Democratic Republic of the Congo Travel Risk

Do not travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) due to health, crime, unrest, terrorism, and kidnapping

Due to the Ebola outbreak in the DRC, the Department of Homeland Security has implemented new restrictions under Title 49 of the U.S. Code which prevent U.S. citizens and nationals who have been in the DRC within a 21-day period from boarding commercial flights into the United States.

Travelers who have been in the DRC within 21 days of their flight will not be allowed to board flights with U.S. destinations. All U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals who have been in the DRC must remain outside the DRC for 21 days before boarding flights to the United States.

Visit the Centers for Disease Control’s Information for Travelers Returning from Ebola-affected Areas for more information.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide in-person emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), especially those outside of Kinshasa, due to the health and security situation.

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

Areas where FCDO advises against travel

Areas in Kinshasa Province

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

• The districts of N’djili and Kimbanseke in Kinshasa city south of the main access road to N’djili airport, in Nsele commune
• The N1 road in Kinshasa Province, between and including Menkao to the west, Kenge to the east, the border of Mai-Ndombe province to the north, and 10km to the south

DRC-Central African Republic border

FCDO advises against all travel to within 50km of the border with the Central African Republic.

Eastern DRC

FCDO advises against all travel to the provinces of:

• Haut-Uélé and Ituri, including the entire DRC-South Sudan border
• North Kivu
• South Kivu
• Maniema
• Tanganyika
• Haut-Lomami

South-East DRC

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Upemba National Park. If you choose to travel to Upemba National Park against FCDO advise, notify the park authorities about your travel plans.

Territory in Mai-Ndombe Province

FCDO advises against all travel to the Kwamouth territory of Mai-Ndombe Province. This is between, and including, the towns of Kwamouth, Bandundu and the southern border of Mai-Ndombe province.

Kisangani airport

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Bangoka International Airport, Kisangani due to multiple drone attacks in the area of Kisangani airport.

See details about why FCDO advises against travel.

This guide also has safety advice for regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in DRC

Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in DRC.

ADF, a militant group with links to Daesh, carry out regular attacks in North Kivu and Ituri provinces, eastern DRC. The majority of its attacks target villages in rural areas, but it has attacked military targets – primarily Ugandan and Congolese armed forces personnel. Attacks have also targeted bars, places of worship, markets and vehicle convoys.

Attacks could be indiscriminate including in places visited by foreign nationals. Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.

Laws and cultural differences

Justice process

The DRC authorities rarely meet their international obligations to notify embassies when foreign nationals have been detained. Even if requested, adequate consular access is not always granted. Keep in close touch with family or friends and ask them to notify the British Embassy in Kinshasa immediately if you are arrested in DRC.

Using cameras in secure areas

Taking photographs of some government and military buildings is illegal, particularly borders or military installations. You risk being arrested and detained. Journalists should not conduct interviews or film without the necessary local permits.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex sexual activity is not illegal in DRC but is frowned upon by many. There is no legal recognition of same-sex couples or same-sex marriage, and there are no specific anti-discrimination laws protecting LBGT+ people. Members of the LGBT+ community are known to be harassed. Individuals may be charged under DRC’s Penal Code for ‘crimes against family life’.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Adopting children from DRC

FCDO advises against adopting from DRC. The UK does not recognise adoptions made in DRC as DRC is not a signatory to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption.

The DRC government has not issued exit permits for children adopted by foreign nationals in DRC since 2013 and many are still unable to leave the country. It is illegal for same-sex or trans-sexual couples to adopt Congolese children.

Camouflage clothing

If you wear any military-style clothing you could be misidentified as military personnel and be vulnerable to attack or detention.

Money

Credit cards are only accepted in a limited number of places in Kinshasa and other cities. US dollars are widely used alongside the local currency and a number of ATMs dispense US dollars in Kinshasa. Notes should be in good condition and issued after 2001. Elsewhere in DRC, cash is needed for transactions.

Make sure you have access to money, or have arrangements in place for it to be sent to you in an emergency, before leaving the UK.

Transport risks

Road travel

If you are planning to drive in Democratic Republic of Congo, see information on driving abroad. You’ll need a 1968 International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in DRC. You will not be able to buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel.

Car hire is possible in Kinshasa although self-drive options are limited. Most car hire companies will only let you hire a car with a driver.

Road conditions

Driving standards are well below those in the UK and accidents are very common. Roads in the DRC are poorly maintained, largely unpaved and often not drivable with a standard vehicle, especially during the rainy season from September to May. Inside the cities, including Kinshasa, main roads are often paved but they can be narrow with cars parked on either side. Consider the technical capability of your vehicle and be confident in your ability to operate it. Travel after dark brings increased risk.

Public buses and taxis are often not well-maintained, and there is a risk of assault.

Security forces operate roadblocks, particularly after dark. If you are asked to produce documents for inspection at a checkpoint, stay inside your vehicle and show them through closed windows.

Air travel

The UK Air Safety List (ASL) lists all known airlines in DRC that do not meet international safety standards and are banned from operating commercial air services to, from, and within the UK. Check the UK Air Safety List when considering which airlines to fly with. The list is maintained by the Department for Transport, based on advice from the UK Civil Aviation Authority. FCDO advises against all travel by air into and out of Goma airport. See why FCDO advises against travel.

Rail travel

The railways are in a poor state and you should be aware of the increased risk of travel by train. A refurbished route opened between Kinshasa and Matadi in 2015, although services are infrequent and unreliable.

River travel

The ferry service between Kinshasa and Brazzaville stops running in the late afternoon and there is no service on Sundays.

Boats and ferries on the rivers and lakes are poorly maintained and often overloaded. As a result of the low safety standards, high river traffic levels, strong currents, shifting sandbanks and poor maintenance there have been many accidents.

This section has safety advice for regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It only covers regions where the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has specific advice.

You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice.

Eastern DRC

FCDO advises against all travel to the provinces of:

• North Kivu, including the city of Goma
• South Kivu, including the city of Bukavu
• Haut-Uélé and Ituri, including the entire DRC-South Sudan border
• Maniema
• Tanganyika
• Haut Lomami

The security situation in eastern DRC remains unstable. Armed groups are active and intercommunal violence can affect the political, security and humanitarian situation. Large numbers of civilians remain displaced as a result of the conflict. Acts of violence, including killing, rape and looting continue against civilians.

There are continued reports of towns in eastern DRC being attacked by or falling under temporary control of armed groups. There are continued reports of attacks and kidnappings, including against staff from NGOs and international organisations. Be prepared to leave at short notice via available routes. If you are in an area against FCDO advice, you should be vigilant at all times and keep your security situation under constant review.

Foreign nationals travelling in eastern DRC have been left vulnerable, without escorted transport. The risk of kidnap or injury remains high.

While British government staff do visit areas of eastern DRC, the British Embassy’s ability to offer support is severely limited.

Peacekeeping forces

A United Nations peacekeeping presence is deployed in eastern DRC. The Congolese army is carrying out operations against foreign and domestic armed groups operating in North and South Kivu and Ituri provinces. Foreign, regional forces are also present in eastern DRC.

Goma and Bukavu

FCDO advises against all travel to Goma in North Kivu and Bukavu in South Kivu in eastern DRC. The situation in eastern DRC is unpredictable, and there is a high risk of ongoing instability, particularly in Goma and Bukavu.

The armed group M23 and Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) have captured and taken control of Goma. Fighting in Goma and the surrounding areas has intensified. Goma airport is currently not operational and is under the control of RDF and M23.

On 16 February, RDF and M23 forces captured and took control of Bukavu, the main city in South Kivu. This follows advances south from Goma. On Friday 14 February, M23 and RDF forces captured Kavuma airport, approximately 30km north of the city. Commercial flights are not operating from the airport.

The Ruzizi border crossing in Bukavu is under RDF and M23 control and appears open, but the situation remain highly unpredictable and may change at short notice.

There is an ongoing risk of protests in the east, particularly in Goma, North Kivu province. These could be directed at foreign nationals.

A ‘state of siege’ is in place in the provinces of Ituri and North Kivu. Military administrations with extended security powers have replaced the civilian administrations. On 20 February 2024, the Governor of North Kivu banned vehicles from driving in the province with tinted windows (this includes the city of Goma).

The situation in Goma, Bukavu, and the surrounding areas remains uncertain, unstable and can change quickly. British nationals should be prepared to leave at short notice and have adequate supplies of food, water, medicine etc in case of the need to lock down.

Territory in Mai-Ndombe Province

FCDO advises against all travel to the Kwamouth territory of Mai-Ndombe Province. This is between, and including, the towns of Kwamouth, Bandundu and the southern border of Mai-Ndombe Province.

There is ongoing intercommunal violence between ethnic groups over land. The government has deployed a military force to the area. We are not aware of any direct threat against the international community or British nationals. Be aware of the increased violence and potential threat.

Areas in Kinshasa Province

Due to the risk of violent crime, FCDO advises against all but essential travel in the districts of:

• N’djili and Kimbanseke in Kinshasa city, south of the main access road to N’djili airport, in Nsele commune
• Kasa Vubu in Kinshasa City, bordered by the N1 Triumphal Road (Stadium), Barumbu District, Lingwala District and the south of the botanical garden

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the N1 road in Kinshasa Province, between and including Menkao to the west, Kenge to the east, the border of Mai-Ndombe province to the north, and 10km to the south. There has been fighting between local militia and Congolese Armed Forces on this section of the N1 road. There are checkpoints on the road and reports of access being blocked. The authorities advise to travel during daylight hours.

Partial regional extract; read the full official section.

Risk level

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO - AVOID ALL TRAVEL

Avoid all travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) due to the fragile security situation and the outbreak of Ebola disease.

Canadian border measures related to Ebola for travellers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Public Health Agency of Canada has issued a Travel Health Notice due to the outbreak of Ebola disease.

Until November 27, 2026, Canada will have temporary border measures in place for travellers who have been in the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan within the preceding 21 days.

• Canadians and Canadian permanent residents who have been in these countries in the preceding 21 days and who don’t have Ebola disease symptoms when they get to Canada must quarantine for 21 days and monitor their health daily If you begin to have symptoms of Ebola disease during the 21-day quarantine period, call your local public health authority immediately
• Travellers who exhibit symptoms of Ebola disease upon arrival will receive an immediate medical assessment and be placed in isolation at a medical facility or other appropriate place

Useful links

• Ebola disease: Border measures for travellers entering Canada
• Ebola disease: Health advice for travelling abroad

Security situation in the DRC

The security situation remains unpredictable across the country.

Fighting is ongoing between pro-government militias and armed groups and has caused many casualties in eastern DRC, including civilians. Armed groups control the towns of Goma and Bukavu, including their airports.

Previously, violent demonstrations, sometimes targeting foreign nationals, took place in Kinshasa. Others may occur at any time.

During these events, roadblocks and road closures may occur, including on roads leading to airports. Land and water border crossings may also close without notice.

In eastern DRC:

• there are currently no flights to or from Goma and Kavumu (Bukavu) international airports
• border posts may close without notice

If you are in an affected area:

• shelter in place and have adequate supplies, like food and water, until you can identify safe means to leave the area
• register or update your contact information through the Registration of Canadians Abroad service
• exercise extreme caution at all times
• be prepared to leave on short notice

Provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu

Clashes between the Congolese army, supported by pro-government militias, and armed groups continue in North Kivu and South Kivu.

Despite the signing of a ceasefire agreement and the presence of United Nations forces, armed fighting persists. Members of various armed groups and terrorist groups continue to perpetrate acts of pillage and violent crimes against the civilian population, including bomb attacks, murder, kidnapping, armed assault and rape. The ensuing humanitarian crisis has led to major displacements.

Military operations are still underway in some areas, including near:

• Virunga National Park
• Rutshuru
• Rumangabo
• the tri-border area with Uganda and Rwanda

Military operations could lead to a deterioration in the security situation in various locations outside the two capitals, Goma and Bukavu. Some places are particularly dangerous, including:

North Kivu

• Beni
• Masisi
• Rutshuru
• Walikale

South Kivu

• Kabare
• Shabunda

Avoid all travel to the provinces of North and South Kivu. If you decide to travel despite this advisory:

• continually reassess the situation to determine whether your presence in the area is warranted
• take into account the information provided by Congolese authorities and MONUSCO, to help avoid dangerous situations
• avoid public transportation
• expect disruptions to local businesses and services, including airports

刚果（金）现有红色（极高风险）地区4个，橙色（高风险）地区9个，其他地区均为黄色（中风险）。

具体如下:

一、红色地区：伊图里省、北基伍省、南基伍省、上韦莱省。外交部提醒中国公民坚决杜绝侥幸心理，不得前往刚果（金）上述地区。已在当地的人员和企业，请立即向使馆报备信息，并在使馆指导下尽快安全转移撤离。如遇紧急情况，请及时报警并与中国驻当地使领馆取得联系。

二、橙色地区：卢阿拉巴省、下韦莱省、坦噶尼喀省、马涅马省、中开赛省、桑库鲁省、洛马米省、上洛马米省、上加丹加省。外交部提醒中国公民近期谨慎前往刚果（金）上述地区，已在当地的人员和机构密切关注局势发展，保持高度警惕，加强安全防范和应急准备，确保人身和财产安全。如遇紧急情况，请及时报警并与中国驻当地使领馆取得联系。

三、黄色地区：其他地区。外交部提醒在刚果（金）其他地区的人员加强防范，注意安全。如遇紧急情况，请及时报警并与中国驻当地使领馆取得联系。

外交部和驻外使领馆将继续密切关注海外安全形势变化，动态调整有关风险评估，并实时在中国领事服务网等平台发布、更新相应安全提醒，请持续关注。