Travel advisory · Democratic Republic of CongoGovernments advise against all travel to Democratic Republic of Congo.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Bas-Uélé · avoid all travel · Germany, Spain, Italy
- Haut-Lomami · avoid all travel · Germany, Spain, Italy, UK
- Haut-Uélé · avoid all travel · Germany, Spain, Italy, UK
- Ituri · avoid all travel · Germany, Spain, Italy, UK
- Kwamouth territory (Mai-Ndombe) · avoid all travel · France, UK
- Kwango · avoid all travel · France, Italy
- Maniema · avoid all travel · Germany, Italy, UK
- North Kivu · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, UK
- South Kivu · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, UK
- Tanganyika · avoid all travel · Germany, Spain, France, Italy, UK
- Tshopo · avoid all travel · Germany, Spain, Italy
- 50 km strip along the Central African Republic border · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, UK
- Kasai · avoid non-essential travel · France, Italy
- Mai-Ndombe province · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France
- Northern Haut-Katanga (Upemba National Park) · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, Italy, UK
Also named by one government: Garamba National Park (France), Kahuzi-Biega National Park (France), Kwilu province (France), Mongala (Germany), North Ubangi (Germany), South Ubangi (Germany), Virunga National Park (France), Bangoka International Airport, Kisangani (UK), Burundi border (New Zealand), Kasai-Central (France), Kasai-Oriental (France), Kinshasa (Germany), Kinshasa, Maluku area (Italy), Kwilu (Kwamouth–Bandundu zone) (Spain), Lomami (Italy), N'djili and Kimbanseke districts, Kinshasa (UK), N1 road, Kinshasa Province (UK), Rwanda border (New Zealand), Uganda border (New Zealand)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Level 4: Do Not Travel | Jul 15, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Avoid all travel (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Non-essential travel to the rest of the country, including Kinshasa, is advised against | Oct 16, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Do not travel due to unstable security, armed conflict, terrorism and violent crime | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Voyages touristiques déconseillés sur l'ensemble du territoire | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Democratic Republic of Congo
A large Central African country where the Congo River, the rainforest and wild bonobos set the pace of any trip.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a large country in Central Africa and the second-largest in Africa by area, after Algeria. It straddles the Equator. Its capital, Kinshasa, sits on the Congo River directly across the water from Brazzaville, the capital of the neighboring Republic of the Congo. Kinshasa is the largest city and the economic center, and most trips start there. Do not confuse the two countries when you book flights or visas.
Travelers come for the Congo rainforest, the second-largest in the world after the Amazon, and for wildlife such as bonobos, which live in the wild only here. Mountain gorillas live in the east, where the glaciated Rwenzori Mountains and volcanoes such as Nyiragongo near Goma add to the scenery. Large parts of the east are unsafe and should be avoided. Travel is slow outside the capital, so a trip suits people who choose one region rather than several. Rainfall is high in many places, so check the season for each area you plan to visit, and confirm entry requirements with the embassy before you book.
Five things to know before Democratic Republic of Congo
- Read the advice for the east before anything else
The UK advises against all travel to North and South Kivu, Ituri, Haut-Uélé, Maniema, Tanganyika and Haut-Lomami, which covers Virunga and Goma. UK travel advice
- Apply for a visa weeks before travel
UK passport holders need a visa arranged before travel through a DRC embassy, and the UK advises allowing two to three weeks. Check the rule for other passports with a DRC embassy. Visas and entry
- Carry your yellow fever certificate
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter the DRC. Carry the original certificate with your passport.
- Leave GPS units and military-style clothing at home
Travelers carrying satellite phones, GPS receivers or military clothing can have problems at entry. Never photograph soldiers, police or government buildings.
- Keep $55 for the departure tax
International departures carry a $55 tax and domestic flights $10, paid at check-in. Keep the cash ready before you reach the airport.
Democratic Republic of Congo travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
Embassy visas, yellow fever proof and the departure tax.
Read the guideTravel insuranceCheck exclusions for the provinces under travel advisories.
Read the guidePhones and eSIMMobile data in Kinshasa and other cities.
Read the guideMoney and cardsDollars, francs and why clean notes matter.
Read the guideTop places to visit in Democratic Republic of Congo
See all attractions in Democratic Republic of Congo
Destinations in Democratic Republic of Congo
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryRain19 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°Hot, rainyJanuaryRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 166 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, rainy
- FebruaryRain18 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°Hot, rainyFebruaryRain
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 187 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, rainy
- MarchRain19 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°RainyMarchRain
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 206 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- AprilRain21 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°WettestAprilRain
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 215 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest
- MayRain15 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°Rains easeMayRain
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 102 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains ease
- JuneClear2 rainy daysHigh31°Low21°Dry, coolerJuneClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 6 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, cooler
- JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh31°Low20°Dry, coolJulyClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 3 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, cool
- AugustClear4 rainy daysHigh32°Low21°Dry, hazyAugustClear
Best
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 19 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hazy
- SeptemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh32°Low23°Rains startSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 48 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains start
- OctoberRain21 rainy daysHigh31°Low22°RainyOctoberRain
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 187 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- NovemberRain25 rainy daysHigh29°Low22°WettestNovemberRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 306 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest
- DecemberRain24 rainy daysHigh29°Low22°RainyDecemberRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 223 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
Average daily high and low in Kinshasa, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Democratic Republic of Congo
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
22
- Feels like
- 25°
- Humidity
- 99%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 21%
Democratic Republic of Congo
11:05 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today32°22°21%Monday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 21%.
- Tue36°20°44%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 36°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 44%.
- Wed36°23°41%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 36°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 41%.
- Thu32°22°65%Thursday: Rain. High 32°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 65%.
- Fri31°22°61%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 61%.
- Sat31°21°49%Saturday: Rain. High 31°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 49%.
- Sun30°21°69%Sunday: Rain. High 30°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 69%.
Updated 09:58 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 2,314 CDF
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Democratic Republic of Congo
Democratic Republic of Congo FAQ
Do I need a visa for the Democratic Republic of Congo?
Yes. UK passport holders arrange it through a DRC embassy before travel and should allow two to three weeks. You also need a yellow fever certificate.
Can I visit Virunga National Park?
Virunga is in North Kivu, where the UK advises against all travel. Check the current advice; mountain gorillas can also be seen in Rwanda and Uganda.
Is Kinshasa safe to visit?
Most of Kinshasa is not under an all-travel warning, but the UK advises against all but essential travel to some districts east of the city. Read the advice and use a trusted driver.
What money should I bring to the DRC?
US dollars in clean, recent notes, which are used for larger payments. Congolese francs cover small purchases.
What time zone is the DRC in?
Two: Kinshasa and the west are on UTC+1, and Lubumbashi and the east on UTC+2. There is no daylight saving.