Africa
DR Congo
Vast, beautiful and dangerous. The east is a war zone (M23 holds Goma and Bukavu), and large provinces are advised against; Kinshasa works with care. Gorilla tourism in Virunga is effectively closed.
- US travel advisoryLevel 4Do not travelDetails
- Visa4 of 198passports can visit visa-freeDetails
- CurrencyCDFUS$1 ≈ FC2,309.71Details
- Price level42%of US prices (World Bank PPP)
- English1/5Rare
- PlugsType C, D, E220 V, 50 HzDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink bottled or filtered water; cholera is endemic.Details
- LGBTQ+LegalNot criminalised, but social hostility and extortion are real risks.Details
- DrivingOn the rightDo not self-drive. Foreign licences are not recognised well; roads are bad and police stops are predatory.
When to visit DR Congo
Kinshasa is driest June-September. The east has two dry seasons: June-August and December-February.
Good to know
Entry
- Visa required for most nationalities; apply before travel.
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required.
- Ebola outbreaks recur; check current health alerts before travel.
Laws visitors break by accident
- Photographing officials, bridges, military sites or government buildings leads to detention.
- Same-sex relations are not criminalised but face social hostility.
Etiquette
- Greet people and ask permission before photographing.
- Carry small dollar notes for fees.
Tipping
Small tips are customary; dollars are preferred.
Neighbouring countries
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- UK FCDO travel advice: Democratic Republic of the Congo
- World Bank open data
Country facts are researched by SoloSquare; advisory levels, crime, health and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.