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Places / Africa

Democratic Republic Of The Congo

Visited

At a glance

Region
Middle Africa
Capital
Kinshasa
Population
112.8 million (2025)
Area
2,344,858 km²
Languages
French, Kikongo, Lingala, Tshiluba, Swahili
Currency
Congolese franc (CDF)
Drives on the
right
Calling code
+243
Visited: Democratic Republic Of The Congo

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Before you go

My adventures in Democratic Republic Of The Congo

My own trips, races and stories from Democratic Republic Of The Congo, March 2019.

My photos from Democratic Republic Of The Congo

March 2019 Boma and Bas-Congo

Boma, Bas-Congo

Whole trip gallery
  • The wide Congo River at Boma, edged with green grass.
  • Looking across the vast Congo River from the bank at Boma.
  • Rolling green hills and forest in the west of the DRC.
  • Green hills under a cloudy sky on the road through the DRC.

Overview

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the second-biggest country in Africa, and much of it is covered by the Congo Basin rainforest, the second-largest rainforest on Earth.

Kinshasa, the capital, is one of the biggest cities in Africa and famous for its music. In the east, Virunga National Park is home to mountain gorillas and Nyiragongo, a volcano with a lava lake in its crater.

Things to see and do

  • Virunga National Park – mountain gorillas
  • Nyiragongo – an active volcano with a lava lake
  • Kahuzi-Biega – eastern lowland gorillas
  • Kinshasa – music, art and markets
  • The Congo River – one of the deepest rivers in the world
  • Lola ya Bonobo – a bonobo sanctuary near Kinshasa

Food to try

Moambe chicken, fufu, pondu (cassava leaves), grilled fish and liboké.

When to go

June to September in the east, the dry season.

Did you know?

  • The Congo River is the deepest river in the world.
  • Bonobos, one of our closest relatives, live only here.
  • Virunga is Africa's oldest national park.

City guides

Cities & towns I’ve visited

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Democratic Republic Of The Congo

0 of 5 visited. See every site I've been to.

All 5 sites in Democratic Republic Of The Congo

Plan your trip to Democratic Republic Of The Congo

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