Organize your stay Democratic Republic Of The Congo
Money Democratic Republic Of The Congo
The national currency is the Congolese franc (FC), available in denominations of 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000 and 20,000. In everyday life, the FC is mainly used for small purchases (market, cab, local restaurants...), while high-denomination notes and especially the US dollar are reserved for major transactions. Note that (especially in Kinshasa) we don't accept dollars in worn bills (crumpled, dirty, etc.) or even with a small staple hole! On the other hand, there's no problem with the FC bill, which has become almost illegible and spongy after being passed from hand to hand around the country.
Budget & Tips Democratic Republic Of The Congo
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.
Passport and visas Democratic Republic Of The Congo
A visa is required to enter the DRC, whatever the reason for your stay. Visa duration varies from
1 to 6 months. It costs between €85 and €310. The following documents are required to obtain a visa from the DRC embassy:
International passport valid for at least 1 year, 2 passport photos.
Visa application form (downloadable from the embassy website) duly completed and signed.
Yellow fever vaccination certificate.
Photocopy of identity card.
Certificate of good conduct.
Acceptance from the Congo, legalized by a local notary.
The passport and visa must be collected within 72 hours.
Driver's license Democratic Republic Of The Congo
An international driving license is required. When renting a vehicle, especially for long-distance journeys, it is strongly recommended to hire a local driver. In town, cabs are the preferred option.
Health Democratic Republic Of The Congo
As in most sub-Saharan African countries, departure is preceded by appropriate medical preparation, as most tropical diseases can sometimes lead to serious complications.
Good preparation, a minimum of local precautions and good hygiene will cope with most viral, parasitic or bacteriological attacks. But it's worth remembering a few practical tips:
Prefer cooked food to avoid bacteria.
Avoid drinking water of uncertain origin. Bottled water with a sealed cap is available everywhere. Or boil it with or without antiseptic.
The change of diet, the local cuisine, can sometimes cause some discomfort at first. The digestive system needs time to adapt to certain foods. Particularly
cassava leaves (pondu) when reheated.
Wash your hands regularly. Remember to take an antibacterial gel with you.
Moisten uncovered parts of the body with mosquito repellent lotion as soon as it gets dark, and/or wear preferably light-coloured pants and long sleeves. The best way to avoid contracting malaria is to avoid being bitten, or as little as possible.
Take high-protection sunscreen with you.
In addition to your personal kit of medicines, take a kit containing the essentials for a trip to the tropics.
On your return from the Congo, any suspicious symptoms (persistent diarrhea, unexplained fever, rash, etc.) should be reported to your doctor. Or, depending on the severity of the case, directly to a tropical medicine institute. Most tropical diseases, if identified in time, are benign and can be effectively treated.
Mandatory vaccination Democratic Republic Of The Congo
Mandatory vaccinations include hepatitis A and yellow fever. For long or repeated stays, hepatitis B and typhoid vaccinations are recommended.
Security Democratic Republic Of The Congo
The country is huge, and there are still pockets of insecurity, mainly in the east. Here, as elsewhere, foreign visitors must be vigilant. Congolese people are welcoming and benevolent. In the big cities, Kinshasa in particular, it's important to be cautious, but not paranoid. In certain regions, especially in the east, where the political situation all too often generates conflict, you should avoid venturing out without a well-informed guide. Always check with reliable local contacts (travel agencies) for specific areas to avoid. The following practical advice and common sense will help you avoid problems and ensure a trouble-free stay.
The DRC remains a country where the vast majority of the population lives below the poverty line. Avoid displaying ostentatious signs of wealth (money, sunglasses, jewelry, mobile phones, cameras, walkmans, PCs, etc.).
As for the cities, and Kinshasa in particular, find out which are the hottest neighborhoods to avoid.
Generally speaking, when you go out in the city, during the day or in the evening, make sure you take a little money and a copy of your passport.
It's often in the city center (mainly Kinshasa) that you'll find a few shégués (street kids) on the lookout for an opportunity to make a few dollars.
Be careful with local cabs in the evening: it's better to have a reliable means of transport and avoid walking.
Don't phone or photograph in the car with the window open, or leave your bag in view.
As a general rule, do not open the car windows, and lock the doors from the inside.
Whether you're alone or in a group, the safety instructions remain the same. In certain parts of the city, however, it's best to be accompanied by locals who can guide you and prevent the usual harassment of "mundele" (white) people...
Time difference Democratic Republic Of The Congo
The time difference in the DRC is +1 hour in winter and +2 hours in summer. There are two different time zones in the DRC, so time is not the same in the east and west of the country.
Spoken languages Democratic Republic Of The Congo
Four national languages coexist alongside French, the official language inherited from Belgian colonization. They are, in order of importance: Swahili in the eastern provinces; Lingala in the north, part of the west and Kinshasa; Kikongo in the Kongo-Congo provinces; and Tshiluba in the Kasai and part of greater Katanga. French is the official language enshrined in the Republic's constitution. It is the language of administration, education and the media. Although its use is tending to diminish in favor of national languages and oral dialects, due to the lack of education for a large proportion of the Congolese population who are uneducated and illiterate. The use of French is also more mixed and vibrant than in Europe, under the influence of Lingala and other national languages, as well as the great linguistic creativity of the Congolese, and of the Kinois in particular, who reinvent and sculpt it in local mixes.
Communication Democratic Republic Of The Congo
The DRC area code is 243. Mobile telephony has long since taken over from fixed-line telephony, which no longer exists. Several networks and providers have been set up, serving most of the country's towns and allowing international access. Vodacom, Airtel, Orange and Africell share the market and operate with prepaid cards or subscriptions. Sim cards and top-ups are available from retailers on every street corner. Rates are low, and it's more attractive than roaming. It's worth noting that all providers have developed a telephone payment/transfer system, which is increasingly used by the population. In 2021, there were 46.89 million lines, an average of 0.49 per person. In the EU, this figure was 1.2 cell phones per person. With around 2.515 million Internet servers, the country is below the global average.
Electricity and measurements Democratic Republic Of The Congo
Despite the enormous potential of the Inga dam, electricity remains a problem. This is true both in terms of the extent of the network and its technical quality. To put it plainly, load shedding is commonplace, and the installations, regularly cobbled together by private individuals, are dangerous even when it's not raining. Generators are common, and you can tell them by their sound... Sockets are the same as in France.
All measurements (weight, volume, distance...) are the same as in continental Europe. Distances, however, are not expressed in kilometers but in time, as the state of the roads makes this a more realistic way of looking at things.
Luggage Democratic Republic Of The Congo
In the Congo, it's hot, even very hot, and humid, even very humid. Light clothing, preferably cotton, and a Gore-tex® anorak. But bring a sweater too, as some evenings can be chilly, especially in the Kivus and Katanga, where temperatures can approach zero degrees at night in the dry season. Also useful for establishments where the air-conditioning is running at full blast.
Dress code for business meetings or parties, a suit and tie is still a good idea for men. For women, it varies according to background and profession. As a general rule, Congolese people know how to dress well.
For more casual occasions, shorts, Bermuda shorts and T-shirts are tolerated everywhere. Except in nightclubs. Hiking boots, if you intend to hit the road and visit the country's interior.
