Congo travel advice

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Summary and Local Travel section. We now advise against all travel to the Likouala province, bordering Equateur province in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Travel Summary

• We advise against all travel to the Likouala province, bordering Equateur province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) due to a large influx of displaced people during the end of November and beginning of December, from the DRC to the Republic of Congo.
  
  
• We advise against all but essential travel to the Pool region, as there is sporadic rebel activity there. This includes using the Brazzaville-Pointe Noire road and railway. See the Local Travel section of this Travel Advice.
  
  
• There is no British Embassy in the Republic of Congo. If resident in or visiting the Republic of Congo, you should register with the British Embassy in Kinshasa. See the General (UK Diplomatic Representation) section of this Travel Advice for more details.
  
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• You should avoid travelling at night throughout the whole country.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this Travel Avice and our Travel Insurance page.

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. For further information see our Terrorism Abroad page.

Crime

The incidence of street crime, armed robbery or vehicle hi-jacking is low in Brazzaville and Pointe Noire, although there are frequent police checkpoints. Since January 2007, vehicle hijacking in Pointe Noire has increased. Take sensible security precautions i.e. do not walk in the streets after dark, or carry large amounts of money or valuables.

For more general information see our Victims of Crime Abroad page.

Political Situation

Congo (Rep of) Country Profile

The ‘Ninja’ former rebel group, that was active during the civil war, signed a peace agreement with the Government in March 2003. The situation remains peaceful but there remains a risk of rebel activity and sporadic fighting in some parts of the country (see Local Travel).

There is a likelihood of increased instability should there be considerable changes in the political environment.

If in Brazzaville, you should keep yourself updated locally on the security situation. In the event of trouble in the capital you should remain indoors and follow local advice from the British Honorary Consul; the main town centre hotels tend to be relatively safe.

Local Travel

We advise against all but essential travel to the Pool region, as there remains the risk of sporadic rebel activity and armed banditry.

The risk of rebel attacks on the coastal town of Pointe Noire itself is considered very low although there have been civil disturbances reported in June 2008. The road and railway between Brazzaville and Pointe Noire pass through the Pool region where armed criminal gangs continue to periodically rob vehicles and trains.

Road travel in the Pool region requires a permit from the Congolese army. You are therefore advised to travel between these cities by air (but see Air Safety section).

Crime (sometimes armed) is committed against boats using the Ubangi River in the Likouala region, where the river forms the border with the DRC; this area is subject to periodic instability.

Think very carefully whether your journey is essential and avoid travelling at night.

Boat Travel

The river crossing/border with Kinshasa may close without warning. We advise travellers to check the situation before committing to one route or another.

Road Travel

Road conditions are generally poor and deteriorate during the wet season, which lasts from November to May. Overland travel off the main roads requires a four-wheel drive vehicle.

For more information see our Driving Abroad page.

Air Travel

The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the community. You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel - European Commission Transport - Air.

For more general information see our Airline Security page.

Local laws and customs

For more general information for different types of travellers see our Your trip page.

Entry requirements

Visas

Visas are required to visit the Republic of Congo. Advice on visas can be obtained from the Embassy of the Republic of Congo in London.

Passport Validity

Your Passport must have a minimum of six months validity from the date of arrival in the Republic of Congo.

Yellow Fever vaccination certificate

You will be asked to produce a yellow fever vaccination certificate on arrival in the country. Failure to do so will result in a further vaccination being administered, for which a charge is made.

Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. For further information please contact Embassy of the Republic of Congo in London.

Health

Water-borne diseases, malaria and cholera are common in Congo.

Medical facilities in the country are extremely limited, particularly in rural areas.

Since December 2006, outbreaks of cholera have been reported in Pointe Noire, Kouilou and Brazzaville. The majority of cases have been reported from Pointe Noire. You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Congo you should seek immediate medical attention.

Outbreaks of the human form of the Ebola fever have occurred in recent years. The WHO declared the most recent outbreak of the disease over in June 2005, but warned that another outbreak could occur soon.

You should not eat 'bush meat'.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 73,000 adults aged 15 or over in Congo were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 3.5% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Congo and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Heath Network and Centre NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health

General

Insurance

You should take out full travel and medical insurance cover for medical treatments and accidents, and repatriation by air ambulance. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. See our Travel Insurance page.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas see our When Things Go Wrong page.

Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

UK Diplomatic Representation

There is no resident British diplomatic mission in the Republic of Congo. The British Honorary Consul in Brazzaville, Mr Dominique Picard (tel: +242 620 893 or 513 251; fax: +242 838 543), can offer only limited assistance.

The British Ambassador in Kinshasa is cross-accredited to the Republic of Congo. His ability to help British nationals is limited. We recommend that if you visit or are resident in the Republic of Congo you register with the British Embassy in Kinshasa. You can so so in person or, if you prefer, via our secure online registration service (see Registration above).