. The whole country was beautiful.

[@richardpoplis6777]

Amazing how good you are speaking their language

[@ShaunOfAllTrades]

I love that you read up on the history of the places you visit. Good on ya! 👍🏼

[@raphaelnzuki9312]

Josey is also in Congo. I hope you will meet her there

[@carolinesamuels31]

We appreciate you. Thank you for these videos of Africa. We pray for your safety.❤️💕🇯🇲🇱🇷❤️

[@Bonekby]

Congo 🇨🇩 is huge

[@jellymop]

This is amazing. Your able to get into places and past checkpoints and get local points of view just by being chill, not being pushy and listening to your intuition. Let your brain naturally guide you, and you pick things up. Videos and picture from inside the Congo are hard to come by. This is dope

[@775.-]

That green nature , seems so peacful

[@dankoftinoff8119]

That highway with the paver sidewalk is gorgeous along the mountain/lake views

[@idemilidominic2115]

So lovely

[@eyeandisinclair821]

Tommy The Explorer , I discovered your channel a few months ago ,and can easily understand the reason for the rapid growth .Keep bringing us educational contents from The Motherland .

[@danchapman8218]

Hey Tommy, my picture is of me paddling in the Congo River, near Kinshasa... To obtain a visa, I had a friend in Kinshasa who wrote a letter of invitation to come visit. Your knowledge of french is enough to get you around in Congo, and just as in Rwanda, if you speak a local language to them they are pleasantly surprised. I'm older, and probably done traveling, but was happy to discover your channel, and have subscribed. If you get to western congo, learn a little lingala. For the ultimate adventure, try getting from Goma to Kisangani, then hop on the boat to kinshasa. From Kinshasa, take the train to Matadi, then you can take a ship out, or drive back to Kinshasa and fly out there. Just know that much of Africa considers DRC the frontier, and the level of hardship and suffering to get from point A to point B in DRC probably will go up. I've always wanted to visit Angola from Matadi... Keep recording!

[@Alphate1997]

In my home district in Uganda called Arua we travel to Congo without visa

[@michellescarfSpacex]

Nice Video Tommy , I appreciate to see the beach 🏖️ Lake near Congo . Could be Pacific ocean in Malibu

[@herbertajoki]

Love your videos Tommy

[@jasonpetersharpe]

I love your videos and life’s work! Among the people

[@alitabaker99]

Do you have a video or website that discusses more in detail about how you got where you are now in life? Im talking your language journey, motivations, background. Really love the series and I want to learn more about how you became who you are today.

[@fuadhassan3454]

No word of a lie this guy is on a different level of adventure 👏🏿👏🏿keep it up bro!😎

[@tombimashri8149]

Truthfully speaking Tommy should hav the highest sub in utube world. Wecr learnibg alot nd seeing stuff we v neverxseen b4, one can see hexdoes it from the heart. I m sure One of Tommys ancesters had black blood or were black, he fits in nsturally with no pretence.

[@britk.4765]

Bienvenu au Congo!

[@denismutabazi]

You're work has a lot of value

[@afox6023]

Tommy your videos are inspiring and your use of the local languages is warm and friendly for the people that you meet during your adventures around Africa. Your a nice guy and good ambassador for America.

[@aallen681]

View many of these types of travel channels, my opinion, Tommy is the best, perfect personality and keeps it interesting!

[@Chris-xj4kk]

I am sure if there is a way for you to visit the DRC, you will succeed ! Your adventures are very interesting and inspiring!! Cheers

[@shalbec3232]

Yes congo has more landcape and beauty than rwanda

[@philipfulu]

The history lessons are 🔥🔥. A welcome addition to an already awesome video

[@abbas431]

Tommy, like an African soap opera, you could drop a video every day and still get the views! Looking forward to lunch and hike with your buddies tomorrow.

[@sylvesterfong9275]

👍👍👍 Thanks for another interesting and informative vlog. Blessings.

[@mollyfyna2144]

You educate me so much, with the videos and the explanation of the areas history too. So fascinating!! Thank you!

[@oskarryberg5494]

Just wanna say I really like your videos man, keep doing your thing dude! Hälsningar från Sverige

[@davidmastaki]

it will be exciting to watch your adventure in the Congo. Congo is the most famous country in Africa.

[@alliea9272]

Love your videos because theyre always so informative. Keep up the good content.

[@str8upbates888]

man come get me brother I want to travel with u .....I just love ur free spirit brother....u are super intelligent and it shows keep it up man!!!!! come get me lol

[@citrusblast4372]

wow you can actually see the beauty through the camera despite it probably not being the best quality and not well adjusted to the light or something. You can see beautful gradients in the sky when you point the cam at the lake

[@Yllah]

My Congolese folks where y’all at ? 🥰🇨🇩✊🏾

[@mwanikimwaniki6801]

Congo lol

[@zesblake2123]

Right here. 😀

[@redjuan7272]

Here before 1 million subs. Best content on youtube

[@kemzykila]

My guy always checking his shoulders 😆🙌🏿💯

[@啥也不是......我爱国但]

为什么您的语言这么好……法语说的这么好！太厉害了👍佩服您……

[@David-oo1ik]

Best channel ever Tommy

[@danielatumisi3866]

How did you learn all these languages? I’m so impressed by this. Not what we here or see from most Americans! Keep pushing content forward

[@yaballo1]

Thanks for another very informative & awesome video. We are learning a great deal about our own continent through your eyes/observations. If you thought that Rwandan kids were bad in pestering white visitors/muzungus for money, wait till you experience "the never-colonised Ethiopia (sic)" - which is awful. In most parts of Ethiopia, white visitors can't walk even few meters without being pestered by hordes of kids shouting "ferenji (=muzungu)!..ferenji!..ferenji give me money!". Yes, this bad habit casts a terrible blemish on the generally hospitable predisposition of most Africans towards the muzungus. But I don't think that there is a direct correlation between poverty & the habit of pestering foreigners for money. Some tribes educate their children & people "not to associate muzungus with lots of money" or "to think of muzungus as an easy target to beg for money". Others are too casual about it. African schools & societies could've played a positive role in educating the kids not to pester foreigners for money but, obviously, most haven't. That is annoying & embarrassing. Sorry about that.

[@4eyefoxbodyfanclub625]

Tommy buys beers 🍻 and gwagwa for an entire village, Tommy gets happy. Next day Tommy sobers up, the little kids want their cut in the form of money 💰, Tommy gets mad.😂😂😂

[@HOPEFOREVERYDY]

Am in Kenya 🇰🇪 and always learning a lot,thanks for your videos,a quick question,what do you use for shooting your videos? I have a channel and learning a lot

[@chris-noelnirema]

Amazing videos. I find it so amazing the fact that you visite a place, learn the language as much as possible (Super Impressive!). In my opinion, you should be given access to every country. Your drive to learn new cultures is AMAZING! Swing by Burundi if you can. Not far from where you are! Blessings

[@neutrosis]

I have been to Congo, and it was not hard to get a i think 10 days or 14 days visa, BUT only when you go to volcan, or gorilla trekking, both i would highly recommend there. Yes, Congo, the most interesting history, as well soooo rich country in terms of mineral resources.

[@leevivien7341]

@Sabbatical you can in Burundi, on the Rwandese side regulations are tough and there are no backdoors

[@nikowabantu6216]

How many languages do you speak ? You’re very genius I speak five languages too -French -English -Swahili -kimya Rwanda -kirundi

[@gabistan2007]

So u are not reached kinshasa..the hometown of my passed away husband

[@martinsanders7065]

That Banana Liquor sure looked strong.

[@eliemulegwa3333]

You were about the visit the most interesting country (DRC) in the world. I am sure and certain that once you get there, you will be amazed by its culture (dance, food, languages, etc. ).

[@helderman2000]

Hi tommy.. actually thats not the only land border between rwanda and the DRC. There is another one on the southern end of lake Kivu, next to the Congolese town of bukavu.

[@yibariki]

I love you adventures but you should try to do it more safely especially where you are heading, you can be an easy target for bad guys

[@bonnywanjau4594]

Sabbatical niaje,,? Karibu tena kanairo 🇰🇪👍

[@markeymark199]

Cant wait for Tommy to hit up the himba people

[@ThatWhichErodes]

i'm very impressed, man; you speak Swahili, Russian, French, English... what else?

[@roadtosanity6369]

And every other languages in the world😁

[@c.n5127]

The people he meets in Africa also speak many languages.

[@57Javier747]

A pretty good Spanish too

[@57Javier747]

And he doesnt change his way of be when he changes languages, He's always himself

[@bryanyankulov3162]

Another Adventure Video Tommy. 🇺🇸

[@offtopicnotpastit]

When are you coming back to Kenya🇰🇪 Rwanda is beautiful East Africa will be the Giants of Africa by 2030

[@ngoleediage6097]

Tommy please, let us know when you're in Cameroon. You have followers in Cameroon as well.

[@DustyOldBones]

Imagine a Jewish man who doesn't get irritated when the poor locals ask them for money. Doesn't exist. God bless you sab.

[@Johmatri]

Wow boda drivers give you helmets in rwanda?

[@erwin5us]

It's the law

[@Johmatri]

@@erwin5us it better is. I always feared for my life taking bodas in kampala

[@erwin5us]

@@Johmatri yes it is better that way

[@Rwizaify]

3:00 You were lucky those guys didn’t notice you! They aren’t just _Africanized_ bees like the ones that have residents on edge in parts of the US. They are actual African bees.

[@ndegwamugo9304]

If you want to travel to Congo then come back to Nairobi. It will be much easier for an American. I have an African American who traveled to Congo ( Goma) from Nairobi through Uganda. Just a few days ago, Jambojet Limited launched flights to Congo from Nairobi

[@eze.k9593]

he was in kenya and choose to show bad places

[@tafabeatz]

Miss Josey is in Congo right now 👀

[@berakdiairderas4269]

Damm.....that road is 100 times better than a road at my hometown. Hahaha......

[@gandhingira4071]

Bro, you’re welcome in Goma, DR Congo! Go back in the US (Washington DC or NY) get your visa and lemme know once you’ll be in Goma. I can give you some free chicken 😅about Goma. I was born and raised in Goma, but now I live in North Carolina.

[@moussangom5191]

merci mon ami

[@yibariki]

There's no such thing as Rwandan civil war or Rwandan genocide it's Genocide against Tutsi

[@roadtosanity6369]

Hmmm …. Not exactly as you saying it. The Hutus are probably the ones paying a price to this day! Your current government has too many skeletons of Hutus and Congolese in its closet.

[@yibariki]

@@roadtosanity6369 there's no proof to what you are saying and that doesn't mean civil war

[@butare]

Mureke twige amateka neza mbere yo kuzana conflits hagati yacu pe Rwanda Civil war 1st october 1990 - 18 july 1994 Genocide against Tutsi 7th april 1994 - 4th July 1994

[@habiyaremyejeanbaptiste2348]

@@butare ,icyo ni ikinyoma wowe n'aba jenosideri mwahimbye kungira ngo muhishe iyicarubozo ndengakamere mwakoreye Abatutsi mu 1994, ahubwo ibyo muvuga byo 1990 kugira ngo mugereke ibyaha mwakoze mu 1990 kubo mwicaga mubyita ngo muragerageza jenoside y'Abatutsi.

[@butare]

@@habiyaremyejeanbaptiste2348 maybe nuko udasobanukie civil war icyo bivuga mu kinyarwanda

[@a1SolutionTTV]

You help teach me about these places better then any book or documentary.. These people are so nice. Definitely so weird seeing a white Guy who speaks their language:P Bless you 🙏

[@hamishmcfenda4197]

So getting a visa for the DRC is not a matter of giving the right border official the right amount of money?

[@mfuranzimafred8904]

Rwanda and Kagame on top 👌☑️

[@nattrafik]

Maybe it's possible if you go back to Kigali and apply for a visa at the DRC embassy?

[@ksgrmdsdl2383]

Rwanda is too chill, too predictable, and too comfortable. I would be interested in a place where there is some bit of chaos, thrill, and uncertainty.

[@mickschogetti1681]

Living on the edge

[@bazimyan]

And thank goodness it is so chill, predictable, stable, and safe; that makes it one of the few outliers for the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa which has its fill of chaos and uncertainty for a lifetime.

[@ksgrmdsdl2383]

@@bazimyan Monotonous and boring

[@kariluckis8030]

I would never say that.

[@mineeco9677]

The difference of infrastructure is dramatic when you cross the border to Congo. No roads, no electricity, 150 % corruption and no town in sight. The only thing you can do is have a beer and listen to excellent Rumba.

[@novatusyohana9349]

Nakuku balisana kaka kuitembelea Africa yetu

[@deboutkasai7009]

Hey man, when you cross to Congo Kinshasa, take a plane come to lubumbashi and I will take you to zambia

[@alexisniyo6812]

I wish you the best: like talking to the president himself 🇷🇼.

[@hassanhussein6110]

hi "you mean you can not enter congo and take visa at the nearest embassy " strange

[@butare]

As u can't enter any European country and take visa to the nearest embassy

[@africaine4889]

You people are crazy. The US treats us the same. If I have a tourist visa for Mexico and decide after my stay to Mexico to cross and visit the US, americsns will not let me in without a visa, the american embassy in Mexico will not issue me a visa neither. They will tell me to go al the way back to Congo to get an american Visa from the american embsssy in congo. Why? Because before giving a visa the american embassy will check you out first, if you are not a criminal or anything bad. Same thing that the congolese embassy in the US will check for any american askimg for a visa that comes to.Drcongo.

[@butare]

@@africaine4889 it's not for only us Africans It's just normal for example; with a schengen visa u can travel to 26 European countries but can't travel to Russia It has nothing to do with america and africa Just depends on what those countries agreed on

[@africaine4889]

@@butare i know

[@c.n5127]

It's just odd that they somehow expect special treatment.

[@Nadelina_kb]

I enjoyed this video ! I heard it was so difficult to actually get a visa to go from one African country to another one, I was wondering how you’d make it…

[@lindahn877]

Coz he is not African. USA visa is kinda strong

[@lindahn877]

@@Nadelina_kb sorry now I get it. But my reply still holds water for him it's easy he said for Congo it will be hard coz he is USA citizeni think Congo is among the few countries but for most countries its to the contrary.

[@shahidi03]

Damn that sucks cuz Miss Trudy is in Congo

[@innocentmuindi4637]

You just missed a very good opportunity of entering Congo, with low as 10 dollars those Congolese immigration official will allow you in smiling ...if you need a tax they will equally give you one as part of their side husle

[@pattohronzo516]

How did Urwagwa testing? I hope you enjoyed 😀😀😀 and you try hard to speak kinyarwanda

[@oliveranderson7264]

You pronounced Gisenyi correctly actually ! Gi and Ki can be pronounced as Ji and Chi in Kinyarwanda but that isn't so common in the Western part of the country

[@lolaispure4296]

Hahahha not at at all its G pronounced like Guiness

[@fentyfentyhash9675]

Everybody rockin Gucci in Africa😂

[@davidsuazosuazo9850]

"He said I can't go there...lol ducked it I am going there he says jajaja

[@ellistonstonemusic1996]

if the tables were turned bruv