Tips and recommendations for healthy travel to top destinations
Learn more about your flu vaccine options
Learn more about the travel visa requirements for top destinations
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), located in Central Africa, was previously known as Zaire. In area it is the second largest country in Africa.
Travelers visiting the DRC will have a lot to explore including rainforests and wildlife. They can also enjoy city life as well as the historical sites. Brazzaville is a great place for tourists to visit Brazzaville Basilica, the marketplace, the Congo River Rapids and the Lefini Faunal Reserve.
If you enjoy cruises, the DRC has a tour that takes you down the Congo River. It starts from the capital of Kisangani to the city of Kinshasa. This 1750-kilometer cruise is ideal if you have a lot of free time on your hands.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a great destination for tourists. There’s so much to explore. Whether you travel by train or by air, the DRC awaits you.
Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Democratic Republic of the Congo. The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccines for Democratic Republic of the Congo: typhoid, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, cholera, yellow fever, rabies, and influenza.
Yellow fever is still a problem in the DRC. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter the country.
Zika is present in the DRC. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should avoid travel to the region. Steps should be taken to prevent mosquito bites and sexual exposure to the virus.
Malaria is a serious mosquito-borne disease which is present in the DRC. Antimalarials are the best form of prevention alongside repellents and mosquito netting.
Dengue and chikungunya are also present. Both are only preventable through repellents, netting and other anti-mosquito measures.
See our vaccinations page to learn more about these infections and vaccines. Ready to protect yourself? Book your travel health appointment today by calling or schedule online now.
There is a risk of contracting cholera in the DRC. The CDC recommends travelers get the vaccine when traveling to a place with active cholera transmissions. Avoiding contaminated food and drink can prevent cholera.
Cholera cases have been reported in the DRC. Over 20,000 cases were reported from Jan to October 2016. Nearly seven hundred people died in the outbreak.
Passport Health’s travel clinics carry VaxChora, the only cholera vaccine approved for use in the United States. Book your cholera vaccination appointment today by calling or book online now.
A passport, visa, and World Health Organization (WHO) card with yellow fever vaccination are required to enter the DRC. It’s important to have your visa before traveling to the DRC. Contact a Passport Health Passport and Visa Specialist today to start the process.
The U.S. Department of the State doesn’t know of any HIV/AID restrictions for people visiting the DRC or foreign residents in the DRC.
For more information, see our Democratic Republic of the Congo visa page. Or contact a Passport Health Passport and Visa specialist by calling 1-844-366-8472 or by filling out our online form.
The DRC has an equatorial and tropical climates making it hot and humid. The average temperature in the high 70s in the low central basin and mid-60s at altitudes of 5,000 feet. The best time to travel to the DRC is during dry season.
Here is what to expect from the climate in DRC:
The coast experiences fog and low clouds because of the cool sea current. Travelers exploring the southern DRC will feel the dry season is more evident.
There are some parts of the DRC travelers should not visit. The eastern part of the DRC is not stable because of rebel and military groups. Violence has occurred including hurting civilians, killing, rape, and kidnapping. Pillaging is still happening in places like North Kivu, South Kivu, Tanganyika, Haut, Lomami, Ituri, Bas-Uele and Haut-Uele. Civil unrest is ongoing.
Travelers should stay away from demonstrations and large crowds. Protests can turn from peaceful to violent at any moment. People also need to be cautious of roadblocks and security forces. When you’re driving, you should keep doors and windows locked. Don’t let soldiers get into the car with you. It’s important not to get into a vehicle with anyone.
If you need to communicate with a legitimate officer, you should make sure your doors are locked. Only leave your window open a little bit to communicate with the officer.
You need to have your identity papers with you to show the police if the situation calls for them. It will make things easier if you follow the officer’s commands and if threatened, don’t resist.
If a crime occurs or you’re a victim of a crime, you should report it to the U.S. Embassy of Kinshasa.
Travelers who want to connect with the wildlife of the DRC should visit the gorilla orphanage. This orphanage can be found on the grounds of Mikeno Lodge. The Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage was named after a silverback killed defending the Rugendo group against poachers in 2007. Four gorillas now live in the orphanage and two of them, Ndakasi and Ndeze, survived the massacre.
Travelers who stay at the hotel have access to the gorilla orphanage for free. It is open from 8am-4pm, and it’s an experience tourists should not miss out on when they travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
When you’re planning your trip to the DRC, there are some things you should consider taking with you.
It doesn’t hurt to be prepared on your trip so make sure you take everything you need to travel and stay healthy.
The U.S. Embassy’s mission is to advance the interests of the United States as well as to serve and protect U.S. citizens in the DRC.
U.S. Embassy Kinshasa 310 Avenue des Aviateurs Kinshasa, Gombe Democratic Republic of the Congo Telephone: +243 97-261-6145 or +243 81-884-4609 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +243 81-556-0151/152 Fax: (243) 81 55 60 175 Email: USEmbassyKinshasa@state.gov
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