Democratic Republic of the Congo
Africa's second-largest country is the only one where mountain gorillas, Grauer's gorillas and bonobos all live, alongside the volcanoes of Virunga, the continent's oldest national park. Kinshasa's rumba and art scene is among Africa's most inventive. Travel is difficult and expensive, arranged largely through the parks and specialist operators, and FCDO advice must be checked first.
Overview
The DRC is roughly the size of Western Europe, and few visitors see more than one corner of it. Tourism has long centred on the eastern borderlands next to Rwanda: Goma for Virunga's mountain gorillas and the overnight climb of Nyiragongo, Bukavu for Kahuzi-Biega's Grauer's gorillas, with Lake Kivu boats linking the two. The west is a separate trip — Kinshasa, the largest French-speaking city on Earth, its bonobo sanctuary and the cataracts of the lower Congo. Between lie rainforest, river towns such as Kisangani and the copper belt around Lubumbashi, reached mainly by air or slow river barge.
Travel here is slow and costly, and patience with paperwork, checkpoints and shifting schedules is essential. Park permits, guides, armed rangers and transfers are usually bundled by the parks themselves or by specialist operators, which explains the high daily cost. In return, encounters with great apes can be startlingly uncrowded, and Kinshasa's live rumba, street art and immaculately dressed sapeurs reveal a confident city few outsiders see. It suits experienced Africa travellers rather than first-timers; security in the east can change quickly, so anyone considering a trip should follow FCDO advice closely.
Map of Democratic Republic of the Congo
Top 5 highlights
- 1Wildlife
Virunga mountain gorillas
Founded in 1925, Virunga is Africa's oldest national park and protects about a third of the world's mountain gorillas; when the gorilla sector is open, habituated families are tracked from Bukima on the forested slopes of the Mikeno volcano.
- 2Adventure
Nyiragongo volcano
When treks are running, a steep climb of five to six hours from Kibati leads to simple huts on the rim of this 3,470-metre volcano, whose crater has held one of the world's largest lava lakes.
- 3Wildlife
Kahuzi-Biega National Park
West of Bukavu, this UNESCO-listed park is the best place to track Grauer's (eastern lowland) gorillas, the largest gorilla subspecies, through bamboo and montane forest below Mount Kahuzi and Mount Biega.
- 4Wildlife
Lola ya Bonobo
On Kinshasa's southern fringe, the world's only sanctuary for orphaned bonobos cares for survivors of the bushmeat trade; bonobos live only in the DRC, so this is often the one chance to see them.
- 5Culture
Wagenia Falls, Kisangani
On the last of the Boyoma Falls cataracts at Kisangani, Wagenia fishermen lash wooden tripods across the rapids to hang huge conical fish traps, a technique handed down for generations.
Biggest cities
Kinshasa
A sprawling capital facing Brazzaville across the Congo. Hear live rumba in Matonge, visit the National Museum and Lola ya Bonobo, and move around with trusted local contacts.
Mbuji-Mayi
The diamond capital of Kasai-Oriental, built around artisanal and industrial mining; it has almost no tourist infrastructure and is visited mainly by traders and aid workers.
Lubumbashi
The copper-belt capital of the south-east, with broad colonial-era avenues, a national museum and a well-kept zoo; mainly a business city close to the Zambian border.
The DRC has not held a national census since 1984, so city populations are estimates; sources disagree on whether Mbuji-Mayi or Lubumbashi is larger.
When to go to Democratic Republic of the Congo
Best time: Jun–Sep.
Average climate in Kinshasa
Festivals & events
- Feb, AprAmani Festival
Founded in Goma as a festival for peace, Amani brings Congolese and East African musicians together, traditionally each February; the 2026 edition moved to Lubumbashi in April, so confirm dates and venue.
- JunIndependence Day
On 30 June the country marks independence from Belgium in 1960 with parades, speeches and street parties, loudest in Kinshasa's boulevards and bars.
How much does Democratic Republic of the Congo cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Moambe chicken
The national dish: chicken stewed in moambe, a rich sauce of palm-nut pulp with garlic and chilli, served with rice or fufu and greens.
Pondu
Cassava leaves pounded and slow-cooked with palm oil, onion and sometimes smoked fish — the everyday green served alongside almost every meal.
Liboké
Fish such as capitaine or tilapia seasoned with chilli, tomato and onion, wrapped in leaves and cooked over charcoal until fragrant and tender.
Getting around
Roads between regions are few and often impassable in the rains, so travellers fly: Air Congo and CAA link Kinshasa with Lubumbashi, Kisangani and other cities, though schedules shift. Visitors to the east have historically entered overland from Rwanda at Gisenyi–Goma or Rusizi–Bukavu, travelling by operator 4x4 and by boat across Lake Kivu. Barges ply the Congo. In Kinshasa, use a driver arranged by your hotel.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- CDE220V — bring a UK-to-C/D/E adapter
- Emergency numbers
- If you have a medical emergency which requires an ambulance, contact a hospital to make this request. If you are in Kinshasa, you can contact the fire service on 118, and the police on 112.
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +243
- Time zones
- UTC+1, UTC+2 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Not safe — drink bottled or treated water
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Tips in US dollars are expected by rangers, trackers, porters, guides and drivers; in Kinshasa restaurants leave around 10% if service isn't included.
- Etiquette
- Never photograph soldiers, police, government buildings, bridges or airports. Greet people before getting down to business, use your right hand to give and receive, and dress smartly in Kinshasa, where appearance matters.
- Main airports
- N'djili International Airport (FIH), Kinshasa; Lubumbashi International Airport (FBM), Lubumbashi
Visas & entry for Democratic Republic of the Congo
Shown for a British passport.
Visa required — apply before you go
You must have a visa to visit DRC.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanusTyphoidYellow fever
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- ChikungunyaDengueHepatitis BMeaslesMeningococcal diseasePolioRabiesTuberculosis
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all travellers (usually over 9 months or 1 year old). There is a risk of yellow fever in parts of the country — vaccination may be advised.
- Malaria
- High risk of malaria
- There is a high risk of malaria in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: antimalarial tablets recommended.
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Democratic Republic of the Congo
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Mon 4 Jan 2027 | Martyrs' Day |
| Sat 16 Jan 2027 | National Hero Laurent Désiré Kabila Day · National Hero Patrice Emery Lumumba Day (observed) |
| Sun 17 Jan 2027 | National Hero Patrice Emery Lumumba Day |
| Tue 6 Apr 2027 | Day of the Struggle of Simon Kimbangu and African Consciousness |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Mon 17 May 2027 | Revolution and Armed Forces Day |
| Wed 30 Jun 2027 | Independence Day |
| Sat 31 Jul 2027 | Parents' Day (observed) |
| Sun 1 Aug 2027 | Parents' Day |
| Mon 2 Aug 2027 | Congolese Genocide Memorial Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in French
| English | French | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Bonjour | bon-ZHOOR |
| Thank you | Merci | mair-SEE |
| Please | S'il vous plaît | seel voo PLAY |
| Excuse me | Excusez-moi | ex-KOO-zay MWAH |
| How much is this? | C'est combien ? | say kom-BYAN |
Know before you go
- Bring crisp, recent-series US dollar notes in small denominations: torn, marked or older bills are routinely refused, and card payments are rare outside top Kinshasa hotels.
- A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required on arrival, and malaria is a year-round risk; carry the certificate with your passport and take antimalarials.
- Read the FCDO travel advice before booking, and arrange gorilla treks or volcano climbs only through the parks' official channels or established operators who monitor conditions closely.
Democratic Republic of the Congo travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Democratic Republic of the Congo?
The best time to visit Democratic Republic of the Congo is generally Jun–Sep. Peak months are June, July, August and September. Average highs in Kinshasa range from 27°C to 32°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Democratic Republic of the Congo cost per day?
Roughly £70 a day on a tight budget, £160 mid-range and £350+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Democratic Republic of the Congo?
Congolese franc (CDF).
What plug type does Democratic Republic of the Congo use?
Type C, D and E sockets at 220V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Democratic Republic of the Congo?
Traffic drives on the right in Democratic Republic of the Congo, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Democratic Republic of the Congo?
Not safe — drink bottled or treated water.
Do I need a visa for Democratic Republic of the Congo?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You must have a visa to visit DRC. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Democratic Republic of the Congo before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/democratic-republic-of-the-congo/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Democratic Republic of the Congo?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid and Yellow fever for most travellers, with Chikungunya, Dengue, Hepatitis B, Measles, Meningococcal disease and Polio sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
