Overview
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is Africa's second-largest country: a vast sweep of rainforest, wide rivers and volcanic mountains straddling the equator. For UK travellers it stays genuinely off the beaten track, drawing people heading out for work in mining and energy, NGO and development postings, family visits, or a carefully planned trip to see mountain gorillas in the east. There are no direct flights from the UK, so every routing involves a connection and a little planning goes a long way. Do check the latest FCDO travel advice before you book, as guidance varies considerably by region.
Best time to fly to DR Congo
The DRC sits on the equator, so it is warm and humid year-round with rainfall the main variable. Around Kinshasa and the south, the drier months run roughly from June to September, which makes travel and road transfers easier. In the eastern highlands around Goma, the drier spells of June to September and December to February are the most reliable for trekking. The long rains from March to May can make some routes slow going. For a sense of how fares move across the year, see the When to book chart above.
Main gateway cities & airports
Most UK travellers arrive into N'djili International Airport (FIH) in Kinshasa, the country's principal international gateway. Other useful entry points are Lubumbashi International Airport (FBM) in the south-eastern mining region, and Goma International Airport (GOM) in the east, the usual base for Virunga National Park.
Airlines and routes
Flights from London to DR Congo are one-stop. Brussels Airlines has long served Kinshasa via Brussels and is a popular choice from the UK. Air France connects through Paris, Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, and Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways route through Addis Ababa and Nairobi respectively, with Ethiopian also reaching Lubumbashi. From London the total journey is typically around 12 to 15 hours including the connection; from Manchester allow a little longer, usually changing in Brussels, Paris, Istanbul or Addis Ababa.
Popular places to visit in DR Congo
- Virunga National Park: Africa's oldest national park, home to mountain gorillas and the Nyiragongo lava lake.
- Kinshasa: a huge, energetic capital on the Congo River, known for its music and riverside life.
- Congo River: the continent's most powerful river, with dramatic rapids and boat trips near the capital.
- Lola ya Bonobo: a bonobo sanctuary near Kinshasa and one of the few places to see the species.
- Lubumbashi: the country's second city and the gateway to the Katanga region.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to DR Congo
- Compare connecting hubs: Brussels, Paris, Istanbul and Addis Ababa can differ a lot in price for the same dates.
- Travel in the shoulder periods rather than the December and summer peaks, and use the price charts on this page to spot cheaper weeks.
- Book roughly two to four months ahead; last-minute fares to Kinshasa are rarely cheap.
- Keep your dates flexible by a day or two, as midweek departures are usually better value.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders need a visa to enter the DRC, arranged before you travel, and you must carry a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. The currency is the Congolese franc, though clean, newer US dollar notes are widely accepted for larger payments. Book connecting flights and internal transfers well in advance, check the price charts on this page for the best timing, and confirm airport pick-ups with your hosts, as arrival formalities in Kinshasa can be slow.
