Middle AfricaThe Democratic Republic of the Congo is a large Central African country with rainforests, wildlife, rivers and many cultures. Much of the country is unsafe because of conflict, crime and political instability, and medical care and tourist facilities are limited.
Why go
Vast rainforests, waterways and tropical landscapes.
Wildlife and volcanic peaks.
Art galleries and artists in Kinshasa.
Live soukouss music and dancing in Kinshasa.
Getting there
By air
- Kinshasa-N'djili is the main international airport.
- Air France and Brussels Airlines serve Kinshasa directly from Europe.
- African airlines connect Kinshasa with cities including Johannesburg, Nairobi, Addis Ababa and Casablanca.
By land
- There are no international passenger trains into the country.
- Trains reach Luao in Angola and Kitwe and Ndola in Zambia, where travellers can continue towards the border by other means.
- Most roads need a vehicle with four-wheel drive because they are rocky or muddy.
By sea
- River ferries connect Brazzaville and Kinshasa, with departures roughly every two hours between 08:00 and 15:00.
- The listed fares are US$15 for the passenger ferry and US$25 for the VIP ferry, known locally as Canot Rapide.
Customs
- A yellow fever vaccination card is mandatory.
- Health officials at major entry points, including Kinshasa airport, may check your yellow fever vaccination before allowing entry.
Getting around
Car
Roads are poorly maintained, and few are paved. Rain can make most long-distance road journeys almost impossible. Travel between cities can take several weeks. Driving within major cities such as Kinshasa is possible.
Plane
Flying is the only quick way to cover long distances across the country. Air travel has a poor safety record, although the source considers it a better option than travel overland or by boat. Compagnie Africaine d'Aviation and Air Kasaï operate domestic routes.
Train
Most trains and tracks are old, and services can be crowded and unreliable. Some lines may have two or three weeks between trains. Ask the stationmaster when the next train will leave and buy a ticket on departure day; advance booking is not available. Kinshasa–Matadi is described as the best-equipped route. Lubumbashi–Ilebo has trains with sleeping berths and a restaurant, with a full journey taking about two days. Confirm routes and departure times locally because reliable information is hard to find.
Bus
Long-distance operators include Bus Express Kinshasa, TRANSCO, RVA, VIP Congo and Trans-Academia. Coach tickets can be booked through Mboka Tickets.
What to see and do
Académie des Beaux-Arts
Its gallery is a place to see art and meet Congolese artists.
Henri Kalama Akulez's private studio
The source describes this abstract artist's studio as worth a visit.
Tropical landscapes
The country has rainforests, waterways and wildlife, although large areas are unsafe to visit.
Listen to live soukouss music
Bars and discos in Bandal and Matonge, both in Kinshasa, offer a chance to hear local music.
Go dancing
Kinshasa's bars and discos are places to enjoy the country's popular music on the dance floor.
Food and drink
Moambe
The national dish contains palm nuts, chicken, fish, peanuts, rice, cassava leaves, bananas and hot pepper sauce.
Soft drinks
Coke, Pepsi and Mirinda are widely available and described as safe to drink; soft drinks are called sucré locally.
Vitalo and ginger beer
Vitalo is a local drink, and traditional ginger beer is also common.
Local beer
Common rice-based beers include Primus, Skol and Castel, usually sold in 75 cl bottles.
Dark beer
Tembo and Doppel are local dark beers.
Palm wine
This rural drink is made from palm sap and starts fermenting after collection. Longer fermentation makes it stronger and more sour.
Money
Congolese franc (CDF), also written as FC or F.
- US dollar notes above US$2 are preferred to francs in many places.
- US coins and US$1 and US$2 notes are generally not accepted.
- Dollar notes must be crisp, have fewer than three folds and have been printed in 2003 or later.
- If you pay in US dollars, expect change in Congolese francs.
Typical costs
- Brazzaville–Kinshasa passenger ferry: US$15.
- Brazzaville–Kinshasa VIP ferry: US$25.
- Bunagana–Goma bus: US$5.
- A visit to Centre Medical de Kinshasa: around US$20.
- Pharmacy prices can be several times higher than in Europe.
Language
- French is widely understood and is the main shared language.
- Lingala is spoken in Kinshasa and much of the west.
- Swahili is a regional language across much of the east.
- Kikongo and Tshiluba are other major regional languages.
- Some people near the southwestern border with Angola speak Portuguese.
- Monsieur
- A respectful way to address a man you do not know.
- Madame / Mademoiselle
- Respectful forms of address for women you do not know.
- Sucré
- A soft drink.
Staying safe
- Much of the country is unsafe because of conflict, crime and political instability. Seek expert guidance through your organisation or consult your embassy before planning a trip.
- Avoid all travel to Kasaï Oriental, Haut-Uele, Haut Lomami, Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Maniema and Tanganyika. The source also warns against parts of Mai N’dombe and areas within 50 km of the Central African Republic and South Sudan borders.
- Travel north and east of Kisangani and Bumba is dangerous. The source describes the whole North and South Kivu region, including Goma and Bukavu, as unsafe.
- Avoid public gatherings, as some have turned violent.
Local customs
Do
- Show respect to older people and authority figures.
- Use Monsieur, Madame or Mademoiselle with people you do not know.
- Ask for clear permission before photographing anyone, especially women and children.
- Give motorcades a clear path.
- Stop walking or driving during the flag ceremony at dawn and dusk, around 06:00 and 18:00.
Don't
- Do not use someone's first name unless invited.
- Do not behave in a way that makes an older person feel challenged.
- Do not photograph motorcades.
- Avoid the highly sensitive topic of witchcraft; accusations are used to target vulnerable people.
Staying healthy
- Medical care is extremely limited, especially outside Kinshasa.
- The source reports an Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak announced in Ituri on 15 May 2026 and an international public health emergency declared by the World Health Organization.
- Some countries have increased health screening for travellers arriving from the country. Check requirements for your next destination and any transit countries.
- Carry your yellow fever vaccination card, which is required for entry and may be checked at the airport.
Phone and internet
- Mobile phone SIM cards and prepaid top-ups are sold on the street.
- SIM cards and top-ups are also available at Kinshasa-N'djili airport.
Where to stay
- Kinshasa has a growing number of hotels, with a smaller selection in Gombe and Ngaliema.
- Churches or monasteries in small towns may have beds.
- Some towns have old colonial hotels, but not all are safe.
- Check door locks and windows, as rooms outside the largest cities may have weak security.
Outdoor adventures in DR Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has rainforests, rivers, volcanic peaks and varied wildlife. Around Kinshasa, visitors can see bonobos, take a drive-through safari or arrange a boat trip to a Congo River sandbank. Much of the country is unsafe for travel, including North and South Kivu, and medical care outside Kinshasa is very limited.
Lola ya Bonobo sanctuary
WildlifeWestern DRCnear Kinshasa
Visit the sanctuary at Les Petites Chutes de la Lukaya, just outside Kinshasa.
- Use insect repellent and take precautions against malaria.
- Carry drinking water. Heat can cause heatstroke.
Parc de la Vallée de la N'Sele drive-through safari
SafariWestern DRCnear Kinshasa
Visit the park for its commercial drive-through wildlife safari.
- Carry drinking water and protect yourself against mosquitoes.
Congo River sandbank boat trip and barbecue
More to doWestern DRCnear Kinshasa
1 dayRent a boat with a driver from Yacht Club Kinshasa for a day on a Congo River sandbank.
- Cost: Around US$150 for a day's boat rental with a driver and barbecue equipment.
- Carry drinking water. Heat can cause heatstroke after just a few hours outside.
- Riverside areas are prone to malaria. Use insect repellent.
Kinshasa riverside walk or jog
More to doWestern DRCnear Kinshasa
Walk or jog along the river in front of the British and German embassies.
- Drink plenty of water while outside.
- Use insect repellent because riverside areas are prone to malaria.
Mbudi Nature riverside relaxation
More to doWestern DRCnear Kinshasa
Visit Mbudi Nature, a private park and relaxation area with views of the Congo River.
- Carry drinking water and use insect repellent.
Lubumbashi Zoological Garden
WildlifeKatanganear Lubumbashi
Visit the zoological garden on Boulevard Kamanyola in Lubumbashi.
- Medical care outside Kinshasa is very limited.
- Carry drinking water and take precautions against malaria.
Airports, metros and trains in DR Congo
Airports with scheduled flights
- FKIBangoka International AirportKisanganiMain international airport
- GOMGoma International AirportGomaMain international airport
- FBMLubumbashi International AirportLubumbashiMain international airport
- FIHNdjili International AirportKinshasaMain international airport
Trains
- Rail network
- 4,096 km
- Electrified
- 852 km
People and safety in DR Congo
Religion
Most people are Christian. Mostly one faith.
- Christian96%
- Muslim2%
- No religion2%
- Folk religions<1%
LGBT+ travellers
Legal
- Same-sex marriage is not recognised.
- Some laws protect against discrimination.
Women travellers
Ranked #175 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 8 of 198 countries can visit DR Congo easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.
- Visa not required7
- Visa on arrival1
- eVisa184
- Visa required6
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.
- Africa8 of 53 countries
- Asia0 of 50 countries
- Europe0 of 46 countries
- Americas0 of 35 countries
- Oceania0 of 14 countries
Questions
Is the Democratic Republic of the Congo safe for a first visit?
Much of the country is unsafe because of conflict, crime and political instability. Consult your embassy or seek expert guidance before planning a trip.
Which airport is the main arrival point?
Kinshasa-N'djili is the main international gateway.
Can I travel long distances by road?
Roads are poorly maintained, and rain can make long-distance journeys almost impossible. Travel between cities can take several weeks.
Can I buy a train ticket at the station?
Yes. Ask the stationmaster when the next train will run and buy your ticket on departure day; schedules are unreliable.
Should I bring US dollars?
US dollar notes above US$2 are widely preferred. Notes must be crisp, have fewer than three folds and have been printed in 2003 or later.
What language will help me communicate?
French is widely understood. Lingala is common in the west, while Swahili is widely spoken in the east.
Can I drink tap water?
No. Use bottled water and drink plenty in the heat.
What local food can I try?
Moambe is the national dish, made with palm nuts, chicken, fish, peanuts, rice, cassava leaves, bananas and hot pepper sauce.
Can I photograph local people?
Ask for clear permission first, especially before photographing women or children. Do not photograph motorcades.
Where can I get a mobile phone SIM card?
SIM cards and prepaid top-ups are sold on the street and at Kinshasa-N'djili airport.
Reviewed by @snuck