Overview
The Republic of the Congo sits on the Equator in Central Africa, straddling the great Congo River. Its capital, Brazzaville, faces Kinshasa across the water, while Pointe-Noire on the Atlantic coast is the country's commercial and beach gateway. Relatively few UK travellers make the journey, which is part of the appeal: dense rainforest, western lowland gorillas and genuinely warm hospitality. There are no direct flights from the UK to Congo, so every routing involves one connection in Europe or Africa. Compare your options on the price charts on this page before you book.
Best time to fly to Congo
Congo is warm and humid all year, with temperatures usually in the high 20s to low 30s Celsius. The main dry season runs from June to September and is cooler, less sticky and the easiest time to travel and see wildlife. A shorter drier spell falls in December and January. The heaviest rains come in March to May and again in October to November. For gorilla tracking in the northern parks, aim for the June to August or December to February windows. See the When to book chart above for how fares move through the year.
Main gateway cities & airports
Maya-Maya International Airport (BZV) in Brazzaville is the principal hub and the arrival point for the capital and the northern national parks. Agostinho-Neto International Airport (PNR) at Pointe-Noire is the second gateway and is often the better choice for the coast and oil-sector travel. Both airports are only a short drive from their city centres.
Airlines and routes
No UK airline flies to Congo directly. The most established routing is Air France from London Heathrow via Paris-Charles de Gaulle, which serves both Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire. Brussels Airlines connects via Brussels, Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa, Turkish Airlines via Istanbul and Royal Air Maroc via Casablanca. From Manchester, Birmingham or Edinburgh you will normally connect through Paris, Brussels or Istanbul. A typical London to Brazzaville journey takes around 12 to 16 hours including the stop; from Manchester, allow a little longer to reach the hub.
Popular places to visit in Congo
- Brazzaville: riverside capital with the striking Basilica of Sainte-Anne and views across to Kinshasa.
- Pointe-Noire: Atlantic port city close to beaches such as Pointe Indienne and the colourful cliffs of Diosso Gorge.
- Odzala-Kokoua National Park: ancient rainforest famed for lowland gorillas, forest elephants and rare birdlife.
- Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park: near-pristine wilderness within the UNESCO-listed Sangha Trinational.
- Lésio-Louna Reserve: gorilla sanctuary on the Batéké Plateau, an easy trip from Brazzaville.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Congo
- Use the price charts on this page to spot the cheapest departure dates, and travel in the dry-season shoulder rather than peak holiday weeks.
- Connecting through Paris or Brussels is usually quicker and cheaper than routing via Africa, so stay flexible on which hub you use.
- Consider flying into Pointe-Noire and out of Brazzaville, or the reverse, to avoid backtracking overland.
- Book roughly two to five months ahead, as long-haul fares to Central Africa rarely drop at the last minute.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders need a visa to enter the Republic of the Congo, arranged before travel through the Congolese Embassy in London or the official e-visa service; always check the latest FCDO travel advice first. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory. The currency is the Central African CFA franc (XAF), which is pegged to the euro; carry euros to exchange, as cards are accepted only in major hotels. For the best value, book a few months ahead and use the charts on this page to time your purchase.
