4 DAYS VIRUNGA NATIONAL PARK - GORILLA TREKKING SPECIAL OFFER

Long wracked by political strife, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (previously known as Zaire) is slowly beginning to stabilise and welcome tourists across its borders again. It’s an intense country to travel, but those intrepid souls who dare to explore it will be richly rewarded with pristine tropical landscapes, magnificent wildlife and a memorable cultural experience. Congo’s highlights include its exceptional game reserves, five of which are World Heritage Sites. Arguably the premier tourist drawcard is the guided treks that offer travellers the chance to experience primates in their natural habitat - including gorillas, chimpanzees and endemic bonobos.

Currency: 
Local currency: Congolese franc 
Symbol: Fr 
ISO code: CDF 
Central bank: Central Bank of Congo 
Subunit: centime 
Banknotes: 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 centimes, 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 francs 
Coins: 

Banking: 
Card Transactions:  
ATMs: Yes 
Mastercard: Yes 
Visa: No 
American Express: 
Diner’s Club:  
 
Banking Hours: 
Weekdays: 0800 – 1130 
Weekends:  
Public Holidays: 
Foreign exchange services: Yes 

Air:  
Main airlines: Congo Airways S.A. 
International Airports: 
N’djili Airport 
Goma International Airport 
Bangoka International Airport 
Lubumbashi International Airport 
 
Road: 
Tar roads: No 
Gravel roads: No 
Valid International Driver's License needed: Yes 
Car hire available: Yes 
Taxis: No 
Uber available: No 
 
Bus: 
Inter-city bus services: Yes 
Local city bus networks: Yes 
 
Rail: 
Railway system: Yes 
Subway System: No 
 
Water: 
Ferries: Yes 
Water taxis: Yes 
Leisure cruises: Yes 

Food and water safety: 
Can you drink the tap water: No 
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes, if cooked well and peeled 
Ice: No 
Meat: Yes if cooked well 
Street food: No 

Local cuisine:  Congolese cuisine is a delectable combination of Chinese, Lebanese, French, Belgian, Italian, Arabic, Indian and South African influences offered at various cafes, restaurants, bakeries, and Nganda restaurants that serve food from specific regions of the Congo.   

Drinks:  

Linguila - A wine made from fermented sugar cane. 

Palm wine - A tipple made from the sap of palm trees and fermented by natural yeasts. 

White elephant - A popular alcoholic drink made from rum, coconut and milk. 
 
Tipping: 10% 
 

Annual Rainfall: 1,000 mm - 2,000 mm  

Average Temperature: 20°C to 25°C 

Summer: 

Average Highs: 31°C 

Average Lows: 20°C  

Winter: 

Average Highs: 24°C  

Average Lows: 16°C  

Best time to visit: The best time to visit the DRC is during the dry seasons, from June to August and from December to February. These periods offer the most accessible conditions for travel, especially for trekking and visiting national parks like Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega. The dry seasons are also ideal for wildlife viewing, as animals congregate around water sources, making them easier to observe. 

Spring and Summer 
Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes 
Lightweight warm clothes: Yes 
 
Winter and Autumn 
Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Yes 
Heavyweight clothing and boots: Yes 
 
General 
Umbrella and raincoat: Yes 
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: No 
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes 
Hat, sunglasses and sunblock: Yes 
Walking shoes: Yes 
Casual: Yes 
Smart-casual attire: Yes