Tourist Attractions & Monuments Democratic Republic Of The Congo

Timetable

Most tourist sites open between 9am and 4/5pm. The busiest times are weekends and public holidays.

To be booked

It depends on the site, but most are only accessible with a reservation. Make your reservations well in advance. Check with a tourist agency or the ICCN beforehand, as some sites are only accessible by appointment and require official authorization to visit the Inga hydroelectric power station.

Budget & Tips

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!

Main events

There are relatively few festivals or recurring events, and these generally revolve around culture, dance and music. Every year: DRC Mining Week in Lubumbashi, Kimvuka Festival, Amani Festival in Goma, Gungu Festival. Religious festivals are important locally.

Guided tours

Unavoidable in parks and reserves where the guides are generally very competent. They know the places perfectly and will take you safely to the right places at the right times for maximum discovery. For city and museum visits, take an official guide or make sure your guide has some real knowledge. Museums are closed on Sundays.

Smokers

Congolese don't smoke much. You can smoke in most restaurants and bars, but it's forbidden in administrations, banks and public places in general.

Tourist traps

The official guides are generally those of ICCN. However, it's not uncommon to come across a "providential" guide at the entrance to or around a site, who will offer to accompany you on your tour. If there's no alternative and the person seems to know the subject, why not.

It's still common practice to try and ban photography. Some people, without even the slightest warrant, don't hesitate to be overzealous in this respect, asking that photos be deleted or that a fine be paid... For several years now, except in so-called strategic locations (airports, government offices, official monuments), it has been officially permitted to take photos anywhere. While respecting the privacy of individuals, of course.