Democratic Republic of Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo is a vast country of rainforests, rivers, and raw energy, rich in natural beauty and complex history. Kinshasa, the capital, buzzes with music, street life, and the powerful Congo River. Beyond the city, the country’s wild side takes over, Virunga National Park is home to mountain gorillas and active volcanoes, while the Congo Basin shelters endless rainforest and hidden villages. Life here is shaped by resilience, tradition, and rhythm, seen in everything from lively soukous music to bustling markets. Remote, challenging, and stunning, the DRC offers unmatched adventure for those who dare to explore.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is massive, chaotic, and raw, one of Africa’s most challenging, but also most rewarding, travel destinations. It’s a place of vast jungles, active volcanoes, thundering rivers, and rare wildlife. Most travelers who dare to come head to Virunga National Park to trek and see mountain gorillas or climb Mount Nyiragongo, an active volcano with a lava lake at its summit. Kinshasa, the capital, is a loud, sprawling city on the banks of the Congo River, full of music, energy, and hustle. But outside the few secure zones, the DRC remains unpredictable, and traveling here demands careful planning and flexibility.

The collapsed economy, high unemployment, non-payment of public service and military salaries has resulted in a high crime rate. Armed robbery and street crime are common, and don’t think you’ll be safe in a car; armed gangs are notorious for attacking drivers!

After Mobutu was removed from power by Kabila and his rebels, the country became very unstable and until this day, it is not exactly clear who rules which parts of the nation. But for those who like to travel on the rough side, it might be a ‘cool’ destination. The best accommodation facilities are represented in the bigger cities like Kinshasa and Lubumbashi, while outside of these areas – if you dare to venture - lodgings are pretty basic.

The DRC is expensive for travelers, logistics, permits, security, and the sheer difficulty of getting anywhere drive costs up. In Kinshasa and Goma, you can find mid-range hotels, a few luxury lodges around Virunga, and some basic guesthouses elsewhere. Meals are heavy on grilled fish, cassava leaves, plantains, fufu, and goat stew. Western food is limited to a handful of restaurants in big cities.

Getting around is tough. Roads outside cities are often impassable, and domestic flights are usually needed for any real distance. In cities, expect chaotic traffic and shared taxis. French is the official language, with dozens of local languages like Lingala, Swahili, and Tshiluba widely spoken. English is rare outside tourism operators. Safety is a real concern: while Virunga has its own security measures, other parts of the country can be unstable, with conflict and crime still serious issues.

Why Go to the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

• Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National Park: See critically endangered mountain gorillas in one of the oldest and most biodiverse parks in Africa.
• Climbing Mount Nyiragongo: Hike to the top of an active volcano and stare down into a seething lava lake, one of the most unforgettable sights on Earth.
• Epic River Journeys: Experience the massive Congo River, whether by boat, ferry, or simply soaking in its energy from Kinshasa’s shores.
• Raw, Wild Landscapes: Explore dense jungles, volcanic highlands, and savannahs almost untouched by tourism.
• Music and Nightlife in Kinshasa: Feel the pulse of Congolese rumba and dance culture in bars and clubs around the capital.
• Unique Wildlife Beyond Gorillas: Spot okapis, bonobos, and other rare species found nowhere else on Earth.
• Adventure Travel at Its Rawest: Visit one of the last frontiers for true overland, expedition-style travel in Africa.

Who Might Not Enjoy the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

• Safety-Conscious Travelers: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains unstable in many regions, with ongoing conflict, crime, and health risks (like Ebola outbreaks). Most governments strongly advise against travel to large parts of the country.

• Casual or First-Time Tourists: DRC is extremely challenging for travel. Infrastructure is poor, bureaucracy is heavy, and independent movement can be dangerous. Only highly experienced travelers should consider visiting.

• Luxury or Comfort-Oriented Visitors: Outside of Kinshasa and a few select lodges (such as in Virunga National Park), there are few comfortable accommodations. Amenities like electricity, reliable water, and consistent service are often lacking.

• Travelers Expecting Organized Tourism: Tourism infrastructure is almost nonexistent outside a few protected areas. Few tour operators exist, and arranging visits to natural parks or attractions requires serious planning and resources.

• Vegetarians or Vegans: Traditional Congolese cuisine centers heavily around meat, fish, and cassava. Vegetarian and vegan options are very limited and difficult to communicate in rural areas.

• Tourists Wanting Nightlife or Urban Entertainment: While Kinshasa has a lively local music and bar scene, entertainment options elsewhere are minimal. Outside the capital, nightlife is virtually nonexistent.

• Visitors Needing Healthcare or Connectivity: Healthcare facilities are extremely basic or unreliable outside major cities. Serious medical conditions often require immediate evacuation. Internet access is also slow and limited, especially outside urban centers.

• Travelers Without French Language Skills: French is the official language, and English is rarely spoken outside international hotels or expat circles. Communication can be very difficult without at least basic French.

• Those Sensitive to Harsh Environments: Roads are rough, climates are extreme (humid rainforest in the west, hot savannah in the south and east), and conditions can be physically challenging even for hardy travelers.

Highlights

• Lake Tanganyika: probably the globe’s third largest freshwater lake by volume.
• Kinshasa: a city of sharp contrasts, with commercial and affluent residential areas, sprawling slums and three universities coexisting side by side. The city represents a number of good hotels and used to be vibrant with discos and bars.
• Lubumbashi: the nation’s second largest city after Kinshasa. Attractions here feature a brewery, a zoo and a botanical garden.
• Congo River: Western Africa’s largest river. Congo River cruises are an adventurous option and the scenery will make you reach for your camera endlessly.
• Boyoma Falls: should you get sticky and sweaty due to the humid and hot weather, you can take a refreshing shower in our planet’s highest-volume waterfall.With 17,000,000 liters of water rushing by per second, don’t forget to bring shampoo!
• Livingstone Falls: another beautiful waterfall named after David Livingstone, despite the fact he never explored this part of Western Africa!
• Garamba National Park: one of the oldest African national parks, and since 1980, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Unfortunately, the Garamba park guards were not capable of stopping the poachery, and between 1993 and 1995, elephants and buffalos were killed, and in 1996, two of the few remaining white rhinos were shot. This resulted in the return of Garamba National Park to the World Heritage site Danger List.
• Okapi Wildlife Reserve: situated in the country’s northeast in the Ituri Forest, the reserve, which is a Word Heritage site, is home to a large population of okapis. In addition, the reserve houses many other endangered and interesting animals.

• Safaris: probably one of the activities that attracts the majority of adventurous travelers. The country is rich in natural beauty and there are several national parks where safaris are still relatively safe.
• Bird-watching trips: observe African Wood Owls, Great Blue Turacos, White-thighed Hornbill, Congo Peacock and other exotic birds in the rainforest.
• Congo River tours: a tour on this mighty river to Kisangani used to be a real adventure, but at present time, is not advisable unless you are a real daredevil.
• Kisanto Botanical Gardens: these stunning gardens in Kisanto are a must-see. The gardens houses a collection of enchanting trees from all over the globe that are older than a century, and which are ideal for swimming. Kisanto makes a welcome break for exhausted globe-trotters.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is without a doubt a high-risk travel destination. Travelers should be alert and cautious at all times, and avoid demonstrations and gatherings of crowds. Ongoing armed conflict between Congolese rebels and United Nations forces has displaced large populations in the east, and this part of the Democratic Republic of Congo should be avoided altogether, even by daredevils. The Ituri district is extremely hazardous according to the United Nations, so unless the high risk of rape or being killed amid a clash between armed militia, government troops and certain tribes sounds like a relaxing holiday environment, don’t go there. Kinshasa is most likely the safest place in the country, and as long as you remember to stand still when the national flag is being raised and lowered each morning and evening respectively, you should avoid harm’s path.