Top 10 Places to See When you Visit Congo
Do you hope to visit Congo? If yes, you should be planning where to visit upon arriving in the country. This is quite a difficult decision since you have never been to the country for any reason.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a Central African country with scores of tourist attractions on its total area of 2,345,409 km2. DRC shares borders with many countries, which include the Central African Republic, Uganda, Zambia, Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan, the Republic of the Congo, and Angola. Generally speaking, DR Congo is a great place for tourism, as it possesses spectacular sceneries, a fascinating culture, and plenty of exciting attractions.
Keep reading to know whether you need a Congolese visa and the top places to visit in the country.
Do I Need a Visa to Visit DRC?
Whether you need a visa to enter the Democratic Republic of the Congo or not depends on your country of origin. This implies that citizens of almost all countries must obtain a visa to visit Congo for any purpose whatsoever.
These countries include:-
- Cape Verde
- Suriname
- Afghanistan
- Canada
- Jordan
- Indonesia
- Paraguay
- China
- Andorra
- Liechtenstein
- Armenia
- Cuba
- Bahrain
- Lithuania
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Hong Kong
- Belize
- Kiribati
- Argentina
- Brunei
- Cambodia
- Fiji
- Chile
- Zambia
- The Comoro Islands
- El Salvador
- Albania
- Turkey
- New Zealand
- France
- Kosovo
- Cyprus
- Eswatini
- Georgia
- Djibouti
- Azerbaijan
- The Dominican Republic
- Egypt
- Guinea-Bissau
- Estonia
- Ireland
- The Czech Republic
- Finland
- The Gambia
- Switzerland
- Germany
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Algeria
- Turkmenistan
- Grenada
- Australia
- Bangladesh
- Malta
- Kazakhstan
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Haiti
- Nigeria
- Bhutan
- Dominica
- North Macedonia
- Lesotho
- Iran
- Burundi
- Austria
- Kenya
- Botswana
- Iraq
- Denmark
- Croatia
- Jamaica
- Hungary
- Brazil
- Uganda
- Palau Islands
- Macao
- Bolivia
- Kuwait
- Laos
- Greece
- Nicaragua
- Colombia
- Italy
- The Bahamas
- Moldova
- Guyana
- Luxembourg
- Bulgaria
- Ecuador
- Sri Lanka
- Madagascar
- Guatemala
- Angola
- Malaysia
- Ghana
- Mali
- Ethiopia
- Singapore
- Liberia
- Japan
- Mozambique
- Spain
- Iceland
- Tanzania
- Pakistan
- Monaco
- Guinea
- Israel
- The Solomon Islands
- Venezuela
- Nepal
- Peru
- Vanuatu
- Latvia
- North Korea
- Mongolia
- Belgium
- Kyrgyzstan
- Uruguay
- Norway
- Oman
- Mexico
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Poland
- Montenegro
- Malawi
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- India
- Romania
- The Maldives
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Lebanon
- Samoa
- Myanmar
- The Netherlands
- Serbia
- Micronesia
- Seychelles
- Namibia
- Costa Rica
- Thailand
- Mauritius
- Somalia
- The Netherlands
- Eritrea
- South Korea
- Panama
- Honduras
- Nauru
- Saint Lucia
- Zimbabwe
- Russia
- Papua New Guinea
- Sudan
- Libya
- Sweden
- Taiwan
- San Marino
- Tajikistan
- South Africa
- Timor-Leste
- The Palestinian Territory
- Sierra Leone
- Tonga
- Nicaragua
- Tunisia
- South Sudan
- Tuvalu
- Ukraine
- The United Kingdom
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Portugal
- Uzbekistan
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Vietnam
- The Philippines
- The United States of America
- Slovakia
- Yemen
- Syria
- The Marshall Islands
- Slovenia
Top 10 Places to Visit in Congo
Below are the top (10) places to visit in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
#1. Virunga National Park
With a Google star rating of 4.5/5.0 out of 394 reviews, Virunga National Park is one of the top places to visit in Congo. The park offers an overwhelming experience due to its many natural resources, hills, giant trees, monkeys, gorillas, and tent camps. All of these would surely exceed your expectations.
Virunga National Park is also an excellent place for hiking and family picnics.
#2. Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary
Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary is an animal park in Congo’s capital, Kinshasa. The park is also a delightful place to visit in Congo due to its unique features.
Of course, visiting Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary with your children is a good idea, as they will be opportune to see and learn about highly endangered species of animals, such as bonobos.
For all these fabulous experiences, you will only have to pay an entry fee of about $10 per person.
#3. Mount Nyiragongo
Another fantastic place to visit in Congo is Mount Nyiragongo, an active volcano in Kinshasa. Mount Nyiragongo is a picturesque spot because of its lava lakes, which have burned down the fields around the volcano.
However, you can visit Mount Nyiragongo to have an adventure walk on the rim of the volcano. The entry fee for Mount Nyiragongo is very costly but is worth the price.
#4. The National Museum of DRC
During your visit to Congo, you can also visit its national museum, which has a star rating of 4.0/5.0 on Google. A visit to the National Museum of DRC is highly recommended, as it is one of the best museums in Africa.
Supposing that your visit to Congo is to learn about its history, seeing the museum will make your trip worthwhile.
#5. Zongo Falls
Zongo Falls has attained a good rating (of up to 4.7/5.0) on Google. It is best to visit Zongo Falls with your loved ones, as it is beyond amazing. Zongo Falls features a waterfall and river, where you just stand and admire nature.
Besides, there are villas up for rent around the waterfall. The villas possess many things that you would ever need during your visit. These include a boiler, coffee machine, a BBQ spot, and a small fridge.
#6. Garamba National Park
Despite having not many reviews on Google, Garamba National Park is one of the most-visited places in DRC. The park is best for people who dislike crowded places and only want to relax.
By visiting Garamba National Park, you will understand how to protect the diversity of plant and animal life. Its beautiful nature is home to many species of birds and other animals.
#7. Lake Kivu
You can also visit Lake Kivu in DR Congo, which is safe for swimming and surfing. Emphatically, the lake has no animals that can cause harm to humans.
Lake Kivu offers a stunning view due to the islands surrounding it. This allows you to keep memories of your visit in beautiful photos.
#8. Okapi Wildlife Reserve
Okapi Wildlife Reserve is a rainforest habited by a small population of people in Kinshasa, Congo. There are many different species of animals to see in Okapi Wildlife Reserve. The forest is untouched and features everything that would make your visit memorable.
#9. Boyoma Falls
Boyoma Falls is another superb place to visit in DRC. It is popular for its large waterfalls (up to seven cataracts), which have substantial water flows. Each of the waterfalls is about 5 meters high.
#10. Congo River
It is beyond words to express how amazing it is to visit the Congo River. However, you have to be careful of the crocodiles in the river. Many tourists accounted for how they sustained injury from the crocodiles.
Therefore, you should not think of swimming in the river.
Restaurants to Visit in Congo
DR Congo has many restaurants that offer a wide range of delicacies to people who love to eat out.
Here is a list of some popular restaurants in Congo.
- Patachoux
- Restaurant d’Vins
- LIMONCELLO ITALIAN RESTAURANT
- Kin-foood Restaurant
- A Casa Mia Kinshasa
- Le Feu des Saveurs
- Tandoor Grills & Curries
- Restaurant La Villa Tricana
- La Pâtisserie Nouvelle
- Chez Gaby
- Jaipur Restaurant
- Le Mandrain Restraunt Kinshasa
- Restaurant Jardin des Saveurs
- Maison Des Mezzes
- Brazza Burger
- O Poeta
- Royal Spice
- Le Roi du Cossa
- Restaurant Inzia
- Arome
- Chez Flore
- Kirikou Restaurant
- Restaurant Nicolas Perle
- The River Restaurant
- Maison de France
- Restaurant O Sympathic
Nightclubs to Visit in Congo
The nightlife experience in DR Congo is incredible; you may include it in your plan to visit the country.
The following are famous nightclubs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- Le TERMINAL BAR
- Dancing Club KIN
- La Datcha
- SCOTTISH PUB
- M’Bamou Lounge
- Planet Sono
- Sepelas Club
- Taboo Club
- Parc des Princes
- Djino Leader
- Night Club CHEZ NTEMBA
- BMP
- Green Lounge Bar
- Herve Valley’s
- Le RIALTO
- New Standing Club
READÂ The Congolese Embassy in Canada, Where to Find it, and its Consular Services.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Congo safe for tourists?
Of course, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a safe country for tourists from all parts of the world. Hence, there is no travel warning for tourists who want to visit DRC.
Can I visit Congo without a visa?
You can enter DRC visa-free only if you hold a valid passport issued by Chad, Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, or the Central African Republic. If you are eligible for visa-free entry, keep in mind that your stay in DRC must not exceed 90 days.
What do I need to visit Congo?
To visit the Democratic Republic of the Congo, you must possess a valid passport and a Congolese Tourist Visa.
Is it expensive to visit Congo?
No, it is not expensive to visit DR Congo anywhere in the world. Even the cost of living in DRC is quite affordable.
When is the best time to visit Congo?
The perfect time to visit the Democratic Republic of the Congo is anytime from May to September, which is the country’s dry season.
Conclusion
Summarily, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a beautiful country with so much to offer tourists. There are endless things to experience in Congo, which means that your visit to the country can never get boring. Moreover, you will not run out of cash, as almost everything is cheap in DR Congo.
Thanks for reading!