Let me just start this D.R. Congo travel guide by saying that this has been one of the top underrated, hidden paradises, that is sadly hidden from publicity due to negative news, stereotypes and hearsay.
I’ll admit, I was a bit scared to go to D.R. Congo solo, especially as a woman. And I’ll also be honest in saying that many people told me not to go! It also didn’t help that the U.S. Gov’s travel advisory website said nothing good about going there, and only listed warnings for areas where “assault, robbery, kidnapping, and rape” “happen”.
But as a smart, experienced traveler, I know those terrible things can happen anywhere. And that i’s not fair to avoid ana entire country and it’s people, just because the news only tells you the bad things that happen.
So off I went to meet my guide Obed (Kumbukumbu Tours), who i had been talking to for about two years trying to plan my trip collab. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to climb and camp on Nyiragongo because it recently erupted, but everything else was absolutely magical!
Here’s everything I did in this D.R. Congo Travel Guide! If you don’t want to go alone, or plan this trip, please consider joining one of my D.R. Congo Group Trips!
Be Sure to Read my Post “Is D.R. Congo Safe?” Too!
For many of us who didn’t get a solid geography education in school, you may be wondering firstly, where is D.R. Congo?
It’s located in Central Africa, pretty much righ in the middle of the continent! It’s below the equator though, which means it has lush tropical landscapes, mountains, volcanoes and many lakes!
There’s a lot of different names for Congo, and they have changed over time for different reasons. The two most current names are from the re-naming of the former Zaire, and separation/creation of new countries.
In short:
As I mentioned in the begining, D.R. Congo has a very bad rep for not being safe. I’m not going to lie to you, in some areas, this is true! There are STILL Rwandan and Civil War rebels, but also, they stay in certain areas.
Meaning there are designated areas that are considered safe. I personally felt very safe in all of the places I visited, because I knew they were considered safe areas, and because no one bothered me at all. In fact, everyone was very kind and welcoming!
This is solely my impression, and I must remind you that travel is always at your own risk. You must be vigilant and smart at all times! If you need reminders, read one of my may solo travel safety posts!
Also, all of the areas I mention in this D.R. Congo travel guide are places considered safe. I purposely did not go anywhere that wasn’t!
Aside from the groups of rebels in the areas where you should not go, there’s a couple of current problems as well. As with any country, there are many people suffering from poverty, especially those who lost their homes during the volcanic eruption.
There is little help being offered (even though Goma is one of the biggest bases for the United Nations), so the people must do things themself. That’s why tourism is so important — it can bring locals more income and jobs.
In areas near Virunga, many people also don’t have clean water to drink. If you’d like to help with a fundraising project I’m doing to bring clean water filters here, please see the Donations section below.
Poaching of course is also a huge problem, here and all of Africa. Luckily now there is sufficient funding to protect the gorillas, but occasionally they can still get caught in snare traps meant to catch game animals like antelope or buffalo that the locals eat because they can’t afford food.
That being said, again, the best way to help fight poaching, is with tourism! The more tourists that come, the more money comes, the more funding for anti-poaching, AND more jobs for locals so they don’t have to resort to killing animals for food.
Regarding safety problems; as I mentioned above, just avoid known-violence areas.
The best time to go to Congo really depends on your preference. There are dry and wet seasons in Congo, and it is said that the wet season is better to go in. I went in dry season though, and didn’t mind it at all.
Dry season is from: June – August
Wet season is from: September – May
You may automatically think that dry season is preferable, and I don’t blame you! However interestingly, the Congolese prefer wet season because “everything is more green and less dusty”. They say that if it rains, it’s only for an hour or two, then it stops.
However as a Florida native, I prefer a 0% chance of rain when I’m traveling, especially since gorilla trekking time frames can’t be changed!
The main airport in D.R. Congo is in the city of Goma. Fair warning, it is not like the airports you’re used to. That’s because tourism is not big there. Something I am trying to change in order to help the Congolese people, while also showing YOU one of the last hidden paradises on Earth!
Anyway, the aiport is used to people arriving for business, humanitarian work, or for locals. That being said, it’s a bit hectic to navigate. Your best bet is to pay an airport worker to walk you through all of the different stations that you need different things at. Like covid test checking, covid test upon arrival, yellow fever card check, visa check, and passport stamp.
You can also fly into Kigali in Rwanda, then drive 6 hours and cross the land border from Rwanda (if it’s open).
If you’re looking for a fabulous place to stay in Goma, just a few minutes from the airport, and on Lake Kivu, I would highly recommend the Goma Serena! Arriving here after being extremely stressed and worried about traveling solo in D.R. Congo was like a breath of fresh air!
The Goma Serena is the first and only luxury 5 star hotel in Goma, and has everything you need for a comfortable, relaxing stay. Well, and a fun stay as well; they even have their own nightclub!
Right now (August 2021), these are the current things you need to enter D.R. Congo. I will update it as it changes with the world situation:
The super fun section that most forget to think about before you leave!
As this guide is already getting pretty long, I’m going to give you the bulletlist of best things to do in D.R. Congo, and make a separate post for it!
See my full guide for the 11 Best Things to do in D.R. Congo!
You can get the best of both worlds and book one of my group trips with him and other like-minded travelers on certain dates. My trip is longer, and includes 7 days 6 nights, including stays at the Serena, market shopping, a donation for water filters, and also airport assistance.
Please click the “Group Trips” tab for info on our next group trip!
While your tourism will go a long way in contributing to the communities, there are still more ways you can help locals and the environment!
If you’d like to bring donations, try to aim for things that will go a long way. Think; water filters for villages, childrens clothing, and shoes. You can also give monetary donations to approved local organizations like the ones below. I would not recommend donating to big corporations though.
*If you’d like to donate money towards purchasing water filter systems for the Virunga villages, please drop a comment below contact me! We are fundraising to buy several, which people from my group trips will bring from the U.S. to Congo!
Also, you will see TONS of kids that will run to wave at you and say “bonjour!” They may also hold their hands out or ask for “biscuits”. Please do not give money to the kids, because then they will keep asking for it, and people don’t want that.
If you want to make a montary donation, find the parent, or leader in the village, and give it to them to share amongst everyone.
The same thing applies for if you want to give snacks. Check with your guide first on their opinion on this. Some say don’t give food, others say you should. But if you do, the same rule as above applies, give it to someone responsible to disperse them.
Also DO NOT use your own hands to touch the food then give it to them! Either get individually wrapped items (preferably not plastic), or hand a bag over to an adult. Also wear a mask!
Knowing what to wear in African countries is usually something I figure out once I get there. This is because I like to see what the locals wear, and try to blend in! Your regular clothes are perfectly fine, but be sure to keep in mind it can get hot during the day, and cold at night! Especially in the mountains!
You can also do what I do and shop locally once you arrive! I found a market where I bought locally made dresses for only $10! There’s also TONS of boutiques and shops in Goma! Just ask a taxi driver to take you there!
OH! And you also need certain types of clothing for gorilla trekking! I have an entire post specifically for that here!
Below are some items I wore or used often, and what I recommend to pack for D.R. Congo!
Please click the images below to see them on Amazon, and note that I get a tiny commission if you buy something! If you really want to help me out though, please see the products in my shop!
Also if you’re not sure what camera to buy or bring, check out my newly updated Camera Gear post!
Please don’t forget! I work extremely hard to produce these free travel guides and posts! If it helped you, or you enjoyed it, PLEASE give it a share on social media, and follow me to keep up with more posts! You’re two minutes of effort truly helps keep my business running! Thank ya!
xx, Alyssa
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A dress on a gorilla trek? In the jungle of the Congo? How ridiculous
Women hating on other women is so tacky. What, would you comment something positive if I only showed the army print trekking outfit I wore to get to the gorillas? THAT, is ridiculous ;)
I really admire the way that you are willing to travel to unusual countries and the huge amount of work that you put into your travels and your business. I have travelled to over 100 countries but not too many that are considered “unsafe” (although of course quite a few were considered unsafe by family and friends!). Your post has definitely made me consider DRC for Gorilla trekking in the future. Keep on travelling and living life on your own terms - you are an inspiration
Thank you so much Karen! I really appreciate that! I used to avoid the places people "told me were unsafe", then finally I went to places like Morocco, Jordan, and India and was like "WOW! I would have totally missed out!" So now I don't listen to anyway and strive to seen underrated places!
Thank you so much for your blog posts about D.R. Congo and showing this side of the country. It has really inspired me to go and visit. Gorilla trekking is veeeery high on my bucket list. :)
That makes me so happy to hear!! Please contact Obed if you need a guide! (Or join my group trips hehe)
I loved following this trip and reading this blog, so much so that I am inspired to do a solo trip for an upcoming big birthday. I really appreciate how you interact with the locals too, and it’s something I am keen to do more when next abroad!
Thanks so much Georg! And that makes me really happy to hear! I hope you will consider Obed for your tour!!
What a great, comprehensive post about traveling to D.R. Congo. I appreciate your cultural sensitivity and frankness in your writing. I can’t say D.R. Congo was ever on my travel bucket list until I saw your posts.
Thank you so much Michelle! That makes me so happy to hear!
Ever since I watched Anthony Bourdain travel through DRC in his Parts Unknown series I’ve been captivated by the country. Your blogs have shown me an extra dimension to this clearly amazing region. They provide a fascinating insight into the abundance of culture and nature this country offers as well as completely practical advice on traveling to somewhere we should absolutely be paying far more attention to. It just makes me want to visit there even more. Keep up the great work!
Thank you so much James! I've been told I'm like the "female Anthony Bourain".....except I'm not a huge foodie, and I promote the nice things about places in addition to the rugged haha!
Can’t even imagine the work that goes into these posts! You must be exhausted. Keep up the good work! I plan to use your Sayulita guide next week 👌
Thanks Suzie! It's definitely a lot of work, and can be very exhausting, but worth it to see the world! :) THank you for reading and for your feedback!
I LOVE how you have included what the requirements are as of NOW because with all the uncertainty around the world this information is super helpful in planning trips and saving time 🙏🏽
Glad it could help!! Thank you for your feedback! :)