DR Congo Travel Guide

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Entry requirements

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is not one of the easiest countries to enter, even for citizens of various African countries. The DRC has very few visa-free arrangements in place, and thus visas are required for almost everyone.

The local currency is the Congolese franc, sometimes abbreviated FC and sometimes just with a capital F placed after the amount (ISO international currency code: CDF). The currency is freely convertible (but impossible to get rid of outside the country).

With an area covering and inadequately developed infrastructure, the DR Congo can be a very tough country to get around in. DRC's roads are best described as tremendously underdeveloped. The country's entire road network is notorious for being difficult to drive on and poorly maintained, primarily due to the Congolese government's negligence. The DRC has few paved roads for its population and geography — neighbouring Zambia and Botswana have many more.

French is the lingua franca of the country and nearly everyone has a basic to moderate understanding of French. In Kinshasa and much of the Western DRC, nearly everyone is fluent in French with Kinshasa being the largest French-speaking city in the world, although locals may be heard speaking Lingala amongst themselves. Much of the eastern half speaks Swahili as a regional language. The other major regional languages in the country are Kikongo and Tshiluba, and the Congo also has a wide range of…

The DRC remains one of the most underdeveloped countries in Africa and a significant portion of it is not safe for any travel or sightseeing. In addition to active conflicts, the country has very limited health care and tourism facilities, even by African standards. Those visiting for business, research, or international aid purposes should consult with their organization and seek expert guidance before planning a trip. If visiting on your own, you should consult the advice of your embassy.

Excellent medical care is almost entirely non-existent in DRC, especially for non-citizens. There are occasional Ebola outbreaks in DRC. On 15 May 2026 the DRC Ministry of Health announced an outbreak of Ebola Bundibugyo in the North-Eastern Ituri Province The World Health Organisation (WHO) have declared this a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Some countries have heightened health screening for travellers from DRC. Check entry requirements for the country you’re travelling to or transiting. See also Infectious diseases#Ebola.

SIM cards and prepaid recharge for mobile phones are available in the street and at Kinshasa-N'djili airport, at a reasonable price.

As is the case in most African nations, it is customary to show respect to elders and authority figures. If a figure of authority asks you to do something, it is advisable to comply or at least show deference. Try not to do anything that would make an older person feel challenged. Don't use first names unless you've been told to do so. Use the terms Monsieur (for men) and Madame or Mademoiselle (for women) for people you don't know.