Is Congo Safe

Yes, the Republic of the Congo in which we operate (also known as Congo-Brazzaville), is very safe with nominal incidents of petty crime and very seldom-heard issues of a violent nature. It must not be confused with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) which is on the other side of the Congo River, and not a country in which we currently operate.

The Republic of the Congo, also known as Congo-Brazzaville, is in Central Africa and must be distinguished from its large and notorious eastern neighbor, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, also known as Congo-Kinshasa. The Republic of the Congo is bordered by Gabon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Angola.

Its sparse population lives more in the southwestern part of the country, while the tropical rainforest areas more north is almost uninhabited. Thus, 85% of the total population lives in either Brazzaville or Pointe-Noire, or in the small villages next to the 534 km railway between the two cities.

Only the Congo River separates the capital Brazzaville from Kinshasa, the capital of the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Pointe Noire is a port city on the coast and like Brazzaville, not the normal touristy destination with monuments or other sights but maybe an interesting destination for those looking for a real adventure.

General Safety Tips For The Republic Of The Congo

  1. Photography of public buildings and military facilities is prohibited and may result in detention. Never take any pictures if you are in doubt about whether it would be permitted.
  2. Travelers in the Republic of the Congo should have a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place that includes provisions for medical evacuation by air.
  3. Avoid displaying signs of affluence and avoid traveling alone after dark.
  4. Ensure that all personal belongings, including passports and other travel documents, are always securely stowed away.
  5. Local police resources are limited and response times to emergency calls are usually slow and help in cases of robbery is very limited.
  6. Monitor local media for any information on demonstrations, areas of crime, and possible unrest. Avoid traveling by bus because of overcrowding, poor vehicle maintenance, and potential onboard theft.
  7. Don’t be dependent on electricity, since power outages may occur frequently.
  8. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe, and offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.
  9. Arts and crafts are subject to an export tax and it is illegal to export items of historical significance, such as wood pieces, sculptures, and paintings.

Vaccinations Needed For The Republic Of The Congo

Before visiting the Republic of the Congo, consider getting vaccinated against some diseases and be very assertive as to prevent food and water-borne diseases.

It is mandatory for visitors to have a yellow fever vaccination certificate once they arrive in the country.  You can be asked to show this certificate at any given time while traveling around the country, so it is a good idea to keep a certified copy with you at all times.

Other recommended vaccinations include that against typhoid and hepatitis A, as well as routine vaccinations such as against polio, diphtheria, and tetanus.

Certain insects carry and spread diseases like African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, dengue fever, leishmaniasis, lymphatic filariasis, malaria, onchocerciasis, Rift Valley fever, West Nile virus and yellow fever.

Note On Coronavirus

Since the beginning of 2020 visitors to any country should be aware of and help to avoid the spreading of the coronavirus. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses found in both animals and humans. Some infect people and are known to cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

Enjoy a safe holiday in the Republic of the Congo with a reputable tour operator. Saso Uganda Safaris is a leading tour operator in Africa that offers an outstanding selection of tours to the Republic of the Congo. We have a close association with the most reputable tour operators in the Republic of the Congo that make safety a priority.

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Thinking Of African Safari Tour?

TOP DR CONGO SAFARI FAQS

Before entering Uganda, Rwanda, or DR Congo, you need to obtain a visa. In the case of Uganda, tourist visas can be bought in advance via the embassy or consulate in your country or can be purchased at the airport upon arrival. Passport photos are not required. A single-entry tourist visa costs the US $100 per person for a stay of up to 90 days. For Rwanda, a visa can be gotten in advance through the embassy or consulate in your country.

In Uganda and Rwanda, ATM cards and credit cards can be mostly used without any hassle. While Visa credit cards are by far the most convenient way to withdraw cash, MasterCards can be used at Barclay’s Bank, for example. Outside of Kampala and Kigali, ATM machines are scarce. Upcountry, ATMs can be found in larger towns. Your Instinct Safaris guide is further advised to temporarily help cover expenses in Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo in case you cannot withdraw cash at a given moment. We do not recommend trying to obtain cash in DR Congo at this time. Instead, we recommend bringing cash (either Uganda Shillings, Rwandan Francs, or US Dollars). Travelers cheques are not recommended in the countries we serve.

The topography of Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo covers a wide panel of terrains. Along with this array of landscapes comes a range of climates specific to these regions. All three countries are situated at a relatively high altitude compared to other east African countries. When going on safari with us, it can therefore be important to plan ahead and to know just when to encounter the best trekking and wildlife viewing conditions. While mountain gorilla tracking is recommended throughout the year and rain can come down on any day, our recommendations for the best travel times only apply to wildlife viewing and safari on the flatter plains in Uganda and Rwanda.

As mentioned before, Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo encompass a wide range of geographical features and a number of different climates. In any case, make sure to bring durable walking shoes or boots, sun glasses, and sun screen. Do not forget to pack insect repellent to fight off mosquitoes in the evenings, rain gear, and your camera. As far as clothing goes, go for comfortable boots, preferably two pairs. Shorts and long trousers and regular T-shirts or buttoned shirts are a good choice. Especially around Bwindi National Park and the Virunga volcanoes, mornings and evenings can be rather cold (down to 5 °C). Please make sure to bring appropriate clothing.

The Best Time To Visit Kenya Safari is considered to be from July to September, as it is the dry season in the country and also corresponds to the popular Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra that you will witness on your Kenya Safari Tours. Apart from this, the rainy seasons are also considered to be a fine period to visit the country as there are fewer visitors during this time.

Watch The Great Wildebeest Migration In Kenya

In the dry season which is the Best Time To Visit Kenya Safari, you will encounter the most spectacular wildebeest migration whose view is simply jaw-dropping. On your Kenya safari, you will come over 1 million wildebeest, 300,000 Thomson’s gazelle, and some 200,000 zebra, who migrate from Serengeti plains in Tanzania to Kenya’s Masai Mara who is obstinately tracked by Africa’s great predators and migrate to the fertile grasslands in search of food.

Best Time To Visit Kenya’s Beaches

The various Kenya Beaches including Diani and Mombasa to Malindi and the northern islands of the Lamu Archipelago have very hot and humid weather year-round. These coastal beaches are at their best all year round but experience the highest rainfall between mid-March and May which is not the Best Time to visit Kenya Safari.

Best Time To Climb Mount Kenya

For climbing great Mt Kenya two dry seasons are sighted to be the best- one is from January to February and another from June to September. Avoiding the short rainy periods and the long rainy periods is a good choice for travelers.

Kenya’s Changing Seasons

  1. January to February: Dry season. The best time to go for game viewing. Also, during the high season when parks get a bit “crowded”.
  2. March to May: This is the rain season. So severe that a few camps and lodges are closed because roads are impassable.
  3. June to October: Short dry season with scattered unpredictable and short-lived showers. And another best time to visit Kenya.
  4. November to December: Even hotter and drier, and after your Kenya Safari Tours – a great plan is to head for the cooler coastal resorts to relax and recharge before going home.

Best Time To Visit The Most Exotic Kenya Destinations

We are experts in creating Best Safari In Kenya, and find we often get asked the same questions from people planning their adventures. To help out, we’ve put together some practical planning FAQs to help you to find out about Best Time For Safari In Kenya. If your question isn’t covered, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Ready to travel and discover Kenya Safari Packages? Gorilla Trips strives to make your most awaited tour to Kenya a dream vacation with its personalized travel packages and tailor-made itinerary suiting your needs. Get the best Kenya National Parks guide and Kenya Travel Guide and get the most out of adventure on this no 1 African destination.

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Get The Necessary Travel Information, Ideas & Advice About Dr.Congo

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Get The Necessary Travel Information, Ideas & Advice About Dr.Congo

Chimpanzee Habituation Project In DR Congo

Chimpanzee Habituation Project In DR Congo

While staying at the Mikeno lodge you can visit the Chimpanzee Habituation program, a project that aims towards bringing the chimpanzee population...

Read More

Nyiragongo Volcano In DR Congo

Nyiragongo Volcano In DR Congo

The Mikeno Lodge, Bukima Tent Camp and Tchegera Camp are amazing camps that are luxuriously equiped to meet all your needs and wishes. The barracks on...

Read More

Mountain Gorillas In DR Congo

Mountain Gorillas In DR Congo

One of the biggest attractions during your visit to the Virunga National Park is without a doubt the mountain gorilla trekking. You will leave early in...

Read More

Chimpanzee Habituation Project In DR Congo

Chimpanzee Habituation Project In DR Congo

While staying at the Mikeno lodge you can visit the Chimpanzee Habituation program, a project that aims towards bringing the chimpanzee population...

Read More

Nyiragongo Volcano In DR Congo

Nyiragongo Volcano In DR Congo

The Mikeno Lodge, Bukima Tent Camp and Tchegera Camp are amazing camps that are luxuriously equiped to meet all your needs and wishes. The barracks on...

Read More

Mountain Gorillas In DR Congo

Mountain Gorillas In DR Congo

One of the biggest attractions during your visit to the Virunga National Park is without a doubt the mountain gorilla trekking. You will leave early in...

Read More

Thinking Of African Safari Tour?

TOP DR CONGO SAFARI FAQS

Before entering Uganda, Rwanda, or DR Congo, you need to obtain a visa. In the case of Uganda, tourist visas can be bought in advance via the embassy or consulate in your country or can be purchased at the airport upon arrival. Passport photos are not required. A single-entry tourist visa costs the US $100 per person for a stay of up to 90 days. For Rwanda, a visa can be gotten in advance through the embassy or consulate in your country.

In Uganda and Rwanda, ATM cards and credit cards can be mostly used without any hassle. While Visa credit cards are by far the most convenient way to withdraw cash, MasterCards can be used at Barclay’s Bank, for example. Outside of Kampala and Kigali, ATM machines are scarce. Upcountry, ATMs can be found in larger towns. Your Instinct Safaris guide is further advised to temporarily help cover expenses in Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo in case you cannot withdraw cash at a given moment. We do not recommend trying to obtain cash in DR Congo at this time. Instead, we recommend bringing cash (either Uganda Shillings, Rwandan Francs, or US Dollars). Travelers cheques are not recommended in the countries we serve.

The topography of Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo covers a wide panel of terrains. Along with this array of landscapes comes a range of climates specific to these regions. All three countries are situated at a relatively high altitude compared to other east African countries. When going on safari with us, it can therefore be important to plan ahead and to know just when to encounter the best trekking and wildlife viewing conditions. While mountain gorilla tracking is recommended throughout the year and rain can come down on any day, our recommendations for the best travel times only apply to wildlife viewing and safari on the flatter plains in Uganda and Rwanda.

As mentioned before, Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo encompass a wide range of geographical features and a number of different climates. In any case, make sure to bring durable walking shoes or boots, sun glasses, and sun screen. Do not forget to pack insect repellent to fight off mosquitoes in the evenings, rain gear, and your camera. As far as clothing goes, go for comfortable boots, preferably two pairs. Shorts and long trousers and regular T-shirts or buttoned shirts are a good choice. Especially around Bwindi National Park and the Virunga volcanoes, mornings and evenings can be rather cold (down to 5 °C). Please make sure to bring appropriate clothing.