Overland Democratic Republic of Congo Travel

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West Africa > Democratic Republic of Congo Currency to display:

Visiting Democratic Republic of Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a massive country - one of the biggest in Africa. The country often struggles for stability, and is not known as the safest of places to visit. Do you research carefully.
Note: Almost all places in the DRC accept the US Dollar as currency, or the local Congolese Franc (only used in the DRC)

Entering Democratic Republic of Congo with a Car or Motorbike

Correct as of: May 2017

Travel Visa for Democratic Republic of Congo

The travel visa for The DRC is easy to get, with virtually everyone who travels South getting it in Cotonou, Benin. It's possible to get a one week visa, or a one month visa which costs CFA70,000.00 XOF.
The visa will be issued by the staff while you wait, or later the same day.

Coming from the South, get the visa in Windhoek, Namibia for $100.00 USD

Required Paperwork

(no copies are required)

Process at border

Depending on your route, getting stamped in might actually be many days drive from where you enter. This is considered normal.

  • Get yourself stamped in at Immigration.
  • Go to Douane to get a temporary import for the vehicle. Using the vehicle registration the officer will write out a Passavant, valid for one month.
  • If you have a Carnet de Passage, you don't need the Passavant.

Cost of entry

Entry with a Carnet de Passage is free, the passavant costs CFA10,000.00 XOF

Permitted length of stay

With a Passavant it is one month.

Extension of stay

Unknown

Storing a vehicle and temporarily leaving the country

Describe if/how a vehicle can be stored, and for how long.
Also mention if the owner / temporary importer can leave the country while the vehicle is in storage.

Exiting with a vehicle

  • Get yourself stamped out at Immigration.
  • Get your Carnet de Passage stamped out if you have one.

All should be free, do not pay for this.

Driving in Democratic Republic of Congo

Recommended books for Overlanding in Democratic Republic of Congo

Overland Travel Essentials: West Africa: Myths, Miscon...
Overland Travel Essentials: West Africa: Myths, Miscon...
by Dan Grec
From $click on Amazon
Lonely Planet French Phrasebook & Dictionary (lonely P...
Lonely Planet French Phrasebook & Dictionary (lonely P...
by Lonely Planet
From $3.74 on Amazon
Work Less To Live Your Dreams: A Practical Guide To Sa...
Work Less To Live Your Dreams: A Practical Guide To Sa...
by Dan Grec
From $click on Amazon
Overlanders' Handbook: Worldwide Route And Planning Gu...
Overlanders' Handbook: Worldwide Route And Planning Gu...
by Chris Scott
From $22.49 on Amazon
Adventure Motorcycling Handbook: A Route & Planning Gu...
Adventure Motorcycling Handbook: A Route & Planning Gu...
by Chris Scott
From $click on Amazon

Travel insurance for Democratic Republic of Congo

World Nomads offer the most flexible Travel Insurance at the best prices for multi-country / multi-year trips. You can buy, extend and claim online, even after you've left home.

Vehicle insurance requirements

Insurance does not seem to be required, Police never seem to ask for it for people just transiting through, though you might want to have something to show anyone looking for a bribe.

Cost of vehicle insurance

Unknown.

Where to purchase vehicle insurance

Unknown within The DRC

Driving license

Anything from your home country will be accepted.

Driving side of road

Right.
RHD vehicles are allowed without problem.

Mandatory items in vehicle

You probably need two safety triangles, first aid kit, and fire extinguisher. It's a good idea to have them to avoid bribery.

Roads

General Road quality

The DRC has possibly the worst roads in all of Africa. Dirt roads are often extremely bad mud, with deep rutted tracks from transport trucks, deep water crossings and bogs which may be impassable. Paved roads are often more pothole than tarmac.

Road signs

Road signs are virtually non-existent, certainly away from Kinshasa you should expect none.

Toll roads

None.

Bribery in Democratic Republic of Congo

Bribery is extremely common, you should expect officers at checkpoints to either directly ask for money or a gift. Maybe they will invent a story about why you must pay. "Road tax" is a common bribe, and is extremely expensive for foreign vehicles (often $50 USD). Be polite, and don’t pay bribes, though many people can not find a way around paying Road Tax.

See the bribery tips page for general advice.

Checkpoints

There are many checkpoints and random stops where Police, Military and Customs will check all your paperwork. Don't pay. Stay friendly and polite. Never use your mobile phone or camera at check points.

Traveling with pets

List the entry requirements and anything else required to travel with a pet.

Gas price in Democratic Republic of Congo and Diesel price in Democratic Republic of Congo

Last updated: May 2017

Currency and unit to display:

Gasoline Grade Price
Unleaded $1.27 USD per Liter
Diesel $1.26 USD per Liter

Gas and Diesel Availability / Frequency

Stations are very rare, especially North of the Congo River. Gas and diesel can be bought from containers, though the quality will be questionable. You should carry as much gas/diesel as possible, and expect to find few stations.

Gas and Diesel Quality

Likely not good - both have dirt and/or water, diesel is likely extremely high sulphur content.

Safety and Security Considerations

Driving at night

Driving at night is not highly recommended due to the risk of violence or bandits. There can also be armed robbery on the roads in remote places and some even place bogus road blocks. Also watch out for cars without lights, animals, people and everything else you can imagine on the roads.

Vehicle parking

Vehicles can be parked on the streets and usually are safe. At night try to park in compounds or other known safe zones

Special driving considerations

As with all of west africa, expect the unexpected at all times. Literally anything is possible.

Security advisories and information

Camping in Democratic Republic of Congo

Camping is not common in The DRC, though it can be done in the right places.
Wildcamping is certainly possible in remote areas. See places in iOverlander for the few that exist.

Camping guide books

List and link to books specifically for camping.

Drinking water

It's not recommended to drink tap water - filter it or buy bottles.

Navigation

Paper maps

Reise Know-How are among the best paper maps. Purchase paper maps before arriving in Democratic Republic of Congo

Congo Brazzaville & Democratic Republic Of Congo 1:2,0...
Congo Brazzaville & Democratic Republic Of Congo 1:2,0...
by Reise Knowhow
From $12.95 on Amazon
Nonfiction Reading And Writing Workshop Springboard: A...
Nonfiction Reading And Writing Workshop Springboard: A...
by National Geographic Learning
From $14.95 on Amazon
Congo : Democratic Republic (country Map)
Congo : Democratic Republic (country Map)
by Cartographia
From $12.95 on Amazon
Lonely Planet French Phrasebook & Dictionary
Lonely Planet French Phrasebook & Dictionary
by Lonely Planet, Michael Janes, Jean-Bernard Carille...
From $3.96 on Amazon

GPS Maps of Democratic Republic of Congo

  • Garmin Open Street Maps has excellent coverage of all roads - highways and cities.
  • Tracks4Africa is an SD Card for Garmin GPS, and contain Routable turn-by-turn maps with 809,000 kms of roads and over 129,000 points of interest.
Gps Map Of Africa
Gps Map Of Africa
From $click on Amazon

GPS co-ordinates for camping, propane, gas, repairs, etc. in Democratic Republic of Congo

  • iOverlander is a website and iPhone application designed by Overlanders, for Overlanders. It contains GPS co-ordinates and reviews for camping, hotels, propane, water, mechanics, borders and much more.

Special Overland Travel interests

  • There are quite a few great spots listed in iOverlander - check there.
  • The Luozi ferry is the most common place to cross the Congo River. Price is just under $20USD for a regular sized 4x4, and around $30USD for a large truck-camper.
  • There is a bridge across the Congo River at Matadi - the price is about $5USD.

Vehicle Maintenance

Dealers

4x4s / Trucks

Motorbikes

Local Garages

Add known good mechanics here.

Buy or sell a car or motorbike in Democratic Republic of Congo

Buy
Describe how a foreigner can buy a vehicle. List any difficulties or limitations on where the vehicle can be driven.

Sell
Describe how a foreigner can sell a foreign-plated vehicle, or list not possible.'

References

Links to the source of any information - blogs or discussion forums, etc.


Helpful External links

Add any helpful external links here.