What budget to travel Democratic Republic Of The Congo? Money and currency

What budget for activities and outings Democratic Republic Of The Congo?

The DRC relies heavily on its nature tourism, which takes place mainly in parks and reserves. In addition to the price of entry, don't forget the cost of access (plane, car). If you avoid international hotels and restaurants, it's possible to eat and stay at a good price. Negotiating is always an option. The bulk of the budget is spent on sightseeing and travel.

Generally speaking, nationals have a preferential price. But this is often done on a "customer pays" basis, so black foreign visitors are likely to pay the lowest price!

Nature, parks and wide-open spaces are the core activities to be envisaged in DR Congo. But the reality is that the infrastructure (roads, housing, transport, energy, communications, etc.) is often deficient and doesn't allow you to get around as easily as elsewhere. The direct consequence of this is the difficulty of planning a trip and the considerable costs involved.

But what the average tourist finds annoying is sure to delight the adventure tourist, who can look forward to solving 1,001 hassles. The main thing for him is to be able to explore this magnificent country without a crowd of tourists at his side.

Park visits, big-game fishing in the river, river trips...

When it comes to shopping, Kinshasa and Lubumbashi in particular are home to a growing number of malls. These large, air-conditioned shopping malls are lined with clothing boutiques selling more or less well-known brands. Otherwise, you'll find just about anything in street stores.

On the other hand, few boutiques and galleries sell local crafts or works of art. These are more likely to be found on the streets, at hotel entrances or in certain markets (in Kinshasa, at the marché des valeurs). Statuettes from the world of Tintin are legion, but of uneven quality. Jewelry, wooden masks, various minerals. Bargaining is an integral part of the buying process.

Although alcohol is becoming increasingly popular in some places, beer remains the undisputed fuel for evenings out in bars and discos. In the City, prices will be more affordable than in the big clubs. When it comes to music, the sound level seems to be an important criterion for the Congolese, and it's too bad if sometimes (especially in the cités) the amp and the patched-up baffles spit out more sound distortion than musical notes.

What budget to eat Democratic Republic Of The Congo?

You can eat at any price, depending on the type of establishment. In town, a meal on a street terrace(malewa or nganda) is very inexpensive and made up of local produce. As for restaurants, on the whole, the less local produce on the menu, the higher the bill. In the major cities, European, Asian and Indian cuisine is readily available. Rarely is everything on the à la carte menu available. Waiting times for service can be very long. Find out more to avoid starvation. Except in the major chains, payment is made in cash, in dollars or francs.

All purchases can be made in Congolese francs, but most major expenditures are made in dollars, by bank card or in cash. To change money, prefer street traders to bank counters.

What is the budget for accommodation Democratic Republic Of The Congo?

There's no shortage of accommodation options: hotels, guest-houses, flats, residences... But it's not always easy to find democratically priced accommodation (under $50) with the guarantee of a decent level of service and quality. In recent years, hotels have sprung up everywhere, sometimes in an anarchic fashion. It's not easy to find your way around the plethora of hotels on offer, with prices that are sometimes surprisingly low for a standard of comfort that ranges from uneven to very basic... With the exception of the big names, make sure there's running water, visit the sanitary facilities, find out if there's a generator to replace the power cuts, etc. And negotiate the price according to the number of beds you'll need. In the big hotels and international chains, no problem. B&Bs are appearing more and more and are often good hospitality options.

Travel budget Democratic Republic Of The Congo and cost of living

Despite its potential to produce everything, the DRC remains a major importer of just about everything... So the cheapest thing is local. Overall, life in the city is more expensive than in the bush.

Mid-range hotels are fairly expensive for the facilities and services provided ($60-120). Lower and higher categories generally offer more reasonable prices.

Restaurants serving international cuisine are more expensive (between $35 and $85), excluding drinks. On the other hand, local restaurants and other ngandas and malewas are very affordable: from $5 to $15 for a full meal. A local cab with driver costs around $10/hour and $60 to $100/day.

For a week's stay in Kinshasa, you should expect to pay $1,500 (including an intermediate hotel, a few outings in
and excursions, miscellaneous expenses...). To this must be added various transportation costs (plane) in the case of
travel within the country, and other entry fees for national parks. A stay in the DRC can therefore prove expensive, depending on the options and visits you choose. It's best to be aware of this and plan your budget accordingly.