Ikela

Ikela is a market town on the Tshuapa River, east of Boende, and the headquarters of Ikela Territory, a roughly 22,565 km² administrative unit with a population of over 294,000 divided into five sectors (Loile, Lofome, Lokina, Tumbenga, and Tshuapa). It was founded by Belgium in the early twentieth century as a trading post and grew into an important local center. The town was largely destroyed during the Second Congo War, coming under years-long siege from Congolese Rally for Democracy forces; its population of roughly 15,000 nearly all fled, and only about half have since returned to rebuild it. The local economy today rests on agriculture (cassava, maize, plantain, rice, peanuts), hunting, traditional fishing, and small-scale livestock farming. The climate is tropical, hot and humid year-round with a wetter and drier season.

By Boat

Ikela lies on the Tshuapa River, and river transport is the traditional way to reach towns along this stretch, including Boende downstream.

By Car / Road

Ikela is also reachable by road from other towns in Tshuapa province.

Walking and motorbike taxis are the typical way to get around town.

The Tshuapa riverfront and the town's post-war reconstruction are the notable features of a visit here; Ikela does not have documented formal tourist sights.

Boende, the provincial capital, is reachable downstream via the Tshuapa River.