Also known as the Congo Brazzaville, the Republic of Congo is a central African country and when we talk about a safari in Congo, what should cross your mind is the rich diversity of wildlife including gorillas, the exotic beaches, the remote volcanoes, the dense tropical forests and so much more. The rich biodiversity in the republic of Congo attracts a large number of tourists every year.
Below we have highlighted the top ten (10) things to do and places to visit on a Safari in Congo.
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Explore Conkouati National Park
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Visit Diosso Gorge
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Visit Odzala- Kokoua National Park
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Visit Lefini Faunal Reserve
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Explore the capital Brazzaville
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Trek the Lowland Gorillas of Congo
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Check out the Loufoulakari Falls
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Visit the Seaside Pointe Noire
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The Mayombe Mountains
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Visit the town of Linzolo
Frequently asked questions on the Republic of Congo
Do I need a Visa to go to the republic of Congo?
All foreign nationals going to the republic of Congo are required to have a valid passport and all applicants should have the required evidence for their reason of visiting, accommodation arrangements and their source of support throughout their stay. Visa Applications and passports should be submitted at least two (2) weeks before their intended date of travel into Congo to The Consulate of the Republic of Congo in your home country. The cost of the Visa varies depending on the type of Visa you are applying for. It is very important to note that no Visas will be issued at the point of entry into the country such as the airports or border crossing.Is it Safe to Travel to the Republic of Congo?
This relatively small country in central Africa is fairly safe to visit however similar to a number of countries on the African continent; petty crime is common in the large cities of Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire. For that reason you are highly advised to follow the guidelines below- Always ensure that when moving in the major crowded cities like Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire you have all your valuables well locked up in your bag and not exposed.
- It’s also a good habit to avoid large crowds because Petty thieves normally take advantages of such places.
- Avoid moving with large amounts of cash with you and always leave your expensive items like jewelry and watches will looked up in the safe provided at the hotel
- A money belt is a very good option so sure that your wallet and other important document are tucked in there safely
- Laptops and cameras should not be easily exposed or carelessly handled while moving in the towns
- It’s also highly recommended that you do not move alone or unaccompanied especially at night.
What is the official currency used in Congo?
The republic of Congo is within the French monetary area and so the official currency used in the country is the CFA franc which is in both banknotes and coins. The banknotes are in denominations of XAF 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 and 10,000. The coins are in denominations of XAF 1, 5, 25, 50, 100 and 250. Local currencies like the US Dollar and Euro can easily be exchanged with the CFA Franc despite the fact that the US Dollar is still a preferred currency. Money exchange can only be done in the banks which operate from Monday to Friday opening at 0630hrs to 1300hrs. What is the Official Language in the Republic of Congo? French is the officially spoken language in the Republic of Congo. the country is multilingual and it is estimated that there are about 242 languages spoken in the country, however there are four major indigenous languages spoken in the Congo which are: Kituba (“Kikongo”), Tshiluba, Lingala and Swahili, and these are regarded as the National Languages Are credit cards being used in the Republic of Congo? Generally credit cards are not prevalent used across the country, in fact it’s just a number of hotels within the capital Brazzaville and in Pointe-Noire that allow major debit and credit cards like MasterCard and Diners Clubs. There is only one ATM in the capital Brazzaville. Is travel insurance needed when going to Congo? Yes, outside the capital of Brazzaville dental and medical facilities are limited and for that reason all persons visiting Congo are highly advised to have a good travel Insurance. Please ensure that your insurance package covers you in case of emergency evacuations and covers some safari activities such as hiking.What vaccines do I need when visiting the Republic of Congo?
there are a number of vaccines recommended for persons visiting the Republic of Congo among which are typhoid, Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Yellow Fever (this is recommended for all persons of one year of age and over and you should present a yellow fever vaccination certificate to the immigrations officers at the time of arrival as proof of receiving the vaccine). Persons who will be in contact with animals during their stay are also advised to take the rabies shot. Other recommended vaccines include the Meningococcal A & C as well as Hepatitis B As a reminder, HIV / AIDS is prevalent as well so enjoy your stay carefully. Malaria is also prevalent in the country How to avoid Malaria in the Republic of Congo? Some of the best ways to avoid contracting malaria while in the Republic of Congo include:- Sleeping under a mosquito net at all times,
- Wearing long-sleeved shirts and trousers to avoid insect bites,
- Using an insect repellent
- Properly taking the anti malarial prophylaxis as prescribed by your doctor