Democratic Republic of the Congo2024-02-01T10:35:56+01:00

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Travel tips for the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Top 5 Experiences

Home to Africa’s green lung, the Democratic Republic of Congo holds some pleasant surprises.

Lake Kivu

Lake Kivu

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes, this freshwater lake invites visitors to take a boat ride, while enjoying its crystal-clear waters that mirror the sky above.

Lubumbashi_Cathedral

The Cathédrale Saints Pierre et Paul

Dating back to 1920, this cathedral graces the urban landscape of Lubumbashi with its unique design and contributes to the cultural diversity of the city.

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Congo River

With a length of 4,374 km, the Congo is the second largest river in Africa after the Nile. The Congo Basin is home to an impressive biodiversity that is supported by the river.

Virunga

Virunga National Park

A UNESCO World Heritage site teeming with biodiversity, offering encounters with mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and unique bird species, as well as Africa’s most active volcano, Mount Nyiragongo.

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Kinshasa Music

With a population of over 10 million, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo impresses with its vibrant Kinshasa Music. It is also known as the birthplace of Congolese rumba.

Tourist infrastructure

The Ferry travel between Kinshasa and Brazzaville is generally considered safe; however, ferry and river transport in other areas can be unreliable. Road conditions outside major cities are often challenging, particularly during the rainy season.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo as a whole, you can find a range of accommodation options, including hotels, guesthouses, and lodges. It’s recommended to book in advance in major cities and common tourist areas.

Climate and travel season

The optimal time to visit the DRC is during the extensive dry season spanning from May to September, with July standing out as the driest month, closely followed by June. Temperature-wise, there is a subtle decline during these months. Additionally, a briefer dry spell occurs in January and February.

Visa and entry

Information on entry requirements and visas can be obtained from the Embassy of the Comoros.

Please always observe the visa regulations and the latest information from the Federal Foreign Office / Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs / Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.

Germany

Austria

Switzerland

Impressions from the Democratic Republic of the Congo

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Stories

Our partners for the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Visas, Entry and Updates

Federal Foreign Office ➝

Federal Ministry European and International ➝

Federal Department of
Foreign Affairs ➝

Information of the
Tourism Board ➝

Country information

Current accessibility

  • Information on entry:

    Entry into Egypt is possible for tourists from Germany, Austria and Switzerland via the international airports. Due to the currently stricter entry restrictions, it is recommended to apply for a visa before departure. Due to Covid-19, entry controls and temperature measurements can be expected at all airports. All entrants must present a negative PCR test result, not older than 72 hours, in English or Arabic. When entering via Frankfurt Airport, the test result must not be older than 96 hours. Children under six years of age are exempt from the obligation to test. Alternatively, proof of complete vaccination status with a WHO-approved vaccine can be provided.

    In case one directly enters through Hurghada, Sharm el Sheikh, Marsa Alam and Marsa Matrouh, one has the option to have the required PCR test carried out for a fee upon arrival at the respective airports. Until the result is available, travelers must immediately enter a quarantine in their hotel room. If the test is positive, further quarantine measures are taken. A health card with information about the health insurance must also be filled upon on arrival.

  • Information on return:

    Since March 30, 2021, all travellers, no matter from which country they are coming and which means of transportation they use, must present a negative PCR or PoC test, a proof of complete vaccination, for instance the digital Covid-Certificate from the EU (Green Pass), or a proof of recovery from a Covid-19 infection, which was completed at least 28 days ago and is maximum 6 months old, before entering the Federal Republic of Germany. The PCR test must be performed at the earliest 72 hours and the PoC-test 48 hours before the start of the return journey. In addition, travellers must register their entry at the entry portal www.einreiseanmeldung.de➝ before arriving in Germany and carry proof of the corresponding registration with them. For stays in high risk areas classified by the RKI➝ there is a 10-day quarantine obligation. The quarantine can solely be prevented when a proof of complete vaccination or a proof of recovery from a Covid-19 infection, which was completed at least 28 days ago and is maximum 6 months old, was submitted on the entry portal. After five days at the earliest, travellers who are not vaccinated or did not recover from a Covid-19 infection can undergo a Covid-19 test. With a subsequent negative result, the quarantine obligation can be ended early. For stays in virus mutation areas a negative PCR-test, which must be performed at the earliest 72 hours before entering, needs to be shown before return and a fourteen-day quarantine must to be entered without possibility to shorten it.

    All travellers older than 12 years, must present a negative PCR or PoC test, a proof of complete vaccination, for instance the digital Covid-Certificate from the EU (Green Pass), or a proof of recovery from a Covid-19 infection before entering Austria. The PCR-test must be performed at the earliest 72 hours and the PoC-test 48 hours before the start of the return journey. Since January 15, 2021, travellers must register their entry here ➝ („Pre-Travel-Clearance“) before arrival. With the above mentioned certifications a quarantine can be fully prevented when entering from a country classified as safe. The certifications can be handed in 24 hours later if no hotel stay is planned. For vaccinated people arriving from countries not classified as safe or from virus mutations areas the quarantine does not apply neither. Non-vaccinated people however need to present a negative Covid-test or a proof of recovery as well as enter a 10-day quarantine. After five days at the earliest, travellers can undergo a Covid-19 test. With a subsequent negative result, the quarantine obligation can be ended early.

    All air as well as transit passengers who are not fully vaccinated or did not surpass a Covid-19 infection within the past 6 months must register their entry on www.swissplf.admin.ch before or during arrival in Switzerland and need to carry the generated QR-code with them. Air passengers older than 16 years must present a negative PCR or PoC test, a proof of complete vaccination, for instance the digital Covid-Certificate from the EU (Green Pass), or a proof of recovery from a Covid-19 infection before entering. The PCR-test must be performed at the earliest 72 hours and the PoC-test 48 hours before the start of the return journey. Air as well as transit passengers who are not fully vaccinated or did not surpass a Covid-19 infection as well need to enter a 10-day quarantine and present a PCR-test. In addition, they need to inform their corresponding cantonal authority latest within two days after arrival. After seven days at the earliest, travellers can undergo a Covid-19 test. With a subsequent negative result, the quarantine obligation can be ended early. The obligation to test or enter quarantine does not apply to fully vaccinated people who can present a certificate such as the EU Digital Certificate or a Swiss Covid certificate.

Für Einreisende in die Bundesrepublik Deutschland, die sich in den letzten 10 Tagen vor Einreise in einem Risikogebiet aufgehalten haben, besteht seit dem 08. November 2020 die Pflicht, sich unverzüglich in eine zehntägige Quarantäne zu begeben. Darüber hinaus müssen Reisende vor ihrer Ankunft in Deutschland ihre Einreise unter https://www.einreiseanmeldung.de ➝ anmelden und den Nachweis über die entsprechende Anmeldung mit sich führen. Nach frühestens fünf Tagen können sich die Reiserückkehrer Covid-19 Test unterziehen. Mit einem anschließenden Negativergebnis kann die Quarantänepflicht frühzeitig beendet werden.

ACHTUNG: Wer sich in den letzten 10 Tagen vor Einreise in Deutschland in einem Hochinzidenz-Gebiet oder einem Virusvarianten-Gebiet aufgehalten hat, muss bereits bei Einreise einen ärztlichen Nachweis oder ein negatives Testergebnis bei sich tragen und diesen bei Aufforderung der zuständigen Behörden vorlegen können. Der Test darf nicht älter als 48 Stunden vor Einreise sein. Darüber hinaus ist das negative Testergebnis auch vor Antritt der Rückreise dem entsprechenden Beförderer vorzulegen. Sollte es den Einreisenden aus etwaigen Gründen in einem Hochinzidenzgebiet oder einem Virusvarianten-Gebiet nicht möglich sein, sich vor Abreise testen zu lassen, können die entsprechenden Beförderer vor Abreise einen Schnelltest durchführen und bei Negativergebnis die Beförderung vornehmen. Der Beförderer darf den Test maximal 12 Stunden vor Abreise durchführen. Dieser Test muss den Anforderungen des RKI entsprechen: https://www.rki.de/tests ➝

Covid-19

Corona precautionary measures

  • Restrictions in the country:

    In Egypt, a minimum distance of 1.5 m must be maintained throughout the country. When traveling within the country, health exams with temperature measurements and tests for Covid-19 can take place. In the event of a positive test or symptoms of illness, isolation in government hospitals can be required. Offices and public institutions as well as sports facilities, parks, museums, restaurants and shops are open to a limited extent.

  • Mouth and nose protection:

    Egypt requires mouth and nose protection in public places.

  • Hygiene measures in the country:

    It is recommended to wash hands regularly. Further information on a valid catalogue of measures is not available.

Status: 01.10.2021

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