DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (DRC) AS A DESTINATION
Brief History and Location
Officially recognized as Democratic Republic of the Congo, DRC is one of the biggest countries in Africa. She is actually the second biggest in size following Algeria, DRC covers a total land area of 2,345,000 square kilometers. DRC has access to Atlantic Ocean that is why she cannot be categorized under land-locked countries irrespective of the fact that almost 95% of her land has no direct access to any big waters.
The history of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) traces its origin way back as far as 90,000 years ago as per the human remains that were discovered in 1990s. Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) went through a series of social, religious and political development like any other African countries. DRC was once under the leadership of kings before it was colonized by Belgium before she gained her independence in the year 1960. In 1997, a few years after Congo’s independence, the then leader Gen. Mobutu Sese Seko renamed Congo to Zaire claiming that the name was more Africanized than the previous one. From that period, DRC has been through ups and downs as many countries both African and other continents due to her richness in nature resources such as silver, gold, copper, to mention but a few. Other events followed including the famous Katanga session.
In the past decades, DRC has been part of unifying bodies in Africa and outside with the most recent being The East African Community (EAC). DRC was officially declared a member state of the East African Community on 8th April, 2022. She is currently headed by His Excellence Félix Tshisekedi.
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) bordering countries.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is bordered by quite a number of countries in all directions. These include; by the Central African Republic and South Sudan to the north, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania to the east, Zambia to the southeast and Angola to the southwest. In the western side lies the country’s short Atlantic coastline, the Angolan exclave of Cabinda, and Congo Brazzaville.
Which Currency is used in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)?
The official currency of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the Congolese Franc (CDF). As at 15th November 2022, 1 USD = 2,083.33 CDF
NOTE: It is important to remember to convert your money to Congolese Franc prior to your travel or entry to DRC. However, if you forget to exchange, you can do so with the help of Love Uganda safari guides who can take you to the bank or local Forex Bureaus with in the cities and towns. Inform us before so that we add that on the plan while scheduling setoff and arrival times to different destinations.
Democratic Republic of Congo’s area code: +243
Requirements to enter Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Visa Acquisition
Like many other countries in East Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is open to all travelers as long as they present relevant travel documents such as the Identity card and passport. You may also be required to present a stamped visa depending on which country you come from. All these documents are required whether you are entering by land or air or even water.
It is important to ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months and has some blank pages before you travel to DRC. You are advised to check your visa before you travel and get help from your agent. Majority of the travelers require visas while traveling to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and visas can be got on arrival at the airport or from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) High Commissions in the respective countries. Visas to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) can as well be purchased online.
For more information about Visas to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), follow the link https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/democratic-republic-of-the-congo/entry-requirements.
Embassies and Consulates
It is always important to get information about the country you want to visit before setting off. Love Uganda Safaris advises all travelers to get relevant information from Congolese embassies in their respective countries. This helps you know better and mentally prepare for you trip.
For more information about DRC Embassies and Consulates follow the link below https://www.embassy-worldwide.com/country/democratic-republic-of-congo/.
Flight Information
Travelling to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by air should not stress you at any point. All flights into and out of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) happen at any of her 54 airports six of which are categorized as International airports. Get acquainted with up to date flight information by following the link below https://www.flightradar24.com/data/airports/democratic-republic-of-the-congo.
Congo Airways
Congo Airways is the national flag carrier of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that flies to different countries and airports across the world. Its base is N’djili International Airport whose airport code is FIH. The airline was established in 20 October 2015 and now operates on routes that are both domestic and international.
For more information about Congo Airways, follow the Link below https://www.aeroport-kinshasa.com/en/int/booking/airline_en.php?airline=CGA&name=Congo+Airways.
Safety and security in Democratic Republic of Congo
Love Uganda considers your safety as their top priority. This is why we request that you get the relevant security information before making any travel endeavors.
In the past years, Democratic Republic has been under the insecurities of different militant and political groups majority of which dwell in the vast forests. With the major group being the ADF. However, with support of outside powers such as the government of the Republic of Uganda (UPDF) and other African countries have assisted DRC in silencing such attacks.
Other parts of the country are generally safe for travel, however, you are advised to be careful enough since there are cases of pick-pocketing, robbery, car break-ins, especially in the urban areas like any other country in the world. For more information about safety and security in DRC, follow the link below. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/democratic-republic-of-the-congo/safety-and-security.
How are the behaviors of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) People?
The people of Congo are generally diverse in nature and character since majority of them have different origins and traditions. However, the uniting factor is that they are hospitable in their own ways. Doing a safari in DRC will introduce you to different groups majorly the Pygmies who dwell in the forests. The Pygmies are believed to have inhabited these forests for thousands of years. All they do is gather fruits, do hunting and exchange meat with neighboring agriculturalists for agricultural products such as millet, sorghum, beans, to point out but a few.
In the urban centers, you will encounter a mixture of lifestyles, some are western –like however, the majority are African-educated who easily blend with other people from different corners of the world.
What is the main race in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)?
Over 250 ethnic groups dwell in the vast lands of Democratic Republic of the Congo, however, the Luba, Mongo, and Bakongo form the bigger portion of the country’s population.
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Capital City- Kinshasa
Formerly known as Léopoldville, Kinshasa covers an area of approximately 9,965 square kilometers. The city is one of the largest metropolitan areas following Cairo and Lagos. Kinshasa is known for its traditional music style (Lingala) that was African in nature popularized by musicians like Kanda Bongo man.
Until now, Kinshasa attracts thousands of travelers who come to enjoy its beautiful historical sites, museums, outstanding hills, name it.
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Districts / Provinces
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is divided into administrative units known as provinces. They include;
- Kasaï-Oriental province
- Tshopo province
- Ituri province
- Kongo-Central province
- Mai-Ndombe province
- Kwilu province
- Kwango province
- Equateur Province
- Sud-Ubangi province
- Nord-Ubangi province
- Mongala province
- Tshuapa province
- Bas-Uele province
- Haut-Uele province
- Nord-Kivu province
- Maniema province
- Lualaba province
- Haut-Lomami
- Tanganyika province
- Haut-Katanga province
- Sankuru province
- Lomami province
- Kasaï-Central province
- Kasaï province
- Sud-Kivu province
- Kinshasa province
What is the weather and climate like in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)?
There are two kinds of climate in Democratic Republic of the Congo that is;
- Equatorial, hot and humid all year round with no dry season experienced in the central area crossed by the Equator. This area is occupied by a vast rain forest – the second in the world after the Amazon.
- Tropical, hot all year round but with a dry season, usually of short duration, in both the areas to the north and south of the Equator. The dry season occurs in opposite periods, from December to February (i.e. the boreal winter) north of the Equator and from June to September (i.e. the austral winter) south of the Equator.
DRC rains occur in the form of downpours or thunderstorms, actually, DRC is the country that receives the greatest number of lightning strikes in the world, usually in the afternoon, all year round in the equatorial zone, and in the long rainy season in the two tropical areas.
For more information about the climate and weather of DRC, follow the link below; https://www.climatestotravel.com/climate/democratic-republic-congo.
National parks in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
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Mangroves National parks
Location: The Park is located in the furthest western end of the Democratic Republic of Congo sitting in the mouth of River Congo. It also sits at the border of Angola.
Size: The Park covers an area of 768 square kilometers characterized by mangroves, lush forests, oak trees, walnut trees, red cedar, and African oak.
Major attractions: Endangered manatee, snakes, monkeys, bushbucks, reedbucks, mangrove forests, etc.
Major activities: Boat cruise, Birding, Fish games, etc.
Distance from Kinshasa city: 130 kilometers
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Kahuzi –Biega national park
Location: The Park is located in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo near the town of Bukavu near the border of DRC and Rwanda.
Size: The Park strides an area of approximately 6,000 square kilometers
Major attractions: Eastern gorillas
Major activities: Gorilla trekking, Gorilla habituation, birding, etc.
Distance from Kinshasa city: Approximately 2,545 kilometers
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Salonga national park
Location: The Park is located at the Congo River basin in the central. It is considered to be Africa’s largest tropical rainforest reserve.
Size: The Park covers an area of 36, 000 square kilometers covering the provinces of Mai Ndombe, Equateur, Kasaï and Sankuru. Salonga national park can only be accessed by water.
Attractions: Congo water civets, Allen’s swamp mangabey, tree pangolins, Golden cats, leopards, black colobus monkeys, giant ground pangolins, golden-bellied Mangabey, dwarf bush baby, Bonobo, elephants, sitatunga, Potto monkeys, Wolf monkeys, duikers, Pygmy Cape buffaloes, white rhinos, Angolan mongoose ad the red River hogs, to mention but a few.
Activities: Birding, fishing, cultural encounters, hunting, guided nature walks, wild viewing, etc.
Distance from Kinshasa city: 682 kilometers
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Virunga national park
Location: The Park is well situated in the eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo – in the Albertine Rift valley on the northern shores of Lake Kivu.
Size: Virunga national park covers an area of 7,769 square kilometers
Attractions: Chimpanzees, Mt. Nyiragongo and other Virunga Volcanoes, several bird species, etc.
Activities: Chimpanzee habituation experience, Birding, Guided nature walks and hiking adventures.
Distance from Kinshasa city: 2675 kilometers
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Lomami national park
Location: The Park sits in the middle basin of River Lomami and is a home to tropical lowland rainforest with savanna islands in the south and the western hills.
Size: Lomami national park covers an area of approximately 9,000 square kilometers.
Attractions: African forest elephants, lesula, the rare dryas, Angola colobus, Lomami river blue monkeys, several bird species, etc.
Activities: Birding, fishing, cultural encounters, hunting, guided nature walks, wild viewing, etc.
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Garamba national park
Location: The Park is located in the northeastern side of Democratic Republic of Congo particularly Orientale Province. It is well situated on the border of Sudan. One of Africa’s oldest national parks and categorized under World Heritage sites.
Size: Garamba national park covers an area of 5,200 square kilometers characterized by savannah grasslands, scattered trees, mixed woodland, with dense, dry forests as well as riverine and swamp forests.
Attractions: Several Bird species such as white backed pelicans, long tailed cormorants, and knob billed ducks, wattled plovers, black crake, and spur winged plovers, etc. and multiple animal species such as elephants, buffaloes, Kordofan giraffes, antelopes, mongoose, hippos, forest hogs, golden cats, warthogs, olive baboons and vervet monkeys.
Major activities: Birding, fishing, cultural encounters, hunting, guided nature walks, wild viewing, etc.
Distance from Kinshasa city: 1804 kilometers
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Upemba national park
Location: The Park is located in Haut-Lomami, Lualaba Province & Haut-Katanga Province and borders Angola, Zambia and Tanzania.
Size: Upemba national park strides an area of approximately 11730 square kilometers
Attractions: Lake Upemba, Upemba depression, Lake Kisale, Lualaba River, several animal, bird and flora species
Activities: Boat cruise, safari game drives, birding, fishing, cultural encounters, hunting, guided nature walks, wild viewing, etc.
Distance from Kinshasa city: 1,364 kilometers
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Kundelungu national park
Location: The Park is situated in Haut-Katanga Province and north of Lubumbashi and Kolwezi North East of Lubumbashi on the plateau just adjacent to Upemba National Park.
Size: Kundelungu national park covers an area of approximately 7, 600 square kilometers. Attractions: Lofoli falls, animals such as elephants, hippos, porcupines, buffaloes, name it. This is in addition to multiple bird species some of which are endemic to the area.
Activities: Boat cruise, safari game drives, birding, fishing, cultural encounters, hunting, guided nature walks, wild viewing, swimming, etc.
Distance from Kinshasa city:
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Maiko national park
Location: The Park is located in the western Rift valley south of Lake Kivu and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo at the Rwanda – Congo border Kisangani
Size: Maiko national park spans an area of 10,830 square kilometers stretching to the Oso River and extends north to the River Lindi.
Attractions: Gorillas, elephants, eastern chimpanzee, leopards, and okapi
Activities: Gorilla trekking, nature walks, birding and wildlife safaris
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Beaches
Are you interested in DRC beaches, choose any of these destinations;
- Boma
- Kasangulu
- Kisangani
- Bukavu
- Kinshasa
- Matadi
- Banana
- Moanda
- Goma
Transport and Accommodation
The most common means of transport in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is road transport which can be both private and public. Love Uganda safaris organizes tours according to the desires of the travelers, let us know of what means of transport you like most.
Each national park is connected to a place where domestic flights are organized, if you do not wish to drive the long distances Love Uganda Safaris is here to organize flight trips to different parts of DRC. However, driving these roads comes with spectacular views of rolling hills, lush vegetation, plantations and human settlement. These turn moments into memories.
Accommodation in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) range from budget to Mid-range and then luxury. We are here to advise but not to choose for you. Each of these destinations has accommodation facilities that cater for all kinds of travelers.
Do I need a travel insurance while coming to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)?
When you start any journey, you have 50% chances of getting an accident, why then not insure? This is of course not to scare you but to remind you that having a travel insurance is an added security measure for every travelers. Unless otherwise stated, Love Uganda safaris does not cater for clients’ travel insurance.
Is Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Rich or Poor?
Basing on her natural resources, Democratic Republic of Congo is regarded as the richest country in the world. Her untapped deposits of raw minerals are estimated to be worth in excess of U.S. $24 trillion. For more information regarding DRC’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), economic growth, per capita income, labor composition and employment rates, trade, to mention but a few, follow the link below; https://globaledge.msu.edu/countries/democratic-republic-of-the-congo/economy.
Is Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) a good country to live in?
Like any other country in the world, DRC has the advantages and disadvantages of staying in whether for a long or short period of time. Below are some of the good things about living in DRC;
- Rich and natural beauty
- USD is accepted
- There is a high expat concentration
- Economic growth especially with the intervention of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
- There are affordable organic fruits and vegetables
- Availability of decent private hospitals and clinics in the capital
For more information about living in DRC, follow the link below; https://www.expatarrivals.com/africa/democratic-republic-congo/pros-and-cons-moving-democratic-republic-congo.
What is Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) best known for?
- DRC is the second biggest country in Africa
- DRC is the richest country with minerals in the world
- DRC is the home to Africa’s oldest national park – Virunga national park
- DRC hosts the United Nations’ largest peacekeeping mission in the world from approximately 50 countries
- DRC is a home to over 200 ethnic groups with nearly 250 languages
- DRC is the mother land of Dikembe Mutombo former NBA All-Star
Best time to visit DRC
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is an open destination and welcomes travelers all year round. However, depending on which destination and the activity you want to do, some love wet seasons while other love dry seasons.
Love Uganda safaris advises travelers depending on the activities they like doing for instance those who love gorilla trekking, the dry months of May to September would be recommendable first.
Travel tips
Love Uganda Safaris cares about your safety while you travel to Democratic Republic of Congo. Below are some of the tips that you should keep at the back of your mind in order to have the best experience in DRC;
- Carry some pain killers and antimalarial drugs while coming to DRC.
- Ensure to check your luggage before leaving one lodge or hotel to another
- Do not tempt thieves by leaving your bags open, speaking on phone in crowded places
- Do not walk alone at night
- Carry some changed money, you may need to tip a driver or guide during your safari
- Carry copies of your travel documents and identification documents including your passport.
- Carry power bank and spare batteries if you can
- Follow the park rules and regulations strictly since you may be penalized or threaten animal attack in case you violate them.
- Some items like drinks, sunglasses, etc. can be bought in local markets, you may not need to come with them.
- You can bring clothes and other items you no longer use and donate them to communities or organization during your safari to DRC.
Conclusion
Love Uganda Safaris family wishes to inform you that, every country in East Africa is a prime destination for all travelers from different parts of the world. However, each destination has something to offer that the rest cannot give. This is why having a safari trip to this big nation – DRC is a chance for you to create everlasting memories.