DRC-CentralCentral African Republic border

FCDOand advisesSouth againstSudan

The FCDO advises against all travelbut toessential thetravel provinces of:

to:

• Haut-Uéléthe andcity Ituri,of includingBukavu thein entireSouth DRC-SouthKivu Sudan borderprovince
• North Kivu, except the citydistricts of Goma,N’djili whereand FCDOKimbanseke advisesin againstKinshasa, allboth butof essentialwhich travel
• Southare Kivu,south exceptof the citymain ofaccess Bukavu,road whereto FCDON’djili advisesairport against(located allin butNsele essential traveldistrict)
• Maniemathe provinces of Kasaï and Kasaï Central
• Tanganyikathe city of Goma in North Kivu province
• Haut-Lomami

Territorythe inN1 Mai-Ndomberoad Province

FCDObetween advisesand againstincluding: allMenkao travelto the west, Kenge to the Kwamoutheast, territorythe border of Mai-NdombeMai Province.N’dombe Thisprovince isto between,the north, and including,10km to the townssouth

It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO’s advisesguidance againston allforeign but essential travel to:insurance.

• the

  DRC held districtsPresidential, Parliamentary, provincial and some local elections on 20 December 2023. There is an increased likelihood of N’djiliprotests and Kimbansekedemonstrations nationwide but particularly in Kinshasa city,and southother ofmajor thepopulation maincentres. accessSee roadProtests toand N’djilidemonstrations.

  In airport,the inperiod Nselefollowing commune

• the N1elections roaduntil inthe KinshasaPresident’s Province,inauguration betweenscheduled for 20 January 2024, there is a higher risk of civil unrest and disruption to services including Menkaointernet connectivity. These risks apply even in areas of the country in which elections are not able to take place. If there are widespread disturbances or the west,security Kengesituation deteriorates, there may be limits to the east,assistance that the borderBritish ofEmbassy Mai-NdombeKinshasa provincecan provide. Be prepared to shelter in place for several days, if the north,security situation requires it. This means having enough essential supplies, such as food, water and 10kmmedicine, toat the south

Kasaïplace Oriental,where Kasaï,you Kasaïare Central

staying. Do not rely on the FCDO advisesbeing againstable allto travelevacuate toyou thein provincean emergency.

The security situation in eastern DRC remains unstable. There are continued reports of Kasaïseveral Oriental.towns in eastern DRC being attacked by or falling under temporary control of armed groups, including some territories and villages within a 30km range north of Goma. Armed groups are present and intercommunal violence can affect the political, security and humanitarian situation. You should be prepared to leave at short notice via available routes. Travellers should regularly check government advice for updates. See Safety and security.

FCDOThere adviseswere calls for protests against allthe butUN essentialpeacekeeping travelmission toknown as the provincesUnited Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Kasaïthe Congo (MONUSCO) in Goma on 13 September. Similar calls cannot be ruled out. Remain vigilant and Kasaïstay Central.away from demonstrations, protests or disturbances. See Protests and demonstrations.

SeeAfter detailsheavy aboutrains whyon FCDO3 May 2023, flooding and landslides have affected several territories in South Kivu Province, eastern DRC. advisesAt againstleast travel400 people are known to have died. There is potential for further floods and landslides during the rainy season. See Natural disasters.        and Safety and security

Before

In youeastern travel

NoInter-communal travelviolence canbetween beethnic guaranteedgroups safe.over Readland allin theKwamouth adviceterritory inof thisMai-Ndombe guideprovince andhas anybeen specificongoing travelsince adviceAugust that2022. appliesSee toInter-communal you:violence

• women

  On travellers

• disabled22 travellers
• LGBT+May travellers2021, Mount Nyiragongo volcano, close to the city of Goma, and near the border with Rwanda erupted. Further volcanic activity is possible in future. See Natural disasters

FollowConsular andsupport contactis FCDOseverely limited in parts of DRC. travelThe onlack Twitter,of Facebookinfrastructure throughout the country and Instagram.insecurity in eastern DRC often prevent the British Embassy in Kinshasa from being able to extend normal levels of consular assistance to British nationals anywhere in the DRC other than Kinshasa. You canshould alsonot signassume upthat the FCDO will be able to getprovide emailassistance notificationsto whenleave thisthe advicecountry isin updated.the event of serious unrest or crisis.

Travel insurance

Street crime and robbery is common. You should avoid using any taxis in DRC. If you choosemust totake travel,a researchtaxi, youruse destinationsa andprivately getbooked appropriateone. travelDon’t insurancehail taxis in the street. Beware of gangs promising you cut price gold and diamonds. See Crime

Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in the DRC. InsuranceAttacks could be indiscriminate. You should coverbe yourvigilant, itinerary,especially plannedin activitiesplaces visited by foreigners. See Terrorism

If you’re abroad and expensesyou inneed anemergency emergency.help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.