Money and payments
Cards and cash
MasterCard/Maestro ATMs are available now in Kinshasa at the "Rawbank" on boulevard du 30 Juin (Gombe District), and in Grand Hotel.
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Africa · Middle AfricaOutline guideCountry in Central Africa
Photo: Lomami_River_at_Katopa_Camp,_Democratic_Republic_of_the_Congo.JPG: Christina Bergey derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (French: République Démocratique du Congo (or RDC); often shortened to DRC or D.R. Congo) is the largest and most populous country in Central Africa, as well as the world's largest Francophone country.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about DR Congo.
Cards and cash
MasterCard/Maestro ATMs are available now in Kinshasa at the "Rawbank" on boulevard du 30 Juin (Gombe District), and in Grand Hotel.
French, Kikongo, Lingala, Tshiluba, Swahili
French is the lingua franca of the country and nearly everyone has a basic to moderate understanding of French.
SIM cards and prepaid recharge for mobile phones are available in the street and at Kinshasa-N'djili airport, at a reasonable price.
Mobile networks
Bottled water seems to be cheap enough, but sometimes hard to find for a good price.
Excellent medical care is almost entirely non-existent in DRC, especially for non-citizens.
As is the case in most African nations, it is customary to show respect to elders and authority figures. If a figure of authority asks you to do something, it is advisable to comply or at least show deference.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
the capital of the DRC and the largest French speaking city in the world.
Bukavu is in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is on the border with Rwanda.
Goma is the capital of Northern province of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the extreme east on the border with Rwanda.
Kananga is a city in the Kasai Region of the DRC. Once destined to become the new capital, this city of about 1.2 million people is now off the radar for most travelers to Congo.
Kisangani (formerly Stanleyville) is the third largest city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is the capital and largest city of the vast Orientale Province (roughly the size of Spain) in the Congo Basin. The city is found at the furthest navigable point on the Congo River upstream of Kinshasa/Brazzaville at the end of the Boyoma Falls, a series of cataracts along a 100-km stretch of the river.
the DRC's mining hub.
Matadi is a major city of 300,000 in Western DRC, located on the banks of River Congo. It is the country's chief sea port and the capital of the Bas-Congo province.
Mbandaka is in Congo Basin. It is the capital of Equateur province.
Virunga National Park is in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979, but was labelled a site in danger in 1994 due to political conflict and poaching.
Kahuzi-Biega National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Garamba National Park is a national park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1980.
Salonga National Park is in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984, but was labelled a site in danger in 1999 due to urban development and poaching.
Okapi Wildlife Reserve is in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Maiko National Park is in the Congo Basin region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Places in DR Congo on the World Heritage List.
Virunga National Park
Listed 1979
Okapi Wildlife Reserve
Listed 1996
Garamba National Park
Listed 1980
Salonga National Park
Listed 1984
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
home to the capital city of Kinshasa and the nation's only port. Mostly tropical forests and grazing lands.
mostly fertile plateaus for agriculture & ranching, home to much of the country's recoverable minerals; de facto independent from 1960-1966 during the "Katanga Crisis"
significant diamond mining, not much else.
influenced by neighbouring Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda this region is known for its volcanoes, mountain gorillas, and, tragically, its unfathomable conflicts.
Bukavu, Goma, Kahuzi-Biega National Park, Virunga National Park
the DRC's portion and the majority of the world's second largest jungle after the Amazon.
Garamba National Park, Maiko National Park, Okapi Wildlife Reserve, Salonga National Park
Public transport and paid services in DR Congo.
By ferry
A ferry on the Congo River operates, if security permits, from Kinshasa to Kisangani, every week or two. You can pick it up at a few stops en route, though you have to rush as it doesn't wait.
By train
The few trains which still operate in the DRC are in very poor condition and run on tracks laid by the Belgian colonial government over a half century ago.
By bus
Bus Express Kinshasa, Transco Express, RVA and VIP Congo offer long distance bus transport in DRC.
By car
DRC's roads are best described as tremendously underdeveloped.
By plane
Due to the immense size of the country, the terrible state of the roads and the poor security situation, the only way to get around the country quickly is by plane. This is not to say that it's safe.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in DR Congo.
Finding apps for DR Congo…
Other ways to travel:By truck
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Kinshasa · International · FIH
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Kinshasa
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 29° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 30° | 31° | 30° | 28° | 28° |
| Avg. low | 22° | 22° | 22° | 22° | 21° | 19° | 18° | 20° | 21° | 22° | 22° | 21° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 166 | 165 | 206 | 207 | 149 | 14 | 3 | 13 | 57 | 175 | 278 | 249 |
| Humidity | 82% | 82% | 83% | 84% | 83% | 79% | 76% | 72% | 72% | 78% | 83% | 83% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$40
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$105
Per person, per day
Luxury
$275
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $20 | $60 | $160 |
| Food and drink | $10 | $20 | $50 |
| Local transport | $5 | $10 | $25 |
| Activities | $5 | $15 | $40 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2021). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 4 of 4Do not travel
Do not travelto the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) due to health, crime, unrest, terrorism, and kidnapping Due to the Ebola outbreak in the DRC, the Department of Homeland Security has implemented new restrictions under Title 49 of the U.S. Code which prevent U.S. citizens and nationals who have been in the DRC within a 21-day period from boarding commercial flights into the United States. Travelers who have been in the DRC within 21 days of their flight will not be allowed to board flights with U.S. destinations. All U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals who have been in the DRC must remain outside the DRC for 21 days before boarding flights to the United States. Visit the Centers for Disease Control’s Information for Travelers Returning from Ebola-affected Areas for more information. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide in-person emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), especially those outside of Kinshasa, due to the health and security situation. Health The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Travel Health Notice for Ebola for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). On May 17, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Outbreaks of serious infectious diseases are common in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information before you travel. The local health infrastructure is…
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against travel Areas in Kinshasa Province FCDO advises against all but essential travel to: The districts of N’djili and Kimbanseke in Kinshasa city south of the main access road to N’djili airport, in Nsele commune The N1 road in Kinshasa Province, between and including Menkao to the west, Kenge to the east, the border of Mai-Ndombe province to the north, and 10km to the south DRC-Central African Republic border FCDO advises against all travel to within 50km of the border with the Central African Republic. Eastern DRC FCDO advises against all travel to the provinces of: Haut-Uélé and Ituri, including the entire DRC-South Sudan border North Kivu South Kivu Maniema Tanganyika Haut-Lomami South-East DRC FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Upemba National Park. If you choose to travel to Upemba National Park against FCDO advise, notify the park authorities about your travel plans. Territory in Mai-Ndombe Province FCDO advises against all travel to the Kwamouth territory of Mai-Ndombe Province. This is between, and including, the towns of Kwamouth, Bandundu and the southern border of Mai-Ndombe province. Kisangani airport FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Bangoka International Airport, Kisangani due to multiple drone attacks in the area of Kisangani airport. See details about why FCDO advises against travel. Security situation in DRC North and South Kivu If you are in North or…
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in DR Congo.
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