THINGS TO CONSIDER

What is the best time to travel to DR Congo?

The May to September dry season is the best time to travel to DRC, although this is a rainforest country so you should always be well prepared. The Congo experiences an equatorial climate which means that the humidity levels are high all year round, with temperatures averaging around 23-26°C and more than 30°C in Kinshasa. 

Is travel insurance needed while visiting DR Congo?

Congo Local Guides advises that all travelers are covered by personal travel insurance. This must fully cover medical assistance and repatriation in case you might become too sick to continue the trip. Please note, however, that we have no control over the availability or quality of medical and repatriation services and facilities in the areas we will be visiting. Please remember that many of the areas we visit are not as developed as your home country and the availability and quality of such services may be lower.

Is visa required for DR Congo?

Yes, and each traveler is responsible for obtaining his/her visas to the DRC diplomatic mission of the country of residence or the nearest. Congo Local Guides will help getting invitation and any other required document to facilitate the process. Visa fees vary from one embassy to another, and you should expect it from 100 to 150 Euro.

It’s possible to apply for a visa on arrival for those visiting Virunga and Kahuzi Biega National Parks and cost 100 USD. Further, the DR Congo have E-visa option for ONLY citizen from or people residing in a country where DRC does not have a diplomatic mission [ex. Australia, etc.]. It’s possible to apply to through E-visa or directly with Congo Local Guides that will arrange it directly from the Direction General de Migration [DGM] in Kinshasa. However, there is no guarantee on how the e-visa works and applying from DRC can end up costing 400 USD for 7 days renewable for 183 USD [30 days more days].

How expensive are trip to DR Congo and how to pay?

Congo is a destination of all type of budget if you match the chosen itinerary and available time allocated to the trip. In other words, using public transport may save money but requires enough time. While in case there’s not much time to stay in DR Congo, having a private transport is key element and require a consequent budget based on group size from 100 USD [4-5 seats Toyota Alphard type] to 300 USD [18-22 Seat Coaster Bus] daily.

Accommodation average 3 stars standards go from 60 USD and up while 5 stars reaches 300 USD per night. Generally, a budget between 20 USD and 40 USD can cover daily meals and drinks based on your preferences. Though in DR Congo we use Congolese Francs, we advise you to bring American dollars or Euros [notes of 500 Euro not accepted]. It is much appreciated to pay attention to the series of USD you bring in, as older than 2013 won’t be accepted [and this changes year to year]. Be EUR or USD, all the notes should look new without scratches, otherwise, they will not be accepted.

It is convenient to bring a bank card to withdraw cash in big cities, but we cannot guarantee that they will work or that they will be accepted. Another good way to get cash during the trip is through the Western Union. We recommend that the person who is going to send the money should make an account beforehand and register the bank card at least 24 hours in advance. Any family member or you can send money at a low cost to almost any medium-sized town or city.

What Does Congo Local Guides offer include?

Generally, Congo Local Guides offer includes pick up and drop off, accommodation/camping, food [for long tours and for short tours on request], transport [land, river, local flights], international flights on request, invitation, visit/entrance/ceremony organization fees, photography authorization where required, all taxes, service fees, any other legal document in line with the trip.

What are the plug outlets and voltage in DR Congo?

For DR Congo there are three associated plug types, types C, D and E. Democratic Republic of Congo operates on a 220V supply voltage and 50Hz.  However, you may occasionally need adapter plugs, so we recommend bringing a universal plug. There are also regular power outages, so make sure to charge everything as soon as there is power in your hotel.

Is there any health/vaccine restriction?

Only Yellow fever vaccine is required. However, Congo Local Guides not qualified to give advice on health. We advise you to visit your hospital or doctor specialized in tropical diseases, so that they can advise you on treatments and vaccines.

Is it allowed to take pictures in DR Congo?

Yes, the picture can be taken as a souvenir. However, Congo Local Guides kindly advise are kindly requested to avoid taking randomly pictures in the street, mainly in big cities without permission. Furthermore, it’s illegal to photograph military installations, public administration institutions offices, ports, and all places considered as strategic by the government. The Guide will tell you the appropriate time and place all the time.

Is it safe to visit the DR Congo?

Yes and No. For now, ten years’ experience guiding travelers, we know the country inside and out. As travelers ‘safety is our priority, every single tour organized is made to place we feel comfortable and where we feel safe day as nighttime. In case of an unlikely change, we will change our routing according to preserve the safety of the traveler/group. 

It’s crucial to keep a low profile during all your stay in DR Congo. Do never:

• hand your passport to any official, be immigration, police, or military. Only the Guide will oversee collecting them and follow up.
• Discuss politics
• Be dressed in camouflage or carry a camouflage travel materials/equipment as they’re considered as military signs.
• Discuss the itinerary with whoever or provide your hotel address to people not travelling with us.
• Move around alone without the Guide accompaniment or advice.

What bout DR Congo alimentation: foods and drinks?

The food of the DR Congo varies widely being representative of the indigenous people and the staple foods tend to be cassava, rice, fufu plantain and potatoes which are eaten with other side dishes. The national dish of the DR Congo is Moambe Chicken, a chicken cooked with peanut sauce.

The Congolese cuisine has influences of French techniques (confit and braising of meat, for instance) and Belgian cooking but is solidly based in Central and Western African cuisine. Subsistence farming is the method of farming followed in the DR Congo, and the most cultivated crops are cassava, sweet potatoes, taro, yam, plantains, okra, tomatoes, beans, and ground nuts. Cassava is a staple, the tuber is harvested, pounded and made into fufu which is an accompaniment to almost every meal. The cassava leaves, a hardy green, is added to stews or sautéed and eaten with fufu.

Chicken and goat meat are the main source of animal protein, but given that they cost more, they are often reserved for special occasions or to share with guests. Fish from the Congo are fried or steamed in banana leaves. While vegetarians experience may be challenging, the Guide will always assist in fitting your choice though it will not be easy in some circumstances.

Alcohol, mainly beers, and soft drinks are available almost everywhere.