Tshopo Falls, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the CongoVideo: Yannick Ikombe, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Find your Bliss in Democratic Republic of the Congo
DR Congo, made simple: rumba, the great river and a country like no other
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is vast, loud, creative and unforgettable. Kinshasa is the beating heart of Congolese rumba and sapeur style, the Congo River rolls past at its widest, bonobos play just outside the capital, and the south has its own mining city culture in Lubumbashi. This guide takes the guesswork out of entry, cash, safety and getting around.
Your trip, step by step
- Before you flyVisa, yellow fever, dollars and current safety advice, answered
- LandingN'djili airport and your first evening in Kinshasa
- Your days in DR CongoMusic, river, bonobos and the south, planned with care
- Home againDeparture tips so the last day is calm too
Where to go, eat and stay
Our local picks
Restaurants, things to do and nightlife
Our hand-picked spots in Nairobi and beyond, from must-haves to off the beaten path.
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Flights, stays and travel essentials
Search flights to Democratic Republic of the Congo and places to stay, and get set before you go.
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- Plain answersClear, honest guidance on the questions first-timers actually ask.
- Official sourcesEntry, health and safety facts point you to the official pages to confirm.
- No price surprisesWe explain why clean US dollars matter and how to budget without shocks.
- Free to useEvery guide and the trip planner are free.
Our promise
DR Congo should feel like an adventure, not a gamble. We answer the worries before they start, so you arrive confident and ready to find your Bliss.
Going home to family in Kinshasa or Lubumbashi after years in Brussels, Paris, London or Johannesburg, or curious about the city that gave the world rumba? This guide was written with you in mind.
How to use this guide
Four steps from first idea to a trip that feels easy.
- Choose your CongoCapital city, Atlantic corner, the copper south or the upper river: start with the destinations that fit you.
- Sort the essentialsVisa, yellow fever proof, clean dollars and current travel advice, checked against official sources.
- Pick your placesUse our places to visit list for food, music, nature and stays in each city.
- Plan your routeUse the free trip planner to shape your days and how you move between them.
Everything your DR Congo trip needs
Free tools and guides for every stage of the journey.
Destinations
Kinshasa, Kongo Central, Lubumbashi, Kisangani and Virunga, each explained honestly and in depth.
Explore destinationsPlaces to visit
More than a hundred restaurants, markets, music spots, sights and stays, from classics to hidden corners.
See places to visitFlights and stays
Search flights into Kinshasa and Lubumbashi and stays in the main cities.
Plan travelPlaces finder
Restaurants, sights and stays mapped around each base.
Find placesFree trip planner
Tell us your dates and interests and build a route that fits.
Plan your trip
The classic first trip
Kinshasa, bonobos and the road to the sea
Most first trips start in Kinshasa, with its music, markets and riverside sunsets, then add a day with the bonobos at Lola ya Bonobo and a few days in Kongo Central, where waterfalls, caves and the botanical garden at Kisantu lead down to the port of Matadi and the mangroves at Muanda.
- Live rumba and ndombolo in Matonge and Bandal
- Orphaned bonobos at Lola ya Bonobo
- Zongo Falls and the Kisantu botanical garden
- The Matadi bridge and the Atlantic at Muanda
Start with the destinations
See how Kinshasa, Kongo Central and the south fit together.
DR Congo destinationsPlan with confidence
Your route, without the worry
DR Congo is enormous, roads are slow and safety varies a great deal by region. Our free planner helps you choose a realistic route, a sensible pace and the areas that current advice supports.
- Realistic travel times
- The right season
- Where to base yourself
Where to go in Democratic Republic of the Congo
From the rumba capital on the Congo River to the Atlantic, the copper south and the upper river.
Kinshasa province
Kinshasa
Africa's great music capital on the Congo River, loud, stylish and unforgettable.
Read the guidePhoto: EdwinAlden.1995, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Kongo Central province
Kongo Central
Green hills, waterfalls and the Congo River's final run to the Atlantic.
Read the guidePhoto: Mikebrown7, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Haut-Katanga province
Lubumbashi
DR Congo's second city, calm, Swahili speaking and proud of its art and football.
Read the guidePhoto: Oasisk., CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
Tshopo province
Kisangani
A forest river city famous for the Wagenia fishermen and its place in history.
Read the guidePhoto: MONUSCO / Abel Kavanagh, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
North Kivu province
Virunga National Park
Africa's oldest national park, home to mountain gorillas, currently closed to tourism.
Read the guidePhoto: MONUSCO Photos, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A note from our founder
A note from our founder
My first time visiting Kenya, I was genuinely surprised with how fast it began feeling like home. The people are so friendly, the food is delicious and familiar, and the accommodations are modern and upscale.
During my travels throughout the continent, I commonly hear tourists share stories about being scammed or taken advantage of, which is both frustrating and disheartening.
Living in Kenya for the last 2 years, I have had the great fortune to meet a network of wonderful Kenyans who have continuously help guide my family's journey. Their shared knowledge has not only greatly enhanced our overall experience here, but it has also saved us tons of time, energy, and resources.
With BlissPoint Travel, my hope is to build a global community that is willing to share useful, uncommon knowledge so that we can all blissfully enjoy the wonders our world has to offer.
Questions we hear most
Is DR Congo safe to visit?
It depends heavily on where you go. Kinshasa, Kongo Central and Lubumbashi see regular business and family visitors, while government travel advice warns against all travel to large parts of the east, including North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri, because of armed conflict. Read your government's current advice before booking and check it again before you fly.
Can I visit Virunga National Park and the gorillas right now?
Tourism in Virunga has been suspended during the conflict around Goma, and many governments advise against all travel to North Kivu. Check the park's official website and your government's travel advice for the latest position before making any plans.
Do I need a visa for DR Congo?
Almost all visitors need a visa arranged before travel, and the rules depend on your passport. Check with the DR Congo embassy that covers your country and the Direction Générale de Migration, and carry your yellow fever certificate, which is checked on arrival.
What money should I bring to DR Congo?
Bring clean, recent US dollar notes. Dollars are used alongside Congolese francs for most larger payments, while small purchases are often in francs. Torn, marked or old series notes are often refused, and cards work only in a few big hotels and supermarkets.
What languages are spoken in DR Congo?
French is the official language. Lingala dominates in Kinshasa and along the river, Swahili in the east and in Lubumbashi, Kikongo in Kongo Central and Tshiluba in the Kasai. English is spoken by some in business and hotels but is not widespread.
How many days do I need in DR Congo?
A first trip of seven to ten days works well: four or five in and around Kinshasa, including the bonobos and Zongo Falls, then three or four in Kongo Central. Add a separate flight and three days if you want Lubumbashi.
Ready to find your Bliss in Democratic Republic of the Congo?
Use the free trip planner to turn ideas into a route that fits your dates and budget.