Republic of Congo Visa

The country has extensive rainforests with gushing rivers. You can also experience active volcanoes if you are lucky. The country has faced some of the worst episodes of political unrest in the 20th Century. There are high alerts in many areas due to chances of civil unrest. The Kabila political dynasty has brought some stability to the region, but tourism is still catching up.

The best time to visit the country is between May and December. With the main seasons being the tropical wet season and the long dry season, it is better to avoid the wet weather in the place. Natural tourism spots, such as the Odzala National Park, are best explored in the drier months.

There are quite a few flights which operate to the DRC from India. Turkish Airlines, Kenya Airways, and Ethiopian Airlines are some of the preferred options to reach DRC. Kinshasa is the main airport for all flights originating from India. Even though roads connect the main cities, some are less travelled than others. Do consult a local guide or the immigration office to get updates on the safety of road travel. It is also favourable to get a local guide while travelling.

What to see in Congo

Most tourists visit Congo for its abundant natural beauty and national parks. The main cities in the country are Kinshasa and Brazzaville- these are also the most frequented tourist stops. In Kinshasa, stop by the Musee National de Kinshasa, Cathedrale Notre-Dame Du Congo, Ma Vallee and the Serpents du Congo. The TexafBilembo, Academie des Beaux-Arts and Lola ya Bonobo are also worth visiting. The live volcano at Mount Nyiragongo in Goma is also a must-add to your itinerary.

The DRC is home to five national parks, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These are the Virunga National Park, Garamba National Park, Salonga National Park, Kahuzi-Biega National Park, and Okapi Wildlife Reserve. In recent times, tourist visas have been issued solely to visit the famous Virunga National Park.

The famous Congo River, Lake Kivu, Lomako-Yokolala Faunal Reserve, Mount Stanley, and Zongo Falls are also some of the major attractions in the country. All of these are great destinations for trekking, hiking and other adventure activities.

You can shop for many local arts and craft products as souvenirs from DRC. Bracelets, hand-woven baskets, ebony carvings, Katanga hand-paintings, and Kuba wrap make for great gift options for your friends and family.

The DRC also offers many food options as the local cuisine. Moambe, made of cassava leaves, chicken, rice, fish, bananas, peanuts, and palm nuts, is the national dish of the country. Other must-try local delicacies are Nguluyakotumba (grilled goat/pork) and Moinmoin (black peas paste with onions and hot peppers) among others.

Palm wine and lunguila, made from sugarcane, are some of the popular local drinks in the DRC.