Is the Democratic Republic of Congo safe to visit?

Last updated October 26th, 2023.

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Is the Democratic Republic of Congo safe to visit as a traveller or tourist? It’s a tricky one. The answer depends on what part of this massive country you intend to visit. But it also depends on your stamina for hard travel. If you’re idea of a good time is a chic Parisian city break, the DRC is probably not for you. Travel even at the luxury end of the gorilla trekking market can still be hard.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is known more widely in Africa as Congo-Kinshasa. Famously covering an area the size of western Europe – yet still not the largest country in Africa – it’s had a troubled history of brutal oppression under the Belgian colonial regime and a present which is arguably not much better.

Life is tainted by violence and corruption. The country has done more to damage Africa’s reputation than probably any other country on the continent. When international media report the facts, it’s the hardworking Congolese who are often forgotten.

They and their country deserve much better. There’s a slither of light in the shadows which suggests it might not be too far away.

It also depends on your timing. The situation in any given location can change quickly. If there’s ever a destination to stay fully up to the minute with what’s going on where you are, it’s the DRC.

Still reading? Great. Let’s delve headlong into life in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

A nation of many names

First off, a little background. The sad irony is that the DRC is one of the least developed countries in the world, yet one of the richest in natural resources.

Name an important modern raw material and you’ll probably find it here: rubber, gold, platinum and diamonds are all mined. If you’re looking for rare earth metals to build a smartphone or electric vehicle, the Democratic Republic of Congo is the place to head.

This has been the case since the separate kingdoms – some powerful, some little more than familial villages – were brought together under the personal flag of King Leopold II of Belgium in 1885.

His personal fiefdom, he used the Congo as a get rich quick scheme, destroying centuries of societal norms and millions of lives in the process.

Shortly after independence, the democratically elected government of Patrice Lumumba was overthrown in a coup d’etat by Joseph Mobutu Sese Seko with the help of Belgian officers. Check out a map from before 1997, and you’ll see Zaire emblazoned across it. It was the new name Mobutu gave to the country.

Ruled not so much as a one party state but as a absolute monarchy, corruption rapidly became endemic. Mobutu and his cabal took money from mining operations, from nations like the US keen to stop Zaire falling to communism, and even from international aid.

The country became known as a kleptocracy – Mobutu is believed to have stolen around $5bn in revenue. The runway in his ancestral home of Gbadolite was rebuilt to allow Concorde to land on private flights to and from Paris shopping trips.

When he was overthrown in 1997, the country had just 25% of the road network there was when he had come to power in 1961. Corruption – le mal Zairois or ‘Zairian illness’ – has been a way of life ever since.

Visitors to the country are not immune, like they often are elsewhere.

Safety in the DRC by region

Given the country’s size, it’s much better to think about safety and security in the Democratic Republic of Congo with reference to regions. Otherwise, it’s a bit like insisting people don’t visit Ireland because of problems in southern Poland (or vice versa).

The western two thirds of the country, including the capital Kinshasa, are the safest regions to visit. The eastern DRC is troubled by armed successionist movements as well as volcanic eruptions. Katanga province in the south should also be avoided.

More detail on specific regions and cities of interest can be found below.

Is Kinshasa safe?

When I was mapping out my own travels in the region, the safe parts of Kinshasa were described in a guidebook as the areas where you get mugged at knifepoint rather than at gunpoint.

Street crime in very high by world standards in the capital. Unlike in most cases, when being a foreign national gives you some protection, foreigners are frequently targeted in muggings.

You should not contemplate walking – unless you’re with a professional local tour guide. Nor should you hail a taxi from the roadside. They can be used as cover for criminals.

Instead, you should source a reliable car and driver. There are car hire agencies in Kinshasa which can help. Hotels hosting foreign guests, such as the Pullman Grand Hotel and more cheaply priced Hotel Relax will usually have a list of drivers too.

You should also be wary of security officials. They can seize passports or even make arrests in order to obtain bribes. Similar reports come from other large cities in the country.

Is eastern DRC and Virunga National Park safe?

One of the main reasons for contemplating a trip to the DRC is the chance to see mountain gorillas and lowland gorillas. The only place in the world where it is possible to do this, it automatically makes the DRC one of the best places to see our ancestral relatives in the wild.

However, armed groups are active in the area, alongside the military trying to dislodge and defeat them. Largely limited to smaller towns, incursions have taken place in Bukavu, alongside attacks close to Goma. UN agencies have been attacked in the past, and the Italian ambassador was killed in February 2021.

There are also rare and sporadic outbreaks of the Ebola virus in the region. Named after a river in the north of the country, the DRC has fought 13 different outbreaks over the past 30 years. It is a deadly disease spread by direct contact and should not be underestimated under any circumstances.

If it all sounds a bit hairy for you, there are very similar gorilla trekking experiences in Uganda and Rwanda – albeit at four times the price. Rwanda is not only one of the safest countries to visit in Africa, but one of the safest worldwide.

Is transport in the Democratic Republic of Congo safe?

Most motor vehicles are in a bad state of repair and maintained through the sheer ingenuity of their owners. Breakdowns are common, and roads generally in a worse state than the vehicles using them. If there is one, use a seatbelt at all times. When it comes to a price for your journey, you’ll need to agree at fee upfront and stick to it.

The railway network was largely set up during colonial times to transport raw materials out of the country rather than facilitate transport within it. Functioning railways connect Kinshasa with Matadi, Ilebo with Lubumbashi and Zambia, and Katanga with Angola – the Benguela Railway. Trains generally run just once or twice per week in either direction. Functional but basic, take plenty of food, and expect any journey by rail in the DRC to take twice as long as advertised.

Taking a boat at least some way along the River Congo is an experience you won’t forget – but might well want too. There are regular reports of smaller canoes and pirogues sinking, leading to the deaths of those onboard, both on the rivers and the lakes of the country.

The trip from Kisangani to Kinshasa has no fixed schedule – it departs when rammed full. The journey takes anywhere up to a month, sanitation is close to non-existent, space minimal and comfort largely absent. Express boats can do it in around five days in much more comfort, though flying between the two cities is much more common.

Despite this, you’ll still need to do your homework to ensure any plane you board is fit for flight. Most domestic DRC carriers are banned from entering EU airspace because of concerns over maintenance.

Are the Democratic Republic of Congo’s borders safe?

Border crossings are always a bit tense. Border areas are generally best avoided unless you’re making the move between countries.

You can expect an awful lot of hassle if you attempt to enter the DRC via its river border with Brazzaville on the opposite side of the River Congo from Kinshasa.

Overall, the main international airports offer the least resistance for entry into and exit from the DRC.

Crossing the northern and eastern overland borders are not recommended for security seasons, with the exception of heading to Goma and Bukavu.

Land borders can close with no warning, and remain closed for days on end.

Dealing with bribery in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Don’t think you’ll be able to wheedle your way out of requests for bribes by sweet talking officials like you can elsewhere in Africa – these guys are pros.

Realistically, if the situation arises where you are asked for a bribe, it’s already too late to do much about it but pay.

Refusing to do so can lead to violent confrontations, arbitrary arrest and worse. You must decide whether you are prepared to become part of the problem by visiting the country.

Additional travel advice for the Democratic Republic of Congo

If all that wasn’t enough, you should also keep the following points in mind when travelling in the Democratic Republic of Congo:

• Stay away from political rallies and demonstrations. They’re almost guaranteed to turn violent.
• Avoid taking photographs in public places and near sensitive sites such as military bases.
• Stay off the streets after dark.
• Credit cards are only of use in the big hotels in large cities. You’ll therefore need a good supply of cash.
• Congolese francs are used for smaller payments, and US dollars for larger payments. Some Kinshasa ATMs even dispense dollars.
• Only post-2001 colour edition US dollars fresh from the mint will be accepted. If they have the slightest mark or tear they may be rejected.
• Ensure you have good travel and medical cover.

Is it worth visiting the Democratic Republic of Congo?

Given all I’ve said, is it even worth visiting the Democratic Republic of Congo? Well, it’s the only place on the planet where you can track both mountain and lowland gorillas. Lake Kivu offers a calmer side to life, while Matadi offers historic interest. The vast national parks boast everything from okapi reserves to bonobo sanctuary tours. Finally, the Rwenzori Mountains offer incredible hiking opportunities.

Is the Democratic Republic of Congo safe to visit? It depends on when, where and how you plan to travel!