Planning – Congo-Brazzaville

Where: Pointe-Noire, Diosso Gorge, Glacier de sel de Makola, Dimonika Biosphere, Dolisie, Monts de La Lune,
La rivière bleue, Nkila Ntari Caves, Cliffs of Manguenguengue, Congo river, Brazzaville
Transport: Airlines, Car
Who: One traveler
Currency: Central African Franc (XAF), U.S. Dollar (USD)
 

Congo-Brazzaville, officially known as the Republic of the Congo, is a country of immense natural beauty and cultural richness. Located in Central Africa, it boasts stunning landscapes ranging from the lush rainforests of the Congo Basin to the tranquil beaches along its Atlantic coastline.

The country is home to incredible biodiversity, including gorillas, chimpanzees, and elephants, making it a haven for eco-tourism and wildlife enthusiasts. Its vibrant cultural heritage is reflected in its music, dance, and traditional art forms, deeply rooted in the traditions of the Kongo, Teke, and other ethnic groups. With its rich culture, hospitable people, and breathtaking natural wonders, Congo-Brazzaville offers a unique and enriching experience for visitors.

Congo-Brazzaville story highlights on Instagram This trip report can also be seen on our story highlights on Instagram account @travelonthedollar. Click the image on left to go directly to Congo-Brazzaville Highlights, or visit our Instagram profile and under ‘Highlights’, scroll to the right and click on ‘Congo-ROC 1’.

Planning

Visa

At the time of writing this trip report, Congo-Brazzaville requires most nationalities to get a visa before traveling there. We applied for a visa at the embassy in Washington D.C. and it took about 7-8 days of processing the visa, costing a whopping $160.

You get a full-page sticker visa in your passport.

Tour

With less frequent and unknown public transport, it can be challenging to travel around the country. The police are well-known to ask for bribes when stopped along the checkpoints, and can complicate matters if you don’t comply! So we traveled with a tour guide and a driver in a 4×4 vehicle organized by Lawanda Tours. They are a well-known tour company amongst the travel community and we would highly recommend them.

The company’s owner Christian Mpea can be contacted directly at +242-068792020 on WhatsApp.

SIM Card

You can get an Airtel SIM card for XAF 1000 ($1.70) at a store in airport upon arrival or in Pointe-Noire or Brazzaville.

We opted for a data package of 15G for 14 days validity that costs XAF 10,000 ($17.10).

There is no eSIM option for Airtel in Congo-Brazzaville.

Cash or card?

Congo-Brazzaville uses Central Africa Franc (XAF) as its official currency, and the exchange rate at the time of writing was USD 1 = XAF 585. Exchanging USD is not easy in Congo-Brazzaville; while the preferred currency to use or exchange is EUR, your tour guide can help you exchange USD. You can withdraw cash from ATMs or official sources at airport or in cities.

Your credit cards (Visa or MasterCard) may work in big hotels, but almost every business do not accept cards (including most places to stay). Congo-Brazzaville is mainly a cash economy and everyone prefers XAF cash.

Tips

Here are some tips for a trip to Congo-Brazzaville:

• Temperatures – We visited in May and the temperatures were mild and bearable. Ranging from 22C (71F) to 32C (89F), it was mostly sunny, but humid all over the region we traveled to.
• Mosquito repellent – the most important thing to have! Mosquitoes are everywhere and can be nasty!
• Toiletries in hotels – expect a soap and towel in all hotels, but do not expect shampoo, so carry your own!
• Cash – carrying USD or EUR to convert to XAF is the best way to go! Most businesses or people do not prefer USD or GBP though.
• Photos – People are very friendly and would be okay to take their pictures, but please take their permission before making that click! Most places, including the big cities are good for taking pictures but maintain caution to even take out your camera as petty thieves are everywhere! Corrupt cops will immediately approach you to delete pictures if you take pictures of government buildings or police/military personnel. Ask your tour guide if you’re not sure!
• Water – bottled water is available everywhere and is cheap! It costs about XAF 600-800 for a large 1 liter bottle.

Accommodation

We booked accommodation as a part of the tour in Congo-Brazzaville. These are the costs based on online rates, and can be different if you are a part of a tour.

City	Accommodation	Cost/night	Notes
Pointe-Noire	Hotel Saint Jean	$–.–	Price included in tour. Private room with ensuite bathroom. Breakfast included.
Dolisie	KM Hotel	$–.–	Price included in tour. Private room with ensuite bathroom. Breakfast included.
Brazzaville	Leon Hotel	$–.–	Price included in tour. Private room with ensuite bathroom. Breakfast included.

Note: All values in USD, unless otherwise mentioned, are approximate and based on the exchange rate of USD 1 = XAF 585 at the time of publishing. Each cost is for one adult. Note that the expenses do not include international flights to and from Congo-Brazzaville.
 

 
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