Travel advice for this country

Travel Summary

• We advise against all travel to eastern and north eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This includes entering DRC from Uganda and Rwanda. The only exception to this is within the town of Bukavu, including entering it from Rwanda, where we advise against all but essential travel. This is due to continued insecurity and lawlessness in these areas.  Instability and fighting between the Congolese army and insurgents in North Kivu province have led to very high numbers of civilians being displaced. There has been recent heavy fighting in areas close to the town of Goma. A local ceasefire has been declared but the situation remains volatile and can change at any time. See the Local Travel section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• We advise against all but essential travel to the rest of DRC because of continuing tension and insecurity.  The situation can deteriorate at short notice.  See the Local Travel section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• There is the likelihood of political demonstrations. For immediate, specific information about planned demonstrations or any other events which may affect the local security situation, you should register with the British Embassy in Kinshasa.  See the General (Registering with the British Embassy) section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• Ndjili airport (Kinshasa’s main airport) and Kinshasa’s ferry terminal can close at short notice.  You should check with your operator before travelling.
  
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism.  But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• The main type of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in DRC in 2007 was for replacing lost or stolen passports.  Robbery, including by individuals posing as plainclothes police, is also common.  You should also be aware of gangs promising you cut price gold and diamonds.
  
  
• We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.

Safety and security

In the months following the elections, there were further public demonstrations related to the political process, some of which turned violent (see Local Travel).  Protests have in the past spilled over into attacks on international targets.  You should avoid crowds and popular gathering points, and contact the Embassy if there are signs of trouble.

For immediate, specific information about planned demonstrations or any other events which may affect the local security situation, you should register with the British Embassy in Kinshasa (see Contact Details).

The agreement reached in January 2008 between the DRC government and armed groups offers the chance for peace in the provinces of North and South Kivu, where conflict has continued beyond the end of the civil war. However, issues remain to be resolved, a heavy United Nations peace keeping presence is deployed and conflict is continuing in that part of the country. Large numbers of civilians remain displaced as a result of conflict in the Kivus.  

You should be aware of the increased likelihood of political demonstrations following the arrest of the political leader Jean-Pierre Bemba. If you have not already done so, you should register with the British Embassy for local updates on the security situation in Kinshasa.  

Violent clashes took place in Bas Congo province (south western DRC) between a local political group, the BDK, and Congolese security forces in late February and early March 2008, resulting in a number of deaths. These followed confrontations between the BDK and the police on 5 January in which six people were reported killed and over twenty seriously injured, some as a result of gunfire. The BDK and government troops fought in Bas Congo at the end of January and early February 2007, when over 100 people are reported to have been killed. The situation in Bas Congo remains tense, but for the moment without incident. Particular care should be taken when travelling to the Bas Fleuve region.  

The north eastern district of Ituri, near the frontier with Uganda, remains an area of continued inter-factional conflict. Despite the presence of UN peacekeepers, violence continues.  There remains the risk of armed clashes and attacks on civilians across eastern DRC, in Ituri, the Kivu provinces and northern Katanga.

In late September 2007 over thirty people were killed in three separate incidences of inter-tribal violence in Kasai Oriental and Kasai Occidental Provinces (southern DRC).

During March 2007 there was a build up of military forces representing different political factions in Gombe District in the centre of Kinshasa.  The situation deteriorated, and fighting took place across the city on 22 and 23 March with a heavy loss of life.

The border with Angola can close at short notice. You should check with your travel agent before attempting to cross the border into Angola. Obtaining visas for Angola in DRC is difficult. You are advised to arrange them before travelling to DRC. 

Road Travel

An international driving permit is required to drive in DRC.  Car hire with international companies is possible in Kinshasa.

There is no reliable public transport system in DRC.  Over-crowded and unroadworthy vans serve as buses in Kinshasa.  There are few taxis, available from the large hotels, but these do not meet western safety standards.  Outside Kinshasa and other main cities, most roads are barely drivable even with a 4x4, especially during the rainy season (September to May).

For further information see Driving Abroad.

Air Travel

The European Commission has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the European Union.  This is regularly updated.  You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel: http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/air/safety/flywell_en.htm.

All airlines from DRC have been refused permission to operate services to the EU because DRC is unable to ensure that its airlines meet international safety standards. An aircraft operated by the Hewa Bora airline crashed at Goma airport in eastern DRC on 15 April 2008.   An aircraft chartered by the humanitarian flight operator AirServ crashed near Bukavu in eastern DRC on 1 September.  British Embassy officials are currently using only United Nations and ECHO flights with DRC.   It is recommended that you avoid flying with any airline from DRC if an acceptable alternative means of travel exists.  If you already have a flight booked with any DRC airline you should consult your travel agent. 

For more general information see Airline Security.

River Travel

The ferry service between Kinshasa and Brazzaville is currently operating.

You should be aware that the boats and ferries, which serve the rivers and lakes, are poorly maintained and often overloaded.  Strong currents, shifting sandbanks and poor maintenance contribute to low safety standards.  At least 17 people were killed when a passenger ferry sank on Lake Tanganyika in January 2008. Large numbers of deaths were reported after a boat bound for Moba, a port on the shore of Lake Tanganyika, sank on 20 May. A makeshift boat ferrying passengers on the River Lubilanji near Mbuji-Mayi in southern DRC sank in early April 2008. Over thirty people were reported killed as a result. On 22 July 2008, at least 42 people were killed when a river boat sank on the River Oubangui in north western DRC, close to the border with the Central African Republic.   

For more general information see River and Sea Safety.

Local laws and customs

Entry requirements

Health

Natural disasters

Volcanoes

Since May 2006, the Nyiragongo and Nyamulagira volcanoes in the north east of the country (near Goma) have been showing signs of renewed volcanic activity.  On 27 November2006, Nyamulagira erupted.  If you are in the area (against our travel advice) you should follow local advice.

Earthquakes

On3 February 2008 an earthquake struck Eastern DRC with its epicentre 20kilometres north of Bukavu. It measured 6.1 on the Richter scale. The earthquake and its aftershocks could be felt in neighbouring Rwanda and Burundi. Five people were reported dead in DRC with over 200 casualties. A further tremor in the same area, measuring approximately 5.0 on the Richter scale, was reported on 9 June.

On 19 February 2007 an earthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale was felt in parts of eastern DRC (mainly north Kivu and southern Ituri).

General

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