Democratic Republic Of The Congo (Drc)

Overview

The Democratic Republic of the Congo ( French : République Démocratique du Congo (or RDC); often shortened to DRC or D.R. Congo ) is the largest and most populous country in Central Africa , as well as the world's largest Francophone country.

Although the country has pristine wilderness areas, charismatic fauna, volcanic peaks, friendly people, mineral wealth, and rainforests, it has been in a state of flux since the 1960s and large parts of the country are unsafe for travel.

The DRC is truly vast . At 2,345,408 square kilometres (905,567 sq mi), it is larger than the combined areas of Spain , France , Germany , Sweden , and Norway —or nearly three and a half times the size of Texas .

The defining feature of the country is the second largest rainforest in the world. Rivers large and small snake throughout the country and with a poor road network remain the main means of transport to this day. The Congo River is the third largest river in the world measured by discharge—it even continues into the Atlantic, forming a submarine canyon roughly 50 mi (80 km) to the edge of the continental shelf! It also has the distinction of being one of the deepest rivers in the world with depths up to 220 m (720 ft). Because of the huge volume of water, depth, and rapids, the Congo River is home to a large number of endemic species. The Congo River "begins" at Boyoma Falls near Kisangani . Above these falls, the river is known as the Lualaba River, whose longest tributary extends into Zambia . The Obangui River forms the border between the DRC and CAR/Congo-Brazzaville before flowing into the Congo River.

Sights and landscapes

The Democratic Republic of the Congo, often called the "Heart of Africa" in terms of vastness, is the largest nation in sub-Saharan Africa and one of the most enigmatic countries on the continent. Much of the DRC is wild, but its attractions include a multitude of varied cultures and a beauty of tropical landscapes, which include rainforests scattered with waterways and captivating wildlife.

The "Academie des Beaux-Arts" is often considered a touristic site and is in itself and with its gallery a good place to meet the famous artists of this country. Big names like Alfred Liyolo, Lema Kusa oder Roger Botembe are teaching here as well as the only purely abstract working artist Henri Kalama Akulez, whose private studio is worth a visit.

Experiences

Congo is the centre of popular African music. Try visiting a local bar or disco, in Bandal or Matonge (both in Kinshasa), if possible with live soukouss music, and just hit the dance floor.

Culture and food

Congo has one national dish: moambe . It's made of eight ingredients ( moambe is the Lingala word for eight ): palm nuts, chicken, fish, peanuts, rice, cassave leaves, bananas and hot pepper sauce.

The usual soft drinks (called sucré in Congo) such as Coke, Pepsi and Mirinda are available in most places and are safe to drink. Local drinks like Vitalo are amazing. Traditional drinks like ginger beer are also common.

The local beer is based on rice, and tastes quite good. It comes in 75 cl bottles. Primus, Skol, Castel are the most common brands. Tembo and Doppel are the local dark beers.

In rural areas, you may try the local palm wine, an alcoholic beverage from the sap of the palm tree. It is tapped from the tree, and begins fermenting immediately after collection. After two hours, fermentation yields an aromatic wine of up to 4% alcohol content, mildly intoxicating and sweet. The wine may be allowed to ferment longer, up to a day, to yield a stronger, more sour and acidic taste, which some people prefer.

Beware of the local gin. Sometimes unscrupulous vendors mix in methanol which is toxic and can cause blindness. Some people believe that the methanol is a by-product of regular fermentation. This is not the case as regular fermentation can not yield methanol in toxic amounts.

Planning your route

At army checkpoints locals are often hassled for bribes. Foreigners are normally left alone, but prepare some kind of bribe just in case. By the middle of the afternoon the soldiers can be drunk so be very careful and very polite. Never lose your temper.

A ferry on the Congo River operates, if security permits, from Kinshasa to Kisangani, every week or two. You can pick it up at a few stops en route, though you have to rush as it doesn't wait. A suitable bribe to the ferry boss secures a four bunk cabin and cafeteria food. The ferry consists of 4 or so barges are tied around a central ferry, with the barges used as a floating market. As the ferry proceeds wood canoes paddled by locals appear from the surrounding jungle with local produce – vegetables, pigs, monkeys, etc. – which are traded for industrial goods like medicine or clothes. You sit on the roof watching as wonderful African music booms out. Of course it is not clean, comfortable or safe. It is however one of the world's great adventures.

Travel guide text compiled and adapted from Wikivoyage article (contributors). Sections were selected and reordered for this guide. Text is shared under CC BY-SA 4.0. Check current arrangements with your travel consultant.