Republic of the Congo travel guide

Getting there

International flights arrive at Maya-Maya Airport in Brazzaville and Agostinho-Neto Airport in Pointe-Noire. River ferries cross the Congo River between Brazzaville and Kinshasa.

Best time to visit: Jun–Sep – the main dry season, easier for travel.

Tougher months: March–May and October–November: the heaviest rains, which can make roads difficult.

Weather by month in Brazzaville

• 31°J●●
• 32°F●●
• 32°M●●
• 32°A●●●
• 31°M●●
• 28°J
• 27°J
• 28°A
• 30°S●
• 31°O●●
• 31°N●●●
• 30°D●●

Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).

Time zone: Africa/Lagos. Compare with your local time.

Visas: in our passport dataset, 15 of 198 other passports can enter Republic of the Congo without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 0 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 183 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.

Background: Visa policy of the Republic of the Congo (Wikipedia).

Official advisory: Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (U.S. Department of State, updated 2024-10-02). Read the advisory.

Source and more: Republic of the Congo travel facts on RoamSun

Stay

Most trips to Republic of the Congo are based around Brazzaville, Odzala-Kokoua National Park or Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.

Typical daily budget: about US$50–80 for a backpacker and US$130–250 mid-range, per person.

Source: RoamSun Republic of the Congo page · Browse hotel guides

Connect

Plug types: C, E. Voltage: 230 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.

Calling code: +242.

Mobile data: read the travel eSIM setup guide before you fly so the plan is installed and ready on landing.

Source: Advinne eSIM guide · RoamSun

Do

• Brazzaville (Capital · river city): A relaxed capital on the Congo River, with markets, music and views to Kinshasa.
• Odzala-Kokoua National Park (North · rainforest and bais): Pristine forest and savanna with gorillas, elephants and rich birdlife.
• Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park (North · UNESCO rainforest): Part of the Sangha Trinational, famous for remote and untouched forest.
• Pointe-Noire (Atlantic coast · beaches): The country's main port and beach city.
• Loango (Coast · historic site): A former royal capital and memorial to the transatlantic slave trade.
• Conkouati-Douli National Park (Coast · lagoons and forest): A park of lagoons, beaches and forest where chimpanzees are rehabilitated.
• Lésio-Louna Reserve (Batéké Plateau · gorilla reserve): Rolling grasslands and gallery forests, a few hours from the capital.

Things to do

• Track gorillas in Odzala-Kokoua. Trek through rainforest to watch western lowland gorillas in one of Africa's oldest national parks.
• Watch forest elephants at a bai. Observe elephants, buffalo and sitatunga in forest clearings in Nouabalé-Ndoki.
• See the Congo River rapids. Watch the river churn through powerful rapids at the edge of Brazzaville.
• Meet the sapeurs. Admire the flamboyant fashion of Brazzaville's famous dandies.
• Visit the Basilica Sainte-Anne. Admire the striking green-tiled roof of Brazzaville's landmark church.
• Relax on Pointe-Noire's beaches. Enjoy the Atlantic coast and fresh seafood in the economic capital.
• Explore the Diosso Gorge. See red-and-ochre cliffs eroded into a vast amphitheatre near Pointe-Noire.
• Learn Loango's history. Visit the former royal capital and the memorial to the slave trade on the coast.

Source: full Republic of the Congo guide on RoamSun

Eat and drink

• Poulet moambé – chicken in palm-nut sauce
• Saka-saka – cassava leaves cooked with fish or peanuts
• Chikwangue – fermented cassava bread wrapped in leaves
• Maboké – fish steamed in banana leaves

Source: RoamSun Republic of the Congo guide

Money and safety

Currency: Central African CFA franc (XAF). Currency and plug checker.

Tipping: Appreciated – around 10% in restaurants and tips for guides.

Emergency numbers: 117 police · 118 fire.

• The currency is the Central African CFA franc.
• ATMs are found mainly in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire, and cards are accepted in few places.
• Check your government's latest travel advice, as some areas, including parts of the Pool region, may be advised against.
• Avoid walking alone at night in cities and keep valuables out of sight.

Source: RoamSun Republic of the Congo facts