How Secure Is It To Go To The Congo?

The FCDO travel advice for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) includes safety and security, insurance, entry requirements, and legal differences. Due to high crime rates, civil unrest, and increased risk of kidnapping, it is advised to reconsider travel to the DRC. Professional security advice should be sought in areas with heightened kidnap risk, and accommodations should have appropriate security measures.

For outdoor activities in the DRC, it is essential to stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust plans accordingly. If traveling to the DRC, avoid demonstrations, use caution when walking or driving at night, and always carry a copy of your U.S. passport.

The country has a very high level of crime, including armed robbery, armed home invasion, and assault. Local police lack resources to respond effectively to serious crime, and assailants may pose as police or security agents. Demonstrations are common in many cities, and some have turned violent.

There is widespread poverty, social exclusion, and health risks in many parts of the DRC, with rural areas being at greater risk of being robbed or attacked. The FCDO advises against all travel to parts of the DRC due to high crime rates, civil unrest, and the risk of kidnapping.

Some parts of the DRC are very safe to visit, such as the Eastern Parts where Kahuzi Biega National Park is found for trekking the Eastern Lowland Gorillas. The safest and most touristed areas of the country are Goma, Virunga National Park, and Bukavu in the east.

What is the safest place in Congo?

The Democratic Republic of Congo offers a safe and scenic region for tourists to visit, particularly in Virunga National Park, Goma, and Kinshasa. However, the country faces serious security threats, making it advisable to travel with a tour company. Solo travel is not recommended. Climate also plays a significant role in tourism, with rainy seasons from April to October in the north and November to March in the south, potentially causing flash flooding and landslides that could disrupt essential services.

What is the current situation in the Congo?

The DRC is facing a severe humanitarian and food insecurity crisis, with 25. 4 million people in food insecurity, 13. 2 million children, and 7. 3 million displaced. The crisis is worsened by the rapid spread of the deadly mpox virus, declared a public health emergency by the World Health Organisation. With 90 of all mpox cases reported within the DRC, the fragile health system is straining due to past outbreaks of Ebola and COVID-19, as well as a scarcity of staff and medical supplies.

Can you drink alcohol in Congo?

Palm wine is a local beverage in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), made from the fermented sap of palm trees. It has a taste of alcoholized coconut juice with a moonshine quality due to its local production. Alcohol is easily found in small shops in Congo-Brazzaville, but strong beers and whiskies are available everywhere. The variety of food in the country is wider, with manioc and palm wine being staples in the wilderness. However, due to the comprehensive trade network, Western foods are more easily accessible.

Large cities and towns like Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, Goma, and Bukavu have at least one or two decent restaurants with high-quality food. International cuisine is only available in these cities and towns, and groceries are often available in smaller towns. Powdered milk is common in the country instead of fresh milk, and fresh fruits are easy to find, such as oranges and bananas. Vegetable markets are often the best places for good, fresh food, and visiting a town on market day can make you wonder how anyone could starve.

Is Congo a high risk country?

Traveling around the DRC is risky due to poverty, social exclusion, and health risks, particularly in rural areas. Limited transport and accommodation are available outside major towns, so it’s essential to make travel arrangements in advance and travel with experienced individuals. Respect local customs and land rights, as recent incidents have shown. Street crime and scamming are particularly prevalent in urban centers like Kinshasa and Lubumbashi, where organized gangs lure people into traps using tactics like using children, promising cut-price gold and diamonds, or posing as police or security personnel. Robberies by street children are common and can be aggressive.

Is Kinshasa safe for whites?

Foreign nationals in Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, and other urban centers face increased risk of street robbery, particularly near hotels and supermarkets. Organised gangs lure people into traps using techniques like using children, promising cut-price gold and diamonds, or posing as police or security personnel. Robberies by street children are common and can be aggressive. In Kinshasa, robberies can be carried out by posing as taxi drivers or passengers, often accompanied by a threat of violence. Reports of criminal activity have increased in North and South Kivu, and banditry in Goma has also been reported.

Do people vacation in the Congo?

The Democratic Republic of the Congo offers numerous sightseeing opportunities due to its natural features such as lakes, forests, natural parks, and festivals. The country is home to rare and endangered animals like mountain gorillas, okapi, and forest elephants, which can be viewed in their natural habitats in national parks like Virunga National Park. The nation has a rich cultural diversity with over 200 ethnic groups and numerous languages spoken, with music, dance, and arts still alive.

The DR Congo’s cuisine is influenced by its neighbors and native dishes, with popular dishes including fufu, madesu, and mbika. Additionally, the country has historical sites dating back thousands of years, such as the Kasubi Tombs, Kiswahili ruins, and colonial-era structures in Kinshasa. Despite its potential for tourism, the Democratic Republic of the Congo should be considered a top travel destination for its unique wildlife, diverse culture, and delicious cuisine.

What is the biggest problem in Congo?

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has faced a severe human rights crisis, with armed groups and security forces causing large-scale attacks on civilians, leading to a humanitarian crisis. Nearly 7 million people were internally displaced and thousands fled the country. The crisis has resulted in sexual and gender-based violence, arbitrary detention, and unfair trials for journalists, opposition members, and activists. Mining projects in Lualaba province have forced thousands of people from their homes and livelihoods, while Indigenous Peoples face eviction for conservation purposes.

The conflict continues to devastate children’s right to education, and natural disasters have left hundreds dead and thousands missing. Prisons are overcrowded, and inmates’ conditions are generally appalling. No meaningful progress has been made towards accountability and justice for victims of crimes under international law and other serious human rights violations. The Congolese authorities have used local militia groups to clash with Rwandan-backed March 23 Movement (M23) rebels. In October, President Tshisekedi announced that the “state of siege” in Ituri and Nord-Kivu provinces since May 2021 would be eased.

Is Congo safe for tourists?

Violent crime, including armed robbery, home invasion, and assault, is prevalent in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Local police struggle to respond effectively to serious crimes, and attackers may pose as police or security agents. Demonstrations are common in cities, and the U. S. government has limited ability to provide emergency consular services outside Kinshasa due to poor infrastructure and security conditions.

Is it safe to travel to Congo right now?

The “Do Not Travel” provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have been revised to reflect increased risk due to crime and civil unrest. The areas include North Kivu province, Ituri province, eastern DRC region, and Kasai provinces. Violent crime, including armed robbery and assault, is common, and local police lack resources to effectively respond to serious incidents. Assailants may pose as police or security agents.