The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been known for some time to be politically unstable with civil unrest that saw went extreme to the extent of closure of  Virunga National Park in 2018 for about 8 months. Many tourists or travelers always wonder and ask; is it safe to travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo? Anything can happen not only on a Congo safari or safari to Congo but even in any other destination, however, its wise to be cautious and know how to stay safe on a safari to Congo;

Safety Tips for Congo Safaris

• On a Congo tour, be aware to avoid the places of North Kivu and Ituri provinces due to crime, Ebola and Kidnapping. Also, be cautious on visits to the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and the three Kasai provinces due to armed conflict.
• Avoid being within areas of demonstrations like cities since you may become a victim of security arrests. Its safe to stay in Kinshasha since emergency services can easily be reached but avoid where locals warn you from not going to.
• Use caution when walking or driving at night.
• Always carry a copy of your passport and all other necessary identifications.
• Consult with a doctor for preventive medical advice before Congo safaris.
• Review the Crime and safety report on Congo and consult your local Congo tours operator for any latest news in the country before traveling to the Congo.
• Avoid walking alone and displaying cash and other personal property of value. Its wise to travel with a tour Congo guide who is well conversant with the area and will ensure your property is not at risk.
• Avoid taking photos in public, especially of the river, government buildings and the airport, which are viewed as places of national security, since doing such may lead to arrest.
• Don’t trust anyone offering you help on the spot.
• If confronted by members of the military or security forces, do not permit soldiers or police officers to enter your safari vehicles nor get into the vehicle of anyone purporting to be a security official. If confronted, remain courteous and calm and, if threatened, do not resist.

Top safety tip for a safari in Congo.

ALWAYS move with an experienced Congo tour guide. They will help you avoid problems and keep you safe.

Safety tips can be all you need to know and get the answer to the question, is it safe to travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo? You know how to plan and what is required of you. Fortunately, the popular Congo gorilla trekking safari destination is a bit safe and at the extreme border of the country neighboring the peaceful Rwanda and Uganda. If you need to plan a Congo gorilla safari alone and spend about 2 days in the country, tailoring in a Rwanda safari or safari in Rwanda is one way of making the trip memorable combining a cheap gorilla trekking experience and wildlife encounters. Choosing to go for a Uganda safari or gorilla trekking safari in Uganda then continue for Congo is also wise. Its easy to connect from a Uganda tour to Congo in just a few ours especially if a tourist was having a wildlife safari in the south western parks like Queen Elizabeth National Park.