democratic-republic-of-the-congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo Travel Guide

Trek Zone
Bonjour
(bon-ZHOR • French)
Say hello
98°F
Friday
90°F
Saturday

Season Note

Are March and April good months to visit Democratic Republic of the Congo?

3

March

Shoulder
season

4

April

Semi-high
season

Visa Limitations

Visa requirements for citizens of United States visiting Democratic Republic of the Congo for tourism.

Visa obtained online (e-visa)

A visa is required, but can be obtained through the relevant website.

Daily budget (1 person)

How much will you spend on accommodation, local transport, sightseeing, meals?

Backpacker's budget
from 85 to 99 USD

Tourist's budget
from 140 USD

Did you know?

The population of Democratic Republic of the Congo is around 89.56 mil., which puts the country in 35. place in terms of population (out of 231 countries and dependent territories).

How far is it?

1. The site uses the Great Circle method of calculating distances between two points on the Earth
2. To change the cities for comparison, change Your Country in settings

The distance between Kinshasa (CD) and Washington D.C. (US) is 6530 miles

To calculate distance between your location and Kinshasa click here

Kinshasa
Kinshasa
Kananga
Kisangani
Lubumbashi
Mbuji-Mayi
Washington D.C.
Washington D.C.
Philadelphia
Houston
Chicago
Los Angeles
New York City
6530
mi

Country Comparison

Compare Democratic Republic of the Congo to any country in the world and see key differences between them side-by-side.

Democratic Republic of the CongoVSSelect country
Compare
Select country

TimeKinshasa
Timezone (2)

00:00

Safety

General travel safety level in Democratic Republic of the Congo on a scale of 1 (safe) to 4 (unsafe).

3

Level 3 • Reconsider your need to travel (plus additional regional warnings).

Update: 25 Mar 2024

Upcoming holidays

1 May 2024• Labour Day

17 May 2024• Liberation Day

Currency

Congolese Franc (CDF) - rate compared to selected currencies

1000 CDF
Rate
Inversion
EUR
0.3313
3018398
GBP
0.28318
3531265
USD
0.35778
2795000
Update: 28 Mar 2024

Get ready for your next trip

With just a few clicks you can find the best accommodation, airline tickets, or buy insurance that provides comprehensive protection for your next journey.

Cities and Top Tourist Attractions

From historical cities to picturesque landmarks and fascinating places - don't miss out on these attractions when planning a visit to Democratic Republic of the Congo

Map
Distance matrix
MilesKinshasaVirunga National ParkBukavuKisanganiGomaKanangaMatadiBunia
Kinshasa-10179447609795021641109
Virunga National Park1017-152304916191168145
Bukavu944152-328625031085297
Kisangani760304328-318483920356
Goma9799162318-5531124235
Kananga502619503483553-615747
Matadi164116810859201124615-1265
Bunia11091452973562357471265-

Best Ways to Experience Democratic Republic of the Congo

  • Cuisine
  • Animals

Practical Information for Travelers

  • Budget
  • Currency
  • Vaccinations
  • Visa
  • Electricity

Determine the expenses for your travel or vacation budget, as well as the expenditures associated with residing in another country

More

Backpacker's budget

Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel in a standard close to 1 star (hostels, public transport). When traveling alone, the cost may be slightly higher (hotel room) or the same (dormitory accommodation).

from 85 to 99 USD

Tourist's budget

Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel (they share the cost of a hotel room, taxis, etc.) to a standard close to 3 stars. Costs for a solo traveler will be higher.

from 140 USD

You can find out more about travel costs and prices in Democratic Republic of the Congo via the Prices link

Currency

More

Congolese Franc (CDF)

CDF
  • CDF
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • USD
CDF
  • CDF
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • USD
 = 
Exchange rates provided by Open Exchange Rates. Last update: 28 March 2024
Congolese FrancCongolese FrancCongolese FrancCongolese FrancCongolese FrancCongolese Franc

Vaccinations

More

All travelers

You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccinations may also be required in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Routine vaccines

Before each trip, it is worth making sure that we are up to date with the routine vaccinations. These include vaccinations against measles, mumps and rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, chickenpox, polio and flu.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Reduce your exposure to germs

Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is an acute viral disease which is transmitted by virus-infected mosquitoes.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Prevent bug bites
Vaccination requirements

Required for arriving travelers from all countries if traveler is ≥9 months of age.

Most travelers

Get travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases in the country you are visiting.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a digestive disease caused by the hepatitis A virus and is closely related to a lack of good hygiene.It can be asymptomatic, moderate, or very severe.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Eat and drink safely

Malaria

Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes.
Prevention
  • Take antimalarial meds
  • Prevent bug bites
Estimated relative risk of malaria in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Wysokie

Areas with malaria

All

Polio

Polio (Poliomyelitis), or Heine-Medina disease, is an acute infectious viral disease.The infection occurs mainly through the ingestion or inhalation.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Eat and drink safely
  • Reduce your exposure to germs

Typhoid

Typhoid fever is an acute, systemic infectious disease caused by Salmonella typhi.The source of the infection may include dirty water, raw fruits, vegetables, dairy products, as well as dirt containing bacteria.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Eat and drink safely

Some travelers

Vaccinations and medications that may be recommended under certain conditions, depending on where you will be, the length of your stay and the nature of your stay.

Cholera

Cholera is a disease of the digestive tract caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.The most common infection occurs through the ingestion, mainly through water contaminated with human faeces, and also through food (mainly fruit, seafood). Less often by contact with the sick person and their environment.
Prevention
  • Eat and drink safely
  • Reduce your exposure to germs

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a disease caused by the hepatitis B virus.Infection occurs through contact of injured skin or mucous membranes with virus-infected blood or other secretions (e.g. during sexual contact, through contaminated needles or as a result of medical procedures).
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Avoid sharing body fluids
  • Avoid non-sterile medical or cosmetic equipment

Rabies

Rabies is an acute infectious disease caused by neurotrophic viruses from the rhabdovirus family.The infection is most often caused by biting a sick animal or other contact of its saliva with mucous membranes, conjunctiva or damaged skin.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Keep away from animals
This section is for informational purposes and does not exhaust all issues related to vaccination. Based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

With or without a visa?

Visa requirements for citizens of

United States
  • United States
  • More

visiting flagDemocratic Republic of the Congo for tourism

Updated on 2 March 2023. Based on Visa requirements for United States citizens
Visa obtained online (e-visa)

A visa is required, but can be obtained through the relevant website.

  • Allowed stay: 7 days
  • International Certificate of Vaccination required.
  • Registration required.
  • Visas must be issued at the DR Congo embassy in Washington, D.C.

Electricity

220V (50 Hz)

In Democratic Republic of the Congo the standard voltage is 220V and the frequency is 50 Hz. Type C, D, E sockets are used.

Click on the socket icon to see more information
socket CType C
socket DType D
socket EType E

Facts and Figures

Fundamental socio-economic statistical data pertaining to the country

Population

35 / 231
Ranking
89 561 403
over 200 African ethnic groups of which the majority are Bantu

Area

36 / 232
Ranking
905.4 thous. mi²
It is approximately 25% of the territory of United States.

Life expectancy

34 / 221
Ranking
61.4
Life expectancy expressed in years.men 59.7women 63.3

Median age

35 / 222
Ranking
16.7
Average age of population expressed in years.men 16.5women 16.8

Population growth

34 / 224
Ranking
3.16%
The difference between live births and deaths. A negative value means natural loss.

Literacy

33 / 210
Ranking
77%
Ability to read, write and count.men 88.5%women 66.5%

GDP

31 / 194
Ranking
1 141 INT$
GDP per capita is gross domestic product converted to international dollars (Int$) using purchasing power parity rates and divided by total population.
Source: WDI World Bank & CIA World Factbook Country Comparison

Where to next? Discover country icon Rwanda, a country in the region worth visiting, or use the destination finder