Democratic Republic of the Congo travel guide
The Democratic Republic of the Congo, often shortened to DR Congo or DRC, is the second-largest country in Africa, covering much of the Congo Basin rainforest as well as volcanoes and great lakes in the east. It is home to mountain and eastern lowland gorillas, bonobos and okapis, and Kinshasa is the heart of Congolese rumba. Tourism is limited and conditions vary greatly by region, so check your government's current travel advice before you plan a trip.
Places worth the trip
Virunga National Park
Africa's oldest national park, a UNESCO World Heritage site on the border with Rwanda and Uganda. When open to visitors, it offers tracking of mountain gorillas and overnight hikes up Nyiragongo volcano to look down on its lava lake. Access depends on current conditions, so check before planning.
Kahuzi-Biega National Park
Mountain rainforest near Bukavu and Lake Kivu, protecting eastern lowland gorillas, also called Grauer's gorillas, the largest gorilla subspecies. Habituated groups can be tracked with park rangers when the park is open to visitors.
Kinshasa
One of the largest cities in Africa, on the south bank of the Congo River opposite Brazzaville. Live music venues, the Académie des Beaux-Arts and its artists, busy markets and the riverfront show the city's creative energy.
Lola ya Bonobo
A sanctuary on the outskirts of Kinshasa that cares for orphaned bonobos, the great ape found only in the DR Congo, and returns some to the wild. Visitors can watch the bonobos in forest enclosures.
The Congo River
The river runs for thousands of kilometres through the rainforest and is a lifeline for trade and transport. Downstream from Kinshasa, rapids and gorges lead towards the Atlantic, and river barges still carry people and goods inland.
Lake Kivu
A deep, scenic lake on the Rwandan border, ringed by hills, with the towns of Goma and Bukavu on its shores. Boats cross between the two towns, and the lake's islands and bays are popular with residents.
Salonga National Park
The largest tropical rainforest reserve in Africa and a UNESCO World Heritage site in the central Congo Basin, protecting bonobos, forest elephants and the Congo peafowl. It is very remote and rarely visited.
Interesting facts about Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Bonobos, one of humans' two closest living relatives, are found in the wild only in the DR Congo.
- The okapi, a forest animal related to the giraffe, lives only in the DR Congo and is a national symbol.
- The Congo River is the deepest river in the world, with depths of more than 200 metres in places.
- Kinshasa is one of the largest French-speaking cities in the world.
- Congolese rumba, shared by the DR Congo and the Republic of the Congo, is listed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Best time to visit Democratic Republic of the Congo
Because the country straddles the equator, seasons differ from north to south. In Kinshasa and the south, the main dry season runs roughly from June to September, the most comfortable time to travel. In the east, around Goma and Bukavu, the drier months are roughly June to August and December to February, which are better for gorilla tracking and volcano hikes. Heavy rains elsewhere in the year can make roads impassable. Check park status and your government's travel advice before you book.
Getting around
The country is huge and its road network is limited, so domestic flights are the main way to travel between regions, for example between Kinshasa, Lubumbashi and Goma. River travel is possible but slow and unpredictable. Visits to national parks are usually arranged through the park authorities or specialist operators, who handle transport and permits. In Kinshasa, traffic is heavy; use drivers recommended by your hotel or organiser.
Practical details
- Capital
- Kinshasa
- Currency
- Congolese franc (CDF); US dollars are widely used
- Languages
- French, Lingala, Kikongo, Swahili and Tshiluba (national languages)
- Plug types
- C, D, E
- Voltage
- 220 V, 50 Hz
- Emergency
- In Kinshasa: 112 police, 118 fire. There is no general emergency medical number and services are unreliable elsewhere, so ask your hotel or organiser for medical contacts and keep your embassy's details to hand
- Driving side
- right
- Tipping
- Not formally expected, but tips for guides, rangers, porters and drivers are customary and appreciated.
Staying online in Democratic Republic of the Congo
Mobile coverage is available in Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, Goma and other cities, with 4G in parts of the larger cities, but speeds vary. In the rainforest, national parks and rural areas coverage is patchy or absent, and power can be intermittent. Wi-Fi is mostly limited to hotels, offices and some cafés in cities. Download offline maps and translation packs, carry a power bank, install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.
Democratic Republic of the Congo eSIM plans
1 GB
1GB eSIM Data for 3 Days for DR Congo, V2
无限流量
Unlimited eSIM Data for 1 Day for DR Congo, V2
无限流量
Unlimited Plus eSIM Data for 1 Day for DR Congo, V2
3 GB
3GB eSIM Data for 3 Days for DR Congo, V2
Useful apps
- Google Maps: Download offline maps of Kinshasa and other cities before arrival.
- Google Translate: Download French and Swahili for offline use; English is not widely spoken.
- WhatsApp: Widely used to contact hotels, drivers, guides and organisers.
- XE Currency: Convert between Congolese francs and US dollars, both of which are used in daily life.
Democratic Republic of the Congo travel FAQs
They are two separate countries. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, with its capital in Kinshasa, is the large country to the east and south. The Republic of the Congo, with its capital in Brazzaville, is its smaller western neighbour across the Congo River.
Mountain gorillas live in Virunga National Park and eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega. Whether visits are possible depends on current conditions, so check park status and your government's travel advice before planning.
In the main cities, yes, though speeds vary. In the rainforest and rural areas there is often no signal. A travel eSIM gives you data where networks reach while your home number stays active.
US dollars are widely used alongside Congolese francs, especially for larger payments. Bring clean, recent notes, as damaged or older notes may be refused. Card acceptance is limited.