Gbadolite is a city of just over 100,000 in Congo Basin and the ancestral hometown of former dictator Mobutu Sese Seko.
Nicknamed Versailles of the Jungle during the era of Mobutu Sese Seko (1965-1997), Gbadolite was showered with investments and luxury while most other parts of then-Zaire languished. With lavish palaces, an international airport made to accommodate Concorde flights and even an underground nuclear bunker, Gbadolite became the ultimate symbol of the kleptocracy of Mobutu's rule. Ransacked during the civil war following the ousting of Mobutu in 1997, most facilities in Gbadolite are now either ruined or in disrepair. However, for the intrepid traveler it is possible to catch a glimpse of faded luxury.
Unlike the rest of Congo, which celebrated the fall of Mobutu, locals tend to have a positive view of his legacy. With the town taking a massive downturn in recent times, and in light of it being his hometown, it could be unwise to engage in political discussions regarding the Mobutu era.
- Palais des Bambous. Mobutu's former personal sanctuary; complete with massive dining halls, marble floors and swimming pools. Locals will show you around for a fee.
Palais des Bambous. Mobutu's former personal sanctuary; complete with massive dining halls, marble floors and swimming pools. Locals will show you around for a fee.