Congo Travel Guide

Full Name

Republic of the Congo

Former Name

Middle Congo, Congo/Brazzaville, Congo

Capital City

Brazzaville

Government Type

republic

Area Size

Total: 342,000 km2

Time Zone

UTC/GMT +1 hour

Climate

The best overall time to visit is probably June-September. (Avoid the rainy season, October-May.) Since the country is located on the Equator, the climate is consistent year-round -- the average day temperature is a humid 75 F/24 C, with nights generally in the 60s F/16-21 C.

Geography

about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or along the railroad between them. Vast areas are swamps, grassland or thick forests with rivers being virtually the only means of internal travel. The vast River Congo and its major tributaries form most of the country. Congo is located in the central-western part of sub-Saharan Africa, Equator. To the south and east of it is the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is also bounded by Gabon to the west, Cameroon and the Central African Republic to the north, and Angola to the southwest. It has a short Atlantic coast. The capital, Brazzaville, is located on the Congo River, in the south of the country, immediately across from Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The southwest of the country is a coastal plain for which the primary drainage is the Kouilou-Niari River; the interior of the country consists of a central plateau between two basins to the south and north.

Languages

French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is the most widespread)

Culture

The Congolese take great pride in their appearance and manner of dress. Regardless of financial status, it is common to wear clean and pressed handmade garments. There is a certain formality in social interactions in both urban and rural areas. An inquiry must be made about one's health and family to indicate the required level of respect. Older people are shown respect through physical gestures, and agreement with them is considered more important than frankness. Storytelling is part of the cultural tradition. Since the introduction of written language, novels, plays, and poems have become more popular. They are known for their singing. Songs fill the air during the performance of chores and recently have been recorded. Rumba and other forms of music are played with native and Western instruments.

History

Upon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo. A quarter century of experimentation with Marxism was abandoned in 1990 and a democratically elected government took office in 1992. A brief civil war in 1997 restored former Marxist President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, but ushered in a period of ethnic and political unrest. Southern-based rebel groups agreed to a final peace accord in March 2003, but the calm is tenuous and refugees continue to present a humanitarian crisis. The Republic of Congo was once one of Africa's largest petroleum producers, but with declining production it will need to hope for new offshore oil finds to sustain its oil earnings over the long-term.

Travel Information

Get to Congo by air with Aero Benin, Air France, Air Service Gabon and Cameroon. Congos main airport is Brazzaville (BZV) (Maya Maya), it lies 4km northwest of the city. Buses and taxis are available to the city. There is also a airport in Pointe-Noire (PNR), it lies 5.5km from the city. Taxis are available to the city. Departure tax XAF500. There is a road connection from Lambar

Accommodation

There are a handfull hotels in Brazzaville,Loubomo and Pointe-Noire. Outside the towns there is very limited accommodation.

Visa Requirements

Visa is required by citizens from EU,Australia, Canada and USA. Passport valid for at least six months required by all nationals referred to above. Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements. Nationals of Congo possessing dual nationality do require visas if travelling on their other passport. Apply at Consulate. Visas issued immediately for applications made in person or 24 hours after date of receipt for postal applications.

Getting Around

There is a minibus and taxi service in Brazzaville. Taxis are also available in Pointe-Noire and Loubomo. The national airline, Lina Congo (GC), operates regular services from Brazzaville to Pointe-Noire, with stops in Loubomo and Ouesso. Private charters are available. Departure Tax XAF3,400. Inland steamers ply from Brazzaville up the Congo and Ubangi. Rivers are vital to internal transport. Congo-Ocean railway company operates services between Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire (journey time

Health & Safety

Vaccination for Diphteria, Hepatitis A, Rabies, Tetanus, Typhoid and Yellow Fever is recommended.Also take precautions for Malaria. Inoculation regulations can change at short notice. Please take medical advice in the case of doubt. * A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all travellers over one year of age. All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present; avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water. Hepatitis B is hyperendemic. Meningococcal A and C have been reported and immunisation is recommended. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. Since December 2006, outbreaks of cholera have been reported. Medical and dental facilities are generally very limited outside Brazzaville. Health insurance is essential. Medicines are in short supply and it is advised that visitors bring their own medicine, with official labels, into the country. Travellers are advised against all but essential travel outside the main cities of Brazzaville and Pointe Noire, as there is some instability and risk of rebel activity in the countryside.

National Holidays

1 Jan - New Years Day. 5 Feb - Congolese Women Day. 3 Mar - The Day of the Tree. 4 Mar - The Day of the Tree. 1 May - Labour Day. 10 Jun - Commemoration of the National Sovereign Conference. 15 Aug - National Day. 1 Nov - All Saints Day. 25 Dec - Christmas.

Currency

CFA Franc (BEAC) (XAF)

Electricity

220/230v AC