Democratic Republic of Congo

Advertisement

Mountain gorillas, Congo

Introducing Democratic Republic of Congo

Travel Alert: The Democratic Republic of Congo remains a very risky travel proposition. Travellers should exercise extreme caution, check the BBC for news updates or Safe Travel for current government warnings.

Advertisement

More a geographical concept than a fully fledged nation, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC, formerly Zaïre) is a bubbling cauldron of untamed wilderness carpeted by swathes of rainforest and punctuated by gushing rivers and smoking volcanoes. Rendered almost ungovernable by the central administration in Kinshasa, the country remains closed to all but the most brave-hearted travellers. The nation’s history reads like something out of Dante’s Inferno – from the brazen political folly of King Leopold of Belgium to the hideously corrupt ‘kleptocracy’ of maverick megalomaniac Mobutu Sese Seko, and the blood-stained battlegrounds of Africa’s first ‘world war’.

The DRC isn’t all failed politics and wasted natural resources, however. Somewhere in the midst of this proverbial heart of darkness lies a lumbering African giant. With ground-b­reaking national elections in July 2006 giving voice to 60 million shell-shocked inhabitants, a corner may have been turned. Despite early post-election violence in Kinshasa, incumbent president Joseph Kabila took office in October 2006 under the watchful eye of the world’s largest UN peacekeeping force. In some senses, the future can only get better. With five Unesco biospheres, whole ecosystems of teeming wildlife and an estimated US$24 trillion of untapped mineral capacity lying underneath the ground, it goes without saying that the country’s potential is breathtaking.

Last updated: Apr 27, 2009

Tips & articles

  1. Some like it hot: volcanoes in the Democratic Republic of Congo

    12 December 2011

    Disclaimer: travel advice from the UK and the USA currently urges against non-essential travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo....

    Read more

See all tips & articles for Democratic Republic of Congo

Thorn Tree forum discussion

Recent posts

  1. Johnofdorset avatar
    Re: Emmanuel Munganga - WARNING!!!

    by Johnofdorset 14 September 2011

    This rather sad blog from AndrewM tells us more about him than about Emmanuel. I can only reiterate what others have written about Emmanuel.…
  2. stebed avatar
    RE: Gorilla Trek - Rwanda vs Democratic Republic of Congo??

    by stebed 11 September 2011

    yes we're going to get multiple entry visas for rwanda, book the gorilla trek for rwanda since that is 100% and then decide whether we…
  3. ac2carol avatar
    RE: Gorilla Trek - Rwanda vs Democratic Republic of Congo??

    by ac2carol 10 September 2011

    If u plan on trekking in Rwanda, it's better to check on the gorilla permits early enough as you almost can't buy them while there (they…

See all Thorn Tree forum discussions for Democratic Republic of Congo

In our shop

See all shop products

Hotels & Hostels

Check out all our reviewed and recommended accommodation and book online.

Find hotels & hostels

Travel Insurance

Going to Democratic Republic of Congo? Make sure you're covered.

Get a quote

See all travel services

Advertisement