Why Visit this destination?
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO also known as Congo-Kinshasha, DR Congo, the DRC or simply the Congo and formerly Zaire. This is a country in central Africa the second largest in all of Africa with a population of 105 million. The DRC has a number of unique tourist opportunities, including wildlife reserve, indigenous cultures and geological wonders not found anywhere else in Africa. The country has 7 National parks and 57 reserve areas with great ecotourism potential. Many existing tourist facilities are in poor condition because of lack of proper maintenance. The DRC has 4 endemic species including Mountain Gorillas, Bonobos, Okapi and the Congolese peacock. It is only in Congo where tourists can track both mountain and grauers gorillas eastern lowland gorillas. Other activities include active volcanoes Nyiragongo, waterfalls and endless rivers, cultural experiences with tribes like the MbutiPygmies who still live like they used to over 10,000 years ago.
The country experiences large amounts of precipitation and has the highest frequency of thunderstorms in the world. The annual rainfall can total upwards of 2,032 mm in some places and the area sustains the second largest rain forest in the world after that of Amazon, the Congo offers the greatest river journey in the world. River cruises are now possible and trekking and safaris in the jungle are supported by the first lodges and hotels
Visa conditions
You’ll need a visa before you enter the DRC. You can’t get one on arrival.
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. You can contact the nearest embassy or consulate for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.
Money
The local currency is the Congolese Franc (CDF).
Declare local and foreign currency in excess of USD10,000 on arrival and departure. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.
US dollars are widely accepted. Counterfeit currency is common. Check USD banknotes before accepting them.
Change currency at licensed commercial banks and exchange bureaus. Money transfer agencies operate in major towns.
Traveller’s cheques aren’t accepted. Some major hotels accept credit cards.
ATMs are available in Kinshasa and major centres. It may be difficult to withdraw cash from international accounts, even at major hotels.
Check that your cards will work in the DRC before you travel.
Yellow Fever Vaccination
You’ll need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter DRC. Some airlines may want to see one when you leave.
DESTINATION
The Top Highlights
Top places you must visit in South Sudan include the following;
- The Congo River second most extensive river system in the world deepest river with an overall volume that is only second to the Amazon. The river is home to over 713 species of fish, crocodiles, hippos, birds.
- Congolese food varies widely representing the food of indigenous people cassava, fufu, rice, plantain and potatoes are generally the staple foods eaten with other side dishes
- Virunga National Park Africa’s most bio diverse protected area home to over 1000 species of mammal, birds, reptile and amphibian as well as the worlds endangered mountain gorillas. Despite being a UNESCO world heritage site it is constantly threatened by war, poaching and illegal activities as well as unpreventable natural disasters
- Mount Nyiragongo is an active composite volcano with an elevation of 3,470m in the Virunga Mountains associated with the Albertine rift. Its 12km north of the town of Goma and Lake Kivu and just west of the border with Rwanda
- Senkwekwe named after a giant silverback killed by poachers as he attempted to protect his family and recover an infant captured by animal traffickers. This is a gorilla orphanage the world’s only facility for orphaned mountain gorillas. The gorillas who were each separated from their family due to the impact of poaching. This Centre is a unique sanctuary offering the gorillas the chance to lead happy and secure lives in their forested enclosure. The sanctuary also rehabilitates eastern lowland gorilla orphans for a while before relocating them.
- Okapi wildlife reserve a UNESCO world heritage site it contains threatened species of priates and birds and about 5,000 of the estimated 30,000 okapi surviving in the wild, has some scenery like the waterfalls on the Ituri and Epulu rivers. The reserve is inhabited by traditional nomadic pygmy Mbuti and Efe hunters