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Security Alert May 17, 2024

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Republic of the Congo

Travel Advisory July 31, 2023

Republic of the congo - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise increased caution in the Republic of the Congo due to crime.

Country Summary: While not common, violent crime, such as armed robbery and assault, remains a concern throughout the Republic of the Congo.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens outside Brazzaville.  U.S. government employees must use two vehicles to travel to the Pool region. They are also restricted to beaches adjacent to their hotels in Pointe Noire due to crime.

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to the Republic of Congo.

If you decide to travel to the Republic of the Congo:

• Avoid demonstrations.
• Use caution when walking or driving at night. Always carry a copy of your U.S. passport and visa (if applicable). Keep original documents in a secure location.
• Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter .
• Review the Country Security Report for the Republic of the Congo.
• Have a contingency plan for emergency situations.  Review the Traveler’s Checklist .
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.

Embassy Messages

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

Yes, obtain in advance

Yellow fever

Not to exceed 5 million CFA (~$8,000)

Declare CFA over 1 million (~$1,500)

Embassies and Consulates

U.s. embassy brazzaville.

70-83 Section D Maya Maya Boulevard  Brazzaville Republic of the Congo Telephone: +242 06 612 2000  Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +242 06 612 2010 Email:   [email protected]

Destination Description

See the Department of State’s  Fact Sheet on Republic of the Congo  for information on U.S.-Republic of the Congo relations.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

COVID-19 Requirements:

• There are no COVID-related entry requirements for U.S. citizens. 

Requirements for Entry:

• Visa, obtain before traveling
• World Health Organization (WHO) card with yellow fever vaccination
• Invitation letter or a hotel reservation (multiple copies)

Visit the  Embassy of the Republic of the Congo  website and or the nearest Congolese embassy or consulate for tourist visa information and document requirements for work visas, and review the Before You Go Checklist . Working without authorization is punishable by prison and/or deportation.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of the Republic of Congo.

Find information on  dual nationality ,  prevention of international child abduction , and  customs information  on our websites.

Safety and Security

Political violence and civil unrest may occur. In the past, political demonstrations have led to armed clashes, deaths, and injuries. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens outside of Brazzaville and Pointe Noire. Official travel outside Brazzaville must be approved by the Embassy on a case-by-case basis. The Republic of Congo’s borders remain porous, particularly with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Central African Republic; cross-border crime and armed activity may occur.

National Parks and Wildlife Areas : Heed all instructions given by guides or trackers. Armed poachers are present in some parks and forested border regions. Ensure you have the proper medical and medevac insurance for safari/adventure tours.

Roadblocks : Armed soldiers or national police may conduct vehicle searches and check passengers for identity papers. These roadblocks often are poorly marked, and local authorities may target foreigners to solicit bribes.

Crime : While not common, violent crime, such as murder, armed robbery, carjacking, and assault, remains a concern throughout the Republic of the Congo. Opportunistic crime, such as petty theft, pickpocketing, mugging, vehicle theft, and burglary, are frequently reported. Most crimes affecting expatriates in Brazzaville involve financially motivated opportunistic theft, robbery, and/or burglary, sometimes involving the use of bladed weapons. Risk of crime increases at night and in remote or isolated areas. Violent crime exists in outlying southern and northern neighborhoods of Brazzaville due to armed gang activity.

Demonstrations  occur, though they have been on a small-scale in recent years. They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events. Gatherings of armed gangs may occur in Brazzaville’s outlying neighborhoods; gang members have been known to perpetrate random acts of violence against passersby.

• Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly become violent.  
• Avoid areas around protests and demonstrations.  
• Check local media for updates and traffic advisories.

International Financial Scams: See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for information.

Internet romance and financial scams are not prevalent in Republic of the Congo. Those scams that do occur are typically initiated through Internet postings/profiles, dating apps, or by unsolicited emails and letters.

Victims of Crime : U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance. Report crimes to the local police (French) at +242 06 665-4804 and the U.S. Embassy at +242 06 612 2000. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime. There is a CFA 12,000 franc charge for most police reports (~$20). Legal action or recourse is extremely limited. Emergency services are limited in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire and virtually non-existent elsewhere. 

See our webpage on  help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

• Help you find appropriate medical care.
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police.
• Contact relatives or friends with your written request.
• Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion.
• Provide a list of local attorneys.
• Provide our information on  victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in case of destitution.
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home.
• Replace a stolen or lost passport.

Domestic Violence : U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.

For further information :

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  Department of State's travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution , and  Travel Advisories .
•  Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook . 
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Tourism : The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. Emergency response and subsequent appropriate medical treatment is extremely limited in-country. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance .

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties : You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. You may be taken in for questioning by the police if unable to produce an acceptable form of identification. Convictions for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs may result in long prison sentences and heavy fines. Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the U.S., regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice  website.

Arrest Notification : If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. Dual nationality is legally recognized; if however, Congolese officials prosecute you as a Congolese citizen, we may be limited in our ability to assist. See our  webpage  for further information.

Photography : It is illegal to take pictures of government buildings, military installations, key infrastructure such as ports, train stations, and airports, and along border areas. You could be detained or arrested, fined, and have equipment confiscated. Do not take photos of Congolese without their permission.

Phone Service : Cell phones are used extensively. SIM cards can be purchased locally to use with a compatible cell phone. Telecommunications systems outside of cities are unreliable or non-existent.

Currency : The Central African CFA franc (XAF) is the official currency. On a day-to-day basis, the Congo is a cash economy. Credit or debit cards are not widely accepted. ATMs dispense funds in local currency. You must declare CFA over 1 million upon arrival with a bank or cashier’s receipt or risk fines and CFA confiscation.

Customs : Arts and crafts, particularly wooden objects, are subject to an export tax. Ask to speak with the airport supervisor if customs agents solicit bribes when you seek to export these items.

Artifacts : It is prohibited to export items of historical significance such as wood pieces, sculptures, and paintings. Violators risk imprisonment and heavy fines. For a list of prohibited items, contact a Congolese embassy or consulate.

Faith-Based Travelers : See the following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report  – see country reports
• Human Rights Report  – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTQI+ Travelers : There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in Republic of the Congo. LGBTI individuals, however, face societal discrimination and harassment. There have been reports of police in Pointe-Noire verbally, physically, or sexually abusing openly gay young men and harassing gay men to elicit bribes.

See our  LGBTI Travel Information  page and section 6 of our  Human Rights Report  for further details.

Travelers with Disabilities: The law in the Republic of the Congo prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities, but the law is generally not enforced. Social acceptance of persons with disabilities in public is not as prevalent as in the United States. The most common types of accessibility may include accessible facilities, information, and communication/access to services/ease of movement or access. Expect accessibility to be extremely limited in the main cities and nonexistent in the rest of the country.

Students : See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers : Women travelers may face additional risks and must stay vigilant of their surroundings. See more tips for  Women Travelers here . Sexual assault is a threat that is significantly under reported. Police reports for cases of sexual assault are free. However, the victim may be responsible for hospital fees charged for the associated medical examination. Domestic violence is widespread but likewise rarely reported.

For emergency services in Republic of the Congo, dial 117.

Ambulance services and emergency services are:

• Available, but response times are unpredictable.
• Not equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment.
• Not staffed with trained paramedics and often have little or no medical equipment.

Injured or seriously ill travelers may prefer to take a taxi or private vehicle to the nearest major hospital rather than wait for an ambulance.

The U.S. Embassy does not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See  our webpage  for more information on insurance coverage. Visit the  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Check with the Ministry of Health and Population to ensure the medication is legal in Republic of the Congo.

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all  vaccinations  recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC)

Air Quality:

• Air pollution is a significant problem in several major cities in Republic of the Congo. Consider the impact seasonal smog and heavy particulate pollution may have on you, and consult your doctor before traveling if necessary.
• The air quality varies considerably and fluctuates with the seasons. It is typically at its worst in the rainy season. People at the greatest risk from particle pollution exposure include:

o   Infants, children, and teens

o   People over 65 years of age

o   People with lung disease such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema;

o   People with heart disease or diabetes

o   People who work or are active outdoors

The U.S. Embassy maintains a list of doctors and hospitals  here . We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.

Health facilities in general:

• Adequate health facilities are not available throughout the country. Health care in rural areas is extremely poor and well below U.S. standards.
• Public medical clinics lack basic resources and supplies.
• Hospitals and doctors often require payment “up front” prior to service or admission. Credit card payment is not always available. Most hospitals and medical professionals require cash payment.
• Private hospitals usually require advance payment before admitting a patient.
• Medical staff may speak little or no English.
• Generally, in public hospitals only minimal staff is available overnight in non-emergency wards. Consider hiring a private nurse or having family spend the night with the patient, especially a minor child.
• Patients bear all costs for transfer to or between hospitals.
• Psychological and psychiatric services are limited, even in the larger cities, with hospital-based care only available through government institutions.

Pharmaceuticals:

• Exercise caution when purchasing medication overseas. Pharmaceuticals, both over the counter and requiring prescription in the United States, are often readily available for purchase with little controls. Counterfeit medication is common and may prove to be ineffective, the wrong strength, or contain dangerous ingredients. Medication should be purchased in consultation with a medical professional and from reputable establishments.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Food and Drug Administration are responsible for rules governing the transport of medication back to the United States. Medication purchased abroad must meet their requirements to be legally brought back into the United States. Medication should be for personal use and must be approved for usage in the United States. Please visit the  U.S. Customs and Border Protection  and the  Food and Drug Administration  websites for more information.

Water Quality: 

• Tap water is not potable. Bottled water and beverages are generally safe, although you should be aware that many restaurants and hotels serve tap water unless bottled water is specifically requested. Be aware that ice for drinks may be made using tap water.

Adventure Travel:

• Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about  Adventure Travel .

General Health:

The following diseases are prevalent:

• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Yellow Fever

Other diseases that may be present: 

• Leptospirosis
• Schistosomiasis
• African Sleeping Sickness (African Trypanosomiasis)
• African Tick-Bite Fever
• Chikungunya
• Tuberculosis (TB)

Use the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended mosquito repellents and sleep under insecticide-impregnated mosquito nets. Chemoprophylaxis is recommended for all travelers even for short stays.

HIV/AIDS: HIV treatment is available at the Central Hospital in Brazzaville.

Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about  Resources for Travelers  regarding specific issues in Republic of the Congo.

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety : Fatal accident rates are rising in areas with new highways, attributed to excessive speed, erratic driving habits, and lack of safety standards. Several highways have been completed, connecting the southern port city of Pointe-Noire to Brazzaville and to the northern town of Ouesso on the border with Cameroon and west to neighboring Gabon. However, most roads are in a poor state of repair or are dirt tracks and require an off-road vehicle; during the rainy season, September-December and February-May, they become impassable. Other hazards include pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchairs, and animals.  

Be aware of increased risk of ambush and highway robbery when driving in rural or isolated areas.

• spare tires
• food and water
• satellite phone
• maps and navigation equipment
• first aid kit
• protective clothing

Service stations and fuel are scarce in rural areas. Professional roadside assistance is not available.

Traffic Laws : A valid U.S. state or international driver’s license is required. Use of cell phones while driving is prohibited.

Traffic stops :

• Resist paying bribes. Politely ask for a ticket or for the officer’s name and badge number if no violation is alleged.
• Ask to contact the U.S. Embassy if you are not released.
• Report attempts to solicit bribes to the U.S. Embassy.

Accidents : Remain inside the vehicle and call for police. If a hostile mob forms, leave the scene and proceed directly to the nearest police station or gendarmerie to report the incident. Do not stop at the scene of an accident or at intersections where people have gathered.

Public Transportation:

• Travel can be unsafe due to reckless driving, overcrowding, poor vehicle maintenance, and the potential for crime.        
• Hire only government authorized green and white taxis in Brazzaville and blue and white taxis in Pointe-Noire.
• Maintenance varies greatly; taxis do not undergo routine inspections and are generally not air conditioned.
• Negotiate fares before embarking since taxis are not metered. Most taxi drivers will round-up fares or not return change.
• The line between Pointe-Noire and Brazzaville is in service for freight only

River Boats

• Accidents may occur but travel is relatively safe.
• Expect delays since captains wait to fill seats before departing.
• Operating hours of Brazzaville port on the Congo River are 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily (stops 12 noon on Sunday) though ferry service between Brazzaville and Kinshasa may close with minimal notice.
• A visa is required to cross the Congo River between Brazzaville and Kinshasa (DRC) in both directions.

See our  Road Safety page  for more information.

Aviation Safety Oversight : As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in the Republic of the Congo, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of the Republic of the Congo’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the  FAA’s safety assessment page .

Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to Republic of the Congo should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts . Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website , and the NGA broadcast warnings .

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in the Republic of the Congo . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

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COVID-19: travel health notice for all travellers

Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) travel advice

Latest updates: Editorial change

Last updated: June 5, 2024 06:24 ET

On this page

Safety and security, entry and exit requirements, laws and culture, natural disasters and climate, republic of congo (brazzaville) - exercise a high degree of caution.

Exercise a high degree of caution in the Republic of Congo because of crime and the ongoing insecurity in some neighbouring countries.

Pool Department - Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid non-essential travel to the Pool Department, except Brazzaville, due to occasional military operations against rebel militias in the region.

Border area with the Central African Republic - Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid non-essential travel to the area within 50 km of the border with the Central African Republic because of the presence of criminal gangs and armed militias.

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Pool Department

Congolese authorities occasionally carry out security operations against rebel militias in certain regions of Pool, a department in southeast Congo. Criminals often commit crimes and acts of banditry, especially kidnapping for ransom. Attacks on private and collective transportation vehicles are common, particularly on the roads linking Brazzaville–Kinkala–Mindouli and Mayama–Mindouli.

Border area with the Central African Republic

Criminal gangs and armed militias are rampant in the Central African Republic (CAR). The porous CAR-Congo border poses a risk to the Congolese side.

Border area with the Democratic Republic of Congo

Exercise extreme caution if you’re travelling in the border area of northern Congo along the Ubangi River, due to ongoing insecurity in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Overall security situation

The security situation is stable but remains tense and could deteriorate quickly.

• Exercise extreme vigilance
• Comply with the instructions of local authorities at checkpoints
• Monitor local media

Criminal activity occurs, especially at night. Criminals are sometimes armed. Street crimes such as muggings and purse snatchings occur, particularly in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire.

• Avoid displaying signs of affluence
• Avoid travelling alone after dark
• Ensure that your personal belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times

There have been a number of break-ins and burglaries at residences in Brazzaville and Pointe‑Noire. Thieves target the homes of foreigners.

Thieves are active along Pointe-Noire’s beaches.

• Confine your activities to busy beaches
• Avoid visiting beaches after dark

Local police resources are limited. Response times to emergency calls are often very slow. In robbery cases, legal recourse is limited.

Demonstrations

Demonstrations occur. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to significant disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Road safety

Road conditions and road safety are mostly poor throughout the country. Accidents causing fatalities are common. Drivers are extremely aggressive and often drive at excessive speeds.

Driving can also be dangerous due to:

• insufficient lighting
• the presence of pedestrians, cyclists and animals on the road 

Congo has several highways, including National Route 1 between Brazzaville and the southern port city of Pointe-Noire, and National Route 2 between Brazzaville and the northern town of Ouesso, on the border with Cameroon.

Avoid travelling by car between Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire due to attacks on vehicles, incidents of harassment and intimidation, and arrests along the route. Instead, travel by air between Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire.

Most rural roads are dirt tracks. Rural driving conditions may be hazardous during the rainy season.

If you’re travelling overland outside of major cities, do so during the day and in a convoy of at least two four-wheel-drive vehicles. Bandits pose a threat.

Fuel shortages occur frequently. Gas stations are scarce in rural areas. Professional roadside assistance is not available. If you choose to drive, be sure to carry:

• a cellular telephone
• spare tires
• a first aid kit
• ample supplies of food, water and gas

Public transportation

Be vigilant when travelling by taxi. Hire only government-authorized green and white taxis in Brazzaville and blue and white taxis in Pointe-Noire. Taxis are not metered. Negotiate your fare before departing.

Avoid travelling by bus because of overcrowding, poor vehicle maintenance and potential onboard theft.

Avoid travelling by rail because of frequent mechanical delays, onboard theft and incidents of harassment and intimidation by security forces.

Power outages

Power outages occur frequently. 

Tourism infrastructure 

Tourist facilities are limited.

Women’s safety

Women travelling alone may be subject to some forms of harassment and verbal abuse.

Advice for women travellers

Pirate attacks and armed robbery against ships occur in coastal waters. Mariners should take appropriate precautions.

Live piracy report  - International Maritime Bureau

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the authorities of the Republic of Congo. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the  Foreign Representatives in Canada .

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave the Republic of Congo.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Tourist visa: required Business visa: required Student visa: required Transit visa: required

• Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children .

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Relevant Travel Health Notices

• Global Measles Notice - 13 March, 2024
• Polio: Advice for travellers - 6 May, 2024
• COVID-19 and International Travel - 13 March, 2024

This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.

Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your  routine vaccinations , as per your province or territory , are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

There is a risk of hepatitis A in this destination. It is a disease of the liver. People can get hepatitis A if they ingest contaminated food or water, eat foods prepared by an infectious person, or if they have close physical contact (such as oral-anal sex) with an infectious person, although casual contact among people does not spread the virus.

Practise  safe food and water precautions and wash your hands often. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers to areas where hepatitis A is present.

Yellow fever   is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.

• There is a risk of yellow fever in this country.

Country Entry Requirement*

• Proof of yellow fever vaccination for travellers from all countries.

Recommendation

• Vaccination is recommended.
• Contact a designated  Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre  well in advance of their trip to arrange for vaccination.
• Discuss travel plans, activities, and destinations with a health care professional.
• Protect yourself from mosquito bites .

About Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada * It is important to note that  country entry requirements  may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest  diplomatic or consular office  of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.

  Hepatitis B is a risk in every destination. It is a viral liver disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids containing the hepatitis B virus.  Travellers who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Prevent hepatitis B infection by practicing safe sex, only using new and sterile drug equipment, and only getting tattoos and piercings in settings that follow public health regulations and standards.

Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease that is caused by parasites spread through the bites of mosquitoes.

Malaria is a risk to travellers to this destination.   Antimalarial medication is recommended for most travellers to this destination and should be taken as recommended. Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic before travelling to discuss your options. It is recommended to do this 6 weeks before travel, however, it is still a good idea any time before leaving.    Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times: 

• Cover your skin and use an approved insect repellent on uncovered skin.
• Exclude mosquitoes from your living area with screening and/or closed, well-sealed doors and windows.
• Use insecticide-treated bed nets if mosquitoes cannot be excluded from your living area.
• Wear permethrin-treated clothing. 

 If you develop symptoms similar to malaria when you are travelling or up to a year after you return home, see a health care professional immediately. Tell them where you have been travelling or living. 

 The best way to protect yourself from seasonal influenza (flu) is to get vaccinated every year. Get the flu shot at least 2 weeks before travelling.  

 The flu occurs worldwide. 

•  In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs from November to   April.
•  In the Southern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs between April and   October.
•  In the tropics, there is flu activity year round. 

The flu vaccine available in one hemisphere may only offer partial protection against the flu in the other hemisphere.

The flu virus spreads from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Clean your hands often and wear a mask if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

In this destination, rabies is commonly carried by dogs and some wildlife, including bats. Rabies is a deadly disease that spreads to humans primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. While travelling, take precautions , including keeping your distance from animals (including free-roaming dogs), and closely supervising children.

If you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other animal while travelling, immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water and see a health care professional. In this destination, rabies treatment may be limited or may not be available, therefore you may need to return to Canada for treatment.  

Before travel, discuss rabies vaccination with a health care professional. It may be recommended for travellers who are at high risk of exposure (e.g., occupational risk such as veterinarians and wildlife workers, children, adventure travellers and spelunkers, and others in close contact with animals). 

Polio (poliomyelitis) is an infectious disease that can be prevented by vaccination. It is caused by poliovirus type 1, 2 or 3. Wild poliovirus (WPV1) and/or circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV1 or cVDPV3)) is/are present in this destination.

This destination is subject to Temporary Recommendations under the World Health Organization’s polio Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) .  

Polio is spread from person to person and through contaminated food and water. Infection with the polio virus can cause paralysis and death in individuals of any age who are not immune.

Recommendations:

• Be sure that your polio vaccinations are up to date before travelling. Polio is part of the routine vaccine schedule for children in Canada.
• One booster dose of the polio vaccine is recommended as an adult .
• Make sure that the polio vaccinations are documented on the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis. This is the only document accepted as proof of vaccination. It is provided at Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres .
• Carry the certificate as proof of vaccination.

Proof of vaccination:

• Travellers who are visiting for longer than 4 weeks may be required to receive a dose of polio vaccine 1 to 12 months before they leave this destination. This may be required even if you have previously received all the recommended polio vaccine doses as part of the routine vaccine schedule in Canada.
• Make sure that the polio vaccination is documented on the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally.

Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19.

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Cholera is a risk in parts of this country. Most travellers are at very low risk.

To protect against cholera, all travellers should practise safe food and water precautions .

Travellers at higher risk of getting cholera include those:

• visiting, working or living in areas with limited access to safe food, water and proper sanitation
• visiting areas where outbreaks are occurring

Vaccination may be recommended for high-risk travellers, and should be discussed with a health care professional.

Travellers' diarrhea is the most common illness affecting travellers. It is spread from eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

Risk of developing travellers' diarrhea increases when travelling in regions with poor standards of hygiene and sanitation. Practise safe food and water precautions.

The most important treatment for travellers' diarrhea is rehydration (drinking lots of fluids). Carry oral rehydration salts when travelling.

Typhoid   is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Risk is higher among children, travellers going to rural areas, travellers visiting friends and relatives or those travelling for a long period of time.

Travellers visiting regions with a risk of typhoid, especially those exposed to places with poor sanitation, should speak to a health care professional about vaccination.  

There is a risk of schistosomiasis in this destination. Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by tiny worms (blood flukes) which can be found in freshwater (lakes, rivers, ponds, and wetlands). The worms can break the skin, and their eggs can cause stomach pain, diarrhea, flu-like symptoms, or urinary problems. Schistosomiasis mostly affects underdeveloped and r ural communities, particularly agricultural and fishing communities.

Most travellers are at low risk. Travellers should avoid contact with untreated freshwater such as lakes, rivers, and ponds (e.g., swimming, bathing, wading, ingesting). There is no vaccine or medication available to prevent infection.

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

There is a risk of chikungunya in this country.  The risk may vary between regions of a country.  Chikungunya is a virus spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Chikungunya can cause a viral disease that typically causes fever and pain in the joints. In some cases, the joint pain can be severe and last for months or years.

Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times. There is no vaccine available for chikungunya.

• In this country, risk of  dengue  is sporadic. It is a viral disease spread to humans by mosquito bites.
• Dengue can cause flu-like symptoms. In some cases, it can lead to severe dengue, which can be fatal.
• The level of risk of dengue changes seasonally, and varies from year to year. The level of risk also varies between regions in a country and can depend on the elevation in the region.
• Mosquitoes carrying dengue typically bite during the daytime, particularly around sunrise and sunset.
• Protect yourself from mosquito bites . There is no vaccine or medication that protects against dengue fever.

Onchocerciasis (river blindness)   is an eye and skin disease caused by a parasite spread through the bite of an infected female blackfly.  Onchocerciasis often leads to blindness if left untreated. Risk is generally low for most travellers. Protect yourself from blackfly bites, which are most common close to fast-flowing rivers and streams. There is no vaccine available for onchocerciasis although drug treatments exist.

African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness)  is caused by a parasite spread through the bite of a tsetse fly. Tsetse flies usually bite during the day and the bites are usually painful. If untreated, the disease is eventually fatal. Risk is generally low for most travellers. Protect yourself from bites especially in game parks and rural areas. Avoid wearing bright or dark-coloured clothing as these colours attract tsetse flies. There is no vaccine available for this disease.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Mpox (monkeypox)   is a risk in this country. It is a viral disease that can cause serious illness in some circumstances. Risk is generally low for most travellers.

Mpox spreads in 3 ways:

• from animals to humans through direct contact or by eating or preparing undercooked meat of infected animals or coming into contact with an infected animal's body fluids
• from person to person through close contact, including direct contact with the skin lesions, blood, body fluids, or mucosal surfaces (such as eyes, mouth, throat, genitalia, anus, or rectum) of an infected person
• through direct contact with contaminated objects such as bedding and towels, or by sharing personal objects used by an infected person

Follow recommended public health measures   and avoid contact with animals such as rodents and primates to help prevent getting or spreading the infection.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette , which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•   washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , HIV , and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Tuberculosis is an infection caused by bacteria and usually affects the lungs.

For most travellers the risk of tuberculosis is low.

Travellers who may be at high risk while travelling in regions with risk of tuberculosis should discuss pre- and post-travel options with a health care professional.

High-risk travellers include those visiting or working in prisons, refugee camps, homeless shelters, or hospitals, or travellers visiting friends and relatives.

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)   is a virus that attacks and impairs the immune system, resulting in a chronic, progressive illness known as AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). 

High risk activities include anything which puts you in contact with blood or body fluids, such as unprotected sex and exposure to unsterilized needles for medications or other substances (for example, steroids and drugs), tattooing, body-piercing or acupuncture.

Medical services and facilities

Health care is inadequate, particularly in rural areas. Medical supplies are limited. You’ll likely need medical evacuation in case of serious illness or injury.

Medical evacuation can be very expensive.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad .

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.

Drugs, alcohol and travel

Protography

It’s illegal to photograph:

• government buildings
• military installations
• border areas
• transportation infrastructure, including ports, train stations and airports

Avoid photographing anyone without their permission.

Arts and crafts are subject to an export tax. It’s illegal to export items of historical significance, such as wood pieces, sculptures and paintings. Convicted offenders can expect heavy fines or jail sentences.

Identification

Carry copies of all your travel documents, in case Congolese authorities seek verification of your identity at checkpoints or roadblocks. You may be detained by police if you’re unable to produce acceptable identification.

You must carry an International Driving Permit.

Penalties for drinking and driving are severe. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.08%. If the police suspect you of drinking and driving, they could confiscate your driver’s licence on the spot. If you’re convicted, you can expect heavy fines.

International Driving Permit

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in the Republic of Congo.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of the Republic of Congo, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements .

Travellers with dual citizenship

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. It does not apply between Canada and the Republic of Congo.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in the Republic of Congo by an abducting parent:

• act as quickly as you can
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in the Republic of Congo to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children's Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country's judicial affairs.

• International Child Abductions: A guide for affected parents
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Request emergency assistance

2SLGBTQI+ travellers

Congolese law doesn’t prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex. Homosexuality, however, is not socially tolerated.

2SLGBTQI+ travellers should carefully consider the risks of travelling to the Republic of Congo.

Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

The currency in the Republic of Congo is the CFA franc (XAF). The economy is primarily cash-based. A few hotels and restaurants in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire accept credit cards.

Rainy season 

The southern part of Congo has a rainy season that extends from September to June. 

Seasonal flooding can hamper overland travel and reduce the provision of essential services. Roads may become impassable due to mudslides and landslides. Bridges, buildings, and infrastructure may be damaged.

• Monitor local media for the latest updates, including those on road conditions
• Stay away from flooded areas
• Follow the instructions of local authorities, including evacuation orders

Local services

There’s no central number for emergency services. Report crimes to local police at 242 06 665-4804. Note that most police speak French but not English.

Research and carry contact information for local medical facilities.

Consular assistance

There is no resident Canadian government office in the Republic of Congo. You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information from the Embassy of Canada to the Democratic Republic of Congo, in Kinshasa.

Republic of Congo

For emergency consular assistance, call the Embassy of Canada to the Democratic Republic of Congo, in Kinshasa, and follow the instructions. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.

The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

Learn more about consular services .

Risk Levels

  take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

  Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

  Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

  Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.

The Democratic Republic of Congo: is it safe to visit?

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written by Harriet Constable

updated 09.07.2019

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been known for too long as the ‘heart of darkness’, but it rewards intrepid travellers with beautiful countryside and some of the continent’s most exciting trekking.

Why should I go?

Isn’t it dangerous, so is it actually safe to visit, where should i go, can i go hiking, how do i get there and around, what about insurance, where can i find out more.

Here, Harriet Constable explores how and why you should visit this central African country.

There is something magical about the DRC. The expansive countryside is alive with colourful flowers, flourishing fruits and luscious green plants. Here, towering mountain peaks are garnished with wisps of mist and giant primates roam the rainforests, munching juicy leaves, swinging from vines and rolling playfully in the dirt.

As a visitor to the DRC, time is spent climbing to great heights for epic views, having close encounters with some of the world’s rarest creatures, and wading through thick, wet rainforests in search of adventure.

This country offers the most extraordinary experiences and, by the very essence of its splendour and variety, deserves to be seen, appreciated and protected.

Kinshasa, Congo © Shutterstock

It’s true that the DRC is a deeply troubled country. Beginning with the arrival of Europeans in the late fifteenth century, and the subsequent colonisation in 1885 by Belgium, extensive pillaging of the country’s rich natural resources, slavery and war mar its history.

Although the DRC enjoyed some prosperous years in the 1950s, the country fell apart again after independence in 1960 and continues to face waves of violence and war, kept at bay only in some regions by the huge UN peacekeeper presence.

It’s because of this that the DRC still struggles to break free from its reputation as a country of ‘darkness’. The reality is that the DRC now, as ever, faces the huge challenges of protecting its rich and varied landscape, saving its precious wildlife and creating a more prosperous future for its people in a complicated political and economic climate.

It’s possible to visit parts of the DRC safely. The safest and most touristed areas of the country are Goma, Virunga National Park and Bukavu in in the east, and the capital Kinshasa in the west.

Given that there are still serious security threats in the DRC for tourists, it’s best to visit with a tour company who will know how best to keep you safe.

The eastern region of the DRC where Virunga is located is still troubled by armed rebel groups, so tour operators will arrange armed escorts to accompany travellers at all times.

© LMspencer/Shutterstock

There are only a couple of regions of the DRC that travellers can visit at present. One of these is the spectacular Virunga National Park, home to about a quarter of the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas. This is Africa’s oldest national park and is famed for its thick forest, towering mountain peaks and ancient swamps.

On the western side of the DRC is its capital Kinshasa: the world’s second largest French-speaking city. It’s known as the heart of central African music, and the bars in Bandal or Matonge are worth visiting to sample the local nightlife.

After the chaos of Kinshasa, a popular stop off is the crescent shaped Tchegera Island in Lake Kivu – perfect for a couple of days relaxing or kayaking on the lake.

With its expanse of vast mountain ranges and thick rainforest, the DRC offers some top-notch hiking. There are lots of options in Virunga National Park, including various hikes to see the legendary mountain gorillas, but adventurous hikers will also want to tackle Mount Nyiragongo.

This active volcano towers over Goma in eastern DRC, emitting an eerie red glow from its bubbling lava lake as darkness sets each night.

The hike takes around six hours, climbing to 3470m through humid tropical forest, over scraggy lava rocks and past steaming geysers, before being plunged into mist at the top. At the summit, hikers camp in small huts on the crater rim, from where the boiling waves of lava can be heard crashing over each other like water in the ocean.

The evening is spent gaping in awe into the molten, fiery heart of the earth, and watching as the crusted top of the lava lake rhythmically separates, revealing bolts of luminous orange liquid below.

© Dario Verdugo/Shutterstock

It’s difficult to obtain a visa for the DRC without having a tour booked through a reputable company. If you’re travelling independently, it’s best to book your accommodation, transport and activities in advance and use these details for your visa.

To get to Virunga, you can fly into Kigali in Rwanda and then take a three-hour taxi ride to the Goma border in the DRC where your tour company will meet you.

If you’re heading to Kinshasa, you can fly direct with reputable airlines from Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Johannesburg, Brussels and Paris.

Internal flights are not recommended; most of the aviation companies have poor safety ratings.

Many insurance companies refuse to provide cover for areas under a travel warning, so if you already have a policy, check it’s valid in the DRC before you go.

There are a number of companies offering insurance for the DRC, including AMREF, who provide air ambulance evacuation services across the African continent, and Battlefield, who provide comprehensive travel and medical insurance for the region.

For more information about visiting Virunga National Park, head to visitvirunga.org, and to understand more about the challenges of protecting the DRC’s wildlife watch Virunga Movie. If you’re visiting Kinshasha, kinshasa-congo.com has some useful information on the city.

Compare flights , find tours , book hostels and hotels for your trip, and don’t forget to buy travel insurance before you go.

Top image © Sergey Uryadnikov/Shutterstock

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Is Democratic Republic of the Congo Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

The Democratic Republic of the Congo often referred to as its abbreviation – DRC or D.R. Congo is the single largest and most populous country in Central Africa.

This country has suffered tragic times and has had an extremely tumultuous history.

The presence of armed troupes makes it dangerous for tourists to visit DRC currently.

However, those who manage to enter DRC and are brave enough to spend some time here, are definitely in for an adventure.

Geographically, DRC is diverse and can offer many options for all nature lovers: in the east, you can see volcanic peaks rising above the rainforests surrounding them, with misty clouds descending upon them.

Mount Nyiragongo is especially interesting for hikers who can spend the night on the rim above an active lava lake.

If you’re into jungles, tourists are permitted to trek to families of gorillas daily, but in smaller groups.

You can also spend some quality time on the mighty Congo River, floating hundreds of kilometers on barges and roaming around the lively markets in every corner of the country.

• Warnings & Dangers in Democratic Republic of the Congo

OVERALL RISK: HIGH

DRC isn't a safe destination for travelers. You should know that many governments advise their citizens not to travel to the country as it is considered very high risk. Be very aware of your surroundings at all times. Both petty and violent crimes are normal here.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: HIGH

Be extremely careful when traveling anywhere in DRC. Transport here is risky and tourists should be cautious at all times. There have been many incidents of highway robberies and carjacking by armed bandits outside urban areas, often resulting in violence.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH

As you would expect, petty theft and pickpocketing is widespread in DRC. Make sure you don't flash your valuables and generally don't look like you're wealthy. Dangling cameras, flashing money or credit cards or expensive jewelry is strongly recommended against. Be particularly careful in crowded areas. Bear in mind that crime in this country is a way of life.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH

The DRC is susceptible to numerous natural hazards such as volcanic and limnic eruptions, earthquakes, flooding, and drought. What heightens the susceptability to these hazards are factors like extreme poverty and political turmoil.

MUGGING RISK: HIGH

Violent crime happens in DRC during all times of day, so do not think that daylight makes you safe. You can expect muggings, burglaries, carjackings and armed banditry on the roads. These occurrences are common and the risk increases after dark, so avoid going anywhere after nightfall.

TERRORISM RISK: HIGH

Terrorists are likely to carry out attacks in DRC. The presence of armed forces in some parts of DRC makes the situation in the country extremely tense. Attacks can't be ruled out, so be extremely vigilant at all times.

SCAMS RISK: HIGH

There are many scams in DRC, like in most poor and dangerous countries. Be wary of people trying to distract you in order to steal from you and of taxi drivers overcharging you for a ride. We advise you to be extremely careful when handling money and around ATMs.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: HIGH

DRC is definitely not safe for solo female travelers. They are advised, if it is absolutely necessary that they leave their accommodation at night, to go out accompanied by someone. Be sure to avoid remote streets, both during day and night, and do not flash your belongings or handle money in public.

• So... How Safe Is Democratic Republic of the Congo Really?

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is dangerous for travelers, and traveling here is strongly advised against due to the potential for large scale demonstrations and civil unrest.

The presence of armed forces in North and South Kivu, Orientale provinces northern and central regions of the Katanga province, and the eastern section of Maniema, makes the atmosphere in the country particularly tense as these groups have been known to perform all kinds of crimes like stealing cars, taking hostages, assaulting people and sexually assaulting women, murdering and kidnapping civilians.

The LRA (The Lord Resistance Army) rebel group continues to wander the jungles near the border with the CAR/South Sudan/Uganda, in the northeastern part of the country.

There are some parts of the country that are close to the Ugandan border and yet still safe to visit, but even so, it’s still not recommended to travel anywhere north and east of Kisangani & Bumba is dangerous.

The traffic conditions in DRC are extremely poor: the road network is in dire need of improvement, as traveling along these roads can take weeks, especially during the wetter seasons.

Congolese planes have been known to crash almost regularly, with depressing statistics reporting eight recorded crashes in 2007 alone.

• How Does Democratic Republic of the Congo Compare?
• Useful Information

Most countries do need a visa in order to enter DRC, and you must obtain one from one of the Democratic Republic of the Congo diplomatic missions. If you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.

There are two currencies in the Democratic Republic of Congo: the Congolese franc and the Zairean zaire. US dollars are accepted in the country. ATMs are common in the large cities.

Lying on the Equator, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The climate is characterized by hot and humid weather in the river basin and cool and dry weather in the highlands, with an alpine climate in the Rwenzori Mountains.

N'djili Airport, also referred to as N'Djili International Airport and Kinshasa International Airport, is the main airport serving the city of Kinshasa. It is the largest of the four international airports in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Travel Insurance

Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to DRC, since it covers not only the costs medical problems, but also theft and loss of valuables.

Democratic Republic of the Congo Weather Averages (Temperatures)

• Average High/Low Temperature
• Where to Next?

14 Reviews on Democratic Republic of the Congo

Do not travel.

Not safe at all, DO NOT TRAVEL TO THE DRC. especially if your a women traveling solo or with someone else is not safe. its the rape capital of the world rape is the norm and its actually routine. women are raped excessively. almost all women in the drc have been raped at least once. and if your a man you still have to face the crime and terrorism. crime is off the wall in this country and police lack the resources to respond to them. Not to mention the Ebola outbreak and many other diseases DO NOT TRAVEL TO THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES AS OF 2019

great place

pretty nice

went and the locals were very nice, can imagine it may be different in other areas however

Bad country

Fantastic place

I have been working in the DRC for the last 8 years and to be honest I have found it to be really safe. There appears to be no Covid, the police are actually surprisingly efficient. It is safe to travel to 95% of the country. It is extremely beautiful and the women are generally very ” friendly .” It does help to splash a couple of dollars at them to maitain their interest. I have never seen or heard gunfire, but have seen a pile of mutilated dead bodies up north. Apparently they were a gang of rapists, however local street justice prevailed and they are no more. So to conclude, it’s beautiful, safe and cheap as chips.

Why go here?

Why would you go here? Unless you have someone who is already living here, I wouldn’t go. I was here just because I knew someone here but I wouldn’t go back. The country is beautiful indeed but it’s not safe at all, during the day or night.

I think if you stay on the safe sides you won’t be in any danger

DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT TRAVEL TO THIS COUNTRY.

This is not the real axel bwanandeke, dont disrespect my country please and thanks.

It was ok and although I didn’t experience any crime personally other than a few dead bodies, I did not feel too safe and probably wouldn’t visit again.

these reviews are all so good

Why not.like this country? Every one who says don’t go there aren’t giving reason I’m gonna go to that doing cause my DNA is from the country and become footballer.at least give a reason!

Im from there and visited it’s not bad just depends where you stay i stayed at a hotel in Kinshasa it’s pretty good

Not as bad as it seems

Worked in DRC for 18 months, never experienced any crime and people were very friendly. Yes, there is violent crime which occurs but if you use common sense and avoid dangerous areas and situations you’re fine and this is coming from a white person who stands out

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Is it safe to visit Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)?

Is it safe to visit democratic republic of congo.

It is possible to visit some parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo in relative safety. The safest areas and most scenic regions of the country that tourists may find interesting, are the Virunga National Park, Goma and the capital Kinshasa in the western part of the country.

Although a beautiful country, there are still extremely serious security threats in the country for tourists, hence it is highly advisable to rather go with a tour company that knows how to keep you as safe as possible. Solo travelling is not recommended.

THE INFLUENCE OF CLIMATE ON TOURISM IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

The rainy season periods in the Democratic Republic of Congo are from April to October in the north and from November right until March in the south. Flash flooding and landslides can happen during these periods and could severely disrupt crucial services.

Visitors should always monitor local news reports before travelling in these areas.

Volcanic eruptions are quite common in parts of the country. Mount Nyiragongo, situated on the edge of Goma, has erupted many times in the past and has been showing signs of eruption once again. It has been remaining on alert level “yellow”, showing no immediate danger, but visitors should still exercise an extreme amount of caution and monitor the news and any available reports before travelling in that direction.

NO-GO AREAS IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

While North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri provinces have been plagued with Ebola outbreaks, North Kivu and Ituri provinces also have had terrorism attacks in the near past.

The eastern DRC region and the three Kasai provinces (Kasai, Kasai-Oriental, Kasai-Central), should be avoided due to crime, civil unrest, armed conflict and kidnapping.

There is often the possibility of violent crime such as armed home invasions, armed robbery and assaults. The local police lack means to respond effectively to serious crimes and criminals might even pose as police or security agents

During recent years there have been a lot of demonstrations and many of them are becoming common in many cities, of which some have turned violent. Police react with extreme tactics to these violent demonstrations, which have resulted in civilian casualties and arrests.

Most importantly, visitors should be aware that there has been an outbreak of the Ebola virus in the eastern parts of the country. This could also affect the other areas.

SAFETY TIPS TO REMEMBER IN THE DRC

Avoid demonstrations at all costs as even peaceful ones can break out into extreme amounts of violence.

Use extreme caution whenever you are walking or driving around. Seemingly calm circumstances can change very quickly. It is also advisable to stay off the streets after dark.

Most of the time a reputable tour company will give their clients an armed escort if they need to go around on their own.

Always have a copy of your passport and DRC visa so that you can keep the original documents in a secure location. Always carry your passport and DRC visa when crossing provincial borders or flying domestically.

Make sure that you have read the CDC Travel Notice on Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo and visit the CDC Travellers’ Health Page for the country. It is a good idea to prepare for a contingency plan for emergency situations when visiting the country.

SAFE TRANSPORT OPTIONS IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Fortunately for the safety of would be visitors to the Democratic Republic of Congo, you have to have a tour booked with a reputable travel country before you can even obtain a visitor’s visa.  The safest possible transport should be provided by the tourism operator since it is strongly advised not to travel in any other way around the country than using internal flights.

TAKING PHOTOS IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Do not take photographs in public, especially of the river, government buildings and the airport, which are viewed as places of national security. Transgressing this rule may lead to your arrest and being detained. A reputable tour guide, without which no visitor should do any sightseeing, should be able to tell you when it is safe to take photos.

LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS

Local authorities can ask a visitor to present his or her passport and visa at any time. Be calm in all situations like these and stay cooperative. If you do not, they can expel you from the country or worse. Always carry a certified copy of your passport and visa with you so that you can keep your original passport in a safe place.

It is mandatory for motorists and pedestrians to stop for the raising and the lowering of the national flag at approximately 07:30 and 18:00 every day. Policemen or military personnel watch out if people adhere and often detain and fine people who fail to do so.

LGBT RIGHTS IN THE DRC

Same-sex sexual activity – both male and female – is theoretically legal in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but members of the local communities tend to be very discreet as homophobia is rife. There is no accessible gay life in the country for tourists. Same-sex couples are not likely to have eyebrows raised at your accommodation establishments, but public displays of affection could attract unnecessary negative attention.

The Democratic Republic of Congo does not encourage or facilitate illicit production or distribution of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, nor does it encourage or facilitate the laundering of proceeds from illegal drug transactions.

Do not offer to carry a package from an unknown of suspicious source in your luggage as you risk being used as a drug mule.

Duty free products that may be taken in or out of the DRC include 100 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 227grams of tobacco, one bottle of an alcoholic beverage, and a reasonable amount of perfume for personal use. Banned imports into the country include firearms, ammunition and explosives, and animals.

HANDLING THE SITUATION WHEN A PASSPORT GETS LOST

As most countries do not have embassies in the DRC, the loss of a passport could land you in a tricky situation. Before travelling, find out if your country has an embassy there or where the closest one is. Ensure you travel with a reputable tour operator who should be able to assist you in directing you to what to do. Report it to the local police station as soon as possible and obtain a copy of the reported stolen or lost passport.

HEALTH WARNINGS

Consult a doctor for preventive medical advice before leaving for the Democratic Republic of Congo. Many diseases that exist in the DRC have similar symptoms to Ebola. If you suspect you have Ebola, you could face travel delays, quarantine, and enormously expensive medical costs.

MEDICAL FACILITIES IN THE DRC

There are a few quite modern, private health-care hospitals and clinics in Kinshasa and Goma. It is best to go to one of the major cities if you become seriously ill. The cost of medical treatment is extremely high, so it is important to make sure that you have adequate travel medical insurance for your trip before you leave.

IMMUNISATIONS

It is mandatory for all visitors to have a yellow fever vaccination certificate once they arrive in the country.  You can be asked to show this certificate at any given time while travelling around the country, so it is a good idea to keep a certified copy with you at all times.

The DRC is also a high-risk malaria area so make sure you get preventative medication before you travel.  Other recommended vaccinations include that against typhoid and hepatitis A, as well as routine vaccinations such as against polio, diphtheria and tetanus.

The DRC has the second highest number of malaria cases and deaths globally. So, it is mandatory to make sure you take medication for the prevention of the disease. Make sure you have a lot of insect repellent for your journey as well. Malaria is a life-threatening disease. It is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Infected mosquitoes carry the Plasmodium parasite. When this mosquito bites you, the parasite is released into your bloodstream.

Symptoms can be flu-like or cause shaking chills that can range from moderate to severe, also look out for a high fever, profuse sweating, headaches, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, muscle pain and bloody stools.

YELLOW FEVER

Travellers need to have a yellow fever vaccination before arriving in the DRC.  Yellow fever is spread by infected mosquitoes. Symptoms are similar to malaria, ranging from flu-like chills and fever to server hepatitis and jaundice. If left untreated or not diagnosed early, the disease is life-threatening.

The DRC is an endemic country for cholera. Periodic cases and outbreaks are fairly common, particularly in the eastern provinces of the country. Kinshasa is not part of the prevalent provinces for cholera but has reported several cholera outbreaks over the last couple of years.

The symptoms of cholera are diarrhoea which comes on suddenly and can quickly cause dangerous fluid loss. Diarrheal due to cholera often has a pale, milky appearance that looks like milky water. Vomiting occurs especially in the early stages of cholera and can last for hours.

Symptoms of cholera include dehydration fatigue, sunken eyes, irritability,  a dry mouth, extreme amount of thirst, dry and wrinkled skin that’s sluggish to bounce back when pinched into a fold; low blood pressure, little to no urination, low blood pressure, and an irregular heartbeat.

The DRC is facing the second largest outbreak of Ebola in the world.  More than 2200 deaths and 3300 confirmed infections have been reported since the outbreak was declared on 1 August 2018. The epidemic is occurring in North Kivu and Ituri provinces. The virus causes fever, body aches, and diarrhoea, and sometimes bleeding inside and outside the body.

As the virus spreads through the body, it damages the immune system and organs. Ultimately, it causes levels of blood-clotting cells to drop. This leads to severe, uncontrollable bleeding.

The World Health Organization reported that the Democratic Republic of the Congo is facing a large-scale growing HIV/AIDS epidemic, with an estimated national average adult prevalence of 4 percent and 1.19 million people living with HIV/AIDS by the end of 2005.

The principal mode of transmission is heterosexual sexual activity. The most severely affected age groups are 20–29 years among women and 30–39 years among men. The disease is spread through sexual contact or shared blood or contaminated medical equipment.

Visitors should avoid the risk by avoiding new sexual encounters while on holiday.  If you cannot abstain, condoms can provide some protection.

FOOD AND WATER IN THE DRC

Tourists should drink only bottled water or other bottled beverages as the tap water and ice in the DRC may be contaminated and not safe for drinking. Avoid eating food bought from street vendors. Thoroughly cooked hot foods can be eaten as it will mean most infections can be avoided. Raw fruits can be eaten only if they have an unbroken skin and are peeled. Raw vegetables and salads should be avoided due to possible contamination.

If food has been left out of a refrigerator for longer than an hour especially eggs, chicken and dairy rather do not consume them.

IS DRC SAFE FOR WOMEN?

Women should not travel alone to the DRC. Travelling alone should be avoided at all costs, and even taking taxis or walking on the streets alone during the day is not advisable unless you are accompanied.

ENJOY A SAFE HOLIDAY IN THE DRC WITH A REPUTABLE TOUR OPERATOR

MoAfrika Tours is a leading tour operator in South Africa that offers an outstanding selection of tours to the DRC. We have a close association with the most reputable tour operators in the DRC who make safety a priority.

• +27 (0) 82 506 9641
• +27 (0) 72 783 9787
• [email protected]
• Address: 16 Karen Road, Illiondale, Johannesburg, South Africa

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MoAfrika tours and the Kruger Safari Co. are destination management companies (DMC) and are not entities of the South African National Parks Board (SANparks).

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Brazzaville | Kinshasa | Is The Congo Safe? | Visas and Airport Hassles in Brazzaville | Visas and Airport Hassles in Kinshasa | Doing Business In The Congo | Health Considerations | Getting To The Congo, Getting Around In The Congo | Our Included Travel Insurance | Our Vehicles

Since the civil wars of the past decades up until the 2000’s and the ongoing “World War” of Africa, Congo had been assigned to obscurity and often horror as a backwater, basket case, and international catastrophe of nine warring nations and 14 warring parties that constituted the most atrocious and infamous violence and corruption in Africa, and for a long time remained the symbol of colonial arrogance, African ineptitude in and corrosion of government, and the  wholesale exploitation of the African continent. Today the region is going the way of Angola, or perhaps of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Colombia, and emerging from the long stagnation of civil war into an open environment for business, exceptional environment for adventure, and a volcanic upwelling of opportunities that sees Asia, Europe, and America grappling for a hand in the region.

Congo has not been a classic tourist destination since the 60’s, and has over the past 30 years been the preserve of the most daring or adventurous of travelers and businessmen…but that Congo no longer exists. Despite troubles in the Great Lakes district, thousands of miles from Kinshasa and Brazzaville and away near Goma and the borders of Rwanda, the region around the inlet and path of the great Congo River, and its forests, volcanoes, and mountains rippling out and sprawling ever eastward, constitute some of the most beautiful riches of Africa in resources, but moreover – in amazing scenery, beauty, and wildlife.

Chinese and other investment and infrastructure building have meant that roads and trains link more of the Republic of Congo and the DRC now than ever before. Roads are better and more easily traversed. A host of airlines have scrambled in including not only Ethiopian, Kenya Airways, South African, and Asky (African Sky), but Lufthansa, Air France, Brussels Airlines, British Airways, and a growing que of new entrants from further afield in the Middle East and Asia, which means cash waiting to come in and boldly forge a future for what was once the foreign investor’s elusive “heart of darkness.” Kinshasa is growing at a furious pace, has about 20 airlines going into the capital, and is barely able to keep up with itself in utilities and services for all the new construction, and internet access is now plentifully available and reasonably fast compared to the rest of Africa. European, Western, Middle Eastern, and Asian cuisine are to be found all over the cities of Congo now. Its raucous nightlife and music, however, trumps the liveliness of the cities of any of those lands’ capitals.

CTT’s ground entity is also the official ticketer team for Eththiopian Airlines in Goma and Kisangani and Mbuji Mayi, and probably by the end of 2018, Bukavu and Beni if the airline expands or triangulates more regional routes. Kisangni and the Congo River cities due west are safe and actually even quiet to walk at night, while Goma is replete with foreign organizations and NGO’s and tourists today and generally secure. The areas of the Mai Mai rebellion span the areas west and north of the great lakes and bleed into the fringes of these great lakes cities and Virunga park. Dozens of kidnappings happen inland routinely among locals and village victims on the roads and foreigners definitely are targeted for higher ransoms, at random and opportunistically. CTT is also a frequent contractor for large security companies providing security in the region, and for areas west of Virunga strict planning and travel safety tactics are 110% essential as the problem of the rebel kaleidoscope has not abated since being allowed to fester during the Cold War, and murderous groups in the far northeast make it deciedly deadly to take the wrong road or route overland. The road from Bunia Beni down to Kisangani via the Okapi Reserve has become policed and generally ok with escort, and no traveling at night, while the approach from Bukavu to  Kisangani we have first hand confirmed rebel activity. The areas north of Beni and Bunia are absolutely not safe even with private professional security.

Air cargo for vehicles, motorcycles, or other from Goma to Kisangani is extremely expensive, strangely.  The reason is hardly any movement of goods by air from Goma to Kisangani.  The routing is: Goma – Kinshasa; Kinshasa – Kisangani.  So they charge 4 times what it should be from Goma to Kisangani.  The road journey is very unreliable and risky in terms of road quality, esp if it rains.  The transport trucks may get stuck for a week or so in the jungle.  And sometimes some of them are looted too. The trip from Kinshasa to Lubumbashi can take up to a month, if not ambushed in looted, by road. The chance that you will not run into violent rebels and theives on this road in 2018 is virtually zero.

By road for Kisangani is better from Entebbe-Kampala in Uganda to Bunia in DRC and then to Kisangani.

Only once in a blue moon we get opportunity of direct cargo from Goma to Kisangani.  But that is rare.  So cannot be guaranteed.

In the heart of the Congo Basin, the world’s second largest tropical rain forest after the Amazon Basin, the Congo offers the greatest river journey in the world. Even better according to shipping professionals and veteran tourists than the Amazon, of which the Congo was once a part of a long long time ago when the continents were linked. River cruises are now possible with the right homework, and trekking and safaris in the jungle are supported by the first lodges and comfortable hotels. 5 star hotels are being built all over the Congo and there are now about a dozen tourist-class hotels as well. Hostels are not a concept understood here, as generally the price of a budget hotel room comes in at cheaper than a dorm in Europe or Asia anyway.

Hotels in the capitals of Kinshasa and Brazzaville run from about $60 (but more likely a low figure for an acceptable, tourist friendly room is $80) up to $300 (5 star hotels can start at $120 however.) Hotel Africa and Radisson are known as the best hotels in Brazzaville by everyone excluding tripadvisor, who ranks based on fraudulent unverified reviews made by Indian virtual assistants who is the best, we are sorry to say, but most guests of ours like Radisson, Safir, and Hippocampe for upper/middle/and budget end, as they are reliable and well-located. In Kinshasa this is likely to change soon since American luxury brands and European rivals are poised to open some luxury chains in the capital of the DRC, with Kempinski already on the scene and Hilton Doubletree and Pullman pulling up the bar of quality. Most of all of these hotels except the smallest ones can arrange an invitation letter and visa for you within a week. Visas are now relatively easy and have drastically been eased since 2008. DRC is harder to obtain a visa for at your embassy than at the border with Zambia, Angola, or Republic of Congo. In fact the entire visa process is much tougher for DRC than ever before since 2017. Goma with a sponsored tour is the easiest entrepoint since a 2 week visa is available on arrival with a confirmed trip, but only allows 2 weeks in DRC. You can also often cross to the other side away from the capital without turning many heads, though of course it’s not advised and the best way is to pay what you must to go legally, which otherwise may amount to no more than a bottle of whiskey or a small bribe, but can be far worse. On the question of money, you do not need to carry all your cash with you to the Congo anymore as a tourist (let alone a suitcase full for business.) Both countries have ready ATM’s, but carrying cash outside of the cities is still the only way to go.

June to December is the best time to travel – It is cool and there are lots of active animals out to spot. The Chinese finished a comfortable train in 2013 that links the coast and the Atlantic Ocean to the interior, and conveys passengers (mostly businessmen and tourists) in plush first class seats. It has instantly become one of the greatest train journeys available today and the best in Africa.

The future will see a bonanza of tourist companies, mainly from South Africa and France, rushing in to set up high end safaris or else link the long overland trail to rival the popular Cape Town to Cairo route. Right now it is only Angola that prevents such a “pan-African” highway for tourists, with its stubborn visa regulations and super-expensive hotels.

There has never been a better time to visit the Congo, as popular and conventional wisdom and the press is out of tune and hasn’t caught up with the change and opportunities there yet. It is the cheapest place in Africa to have a truly incredible and totally unmanufactured journey, and by far the cheapest place to see the large African wildlife including, importantly, wild mountain gorillas.

For detailed weather information, please contact us as the climate zones vary drastically and information about optimal viewing seasons across the DRC and ROC is very hard to understand on the internet and usually contradicts each other. For a good guide to the ROC, see the below, but always ask us first:

In truth, for the micro-climates and ecological zones of the Republic of Congo, there are actually 2 dry seasons and 2 wet seasons, and weather is somewhat reversed between north and south, as if that isn’t confusing enough. All the year is good for most of trip, while only a part of the year is good for all of your trip.

Also, the more important section of your tour to consider weather-wise is the weather in the equatorial jungle, where the roads are worst in the rain of course.

Here are the real seasons, as the climate reality is the past 4 years in Congo:

The (southern) long wet season is roughly from October to January

The (southern) short dry season is roughly from February to March

The (southern) short wet season is roughly from March to June.

The (southern) long dry season is roughly from June to October.

The (northern) tropical wet season is roughly from June to January.

The (northern) tropical dry season is roughly from February to June

Therefore, (with recent climate change also experienced in the western seaboard of Africa,) knowing the cycles, and all things carefully considered, it is best to ask us or your embassy first to optimize both the convenience and the natural beauty you’d see along the way, under the best travel conditions.

BRAZZAVILLE

Top Brazzaville was named after the Italian navigator in the French Navy who “discovered” the Congo River and set up a French “embassy” to grant freedom to African slaves. Today it’s the quieter of the two rivertowns and has a great share of nightlife and dining, friendly locals, and none of the problems with police intimidation that Kinshasa does, not to mention it is much safer to walk around even at night as a foreigner.

Taxis from the airport to anywhere in Brazzaville cost $4 (2000 CFA) and taxis around the city anywhere cost $2 (1000 CFA) Among the Congolese, many are afraid to take river rides because they believe the spirits of the dead reside and haunt the river. For the ones who make their living from it, however, the river is their home and distribution network, a nature-made distribution system of thousands of kilometers in total of navigable waterways and tributaries. The boatmen give rides ranging from 5,000 CFA down the river ($10) to $200 and up for a longer journey within the scope of the day. Port Autonome in Brazzaville is a dirty, squirming mass of humanity carrying strange and smelly cargo back and forth, while the boat launches in Kinshasa extend for easily a mile of different “ticket offices” and operators, belying the city’s sprawling population of 13 million plus.

You can, yes, buy your own pirogue (boat) made from a tree, at 200,000 to 1,000,000 CFA if you know someone local who can help you (or ask us,) $400 to $2,000. You will need an engine and fuel, the latter of which is not very expensive except in the inner Congo tributaries, and then can steer your own way with the right papers and guide down the Congo river. Every small town in DRC has a “police” who may – and if they can, will check your passport, your yellow fever, make up some needed document, and delay you or scare you into payoffs. Beware. Speedboats or anything of that sort have to be imported.

From Brazzaville cars, trucks, trains, and local domestic airlines go to Point Noire (Pointe Noire) and North all the way to Ouesso and as far as Central African Republic and Gabon or Cameroon. Owando, Oyo (the nicest place to stop,) and Ollombo are easy stopovers on the way north. They are all free-standing if not charming villages with surrounding forests and traditional homes and lodging can be found here for around 40,000-60,000 CFA a night ($80-$120). Oyo and Owando are on tributaries of the Congo River and can arrange for a small price boat trips down the fingers of the Congo, deep in forest and away from the hurly burly of the main boatway. Etoumbi is about a further day’s drive on from these towns, and is a great springboard for visits to spectacular Odzalla National Park. Entrance fees are 25,000 CFA ($50) and you can see lots and lots of different large and small African animals here and countless birds.

Now, although Odzala looks very easy to access, it is not. At least, not cheaply. Odzala is managed by African Parks Network, who takes a “Business Approach to Conservation” and is one of the most effective outfits in Central Africa conserving parks anywhere. Wilderness Safaris, the lodge operator, for disclosure an affiliate with CTT, has (to lots of guests’ dismay) soared prices above the range of anywhere else in the 2 Congos, and far above the range of 95% of safari-goers. However, a tourist here is treated to befitting luxury, and gets what he pays for – a truly upscale, unique, and out of this world safari experience that is not available in the most tourist-trodden nations of Africa anymore.

According to African Parks Network, a superb outfit led by ex-special forces military from South Africa, Odzala was at first a dud – and the government took and looted everything. There were right thereafter 4 years where there was no funding. The EU asked APN to run the park with a 25 year mandate – full management control , and a board. The CCC (conservationists) now holds Odzala, and Wilderness is the hospitality operator, also South African. There are inside the park 7 main “bais” clearings in the forest for viewing animals. There are 2 main community bais on the East and South that are concessions. At the time of writing, CTT was in discussions with the APN regarding cooperation with Odzala, Wilderness, APN, and the Congolese government to set up a (truly) affordable tourism operation at Mboko Camp (the airstrip area) and a budget camp nearby. Due to attacks in 2013 of a mob of 200+ people from the villages around Odzala, maddened by the success of the anti-poaching ranger and commander, and to a lack of realistic market expectations for more luxury camps, Mboko has stalled.

The attacks took place when the head of anti-poaching effectively, well, stopped poaching. The villagers, used to getting free money from Odzala tourism for “conservation,” wanted to simlutaneously derive money from “non-conservation” (poaching) as well. In other words, they loved APN and tourism as long as it gave them money but wasn’t effective. In response, the ex elite military from South Africa who lead the park management evacuated the head ranger, and the Congolese President promptly and heroically sent in the entire Congolese army the next morning to neutralize and calm down the villagers. Hence forth, budget lodges in Odzala are still on hold, but at least so is poaching.

NORTHERN REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Further afield, another day to the north takes you to Ouesso, where accommodation can be negotiated for 50,000 CFA ($100) and you can stage a visit into the grand jewel of Central Africa, Ndoki national park. Entrance is 50,000 CFA ($100) and you can see just about any animal here including leopards, giraffes, wild gorillas, hippos, elephants, crocodiles, and countless more. 2-3 days here is enough, but there is no flight back to Brazzaville. You either have to take the road back or else go on into C.A.R. (where travel is very difficult) or Cameroon (where travel is good,) and eventually into South Sudan, Chad, or Nigeria (where travel is not entirely safe and infrastructure is poor.) The “Alimentation” (Grocery store) supermarket in Ouesso run by Cameroonians and Angolans in town, near the ATM, is best. Congolese grocer establishments are dismal, unclean, and barren of selection here.

Ouesso airport has a 1400 CFA per ticket check-in fee, 5000 CFA per ticket police fee. Here upon checkin you wait forever for your passports and it can be intimidating and unsettling and annoying. For the Ouesso To Brazza flight you check-in at around 7:00 and leave 9-ish , though usually after the cross-checks on the plane are done so may be a bit later.

Getting to C.A.R. can be done with the help of CTT or a few days negotiating with the locals and the police, but is hugely expensive to attempt overland or overriver on your own, if not impossible. It is also illegal. If you’re headed to Dzanga Bai, another animal-packed treat, Bangui to Libongo or Bayanga by plane for Sangha Lodge launch is best, as the road from Bangui is no longer safe. However, a baot from Ouesso via Bomassa is possible if arranged far in advance. CAR’s frontier is done by Ecoguards and it runs 50 euros for the visa plus 2,000 or 4,000 CFA at the border w/ ROC. Fly from Bangui rather than road if coming southbound to Dzanga Sangha, because it is safer, and don’t ever try a visa on arrival in Bangui or you get thrown in jail for months with extortion unless you’re western…

Mbeli Bai, the research and tourism centerpience of Ndoki, used to be a hunting graveyard- poachers would wait and just pick them off. All animals in Congo’s great northern rainforest knew it was a place of death, and somehow all species communicated this danger to each other amongst themselves. They stayed out. 21 years ago WCS came In and stopped the poaching, and while at that time 150 distinct elephant visits and less gorillas were recorded the first year, now 5,000 this year were recorded. Their numbers have come back. Lots of groups of warring and wandering gorillas now traverse the Bai, under the wondering and watchful gaze of the rangers, the team, WCS, and CTT’s visitor staff and tourists.

Restaurants outside of Brazzaville and through towns in the north can cook you dishes for between 5,000 CFA and 10,000 CFA, but you can get away with 20,000 for nice restaurant food per day. Beers come in at about 500 CFA at a supermarket, 1,000 CFA at a local restaurant, and 2,000 CFA at a bar or nightclub in the capital. Back in Brazzaville, Mami Wata is by far THE place to have a bite or a drink, get wifi, and admire the river traffic and Brazzaville and Kinshasa. It is also a place to arrange river transport, but without keen bargaining skills or a large group you are likely to be charged 3 or 4 times the going price and you’d be better off and safer taking a tour. The same goes for road transport, in which a 4×4 car with fuel for 6 people in RC and DRC can be commandeered for about 50,000 CFA ($100) a day by those with relationships and connections, but will be hard to budge below 150,000 CFA ($300) by an independent traveler or someone who looks new.

If you’re spending some time in Brazza, definitely do not miss the finer and funner restaurants, bars, clubs, and music scenes, such as Lampadere for outdoor barbecue in BaCongo, Espace Kubia (“Gladis”) nearby for the best music and cheap beer in town (dance the night away,) and if you have a late night yearning and money, head to Ram Dam for an upscale and dressed-up nightclub the likes of which you’ll find nowhere else in Brazzaville. For Vietnamese and Asian food, it’s Hippocampe. Noura is the spot for Middle Eastern fare. For value-priced food, you’re plain out of luck in Brazzaville but the places mentioned above are the best in town, including best value.

In Pointe Noire, the “second” city, (though some expats prefer it to Brazza) often visited for business, there are plenty of eating options, yet sleeping is absurdly expensive and approaching the prices of Angola, the most expensive place in the world. The best hotel by far is Villa Madiba, on the beach, which soars up to at least $380 for a room, followed by Hotel Twiga nextdoor (a little less but still expensive.) The best value beachside may be Hotel Logis Manthey at $130 and up, and out in Chimbamba, 15 minutes away, you will find the budget stuff (but it is not a nice nor even remarkable area – looking like anywhere in coastal west or central Africa and rather ugly.) Some Indian-built hotels such as Mumbai Residence, India Palace, G Marius, and others, can give you great value accommodation for around $80 and up. The worst ones, by the road, are $50, but it does NOT go cheaper than that.

Malonda Lodge is the de facto “Africa Beach Lodge” for the ROC, a retreat away from the city with opportunities to swim, relax…but 1.5 hours away in the Mayombe Forest there is a wonderful no-name lodge run by Badji the tour guide veteran nearby a river and waterfalls where you can tube, swim, bbq, and do casual hikes.

The train to Pointe Noire, leaving at often-changing schedules it seems since we started booking it in 2013, AKA the “Jungle Train” (Gazelle Train, or Congo-Ocean Railway,) is a total and utter pleasure – With a cafe car that serves food and drinks, comfortable first class seats and air conditioning, and stupendous views of the forests, villages, mountains, and scenery cruising by. It arrives after 14 hours. Tickets cannot be booked more than 14 days prior to your trip.

The jungle train (Gazelle train) takes 14 hours, but give or take some delay cushion , early morn departure, cafe car with great views but controlled so that you need to buy the food from the train people at a mandatory 3,000 XAF per meal

As a point of disclosure, this website is created by a tour operator which runs tours in the Congo, however it is created as an honest and reliable and up to date resource for people who want to travel themselves as well. It is not very easy at all, and certainly not at all cheaper or safer, to travel yourself in the Congo. You should at the very least take a buddy and a LOT of cash if you want to travel in the Congo freestyle, and a good insurance policy. (We’re talkin’ ALL delay and cancellation. Almost no insurers cover political strife)

A ferry platform barge takes you to Kinshasa for about $15 (6,000 CFA) – an overcrowded, sweaty, dirty barge loaded with a thrashing mess/mass of humanity and portage and cargo…It isn’t safe, and not in the least bit comfortable, but most people cross and come out fine. The next level further is a fast canoe with runs at $35 (17,000 CFA) and crosses in 5 minutes once full, but you have to wait all morning and are invariably hassled by police and solicitors. The safest and surest way to go is a VIP service, where a private boat is arranged and the police and immigration give assistance instead of nuisance to get you over. That includes access to the business class lounge at Brazzaville beach, where nice attire is required (pants and shoes.) For this escorted secure crossing service, see our TRAVEL SERVICES section at the main menu bar.

Congolese among the mid-aged generation became in enclaves deathly afraid of taking river rides on the very powerful centerpiece of their country, the Congo River. Among some communities, they speculate the spirits of the dead there float forever on. Mobuto in the time of birth of these superstitions was King of Congo and established security – Kabila could not, and it disintegrated into violence, rape, banditry. One of Mobuto’s louder legacies is the beautiful Avenue du Tourisme in Kinshasa. It is the best drive on the river , like the “PCH of the jungle,” beautiful and worth a whole day just stopping and taking in the views of the twin river capitals. Outdoor beer festivals and concerts are held on the lawn today!

There is a flight across the river on the safe, reputable Cam Air Co (Cameroon Air Company) which is allowed into the EU and is managed by German mechanics as for maitenance and security. The flight is only 30 minutes but costs $200. The advantage is that entering Kinshasa is much more hassle-free and smooth from the airport, without the gaze of opportunistic vultures and thieves in plain clothes and uniforms who may see the opportunity for extortion. Going into Brazzaville via ferry is not typically a problem however. The CamAirCo flight’s credentials are impressive for the price though. They cultivate to ensure safety strategic partnerships with reputable companies globally recognized for their expertise and proven competence:

– Lufthansa Technics aircraft maintenance.

– Servair and Doual’air for services on board.

– Euro-cargo for routing and tracking of your parcels and freight.

– Amadeus to manage flight reservations

Boats down the river are hired for the right price of $180-220 (90,000-110,000 CFA) per day with gas, and 4×4 or any sort of car for as many people as you can fit are yours to go where you like for $300/day with driver (that is the standard all over the 2 Congos, although lesser or desperate drivers and vehicles strapped for cash have been know to go down to $200 or even $100, but turn up with an ancient peugeot with no 4-wheel drive and absolutely no hope of getting to where you want before the next ice age.) It is best advised to have someone organize your travel for you and certainly to organize your tours and sightseeing, as they will be experienced with the worst roads and how to deal with officials and show you the best experience without losing time or money running around. According to the Russian embassy and cultural center in Brazzaville and Kinshasa, independent tourists/travelers in the Congo who leave the main cities have to change or buy new return flights an average of 3 times, and according to the French Cultural Center (CCF,) spend about 4 times as much money as they planned. Often independent travelers just get stuck in the Congo, and wait for weeks to get to their planned destination or national park if they haven’t arranged it beforehand.

Often visitors are shocked with just how virgin the country is and how relatively unexplored by outsiders in vast reaches still…how much is still remote and unseen and inaccessible in this country in vast tracts. Hard to believe as it is in our modern world, there are still some remaining corners of the planet that may as well be another planet for all we really see below the trees….For some seriously intense and amazing Bonobo tracking for instance, plane charters run about $10,000 for getting to Basankusu- where hundreds of thousands of bonobos, in the real heart of Congo (from a bushplane from Kinshasa or Entebbe) can be seen here. While huge populations of wildlife unfettered by humans hideaway in the vast wilderness, huge abuses of the “vacuum of state” therein also hide in the jungle, for instance the illegal uranium export going from Katanga into Zambia overland, out of sight to all but discrete intelligence professionals.

Flights into the Congo are available with domestic air companies, some not so sound. and run variably $50-100 one way to places further in the interior. With the exception of Lubumbashi, Kisangani, and Pointe Noire, the only places where reputable flyers enter the Congo are the capital cities.

Top “Kin La Belle” became a long-aged long-gone misnomer, as is evident in this hideous monster of an electric African city as soon as you hit its streets. Yet Kinshasa hosts some of the most vibrant faces of Africa and is no more dangerous and a great deal less dangerous than other oft-traveled cities in Africa – Lagos, Nairobi, and Johannesburg among them. Kinshasa is famed for its music, and there is a Bonobo (only endemic to DRC) preserve within an hour of the city that is very well-kept and in a natural setting that is popular with visitors. The DRC has the best hotels in Central Africa however, from the magnificent new 2014 Kempinski Residence, the Fleuve Congo Hotel ($300-400)…to little budget business hotels built by Indians like Hotel Tex and Hotel Picasso (which you will not find online. – $50) There is more energy and buzz in Kinshasa, and it feels much more like an actual city than Brazzaville, which can feel largely laid back like an African oversized town.

The downside to this Kinshasa buzz is you can’t walk as many places at night besides the downtown area of 30th June Street and the areas around the embassies and nicer hotels, while in Brazza you can walk pretty much anywhere you want at any hour of the night alone and be fine and unbothered. Kinshasa is worth a visit for a few days for its music, history and culture (which is VERY strong in Africa and exported around the continent as well) and for the amazingly cute and well-run bonobo orphanage, (with the underwhelming and overrated McVallee Lake nearby which no doubt all Congolese will insist you visit)…The river journey and the national parks are the grand draw. DRC is the place to go if you want to cross Africa by river. This is the launch for the boat to Kisangani, a long way away after many twists and turns into the heart of an immense darkness.

“Avenue du tourisme” in Kinshasa is the best drive on the river, like the Pacific Coast Highway of the jungle!, totally beautiful and worth a whole day just stopping and taking in the views of the twin river capitals.

Road travel in DRC is subject to annoyances in green uniforms, and these soldiers may or may not ask for money from foreigners, but be prepared to part with pocket change or even a coca-cola along the way several times over. Keep your good humour and smile. It will smooth things with everyone you meet. Road travel is also subject to people remarking on the color of your skin in loud voices if you happen to be white. Learn to laugh as well. – You probably do look ridiculous here after all. One entity you will see to stay away from : Hezbollah controls the importer named “Congo Futur”, Blacklisted by the U.S. State Department for links to terrorism, and so if you run into individuals or are approached about any of your affairs by them as a broker, beware and steer clear.

If you want to take the commercial public ferry ALL the way down the river to Kisangani, (as it is dangerous to try to procure your own boat or even hire a smaller one for that entire length, for reasons to be elaborated on further down in this page.) it leaves Kinshasa with 2-4 platforms in tandem which become floating, filthy marketplaces, every 10-20 days. It takes about 15-20 days to traverse the river. This boat does not go into any of the natural, secluded, and more beautiful parts and fingers of the Congo River, but it is a culture shock par excellence. You need to wait and be flexible in order to secure a bunk (you probably have to rent the whole 4-bed room but that does not guarantee you’ll have it to yourself. Theft and mosquitoes and diseases are rampant on the ferry, and passengers have paid prices ranging from $100 to $800 for the same bunk. This is not a cruise ship. This is not predictable. That said, you are 100% guaranteed to have a wild time and with proper politeness and especially if you have a buddy with you, it is doable. It is very hot and not clean, and not “entirely” safe. Perhaps entirely not safe. but you can indeed see fish for sale on the platforms that have never been documented in science before.

Unfortunately, the far bend of the river on the DRC side running up to Kisangani has developed a man-eating crocodile problem, the locals having killed all the bushmeat and tossed their adversaries bodies in the river following their rowdy fighting over the years. The river crocodiles took 170+ people last year in 2012, often cleverly leaping up OUT of the water to pull them out of their boats. It is not advised to canoe or kayak in the 400km stretch of the Congo River in the DRC south of Kisangani.

The river journey is fine on the RC side up until the fork that takes you to Kisangani near the Central African Republic and Mbandaka, but your should always keep aware and safe anyway. This is not a Caribbean Cruise. It is not advisable to paddle or navigate yourself. Boats (but not usually the main ferry) are also occasionally attacked by river pirates in the DRC, who show much more speed and skill than their Somalian counterparts away in the Indian Ocean. The Somalians can’t quite jump out of and then disappear back into a bush. The good news, however, is that as of 2017 the entire river from Kinshasa to Kisangani is fine and cleared for tourist travel.

How about fishing? There are countless amazing and undiscovered species, but what about the ecological integrity? And what of these shocking monstrous tiger fish? Are they actually real?

Yes. The status of the Congo River ecosystem has been described by most biologists on the ground and in our care as being in excellent health.  So healthy according to Peace Corps veterans in Congo that the foundation of river villages like Mossaka on the Alima river’s economy is freshwater fishing, and fish dances are the entertainment du jour.  The state of the ecosystem has been compared to what the state of salmon fishing would have been like for the Native American Indians in the Pacific Northwest of the USA prior to colonisation by Europeans.  It is as if the methods of fish harvesting employed by the people of Congo are just not sufficient to put a dent in any real way in the fish populations of the Congo river.

That said, the Golaith Tigerfish is targeted by Congolese as both a pest and for animist religious reasons and this would obviously lead to more “fishing pressure” than there would otherwise be. Still, there are hundreds and hundreds of extremely sparsely populated stretches of the Congo river.  Similarly the Goliath Tigerfish will also inhabit large tributaries of the Congo like the Alima River which flows through Boundji and it is quite possible the current human interface with these ecosystems outside of Brazzaville or Kinshasa could never considerably impact the fish populations.

In the Pacific Northwest the main reason why the salmon populations have dwindled so significantly is due to the damning of all, literally all, of the major rivers in the region.  And the Congo River hasn’t been impacted to any similar degree.

From an ethical point of view, if one is anti-fishing because they do not like the idea of a fish having a metal spike jammed through their mouth and then fought to exhaustion before being released, rather than the belief being predicated on conservation issues, then it is best to pass on fishing excursions in Congo or anywhere in the world.  Many opinions would be that as long as the fish are returned alive and in good condition to the river, then the overall benefit (in terms of the employment to the fishing guide and enjoyment of the fisherman, and the impact to the local economy from the money spent by the fisherman to get to where they can target this species,) justifies the fish being in pain.  “Don’t forget,” this view compels, “it’s not easy being a wild animal at the best of times, and a bit of metal hook in the mouth is not going to significantly impact the fish’s life.” This is not the view of CTT, but this is often the perspective of fishing enthusiasts.

Another reason that the Goliath Tigerfish may be perceived to be threatened / endangered is that it is an illusive fish by nature.  In reality, it would be nearly impossible to determine the state of their population without electro-fishing a section of the Congo river and counting what floats to the surface.  And even then, you would have know an idea of how that number would compare to pre-human and pre-colonialist populations. So therefore, endangered? – Probably not.

The road to “Black Lake” (Mai Ndombe) can be done from Kinshasa via mediocre muddy roads in 1-2 days, whereas the village itself has several relatives of CTT crew and affords host ground space for large tents, cooked food for our guests, and added security in the dark deep jungle. From here the massive, amoeba-like lake and its fingers and branches span for tens of kilometers in all directions and beds and grounds for the biggest tigerfish.

For the Okapi and Ituri forests, the manager of CTT’s Tiger Fishing Ops at Mai Ndombe drove the road from Bunia to Kisangani regularly in his trucks for 40 years while he was exporting coffee. In all that time he only saw Okapi twice. They were crossing the road early in the morning. This is how illusive they are. They are also a very fragile animal, and can die easily if stressed, which is probably why they are in danger of extinction if not already extinct. His son travelled this route in December and visited the Okapi reserve, but did not see any. They told him they have all been killed for food by poachers. We don’t know if this is true, but it makes it more attractive to go there and find the Okapi. We could even use this angle to organize an expedition into the forest using local guides from the reserve, but nobody has ever tried since.

It is an interesting story on how the conservationists capture the Okapi. They dig a hole, not too deep, and cover it with the leaves which the Okapi eat. When the Okapi falls in they dig a slope so he can get out again himself without force. They put stakes with the leaves hanging from them around the hole so the animal is not stressed. They back a truck up to the hole with a trail of the leaves leading to it hanging from stakes on either side. The Okapi follows this and is not stressed once he has his food. He goes into the trailer which has his food inside too.

The DRC’s other famous region is the Great Lakes, near Bukavu and Goma, more than a thousand miles to the east from Kinshasa. There are plenty of points of interest here the foremost of which is the Mountain Nyiragongo and its lava lake. The UN’s pathetic failure here in tandem with ongoing tribal and retaliatory violence has made this part of Africa the most dangerous place in the world at times, maybe in competition with Afghanistan. Not even Somalia is as rowdy nowadays. As of summer 2014 it is fine to travel to this area, but check with us and your embassy.

Travel in DRCongo can be as safe as travel in other African countries. The scenery is rich and the parks are spectacular, and both sides of the river share some common tribes languages and cultures. In all parts of the Congo vigilance and alertness pay off and keeping abreast of news is advisable. Do not walk alone at night, just as in the rest of urban Africa. And remember to relax! Being careful pays, being paranoid will only cheapen your experience.

Once you are ready to get out of Kinshasa, you can fly out via about 20 different airlines to Africa or Europe, or else take the ferry to Brazzaville which comes in at about $20 or $25 for the older crowded or the newer more empty ferries. Crossing the land border to Angola is possible but only with a visa you’ve arranged ahead of time. Visas are affirmatively NOT granted to people who show up at the border, not even with a bribe in recent years.

For help and tours in Angola, CAR, and Cameroon, please see www.angolatravelandtours.com and www.cameroontravelandtours.com.

IS THE CONGO SAFE?

Top In a word, yes. – The Congo’s capitals, tourist sites, and accessible regions are actually safer than the most popular African destinations. Brazzaville and Kinshasa are safer than Johanessburg and Nairobi, where the crime rates and murder and rape rates are astronomically higher. Travel in the Congo for all places tourists are concerned is safer than travel in South Africa or Kenya, despite the heavy reliance of those 2 nations on tourism. Popular vigilance is required, however the bad reputation of the Congo has not kept up with the times and today it is a very rewarding destination for tourism. The national parks accessible from Brazzaville or Pointe Noire are some of the best and most untouched and rich with wildlife in Africa. Although there are nuisances with police bribery and corruption, Brazzaville is one of the more tame, friendly, and relaxed of all the African capitals, and Kinshasa has plenty of 5 star hotels and recreation opportunities. Like Lagos, Johannesburg, even Cape Town, there are some parts you should not walk at night. In Brazzaville it is generally OK to be out at night, but you should never walk out in the night alone in Kinshasa aside from a few areas (where you’ll most likely be, so don’t be afraid to go out, however always in a taxi and never alone.) None of this should not dissuade you from going, however, the Congo is in somewhat of a renaissance with a bonanza of construction and investment going on, and this is one of the most culturally rich, raw, and real parts of Africa. Statistically and practically, the Congo (excluding of course the ferocious border with Rwanda) is safer and easier and cheaper than many of the most visited places in Africa.

It was generally said that under the Belgians and then Mobutu, horrors were committed and stability was ensured. Mobutu ruled as a sort of “King of Congo” and established security – Kabila could not, and it disintegrated into violence, rape, and banditry. It is hard to tell which of the 3 periods were worse. Most people who visit Congo are familiar with many darker sides of its history, but the local people see it in terms mostly of Kabila and Mobutu only, as just about nobody was around to see the Belgians who is still alive now.

Great reads to the effect of educating yourself about the region include the books “Kind Leopold’s Ghost,” “Dancing in the Glory of Monsters,” and “The Scramble for Africa.” “Congo: Epic History of a People” is a nice new addition to the library too. The single best book we like and the definite staff pick at CTT is “Congo Mercenary” by Lt. Colonel Mike Hoare, which gives you the most relevant modern history and real taste of what to expect from the terrain. If you can only read 1 before you come, kick back with this. None of them accurately describe, or even mention at all, the current safety situation for most people in Congo, which is like most media in general. The business media is slightly ahead of the rest, but it too largely describes Congo (and sometimes Africa) as a land of happy animals and miserable war-torn people. That Congo is not the one you as a tourist will find, even if you try. Kinshasa is becoming a world-class city with all the trappings of business travel and industry, and many expats thrive here and spend decades without ever being bothered.

You will notice lots of military in green or grey uniforms, who may nod at you and exchange friendly gestures, and possibly make you feel a bit safer. Almost zero of them carry weapons in the streets, though sometimes they are known to drink heavily after hours and wander the streets stirring trouble. By and large, however, they just kill time sitting by roadsides or pacing the streets.

Do NOT, under any circumstances, take photos/video (or if you’re particularly stupid, and wish to have “free” army or police “accommodation,” for you and your guides, and an extended “visa”….and we’ve seen it all!) fly DRONES over and around police, army, or government buildings, or ports or infrastructure. It is both illegal, attracts very very negative elements to those around you, and draconian in official consequences in the Congo. Photography with permits still needs to be done with the permission of locals, your guides, and free of proximity of any of these sorts of installations or town centers.

For hotels in Kinshasa, the landscape for 2017 is upgrading well and fast but tourism is taking a dive due to political strife around Kabila’s extended reign, and tightening of the visa regime to almost ludicrous levels. The ones we recommend in downtown (where is where you want to be) are Hotel Fleuve Congo (the best – $300 and up, with breakfast wifi and AC) Hotel Leon (THE best value – $150 and up, stellar buffet breakfast, wifi and AC, and the best location and service in the city, and security guards that clearly worked out with Arnold Schwarzenegger) and Hotel Ave Maria (Best super-cheap hotel – $50 and up and includes wifi and AC. However sadly this may go out of business soon since too many budget travelers complain for getting what they pay for in Kinshasa.) Others of note are the luxury standout Hotel Memling ($200 and up- has character) and Hotel Royal ($150 and up.) The old Intercontinental had its management and brand pull out of DRC in the 90’s when there were gunfights between commanders in the hallways of the hotel. Now it is known as the Hotel Grand, which is just abysmal compared to what’s around now, yet super overpriced. The Grand remains one of the most famous hotels in the city, but is a terrible value. Others around downtown that are fine for a stay are Hotel Fortune ($100) behind the Hotel Leon….If the only thing that matters is budget, Hotel Tex and Picasso ($50) are very far from anything. It is worth paying up for security and convenience. You will not see Kinshasa, after all a city of many many miles, 13 million people, spread out over different faces and places, the same way if you are far from everything.

A word to the wise is that the most beautiful view of Kinshasa and Brazzaville can be had on the 21st floor of the Fleuve Congo Hotel. It is easy to pull an “oops” and wander into the lounge, as you usually need to have access to an executive suite to have the privilege of coming in here.

The best bar around town is Tucanos on 30th June in Kinshasa, under the iconic Gecamines building, where they have the most cultivated selection of everything from Japanese whiskey to Brazillian Caxaca, and a super coffee shop and Brazillian BBQ on the weekends. For supermarkets, Kin Mart is the best on 30th June Street, while for food courts, there is no better place to head than Kin Deliceux, behind Kin Mart.

Every source around will tell you to check with your embassy and keep up to date, which is smart. However these are of course the cover-all, lowest-common-denominator ultimatum issued to prevent anybody from visiting anywhere with any risk. Travel everywhere in the world is risky, and while you are responsible for your safety, you should be informed but not afraid. The Congo has some serious risks, but they are often overblow and always played up by the media. There are plenty of foreigners living and traveling here today, and your home city in the west may be a great deal more dangerous than anything you see in your trip here.

VISAS AND AIRPORT HASSLES IN BRAZZAVILLE

Top Brazzaville has a gleaming emerald-city-like new airport that travelers to China will probably recognize for its semblance to the interior of Beijing terminal 3 in miniature. Built by Chinese work crews, the terminal and facilities are impressive and are even more modern-looking than New York, LA, or Miami at first glance…yet the process of arrival can be intimidating. Officials can at times nudge you playfully for gifts before they stamp your passport, but while a refusing but polite smile or a small gift will speed you through and nothing can happen to you. (They never detain anyone or block their entrance if you have a legitimate visa) they are playful and skilled at weaseling out liquor or cash. – One poor American backpacker transiting BZV airport had his passport paraded off by an official and when he explained he was just catching another flight, the official replied “I know I know…(smile)…but, well, my friend, what’s in it for me?!”… They are just playing with you, and even this rarely happens, so just be nice and conversational and they will give you as much welcome as anyone, often a high five or a handshake included. Most countries in the former Soviet Union will give you a far harder time at immigration than here, where they are relatively relaxed.

Visas are a snap for Congo Brazzaville. Congo Travel and Tours (CTT) or a hotel can issue you a reservation and an invitation letter and with that and proof of flights you can pickup a tourist visa at most embassies in 3 days.

VISAS AND AIRPORT HASSLES IN KINSHASA

Top You’d be forgiven for laughing at the miserable excuse for an airport that greets you in Kinshasa. While it is abundantly obvious that the government never put many cents into this place, it sees much more traffic than its cousin across the river. Expect scrutiny for details and discrepancies that can be capitalized upon by DRC immigration officers, and just smile and maybe hand them a bottle of whiskey or $20-50, and their confusion may miraculously evaporate. It is best to have airport pickup waiting for you, but barring that, ask around the airport officials and security to point you to a reputable taxi. Expect to pay $100 minimum (in 2013 money) for a quality taxi to anywhere in the city from the airport, but if it’s your first time you may not get away with that price without extensive argument, which is a time and cost-effective Congolese sport.

When you get to the airport it REALLY pays to have someone meet you, and getting out necessitates a $50 departure tax and if you want smooth sailing, about $25 worth of 5-dollar bills to bribe just about 3-5 people in uniform. As of 2014 Rawbank also instigated a new $5 fee for something that isn’t specified but everyone must pay that to leave too. There is little assistance and lots of hassle, and you cannot speak to anyone from the airlines at the check-in, only the miserable airport authority. Money solves everything, however, and relatively little is needed. You can as a consolation pay $40 to use a “luxury” lounge with a whole free drink (!) Keep receipts of everything, otherwise their absence WILL be capitalized upon. You will make it, so just have some humor and bare it out. If you are leaving and have lots of time to kill, there is an extension of the Grand Hotel upstairs that caters to luxury travelers if you have around $30 extra to kill.

For ATM’s, and for the country in general, local currency and U.S. Dollars are dispensed and accepted. EcoBank dispenses US Dollars, which are accepted and easy everywhere in DRC. There is also a CitiBank in town next to the American Embassy.

Visas in DRC are in theory and even in law arduous. There are lots of obstacles to getting them overseas, and they NEVER give “tourist” visas. Do not try to get a tourist visa to DRC, but a general or business visa is understood and can be granted with the right papers in order. You need to obtain a business visa if you are going to do it in advance. That said, it was as simple as $40 to show up at the Zambia border with Lubumbashi and make your way across, and $50-200 at the Angola border with the right luck. However, a crackdown has led to an end of those free passes at the end of 2013 when some embassies were heard to be profiteering from the practice. Easiest of all is to land in Brazzaville with a week to spare and do all of the major sightseeing, then cross and explore Kinshasa and the DRC for a few days. If you have an invitation from a friend or a hotel or a business contact in the DRC it is easier, however CTT and other operators regularly arrange visa invitations as well and facilitate entry and crossing.

At the end of the day you will have an easier time getting a visa to DRC than to Angola, so don’t be too confident at doing it the other way around and showing up at the Angola border hoping to finagle a visa. It has never and will never work.

DOING BUSINESS IN THE CONGO

The wild frontier of capitalism. Top

The Congo is brimming with opportunity and rampant with underinvestment to underemployment to undervaluation in lots of its commodities, services, and potential. Congo Kinshasa and Congo Brazzaville were together ranked the most difficult place in the world to do business, but that doesn’t seem to hold on the ground as legions of foreign investors and businessmen are filling the hotels to capacity and causing a sprawl in business tourism services and infrastructure buildup. You will not be the first, and while hotdogging miners and gem traders used to be the Congo’s profiteers, you will see everyone coming to sell and buy and build everything a modern city needs. In perhaps a particularly African calamity, lots of the money changing hands never materializes in any public services, and what public works are built are usually done by Chinese with their Chinese work crews, but the Congo is being conquered, although lots of it feels like the wild west and a frontier destination.

Chinese are among the most common travelers in the Congo and have been little liked at times, having built a reputation for cost, not quality, and surrounding them are half-truths/half-myths of wholesale robbery and extraction with and without permits of lots of the massive states’ resource wealth. They are respected and courted for their money, however, by the urban middle and upper classes. (They come into almost no interaction with the lower class) and do not face targeted violence. However, wholesale skepticism is generously lavished on the Africans as well by the Chinese- for their work ethic and capacity for trickery. The Chinese embassy in both Kinshasa and Brazzaville has better citizen services then most African’s have access to from their own governments, and plenty of Chinese restaurants abound in the capitals of the Congos and the adjoining countries as well.

Indians and Lebanese have been in the Congo since almost its conception as Zaire and as 2 adjoining nations. Lebanese were gem and metal traders, and Indians were merchants of every ware and now have expanded into selling the nervous system of Congo’s communications and IT. Indians are a respected and accommodated class in Congo. The largest hospital in Africa was built in (2013) in Kinshasa and is staffed mainly by Indians in the hopes of making DRC a destination for African medical tourism.

Nigerians and Cameroonians abound here as well and although they trade and work in just about every sector Congo needs, unfortunately they are most famous for illicit and black market sectors and are looked upon with general skepticism by the Congolese as well.

Of course the French are all over Congo as well, in various capacities as companies, expats, oilmen, aid workers, and advisors and consultants to all sorts of public processes and works.

Americans were generally the last one at the table and especially late to take advantage of the Congo’s escalating opportunities. The future looks to see more Americans do business here if investment laws and foreign corrupt business practices legislation undergoes needed reform. They are missing opportunities, and missing the party here where as everyone else has already arrived. The only Americans to make it en masse are missionaries, to a peculiar effect: Christianity married and marred with local religion.

You will always be treated with smiles and big open arms and friendliness by Congolese suppliers or clients, way more often than not…however Congolese remain initially reluctant to make a first concession or first finance a project in a partnership. Paying or giving a concession in advance is the only real way in Congo to assure a commitment, and then that may not even be enough if your client or supplier is particularly attuned to foreign courtship and has leverage. If you want to buy or sell something, or form a partnership, until you hand over your side of the deal or give a concession of commitment or investment, Congolese are very averse to budge on their position. You should try to avoid coming across as a fool or too loose with your money, as caution and scrutiny is respected, but an advance gift or deposit or assurance of some kind means everything in this part of Africa.

Aid organizations have been notorious for giving too many concessions or foolish incentives for Congolese that are taken without delivery of service or performance. A rational businessman in Africa, and especially here, will demand to hear details and see how a plan is to be executed in minutiae.

Something very important is to never accept “no problem” or “yes” or “ok” at face value. This is as often as not a ploy to make you feel good rather than confirm your question. Ask your client or supplier to explain in details or walk through how they are going to do and deliver whatever it is you’re asking. Lying and stealing are sadly and thinly veiled into accepted business and everyday behaviors among Congolese, and so make it clear from the beginning of your interaction that those are strictly monitored and guarded against and that you are not naive enough to be exploited, and that they will not be tolerated. Keep in mind that lots of these preventions are evidence-based and factual though they will appear racist, though you needn’t and shouldn’t be racist, or feel yourself that way. Even Congolese friends or employees going back decades have been found stealing and price-gouging – though business aside you can also make the best friends in your life in Congo over enough years. Set up safeguards and know where your weaknesses lie and what your liabilities are, and make contingency plans for when they get exploited and what to do. Know friendship from opportunism. Lots of stress can be avoided this way.

Triple-checking quality and delivery, even when you’re told yes, is mandatory. Expect that opportunities for theft or profiteering will be taken by the people you hire in either Congo, but in DRC where business is easier and the culture is more business-oriented, thefts from employees are not as severe nor as blatantly selfish and short-sighted as on the Congo-Brazzaville side, where service is dismal and short-term thinking infinitely more dismal.

Keep in mind that Congolese are not out to rob foreigners. They are out to profit mutually and form bridges and partnerships. They are also out to learn and while they see westerners and Asians as rich, they see them more as enriching, and don’t seek a zero sum game. You should be friendly and affable, but skeptical and always ask in detail.

HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS

Top Travelers to Congo, like travelers to Africa in general, should consult a doctor before coming to Congo, but after that everybody should bring and use malaria medicine. Doxycycline and malarone are the most popular, but a 3-day morning and evening dose of Artemether/Lumefantrine (“Cofantrine” is a readily availiable and reputable brand at pharmacies in Congo) will also kill off any malaria you may have in your system in the 3 days following your trip. Doctors will not tell you that in truth preventative antibiotics are not always effective, and most expats and doctors in Congo will administer this simple but potentially life-saving medicine. That said, many expats live for years there without taking any medicine at all and report feeling fine. It should be taken as a precaution especially on a visit and especially if you are going into the jungle.

You are best advised to have travel insurance, and to seek embassy help in the event of an emergency for recommended hospitals, but evacuating to better care in Europe or South Africa is probably a better bet if it is serious.

GETTING TO THE CONGO, GETTING AROUND IN THE CONGO

Top Most airlines fly into Pointe Noire or Brazzaville or Kinshasa from Nairobi, Johannesburg, Addis Ababa, and an array of European capitals. At this point there are not yet any direct flights from America or Asia. It helps to book far in advance, but expect a roundtrip to cost about as much as going to any other continent, provided you don’t make too many connections. There is a domestic airline called Equatorial Congo Airlines (ECAir) that is overseen and maintained by the Swiss luxury airline MRO and flight support PrivatAir, and flies 3 times a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) from Paris to Brazzaville, and once a week to Pointe Noire. As of 2014 it is also flying to Dubai, and has its sites set on, excitingly, Guangzhou and Washington DC next. It also connects Ollombo in the interior of the Republic o the Congo, and has an international flight to one of the cheapest logistical West African ports, Cotonou in Benin. ECAir is of a top standard, and is the only domestic airline the U.S.A., Russian, and Chinese embassies allow their personnel to fly because of safety concerns. All bets are off for the other domestic “scarelines,” in ROC whose notorious crash record precedes them.

Within DRC, Korongo Airlines is the most solid, operated by Brussels Airlines and flying only between Kinshasa and Lubumbashi and Johannesburg. The only other airline which gobbled up the majority of its competition and flies to just about every city in DRC, CAA, is blacklisted – but truthfully crashes less than AirFrance. Fly at your own risk. There have not been any bad reviews, however we are keeping a close eye.

Within Africa, it can be cheaper to fly with one of the new class of African emerging air carriers. Asky (African sky) is a safe, good quality, reputable new operator. The South African and Tanzanian LCC’s (low cost carriers) don’t reach Congo yet, though they will be competitivee when they do. Neither do any of the Gulf’s expanding airlines except for, to the delight of travelers, Turkish Airlines. – Turkish Airlines has positioned itself to cover traffic into most of the untapped opportunities in Africa. If you plan to travel to Africa regularly and widely, having a frequent flyer program with a Star Alliance airline (United, Turkish, Ethiopian, etc.) well pay off handsomely in slashing your inter and intracontinental airfare in Africa, including to Congo. Expensive all business-class airlines like Swiss-owned Privatair cooperate with Star Alliance as well to bring business-class travelers to the Congo, and their luxurious jets fill quickly with European, Chinese, and African business travelers.

Some of the new Congolese domestic airlines, such as Trans Air Congo and Canadian Airways Congo are not flying into Europe or USA yet and so caution should be exercised when deciding whether or not to fly with them. Equatorial Congo Airlines flies to Paris and has a safe operation, perhaps even better than Air France, which uses its jets non-stop without much turnaround time all year long and commands far higher prices yet poorer service to boot. Charter flights through a travel agency are sound if expensive, and CTT can organize these too for up to 15% discount, but private jets and helicopters based around Africa have a reputation for more security than the larger domestic airlines, who are on the blacklist. Congolese national and private airlines have some of the worst safety records in the world, so you may want to pay a bit more for the assurance.

A neat trick is to get somewhere else in Africa that is cheaper as an entry gate to the continent, and then use frequent flyer miles to get to Congo, which counts as a regional flight and so takes relatively few miles even though a price for the same ticket would be very high Adventurers and budget travelers who are flying from outside Africa have honed this trick and it works wonders. If combined with another African destination on a big continental trip, Congo can be a very affordable adventure, and compared with the prices tourists are paying for safaris or just general travel in Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Uganda/Rwanda, and South Africa (God Bless them all), Congo is far far better value and shows you almost all of the same big wildlife and better scenery, and none of these other places have the river.

The road from Goma to Walikale is still not paved, nor any longer safe. We ourselves tried from Goma up to Masisi and it was back-breaking. Even 4×4 vehicles do not ply on this route and couldn’t make it with all parts intact. The by-road approach to Walikale is from Kisangani, instead of Goma.

Though the distance is far too long (240 kms from Goma, while 445 kms from Kisangani to Walikale). Then of course, security is the primary concern. We can never take the risk of putting our clients in these circumstances, nor anybody in general. Even security “experts” with decades of military experience flop and about-face and have turned around outta there!…As of yesterday, there are at least 2 towns en-route from Goma to Walikale that now have the Mai Mai rebellion (lethally dangerous for foreigners) activity.

Kisangani has however become international airport and the tourists can directly reach here with Ethiopian Airlines. Or if they like from Goma to Kisangani by domestic airline ‘Congo Airways’ that operates 2 Airbus medium commercial jets and 1 Bombardier.

Even for Goma to Kahuzi Biega, there are now due to insurrection only two options:

a) By boat along the Lake Kivu (Speedboat Ihusi 02h45; and big slow boat/ship Emmanuel that operates daytime 6 hrs and nighttime 12 hrs). b) By road is only now possible via Rwanda. I travelled along this route and it is excellent, not only the road condition, but the views are magnificent. It also passes through the tourist town of Kibuye with a breath-taking view of and from ‘Gorilla Hotel’ 4h30.

With serious security and a million repairs and pitstops and problems, you can drive for about 10-30 days contiguous and parallelling the Congo River to Yangambi>Bumba>Lisala>Mbandaka>Bolobo>Malebo>Kinshasa. Other interesting very dangerous but doable (not so many lethal rebels) ventures are Kisangani>Pygmy Villages>Ituri Forest>Yangambi Reserve>Back to Kisangani.

You can enter DRC from Tanzania in Tanganyika Province by taking a $50 boat. This is one of the more pleasant border crossings out there.

Plane charters run about $10,000 for getting to Basankusu- which hosts hundreds of thousands of Bonobos in the real heart of Congo (from Kinshasa or Entebbe the price is much the same.) We can also take you in with Kinavia nowadays for way cheaper.

Coming overland, it is possible to cross into the Republic of Congo near Bangui in C.A.R. or from Cameroon near Bayanga/Nola, where the borders are relatively straightforward and hassle-free as long as you have a visa. Crossing into the DRC, the Angola border is VERY intimidating and even having a visa doesn’t guarantee you a smooth ride through, or to get in at all. Several people pose as “officials” at various points of the crossing, and demand your passport or a fee or both, some even equipped with “forms” and pens and uniforms. There have been cases of foreigners with visas in order thrown in Angolan holding cells and having to pay upwards of $1000 to get out. If you are crossing into DRC, you can do so at Cabinda or Matadi.

From Zambia, crossing near Ndola towards Lubumbashi is about $40-60 visa at the border for anyone, no questions asked, and you’re on your way. (Though some tourists angrily refute this after being tricked and turned away for lack of a steep fee or in the face of intimidation.) Of course, Lubumbashi, the Congolese mining region, is a long way from Kinshasa, but travel is never entirely predictable here though a great deal safer than the Great Lakes region near Goma.

The Katanga region will go all the way to Kinshasa on a brilliant, sometimes* spotless future national highway “1” which is being built by French, African, and Chinese hands to connect the spoils of Congo’s mining region to the ocean and river ports in the Atlantic side, away at Matadi. The crossing of the DRC in ANY direction puts you at odds with 2500km of terrain to traverse. Botswana has almost exactly 100 times the amount of paved roads that the entire DRC does. A better bet is traveling by water on almost 15,000km of navigable waterways. They are safer than the roads, but not safe.

If travelers don’t know the DRC, it is best they travel with a Congolese liaison to avoid or diminish harassment, but this will include an additional cost (his expenses and a fee with regards to the time he will accompany them). The road from Lubumbashi to Kabalo and further to Kalemie is a track in poor condition. On some parts there is a need to do a detour because of missing bridges and there will be many roadblocks by officials and military to get through with official and unofficial taxation; there are 2 other options, Lubumbashi/Miwaba/Manono/Kalemie or Lubumbashi/Pweto/Kalemie to get north from Katanga; they are more commonly used to get to Kalemie; both are also infested with roadblocks. From Kalemie to Bukavu the road is a little bit better, but also infected with roadblocks as on Lubumbashi/Kalemie. The road from Bukavu to Goma, same situation, but the possibility to keep due north by boat from Bukavu to Goma is also an option. There maybe also some security issues to consider but we will have to inform with our contacts for the latest situation. For Goma to Kisangani, between Goma and Beni is not advised for security reasons from 2017; as many armed groups roam the country side and could cause problems. However the Rumangabo site of Virunga NP is accessible, best to organise through the Virunga NP administration or CTT/JT office in Goma. You can get to Kisangani via Rwanda and Uganda, crossing the border in Kasindi and going to Kisangani via Beni, Komanda, Nia-Nia.

For the areas in South Kivu, here are some advisories on distance, logistics, and safety emanating into the interior from Bukavu.

– Bukavu – Walungu 46km : 2h30 to 3h – Bukavu – Mugogo 25km : 1h30 – Bukavu – Kabare centre 17km : 1h to 1h30 – Bukavu – Kabare/Mukongola : 22km 2h30 to 3h

The state of the road of these three zones do not really pose a problem, it is practicable with Jeep 4×4, it is outside the city. From a security point of view, currently make day drives to the 3 zones, but we recommend not to spend the night. No hotels or restaurants are proposed here.

Going south across the Congo?: 2 possibilities barring the LRA territory around CAR’s border; first possibility entering from Uganda and drive South via Bunia, Beni, than leave via Uganda and Rwanda, enter again in Goma, and continue to Lubumbashi via Kalemie; Another possibility is entering via Brazzaville and then driving to Angola, Clients who motorcucle Africa are aweome and can even stay with a motorbike friend of ours in Kinshasa.

East-West by overlanding? From Kinshasa to Lubumbashi and Zambia is not possible due to severe insecurity around the N1 between Tshikapa and Mwene-Ditu in the Kasaï Provinces. As of 2017 you will not make it.

Security is a large part of the services we offer. To find long term secure accommodation in the Congo is no problem. For security we contract security companies but only those who supply acceptable quality service. Armoured cars are difficult to find, but we can offer maximum security for visitors with security specialists with expatriates or Congolese that can accompany the client (CPO) if required, liaison officers, and armed policemen in civilian if need be.

In the words of one of the best security consultants and career intelligence professionals hired by CTT in the Congo:

– Security: some areas in the DRC are out of bounds to travel safely or to travel without any precautions. Insecure areas tend to shift and can pop-up in unexpected areas. he actual political, economic and social situation make the security situation in the DRC today volatile to a certain extent.

– Infrastructure: the infrastructure in the DRC, accommodation, roads, tele-communications, hospitals, water and electricity are very poor. Accommodation is relatively expensive and outside bigger urban areas not existing . Road conditions outside the major cities are in general ranging between poor and catastrophic. Hospitals with an acceptable level of care do besides a few exceptions not exist. Water and electricity are more absent than present. Communications are of poor quality and lack coverage outside urban areas. The impact on safety can be considerable and permanent caution is a must.

– Harassment & corruption: endemic and often an unexpected and difficult obstacle corruption:for inexperienced visitors to the DRC. Sometimes it is best to travel with a liaison who knows his way through government agencies. to subcontract a liaison of the National Intelligence Agency for more complicated travel through the country. One option is to subcontract a liaison of the National Intelligence Agency for more complicated travel through the country.

– Administration: is very slow, does not respect the same rules as in other African countries, and dealing with it requires a thorough network of good contacts and patience.

– Costs: the DRC is very expensive. Almost everything is imported and makes daily life expensive. Basic administration, basic permits and documents are often expensive and require the help of efficient local consultants to maximize a positive, clean, and timely result.

Main places to visit in DRC and some DIY costs approximate the below:

Matadi can be reached with a $13 bus from Kinshasa. Boma for $20. These buses leave when full from the bus station, and plan on an all-day, sweaty, crowded affair to make the trip happen.

Bas Congo is full of history around Boma and the inlet of the Congo River from the Atlantic Ocean, and everyone from Diego Cao to Stanley made there way up here, about a hundred kilometers of navigable waterway before you hit the abominable Livingstone Falls and the series of waterfalls that makes onward passage past Matadi literally impossible for any ship. A road (and an old railway) goes around the falls and rapids to reach Kinshasa from Matadi, where the river becomes navigable again for the whole next length up until Kisangani. Matadi has not much of note physically save a bridge (which is rare in Congo, and so for locals it’s a fascination) and the old faded colonial gem, the Hotel Metropol. In Boma you will find nearby the incredible Inga dam and Inga waterfalls, which rival Victoria Falls in Zambia/Zimbabwe for beauty, and which are little known. There are also entire villages built on oyster shells around here as well as old slave forts. Cargo ships up to a certain size can enter here at Matadi, not Panamax vessels, and the importers at the dock vie for favoritism with DRC customs.

One company, Congo Futur, is controlled indirectly by Hezbollah in Lebanon and may fund terrorism, so stay away from dealing with the company if you are thinking of doing trade in Congo. In almost all circumstances whoever you are importing with will have rivals paying and cajoling the customs to make your rates higher so their prices are cheaper and you lose the market.

There are plenty of NGO’s in Goma and it is popular to couchsurf (see couchsurfing.com) with a foreign aid worker, or make advance contact with any NGO worker, rather than to stay in a hotel in the city – which aren’t entirely safe either. If you have to pick a hotel, however, Hotel Ihusi is the best, nestled on the lakeside with a view of the blue Lake Kivu. Or ask us. There are plenty of hotels in Goma and more going up all the time. Crossing from Kigali is a snap – via Gisenyi. Have your DRC visa ready and it is one of the more comfortable gateways. There are now lots of nice boats, some even with nightclubs on them, for crossing between Goma and Bukavu. If you can make it the ride is a great time to mingle with locals en route to your safari point.

The Ituri region of the DRC hosts the Okapi wildlife reserve, which can be visited from Isiro, and hosts itself African pygmy tribes living inside the reserve as well as hundreds of birds and chimpanzees, apes, and occasional forays by renegade armies and poachers who have made tourism evaporate and murdered park staff and – anybody found inside the park. It is not advised to visit. Garamba and Okapi Park are both off at the moment.

The journey to the massive “3rd” city of Kisangani takes an unspecified number of hours or days by bus from Goma, along unlit roads some of which are occasionally overflowed by lava from the volcano. It can take as little as 3 days and as long as a week, changing buses at Butembo and Beni ($30 each but prices for foreigners can be inflated) and passing through M23 and FDLR rebel checkpoints where passports are checked relatively politely and the United Nations vehicles occasionally travel. The route to Kisangani from Bukavu is a wholesale total gamble with your life or at least your possessions and runs through a completely lawless and ungoverned tribal part of Africa. It is not under any circumstances advised to do this road. If you have to travel to Kisangani, the road from Goma is better, and you should allow at least a week and several hundred dollars in local currency. There are no ATM’s and no health care.

In the time of the crown jewel of Belgium’s African empire, the 1940’s road from Isiro south to Kisangani or eastward to Mombasa was a speedy throughway that breezed you over the mountains to the coast in 6 hours or south to the river city in 2. Nowadays it is a complete mess,  subject to banditry, potholes and washouts, political terrorism, and occasionally marauding murderers…and left to rot and crack beneath trucks and in the wrangle of vines and debris, with the specter or savior of Chinese construction to get the Eastern DRC back on track all these decades later. From Isiro, expect 3 days’ travel east to the ocean (through Eastern DRC, Uganda, and Kenya) and at least 1 day’s travel south to the river at Kisangani. From Isiro, you can dip straight into the steamy equatorial Congo rainforest, or flee for the open savannas of Eastern Africa’s Great Rift Valley. If you are reading this you have likely came from the latter of the 2, and so have in mind to either turn back or else make your way further into the Congo to Kisangani. You can get a bus ticket for $13 (51500 CAF.) Bring water and mosquito repellant, and keep your wallet tight at hand.

Katanga province, home of the second largest city in DRC, Lubumbashi, is a generally safe destination and transit hub. There used to be great great wildlife in Upemba Park, northwest of the provincial capital, and even great lodges (see them at congostarsafaris.com – no longer working,) but now it is all poached out and no animals remain, unless you go very very far from the people who live in the area. Gran Karavia Hotel and Hotel Holly Bum are the best hotels in town now, but nothing to write home about.

The main use of Katanga in the eyes of Kinshasa and the world is its vast reserves of almost every metal conceivable. – Coltan, Copper, Tin, Gold, Manganese, Bauxite, Silver, Diamonds…and much more. Katanga, the source of many minerals today and the former source of the uranium for the Hiroshima bomb, is now illegally exporting uranium via Zambia. Besides this, however, it is false and uninformed to connect Katanga minerals with blood, war, rape, or child soldiers, a connection all-too generously and tenuously made by western media who do not realize that the Kivus region is hundreds to thousands of miles away through terrible jungle and that the mining there under rebel eyes has nothing to do with the long-running mining projects in Katanga.

Nevertheless, most western writers on conflict minerals have never been to DRC, and so we encourage visitors and discerning individuals to draw their own conclusions. There are a lot of rumors at play in Africa regarding this.

One of the more interesting aspects of Katangan history strangely enough involved Ireland. Hidden History, one of the cold war’s and Ireland’s most important:

The siege of Jadotville. It was the first foreign mission for the Irish army. 150 Irish soldiers held off over 2000 Katangan and French mercenary soldiers without a single loss of life on the irish side After the battle was over there were many Katangan soldiers lying dead and wounded.

The Irish even used their bullets twice. How is it possible to do this? After their ammunition was finished the officer in charge ordered the men to pick up all the empty cartridges and put them in the ammunition boxes with dynamite. The explosives were all wired together and exploded when the enemy came on them.

Eventually the Irish had no choice but to surrender. They did not get a hero’s welcome when they came back to Ireland as the government branded them cowards for surrendering. It was not until many years later that their bravery and professionalism was acknowledged. But by this time some had died with this dishonour hanging over their lives.

CTT’s ground manager back In Ireland now got first hand stories about this siege and other battles that were fought in Congo from survivers who live near him. One of them was an officer in the siege of Jadotville. There were over 6,000 Irish soldiers sent to the Congo. Every community in Ireland was affected by this war but few Irish youth know about it today. Few Irish people know the truth about modern Congo either.

Kisangani is a dusty, heaving, monster of a rivertown with which you can board the slow long ferry to Kinshasa. Proceed at your own risk between Kisangani and Kinshasa. The ferry takes 15-20 days. There are infections, dangerous river marauders, man-eating crocodiles, and boat-riding thieves. There is also unrivaled adventure in taking the public barge…along with legendary discomfort. If you want an easier, more comfortable, and more safe way, contact us. And we not selling it like it is, we are telling it like it is.

That covers all of the inhabited parts of the Congo. The rest is all unpaved jungle. (Most of the country is unpaved jungle.) We were unable to do research on the ground in the rest of these areas. All information in this website is for reference only. We are not held liable for any travel you do in the Congo (RC or DRC) on your own accord based on our information.

CTT now makes it mandatory as of 2016 for all clients to carry and prove their own powerful, robust, and complete travel, medical, and cancellation insurance.

Our vehicles.

Top CTT supplies 4-wheel drive SUV’s, Toyota Hiluxes, and luxury LandCruisers, with experienced and professional drivers who have years working as drivers for oil professionals or government staff. They are used to all the road conditions in the Congo.

We have ironclad and strict criteria for our drivers:

a. All of the vehicles must be equipped with operational safety seat belts. b. Driver not to start driving until everyone buckled c. All of the vehicles must be equipped with air conditioner d. Clean, well-maintained vehicle e. The drivers should always drive safely (no speeding up) f. The drivers should never use cell phone while driving g. The drivers should drive on central streets when applicable and avoid driving on backstreets h. The drivers should never pick a ‘friend or comrade” or anybody else while transporting our delegates i. The drivers should never smoke in the vehicle, not before or during transporting our delegates j. Professional driver with excellent safety record k. The drivers should always be polite with the delegates and willing to help l. Drivers must be instructed to meet travelers inside the airport with a visible sign upon exit from Customs/baggage claim.

• Nouabalé-Ndoki
• Congo River Voyage
• Gorillas & Louna Safari
• Epic Jungle Train
• Around Brazza Sampler Platter (No Hotel Included)
• Tiger Fishing Weekend Trip From Brazzaville
• Odzala Affordable Odyssey – Ecotourism
• Odzala Luxury Lodges – Discount Packages
• Lake Tele Expedition
• Introduction to the Congo-Basin: one week on the river
• Deep exploration of the Congo-Basin by boat: riverlife, fishing and wildlife
• Southern Odzala: gorillas, elephants and deep forest
• The deep forests of Odzala and Congo Basin River Tour: two weeks
• Odzala and Nouabale-Ndoki
• Odzala and Dzanga-Sangha
• Odzala, Nouabale-Ndoki and Lobéké
• Odzala, Lobéké and Dzanga-Sangha
• Complete Sangha Trinational: Dzanga Sangha, Nouabalé-Ndoki and Lobéké
• Nouabalé-Ndoki and Dzanga Sangha
• Odzala Luxury Edition: 8 Days New Formula
• Odzala Luxury Edition: 11 Days New Formula
• Odzala And Dzanga Sangha Luxury Edition: 11 Days New Formula
• Odzala And Dzanga Sangha Luxury Edition: 12 Days New Formula
• Coast to River Odyssey
• Mayombe Rainforest Safari
• Conkouati-Douli Park & Chimpanzees
• Congo Surfing
• Pointe-Noire: Private Jungle Train And Mayombe Tree Hut Adventure
• Jungle Retreat In The Mayombe Forest
• Ultimate Frontier DRC Tour | 2018 Edition | Great Lakes to the Great Rainforests and River
• Virunga, Gorillas and Nyiragongo Volcano: Luxury Lodges
• Best Value Virunga 1 Week
• Virunga Budget Tour
• Virunga Mountain Gorilla 2 Day Tour
• Nyiragongo Volcano 2 Day Tour
• Garamba Grand Safari
• Kahuzi Biega Park Chimpanzees and Gorillas: Luxury Lodges
• Kahuzi Biega Budget Tour
• Kahuzi Beiga 2 Day Lowland Gorilla Trek from Bukavu
• Trekking The Rwenzori Mountains from the DRC
• Jane Goodall’s Chimps Tour at Lwiro
• Kigali to Kinshasa Cross-Congo Overland (For Adventurers)
• Interior Cultures and Cities of DRCongo
• Travel to the Kivu Region of Congo: ten days
• Garamba and Virunga: savanna, mountains and volcanoes
• The best of East Congo and Rwanda
• Pygmy & Deep Jungles
• 8 Day Bonobos By River
• 15 Day Bonobos by Airplane
• Bonobos Encounter & Grand Circuit
• Bas Congo & Livingstone Falls
• Katanga Kingdom
• Tiger Fishing
• Salonga National Park Expedition From the Congo River
• Kasai River 7-Day Tiger Fishing Adventure from Kinshasa
• Lake Mukamba 7-Day Guided Fishing Trip from Kinshasa
• Atlantic Coast 7-Day Tarpon Fishing Trip in Muanda
• Meet the Bonobos of the DRC – In the Wild!
• Complete introduction to Kinshasa: one week
• Essential Bas-Congo: From Kinshasa to the coast, ten days
• Twelve days in Bas-Congo and Kinshasa
• Complete roundtrip in Bas-Congo: culture, waterfalls, river exploration and wildlife
• Best of culture and nature: Bas-Congo and the mountain gorillas of Virunga
• DRC sample platter: Bas-Congo, Kinshasa and Kisangani
• Essential Katanga Discovery
• Gungu Festival And Pende Cultural Visit
• Photographic Cultural Tour: Kimbanguistes, Voodoo Wrestlers, Sapeurs And Tata Gonda
• Gbadolite: The Versailles Of The Jungle, Inside Mobutu’s Old Palace
• The pygmy Tribes of Equateur And The Wagenia Fishermen of Kisangani
• Pioneer Expedition: Kinshasa To Mbuji-Mayi With Gungu Festival
• Okapi Reserve and Edo Rainforest Expedition
• Overland Trip From Zambia To Congo: Lusaka To Likasi and Kiubo Falls
• Kinshasa To Mbandaka: Bonobo River Tour And Pygmy Tribes
• Kisangani: Expedition To Yangambi
• Kisangani: Congo River, Wagenia Falls, Fisherman’s Island And Slave Trade Point
• Kisangani: Complete City Visit, Waterfalls, Yangambi and Lokele Tribe
• Bili Ape Expedition From Kisangani
• Maiko National Park Expedition
• Mbuji-Mayi: Overnight At Lake Munkamba
• Two Days In Mbuji Mayi: Lake Mukumba And Diamond Mines
• Lomami National Park Expedition
• Primate And Gorilla Circuit In Kivu
• Congo River: Best of DR Cruising
• Congo River Cruise – Best Of Brazza Cruising!
• Boat Trip from Brazzaville to Oyo
• Congo River: Complete (Large Study/Tour/History Groups)
• Epic River Journey From Bangui To Kinshasa: Pymys, Bonobos and Tigerfish
• Two weeks On The Congo River: Wagenia Falls, Tribes And Bonobos (New Tour, 2022)
• Congo River – River Towns Paintings, Murals, Graffiti, and Public Art Sites
• Trail of Two Oceans: 15-Day East to West Africa Adventure by Rail
• Trail of Two Oceans: 15-Day West to East Africa Adventure by Rail
• Copper Trail: 15-Day Victoria Falls to Lobito by Rail
• Copper Trail: 15-Day Lobito to Victoria Falls by Rail
• Congo Aerial
• Introduction to the two Congos
• Garamba and Kidepo Valley
• Garamba and Murchison Falls
• Group Tours
• Brazzaville City & Culture Tour
• Congo River Half-Day
• Louna Park Full Day
• Bela Waterfalls Full Day
• Rainforest Resort
• Congo River Full Day
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WHO and scientists call for urgent action on highly dangerous mpox strain

The spread of mpox in Africa needs to be addressed urgently, the World Health Organization said on Tuesday, as scientists warned separately of a dangerous strain in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“There is a critical need to address the recent surge in mpox cases in Africa,” Rosamund Lewis, the WHO’s technical lead for mpox, said in a briefing note to journalists.

In a separate briefing, John Claude Udahemuka of the University of Rwanda, who has been working on an outbreak in Congo’s hard-to-reach South Kivu province, said the strain spreading there — a mutated version of the clade I mpox endemic in Congo for decades — was extremely dangerous. It has fatality rates of around 5% in adults and 10% in children.

This year, roughly 8,600 mpox cases have been reported in Congo, and 410 deaths, Cris Kacita, the doctor in charge of operations in the country’s mpox control programme, told Reuters last week.

Mpox is a viral infection that spreads through close contact, causing flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. Most cases are mild but it can kill.

A different, less severe form of the virus — clade IIb — spread globally in 2022, largely through sexual contact among men who have sex with men. This prompted the WHO to declare a public health emergency. Although that has ended, Lewis said on Tuesday the disease remained a health threat. Two people  died  in South Africa this month of this form of the virus after a handful of cases were diagnosed.

Vaccines and treatments were used to combat the global outbreak, but they are not  available  in Congo.

The WHO and scientists said efforts were ongoing to address that.

In South Kivu, Adahemuka and other researchers said the new strain was spreading partly by sexual contact among men and women, and particularly among sex workers.

He said other close contact routes needed study, with evidence of transmission at school and from caregiver to child. The disease also seemed to be causing miscarriages among pregnant women as well as a longer-term rash and other lingering symptoms, the team said.

Leandre Murhula Masirika, research co-ordinator in the health department in South Kivu province, said 20 cases were arriving at hospital in the mining town of Kamituga every week.

“At the rate things are going, we risk becoming a source of cases for other countries,” said Kacita. South Kivu borders Rwanda and Burundi.

He said 24 of 26 provinces in Congo were affected and the outbreak was the worst mpox epidemic yet.

Boeing wants you to feel safe on its planes. It's working to fix safety in its factories.

• Boeing is trying to peel back the curtain on its operations after a series of high-profile incidents.
• The company says it’s facing its safety challenges head-on and that its planes remain generally safe.
• Boeing is making changes to its training, production processes and safety management system.

RENTON, Wash. – Boeing is having a rough year. 

The company, which has been under a microscope recently, is trying to peel back the curtain on its operations. In a tightly choreographed media open house that USA TODAY attended on Tuesday, Boeing said it’s facing its safety challenges head-on. Employees, from the C-suite to the production line, insist that the airframer is turning a corner – reaffirming that its planes remain generally safe and are only getting safer.

Since 2018, a series of high-profile incidents , including two deadly 737 Max crashes overseas, and an explosive decompression incident in January that left an Alaska Airlines 737 Max flying without a section of its fuselage , have raised significant questions about the safety culture at the company, which was once renowned for its engineering excellence.

Scrutiny and criticism of Boeing increased exponentially this year after the Alaska Airlines incident, which seemed to show that the company was not keeping promises it made to improve safety in the wake of the earlier crashes.

During this event: Boeing sanctioned over media briefing that 'provided investigative information,' NTSB says

Now Boeing faces heightened oversight from the Federal Aviation Administration and Congress , and possible criminal liability in an ongoing Department of Justice investigation tied to some of these serious safety incidents.

The DOJ has made no decision yet on whether to pursue a prosecution of Boeing.

“From where I sit, the issue must be a relentless focus on process and product quality, which work together in a virtuous cycle of improvement to yield employee, product, and end-user safety,” Robert W. Mann Jr., a former airline executive officer and current president of R. W. Mann and Co., an independent airline consultancy, told USA TODAY in an email. Mann said he does not have inside information about the changes Boeing is working on internally, but his comments referred to the company's culture more generally. 

Boeing insists it’s turning that corner. Here are some of the changes it said it’s making:

Enhancing training

According to Elizabeth Lund, Boeing's senior vice president of quality, the company’s first step to fixing its safety culture is changing the way it conducts training.

Lund told the 50 or so international journalists who attended Tuesday’s briefing that a production slowdown following the 737 Max crashes, followed by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulted in high turnover on the factory floors, leading to a glut of newly hired workers with less experience. To address the resulting change in the company’s demographics, Lund said, it’s reinforcing its peer mentoring program.

“We knew we brought in thousands of new employees,” she said, “We have really strengthened on-the-job training. That’s the really hands-on part … you go to the floor and you really learn how to do your job.” 

Before on-the-job training, however, Boeing factory employees undergo a reinvigorated foundational training regime where they learn the basics of their factory tasks before moving to the production line. According to Lund, every employee who comes out of foundational training gets assigned a mentor with more experience on the factory floor. 

Simplifying processes

Lund said that Boeing is also trying to streamline its production processes and instruction documents to make them easier for new hires to learn. 

Lund explained that because of Boeing’s multigeneration fleet types, like the 737, the first version of which was produced in the 1960s, some documents and production standards are amalgamations of previous best practices. Now, the company is evaluating many of its existing workflows, starting with the most safety-critical aspects, to ensure that they are efficient and easier to replicate. 

Eliminating defects

Another key part of Boeing’s safety updates is trying to identify and address defects as soon as possible in the production chain. Part of that work includes sending more Boeing inspectors to its own suppliers to ensure that parts, like the fuselage produced by Spirit AeroSystems that was implicated in the Alaska Airlines incident in January, are defect-free before they even reach Boeing property. 

It also means being more prepared to stop the production line when a defect is identified if it’s not easily remedied.

“Get quality right, via quality control, quality assurance, root cause identification and resolution, and it resolves the rest of the present issues,” Mann said.

Boeing’s 737 fuselages go through a 10-day production workflow on the factory floor. They move ahead day by day from the moment they enter the factory to the day they’re ready to roll out to the paint shop. 

During the tour, a Boeing employee pointed out that the day-five slot was empty on the production line. A few days earlier, employees had identified an issue with a fuselage that was being worked on. Under Boeing’s previous practices, the semi-built aircraft may have moved ahead and the defects would have been addressed literally down the line. But now Boeing is putting greater emphasis on keeping airplanes in place until they pass a quality inspection each day that aims to guarantee they won’t need major retroactive fixes.

“We have seen up to an 80% reduction in defects” since implementing these changes, Lund said.

Strengthening Boeing’s safety culture

Lund acknowledged that Boeing only began implementing an official safety management system in 2019. The FAA defines a safety management system as “the formal, top-down, organization-wide approach to managing safety risk and assuring the effectiveness of safety risk controls. It includes systematic procedures, practices, and policies for the management of safety risk,” and it’s a standard practice at many airlines and other companies in the aviation industry.

Boeing still has not fully rolled out its safety management system, but Lund said the company is committed to finalizing that work, echoing promises the airframer made in the wake of the 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019.

“How do we make sure we’re not doing anything that could cause an airplane safety issue later on? We’re documenting it, we’re reviewing it,” Lund said. 

Boeing has also been in the spotlight for its handling of whistleblower complaints. Several current and former employees have come forward alleging safety lapses at the company, and saying they were retaliated against for reporting their concerns.

While testifying on Capitol Hill earlier this month, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun said he had not met with any of the whistleblowers directly . 

Lund said that Boeing takes these complaints seriously. While she couldn’t say for sure how involved the whistleblowers were in working with Boeing to update its safety procedures, she said they were certainly invited to participate in company-wide meetings that focused on safety, including recent “safety stand-downs” that gave employees across the company an opportunity to address their concerns to management directly. 

Family members of victims killed in the Boeing crashes asked a U.S. judge to name a corporate monitor to examine the company’s safety and corporate compliance procedures. 

Is it working?

Of course, by inviting members of the media, Boeing was always planning to highlight its progress toward safety. The steps it’s taking are in line with what Mann, the industry consultant, would recommend.

“A focus on quality creates the improved output and financial results that go with reduced traveled work, product rework, and the associated wasted effort, cost, time, and lost productivity,” Mann said. Traveled work refers to fuselages with defects moving down the production line that then require fixes out of phase with the regular workflow. 

The feedback of one of its employees on the tour underscored the fact that this time, Boeing may actually be succeeding in making changes.

David Prigg, one of the Boeing-appointed tour guides for the media group, has been with the company for 13 years and told a group of journalists that his father worked for Boeing as well. He said he’s been involved in mentoring new hires on the production line and has recently seen a subtle shift in the company’s culture.

Now, he said, factory employees, including his mentees, are more assertive about speaking up about safety concerns. They’re even more open to offering suggestions to help make their workflow more efficient.

“We’re very proud of what we do and we take (safety) seriously,” Prigg said. 

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .

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REI Recalls Co-op Cycles REV Children’s Bicycles with Training Wheels Due to Fall and Injury Hazards

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The training wheel assembly knob can loosen and detach from the bicycle, posing fall and injury hazards to the riders.

About 75,860

REI at 800-426-4840 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT on Saturday or Sunday, email or chat at rei.com/help , or online at  https://www.rei.com/help?a=REI-Co-op-Cycles-REV-Bikes---id--He33EfUtSkKpMKyK7ZX27A or  https://www.rei.com/help/product-safety-and-recalls.html and click on “Co-op Cycles REV 12-, 16-, or 20-inch Kid’s Bicycles with Training Wheels Recall” for more information.

Recall Details

This recall involves REI Co-op Cycles REV 12-, 16-, or 20-inch kid’s bicycles (all model years 2022-2024). Serial numbers included in the recall begin with "ET22," "ET23," "01VX" or "07VX." The serial number is printed underneath the bike frame on the bottom bracket or down tube.

If training wheels are being used, consumers should immediately stop using the recalled bicycle, and contact their local REI store to schedule a free repair that includes replacement training wheel attachments. If it is not possible to visit an REI store, contact REI for a free repair kit to be shipped. If the bicycle is being ridden without training wheels, customers can continue using the bicycle.

The firm has received four reports of the training wheels falling off. Injuries included reports of scrapes, bruising, and one involving broken arms.

Note: Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this topic. Please visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners to search for statements related to this or other topics.

Related Recalls

The brown handle strings contain levels of phthalates that exceed the federal phthalate ban. Phthalates are toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

The recalled sling carriers violate the safety requirements of the Safety Standard for Sling Carriers, including requirements for structural integrity and occupant retention, posing a fall hazard to babies. Additionally, the sling carriers pose a suffocation hazard because they fail to meet the federal safety standard’s requirements for restraint systems as the waist restraint can be used without the crotch restraint. Further, there are no warnings or instructional literature providing information to caregivers about keeping the baby’s face clear to prevent suffocation or safe positioning to prevent the baby from curling into a position with their chin resting on or near their chest. Sling carriers manufactured after January 30, 2018 are subject to the mandatory federal safety standard.

Infants can suffocate if they roll or move on the crib bumper in a position that obstructs breathing. Padded crib bumpers are banned under federal law.

The children’s nightgowns violate the flammability standards for children’s sleepwear, posing a risk of burn injuries to children.

The children’s robes violate the flammability standards for children’s sleepwear, posing a risk of burn injuries to children.

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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years.

Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.

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Regional risks

This section has safety advice for regions of the Republic of Congo. It only covers regions where FCDO has specific advice.  

You should also read FCDO ’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice .

Republic of Congo-Central African Republic border area in Likouala Region

FCDO advises against all travel within 50km of the Republic of Congo-Central African Republic ( CAR ) border in Likouala Region. 

There is a risk of violence, crime and insecurity in this area due to instability in CAR .

Some districts in Pool Region

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Pool Region districts of:

In the Pool Region there continue to be reports of:

• sporadic fighting between rebel groups and the military
• large numbers of displaced people
• crime and armed banditry

The authorities may stop you travelling at night. To travel by day, you may need a permit from the Congolese army and a military escort.

Mouyondzi District in Bouenza Region

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Mouyondzi District in Bouenza Region. There is a risk of violent crime including carjackings and targeted attacks.  

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Crime and Public Safety | Detectives identify fake cop wearing NYPD…

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Crime and public safety | detectives identify fake cop wearing nypd shield who pepper-sprayed tourist.

Dominic Ogrady, who also goes by the alias Domingo Diaz, sparked the bizarre incident at 6:35 p.m. June 23  at the Whitehall St.-South Ferry  station on the uptown R train platform.

Ogrady, 35, was at the station when he saw the family enter the station through an open exit gate without paying the fare, cops said.

Sporting a fake NYPD detective shield, he confronted one of the family members, a 46-year-old man, who blew him off.

“I’m a real cop conducting an operation,” Ogrady insisted, according to police. He then got on his phone and said he’s a cop making a “collar” — police jargon for an arrest — for theft of service, the charge that covers fare evasion.

When the father tried to walk away, Ogrady pepper-sprayed him in the back of the head. The victim took a taxi to Bellevue Hospital to be treated for burns and swelling on his face.

Police said Ogrady jumped on an uptown R train. Cops recovered surveillance footage of him leaving the 8th Street-NYU station after getting off the train.

On Thursday, the NYPD released pictures of the suspect — and his fake shield — and asked the public’s help identifying and tracking him down.

Investigators later identified the bogus cop as Ogrady. Under his alias Domingo Diaz, he served six years in prison after he was caught with a firearm in Harlem on Oct. 18, 2007 and was convicted of attempted weapons possession. He was released from prison in 2014.

His criminal record also has arrests for grand larceny and possession of a forged instrument, police said.

Cops are asking anyone with information about Ogrady’s whereabouts to call Crime Stoppers  at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.

More in Crime and Public Safety

Cops hunt creep who hurled racist insult at Asian man before bashing him with thermos

National News | 13-year-old armed with pellet gun shot dead by Utica police

Local News | NYPD officer Emilia Rennhack among 4 dead in Deer Park nail salon crash, driver charged with DWI

Crime and Public Safety | Woman, 31, killed by hit-and-run driver while crossing NYC highway: police

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Democratic Republic of the Congo Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

• Packing List

After Your Trip

Be aware of current health issues in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Learn how to protect yourself.

Level 2 Practice Enhanced Precautions

• Mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo June 10, 2024 There is an outbreak of mpox in 25 out of 26 provinces, including urban areas, in the DRC.
• Global Polio May 23, 2024 Some international destinations have circulating poliovirus. Before any international travel, make sure you are up to date on your polio vaccines. Destination List: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Guinea, Indonesia, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, including Zanzibar, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Level 1 Practice Usual Precautions

• Global Measles May 28, 2024 Many international destinations are reporting increased numbers of cases of measles. Destination List: Afghanistan, Angola, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Malaysia, Mauritania, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of South Sudan, Republic of the Congo, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Togo, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Zambia

⇧ Top

Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Active cholera transmission is  widespread  in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Cholera is rare in travelers.  Certain factors  may increase the risk of getting cholera or having severe disease ( more information ). Avoiding unsafe food and water and washing your hands can also help prevent cholera.

Vaccination may be considered for children and adults who are traveling to areas of active cholera transmission.

Cholera - CDC Yellow Book

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.

Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.

Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

CDC recommends that travelers going to the Democratic Republic of the Congo take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.

Find  country-specific information  about malaria.

Malaria - CDC Yellow Book

Considerations when choosing a drug for malaria prophylaxis (CDC Yellow Book)

Malaria information for the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

Meningitis (Meningococcal disease)

Recommended for travelers 2 months old or older traveling to  areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo  that are part of the meningitis belt during the dry season.

Meningococcal disease - CDC Yellow Book

Meningitis Belt Map

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo poliovirus has been identified in the past year.

Travelers to the Democratic Republic of the Congo are at increased risk of exposure to poliovirus.

Vaccine recommendations : Adults traveling to the Democratic Republic of the Congo who received a complete polio vaccination series as children may receive a single lifetime booster dose of inactivated polio vaccine; travelers who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated should receive a complete polio vaccination series before travel. Children who are not fully vaccinated will be considered for an  accelerated vaccination schedule .

Polio - CDC Yellow Book

Polio: For Travelers

Dogs infected with rabies are commonly found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

If rabies exposures occur while in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, rabies vaccines are typically not readily available.

Rabies pre-exposure vaccination considerations include whether travelers 1) will be performing occupational or recreational activities that increase risk for exposure to potentially rabid animals and 2) might have difficulty getting prompt access to safe post-exposure prophylaxis.

Please consult with a healthcare provider to determine whether you should receive pre-exposure vaccination before travel.

For more information, see country rabies status assessments .

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

Typhoid - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Typhoid

Yellow Fever

Required for all arriving travelers ≥9 months old

Recommended for all travelers ≥9 months old

Yellow Fever - CDC Yellow Book

• Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil
• Avoid floodwater

Clinical Guidance

Schistosomiasis

• Wading, swimming, bathing, or washing in contaminated freshwater streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, or untreated pools.

Avoid bug bites

African sleeping sickness (african trypanosomiasis).

• Tsetse fly bite 
• Avoid Bug Bites

African Trypanosomiasis

African Tick-Bite Fever

African Tick-bite fever

Chikungunya

• Mosquito bite

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever

• Tick bite 
• Touching the body fluids of a person or animal infected with CCHF
• Mosquito bite

Leishmaniasis

• Sand fly bite

Plague (Bubonic, Pneumonic, Septicemic)

• Contact with infected people (pneumonic) or animals
• Avoid sick animals and people

Avoid animals

• Touching infected animals (including bats and primates) or their body fluids
• Touching body fluids (blood or sweat) from an infected person
• Touching objects contaminated with the body fluids of a person infected with Ebola or Marburg virus
• Avoid sick people
• Avoid animals and areas where they live

Ebola virus

Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever

Marburg virus

• Scratched or bitten by an infected animal such as a rodent or primate
• Touching an infected animal or touching animal products, including skins and meat
• Being near an infected person who is coughing or sneezing
• Touching the body fluids or rash of a person with monkeypox
• Avoid animals and animal products
• Avoid people who are sick

Airborne & droplet

• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the Department of State Country Information Pages for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
• Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms.
• Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in the Democratic Republic of the Congo include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip.

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Do not swim in freshwater in developing areas or where sanitation is poor.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• To prevent infections, wear shoes on beaches where there may be animal waste.

Schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection that can be spread in fresh water, is found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Avoid swimming in fresh, unchlorinated water, such as lakes, ponds, or rivers.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

In some countries, medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) may be substandard or counterfeit. Bring the medicines you will need from the United States to avoid having to buy them at your destination.

Malaria is a risk in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Fill your malaria prescription before you leave and take enough with you for the entire length of your trip. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking the pills; some need to be started before you leave.

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Ride only in cars that have seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo may be poor.
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Medical Evacuation Insurance

If you are seriously injured, emergency care may not be available or may not meet US standards. Trauma care centers are uncommon outside urban areas. Having medical evacuation insurance can be helpful for these reasons.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for Democratic Republic of the Congo for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

If your doctor prescribed antimalarial medicine for your trip, keep taking the rest of your pills after you return home. If you stop taking your medicine too soon, you could still get sick.

Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill with a fever either while traveling in a malaria-risk area or after you return home (for up to 1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should tell the doctor about your travel history.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

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