 USEFULL FACTS |
VISA REQUIREMENT
(a) Valid passport. (b) 1 application form. (c) 2 passport-size photos. (d) Yellow fever vaccination certificate. (e) Stamped, self-addressed envelope (or cost of return postage) for postal applications. (f) Fee (payable on collection of visa; cash or postal orders only). (g) Return or onward travel documentation if travelling by overland vehicle.
Tourist: (a)-(g) and, (h) Letter from a tour company taking full financial responsibilty for the client and stating he/she has paid in full; or letter from employer/university giving proof of status and letter from bank/building society giving proof of sufficient funds.
Business: (a)-(g) and, (i) Official letter of invitation endorsed by the Congolese authorities. (j) Letter from company in your home country.
Visits to friends and relatives: (a)-(g) and, (k) Letter from friends/relatives endorsed by the Congolese authorities.
Visas should be obtained from an Embassy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo prior to arrival. Travelers entering the DRC with visas and/or entry/exit stamps from Rwanda, Uganda or Burundi may experience difficulties at the airport or other ports of entry. Some travelers with those visas or exit/entry stamps have been detained for questioning. Additional information about visas may be obtained from the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child's travel, from the parent(s) or legal guardian not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure.
MEDICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Note: Regulations and requirements may be subject to change at short notice, and you are advised to contact your doctor well in advance of your intended date of departure. Any numbers in the chart refer to the footnotes below.
1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required by travellers over one year of age.
2: Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is not an official condition of entry to the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness.
3: Malaria risk, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form, exists throughout the year in the whole country. The malignant form is reported to be highly resistant to chloroquine. Mefloquine is the recommended prophylaxis.
4: All water should be regarded as being a potential health risk. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products that are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may involve increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.
 Other risks
Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water. Swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Hepatitis A, B and E are present and meningococcal meningitis may occur. Plague is present in natural foci. Further information should be sought from the Department of Health. There is a very high risk of diarrhoeal diseases, the dysenteries and various parasitic worm infections; observe strict food and drink caution. Leishmaniasis and human trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) are present. Avoid tick bites which spread African tick typhus. Wear shoes to avoid soil-borne parasites. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.
Medical Facilities
Government expenditure on health is low and the quality of hospitals is poor. It is advisable to take specific personal medicines as well as supplies such as syringes and drip needles, as medical facilities are available only in larger centres. Doctors and hospitals expect cash payment in full for health services. Health insurance is essential and it is advisable to include cover for emergency air evacuation.
MONEY
Currency
The Congolese unit of currency is the Congo Franc. This is abbreviated to CDF, and is written before or after the numbers. The existing notes are 20 CDF, 50 CDF, and 100 CDF.
Currency exchange
Because of the parlous state of the economy the only true repository of value is the US Dollar. It is illegal to exchange money through any but official bureaux de change. | Credit & debit cards
The use of MasterCard and Visa is limited to Kinshasa's two major hotels. Credit cards cannot be used to obtain cash advances at banks.
Travellers cheques
Not recommended. Commission fees are very high, and travellers cheques are not accepted outside Kinshasa.
Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Franc Congolais against the US Dollar:
Date | June '01 | July '01 | Aug '01 | Nov '01 | US$1.00= | 350 CDF | 210 CDF | 300 CDF | 316 CDF |
Banking hours: Mon-Fri 08h00-13h30.
COMMUNICATIONS
Telephone:
IDD is available. Country code: 243. Outgoing international code: 00. Internal telephone service is often unreliable and exists only in major towns. Satellite or cellular telephones are often used by international organisations.
Mobile telephone:
GSM 900 and 1800 network cover Kinshasa. Network operators include Starcel Congo, Celtel Congo and Sait Telecom, Roaming agreements exist. Handsets can be hired from local telephone companies.
Fax:
A few hotels have fax facilities.
Internet:
Can be accessed, though power shortages may cause difficulties. There are cybercafés in Kinshasa. The main providers are Afrinet, Raga and Interconnect.
Post
Post office opening hours: Mon-Sat 08h00-18h00. The country is included in the Universal Postal Union and the African Postal Union. Airmail to Europe takes 4-18 days but can take much longer.
Prohibitions on Photography:
Photographing public buildings, military installations, airports and the banks of the Congo River is forbidden. Offenders can expect to be arrested, held for at least several hours and fined. Film and cameras may also be confiscated. Due to the threat of harassment and the lack of signs designating sites prohibited for photography, photography is best practiced in private homes and among friends.
Electricity:
220 volts AC, 50Hz.
Public Holidays:
January 01: New year's eve
January 04: Independance Martyrs' day
January 17: National Hero's day for the, Patrice-Emery Lumumba
April 30: Education's day
May 01: Labor day
May 17: National Liberation's day
June 30: Indepedance's day
August 01: Parent's day
December 25: Christmas eve
EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES IN DRC
Registration: you are strongly encouraged to register at your Embassy in Kinshasa upon arrival and obtain updated information on travel and security within the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Canadian Embassy
BP 8341, 17 avenue Pumbu, Commune de Gombe, Kinshasa 1,
Democratic Republic of Congo
Tel: (12) 34147 or (88) 41276.
Fax: (88) 03434 or 41277.
E-mail: knsha@dfait-maeci.gc.ca
Embassy of the United States of America
BP 697, Unit 31550, 310 avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa,
Democratic Republic of Congo
Tel: (12) 21234 or (88) 43608.
Fax: (88) 43467 or (88) 03276.
British Embassy
83 avenue Roi Baudoin, Kinshasa-Gombe,
Democratic Republic of Congo
Tel: (88) 46101. Tel/Fax (88) 46102.
E-mail: ambrit@ic.cd
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