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Middle Africa

CongoTravel guide

Explore Congo visa rules

The Republic of the Congo is in Central Africa. It is often called Congo-Brazzaville to distinguish it from the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its capital is Brazzaville, and its wilderness and wildlife are major attractions.

Why go

  1. Gorillas at Lesio Louna Gorilla Reserve.

  2. Colonial and post-colonial buildings in Brazzaville.

  3. The forests of Sangha Trinational.

  4. Fishing for Goliath tiger fish on the Congo River.

Getting there

By air

  • Maya-Maya Airport (BZV) in Brazzaville is the country's main airport.
  • The source lists flights from Paris and Casablanca.
  • The airport telephone number is +242 820-996.

By land

  • A paved road runs north from Brazzaville to Oyo. Beyond Oyo, roads are very rough and cannot be used in the rain.
  • Finding a rental car that you can drive yourself is very difficult.
  • The Congo-Ocean Railway connects Pointe-Noire and Brazzaville. The 502-kilometre journey is scheduled to take 16 hours.

By sea

  • River ferries run daily between Brazzaville and Kinshasa, roughly every two hours from 8AM to 3PM.
  • The passenger ferry costs US$15, and the VIP ferry costs US$30. The source recommends the VIP service because its boats are newer and less crowded.

Customs

  • Almost all visitors need a visa. The source lists visa on arrival for citizens of Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Togo and the United Arab Emirates.
  • Other applicants need a valid passport, two completed forms, two passport photographs, airline tickets and a travel plan. They also need an invitation letter, usually covered by a hotel reservation, and proof of yellow fever vaccination.
  • The source says embassies recommend applying about a month before travel, with processing usually taking 7–10 days. It lists a US$200 application fee at the Congolese embassy in the United States.

Getting around

  • Car

    Traffic drives on the right. The road north from Brazzaville is paved as far as Oyo. Beyond Oyo, roads become very rough and cannot be used in the rain. Cars available to rent without a driver are very hard to find.

  • Bus

    Océan du Nord and Trans Bony Voyages operate intercity services. Routes include Brazzaville–Pointe-Noire and connections to other major towns. BisoBus can help you find bus connections.

  • Train

    The Congo-Ocean Railway links Pointe-Noire and Brazzaville. The journey covers 502 kilometres. The scheduled journey time is 16 hours.

  • Taxi

    Taxi drivers in Brazzaville can take you to restaurants.

What to see and do

  • Odzala National Park

    A national park listed among the country's sights.

  • Lesio Louna Gorilla Reserve

    See gorillas.

  • Brazzaville architecture

    See buildings from colonial times and after independence.

  • Sangha Trinational

    A forest World Heritage Site shared with Cameroon and the Central African Republic. It lies in the Sangha and Likouala region.

  • Fish on the Congo River

    Fish for Goliath tiger fish; the source reports a largest catch of 56 kilograms.

  • Shop for local art

    The market near the Central African development bank has an artisan market and boutiques selling jewellery, masks, paintings and other artwork.

Food and drink

  • Osaka Restaurant, Pointe-Noire

    Chinese food with meals averaging US$12–18. It has air conditioning and a backup generator, and some staff speak English and French.

  • Restaurants in Brazzaville

    The source lists nicer restaurants at FCFA 5,000–15,000, and taxi drivers can take you to them. Most places close on Sundays.

  • Palm wine

    A local favourite in villages.

  • Beer

    Beer is popular in towns, with brands including N'Gok, Primus, Mütsig, Guinness and Turbo King. Prices range from FCFA 500 to 5,000 depending on the venue.

  • Wine

    SOVINCO red wine is imported from Gabon. A “brique” is a one-litre carton of imported wine, mostly from Spain.

  • Soft drinks and bottled water

    Fanta and Coke are available. Local and imported bottled water is sold in 1.5-litre plastic bottles.

Money

Central African CFA franc (XAF), also written FCFA

  • Business is conducted in cash.
  • US dollars are not widely accepted.
  • Small change is very hard to find.
  • Do not accept torn banknotes or notes repaired with tape.

Typical costs

  • Brazzaville–Kinshasa ferry: US$15 for the passenger service or US$30 for the VIP service.
  • A meal at Osaka Restaurant in Pointe-Noire: US$12–18 on average.
  • Nicer restaurants in Brazzaville: FCFA 5,000–15,000.
  • Beer: FCFA 500–5,000, depending on the neighbourhood and venue.

Language

  • French is the official language.
  • Kituba and Lingala are the main indigenous languages.
  • More than 60 languages are spoken in the country.

Staying safe

  • Some governments advise against all travel within 50 kilometres of the Central African Republic border because of armed groups and gangs. The source dates this warning to 30 September 2026.
  • Avoid hired speedboats between Brazzaville and Kinshasa. The source warns that they travel very fast near river rapids.
  • The source reports racial tension and discrimination, and advises white travellers to take care and keep to themselves.

Local customs

Do

  • Take care in personal interactions: the source reports racial tension and discrimination and advises white travellers to keep to themselves.

Staying healthy

  • The risk of malaria is very high without effective preventive medicine. Malaria can be very serious, so seek medical attention if symptoms appear.
  • Do not drink tap water.
  • Do not have unprotected sex because of the risk of AIDS, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
  • Medical care is limited throughout the country. Hospitals lack equipment, supplies, medicines and well-trained staff.

Phone and internet

  • The source lists mobile operators MTN, CelTel, also called Zain, and Warid.

Outdoor adventures in Congo

The Republic of the Congo has rainforest reserves, gorillas, forest elephants and an Atlantic coast. Outdoor highlights include wildlife watching, a river tour in Conkouati-Douli, Diosso Gorge and the beach at Pointe-Noire.

  • Odzala-Kokoua National Park

    WildlifeCuvette

    Transport and tour arrangements are not specified.

  • Léfini Faunal Reserve

    WildlifeCongolese Plateau

    The reserve borders Lesio-Louna to the north. Transport and tour arrangements are not specified.

  • Lesio Louna Gorilla Reserve

    Wildlife

    Transport and gorilla-viewing arrangements are not specified.

  • Conkouati-Douli National Park and Ngongo River

    WildlifeCoast and Mayombenear Pointe-Noire

    Drive north from Pointe-Noire, near the Gabonese border. The journey takes about five hours in the dry season. Ask your guide for a late Ngongo River tour with the boat engine switched off to watch for elephants and gorillas.

  • Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park

    WildlifeFar north

    The park borders the Central African Republic's Dzanga Sangha National Reserve. Transport and tour arrangements are not specified.

    • Some governments advise against all travel within 50 km of the Central African Republic border because of armed militias and gangs.

  • Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Sanctuary

    WildlifeCoast and Mayombenear Pointe-Noire

    A tour may be possible to arrange. Transport and booking details are not specified.

  • Côte Sauvage

    BeacheCoast and Mayombenear Pointe-Noire

    The beach is in Pointe-Noire. Local transport details are not specified.

    • Be careful of the surf.
    • Theft and safety at night are concerns.

  • Diosso Gorge lookout

    More to doCoast and Mayombenear Pointe-Noire

    Negotiate a taxi for the day from Pointe-Noire for the return trip north to the gorge. Local villagers control access to the lookout and ask for an entrance payment.

    • Cost: About FCFA 2,000 per person for access to the lookout; taxi fare is not specified.

  • Les Rapides in Djoué

    WildlifePoolnear Brazzaville

    The site is along the Congo River west of Brazzaville. Transport and viewing arrangements are not specified.

  • Mount Fouari National Reserve

    Wildlife

    Transport and wildlife-viewing arrangements are not specified.

  • Dimonika Biosphere Reserve

    More to do

    Transport and visitor arrangements are not specified.

  • Sangha Trinational forest

    More to doSangha and Likouala

    Visitor routes, transport and tour arrangements are not specified.

    • Some governments advise against all travel within 50 km of the Central African Republic border because of armed militias and gangs.

  • Goliath tiger fish fishing on the Congo River

    More to do

    Fishing takes place on the Congo River. Departure points, operators and equipment arrangements are not specified.

Airports, metros and trains in Congo

Airports with scheduled flights

  • PNRAntonio Agostinho-Neto International AirportPointe NoireMain international airport
  • BZVMaya-Maya International AirportBrazzavilleMain international airport

Trains

Rail network
795 km

People and safety in Congo

Religion

Most people are Christian. Mostly one faith.

  • Christian86%
  • No religion9%
  • Folk religions3%
  • Muslim2%
  • Other1%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal

  • Same-sex marriage is not recognised.
  • Some laws protect against discrimination.

Women travellers

Ranked #140 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.

45% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 15 of 198 countries can visit Congo easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required6
  • Visa on arrival9
  • eVisa8
  • Visa required175

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Africa14 of 53 countries
  • Asia1 of 50 countries
  • Europe0 of 46 countries
  • Americas0 of 35 countries
  • Oceania0 of 14 countries

Questions

Is this the same country as the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

No. The Republic of the Congo is often called Congo-Brazzaville, while its neighbour is called Congo-Kinshasa.

What language is spoken?

French is the official language. Kituba and Lingala are the main indigenous languages.

Can I pay in US dollars?

US dollars are not widely accepted. Business is conducted in cash using Central African CFA francs, and small change is scarce.

How can I travel between Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire?

Intercity buses and the Congo-Ocean Railway connect the two cities. The train journey is scheduled to take 16 hours.

Can I easily rent a car to drive myself?

No. The source says cars available to rent without a driver are very hard to find.

Where can I see gorillas?

Lesio Louna Gorilla Reserve is listed as a place to see gorillas.

Is tap water safe to drink?

No. The source says tap water is not drinkable.

Are there areas I should avoid?

The source reports that some governments advise against all travel within 50 kilometres of the Central African Republic border because of armed groups and gangs. This warning is dated 30 September 2026.

Are restaurants open on Sundays?

The source says most restaurants in Brazzaville close on Sundays.

What electricity supply does the country use?

The supply is 230 volts at 50 hertz. The source lists Europlug and Type E plugs.

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