Original document : https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/democratic-republic-of-the-congo

Change description : 2025-01-29 22:57:00: Change in advice for travel to Kinshasa city and province (‘Warnings and insurance’, ‘Safety and security’ and ‘Regional risks’ pages) [Guidance and regulation]

Showing diff : 2025-01-28 19:34:04.588036228 +00:00..2025-01-29 22:58:19.978594084 +00:00

Foreign travel advice

Democratic Republic of the Congo

! Warning FCDO advises against all travel to parts of Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Warnings and insurance

Still current at:
2829 January 2025
Updated:
2829 January 2025
Latest update:
InformationChange addedin onadvice protestsfor intravel to Kinshasa city and province ('Warnings and Insurance'insurance', page)'Safety and security' and 'Regional risks' pages)
Download a more detailed map (PDF)

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

Areas where FCDO advises against travel

Areas in Kinshasa Province

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

  • Kinshasa city
  • the N1 road in Kinshasa Province, between and including Menkao to the west, Kenge to the east, the border of Mai-Ndombe province to the north, and 10km to the south

DRC-Central African Republic border

FCDO advises against all travel to within 50km of the border with the Central African Republic.

Eastern DRC  

FCDO advises against all travel to the provinces of:

  • Haut-Uélé and Ituri, including the entire DRC-South Sudan border
  • North Kivu, including the city of Goma
  • South Kivu, including the city of Bukavu
  • Maniema
  • Tanganyika
  • Haut-Lomami

Territory in Mai-Ndombe Province

FCDO advises against all travel to the Kwamouth territory of Mai-Ndombe Province. This is between, and including, the towns of Kwamouth, Bandundu and the southern border of Mai-Ndombe province.

Areas in Kinshasa Province

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

  • the districts of N’djili and Kimbanseke in Kinshasa city, south of the main access road to N’djili airport, in Nsele commune
  • the N1 road in Kinshasa Province, between and including Menkao to the west, Kenge to the east, the border of Mai-Ndombe province to the north, and 10km to the south
  • the district of Kasa Vubu in Kinshasa City bordered by the N1 Triumphal Road (Stadium), Barumbu District, Lingwala District and South of the botanical garden.

Kasaï Oriental, Kasaï, Kasaï Central

FCDO advises against all travel to the province of Kasaï Oriental.

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the provinces of Kasaï and Kasaï Central.

See details about why FCDO advises against travel.    

Security situation in DRC

North and South Kivu

If you are in Goma or Bukavu,Bukavu youand shouldjudge leaveit whilesafe routesto remaindo available.

Thereso, areand reportsif ofroutes fightingare inavailable, Gomayou andshould that leave.

M23 have captured the city.city Weof Goma. FCDO advise against all travel to Goma and Bukavu.

The border crossings between Rwanda and the DRC at Gisenyi/Goma could close at short notice.

There are reports that Goma Airport has been attacked by M23 forces and that commercial flights are no longer operating from the airport.

Routes to depart Bukavu are limited.

Support from the UK government is severely limited outside Kinshasa. You should not assume that FCDO will be able to provide assistance to leave the country in the event of serious unrest or crisis.

Kinshasa

FCDO advise against all but essential travel to Kinshasa city. If your reasons for being in Kinshasa city are not essential, consider leaving.

On 28 January there were large and violent protests outside multiple embassies in Kinshasa, in response to the fighting in Goma in eastern DRC. Stay alert and avoid any protests. Carry an identification document, limit movements and be cautious if you are travelling at night. Some flights out of Kinshasa airport have been cancelled. Check ahead before travelling to the airport.

Some dependants of British embassy staff have been temporarily withdrawn from Kinshasa. The embassy continues to provide essential services to British nationals.

Monitor local media as the situation is changing fast.

Help and support in DRC

Read FCDO advice on how to deal with a crisis overseas.

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Getting help in DRC

For help in an emergency from the British government, telephone: +243815566200

Read ‘Getting help’ for more information on other ways to get help in DRC.

Contact FCDO in London

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow and contact FCDO:   

View a printable version of the whole guide

Update history

2025-04-08 21:01
FCDO no longer advises against all but essential travel to some areas of Kinshasa. FCDO continues to advise against all travel, or all but essential travel to a number of areas of DRC (‘Warnings and insurance’, and ‘Regional risks’ pages).

2025-02-25 16:56
Updated information relating to the security situation in Goma, Bukavu, and north and south Kivu provinces (‘Warnings and insurance’, ‘Safety and security’ and ‘Regional risks’ pages).

2025-02-14 18:06
Stay away from areas when protests are planned, particularly in Kinshasa, Goma and other large cities (See ‘Safety and security’ and ‘Regional risks’ pages)

2025-01-29 22:57
Change in advice for travel to Kinshasa city and province (‘Warnings and insurance’, ‘Safety and security’ and ‘Regional risks’ pages)

2025-01-28 19:33
Latest update: Information added on protests in Kinshasa (‘Warnings and Insurance’ page)

2025-01-28 12:09
Information added on protests in Kinshasa (‘Safety and security’ page).

2025-01-27 18:05
Information about reports of fighting in Goma and that M23 have captured the city. FCDO continues to advise against all travel to North Kivu, including Goma and South Kivu, including Bukavu (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Regional risks’ pages)

2025-01-26 17:36
The FCDO advise against all travel to Bukavu. M23 have taken control of Sake and have expressed their intent to occupy Goma (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Regional risks’ pages)

2025-01-23 19:46
Updated advice: The FCDO advise against all travel to Goma.New information on the security situation in North Kivu. M23 have taken control of Sake and have expressed their intent to occupy Goma.

2025-01-23 16:47
New information on the security situation in North Kivu. Intensified fighting in Sake and M23 have taken control.

2024-08-08 14:46
New information on health risks (‘Health’ page).

2024-05-31 12:28
Updated information on criminal kidnap (‘Safety and security’ page).

2024-05-24 12:23
Information about Kinshasa armed attacks on 19 May (‘Safety and security’ page).

2024-05-20 14:55
Information regarding gunfire in Kinshasa on 19 May and protests (see ‘Safety and security’ page).

2024-05-19 12:59
Information regarding gunfire in Kinshasa (see ‘Warning and insurance’ page).

2024-04-05 16:37
Information on the security situation in Goma and flooding in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (see ‘Safety and security’ page).

2024-03-01 20:16
Latest Update on travel to and from Goma airport and to the district of Kasa Vubu in Kinshasa City (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Regional risks’ pages).

2024-02-20 17:15
Information on driving in North Kivu (‘Regional Risks’ page).

2024-02-20 10:52
Information on protests outside western embassies (‘Safety and security’ page).

2024-02-17 10:43
Information that in the early hours of 17 February a drone reportedly targeted military aircraft at Goma airport. The airport continues to operate as normal. (see ‘Regional Risks’ page).

2024-02-12 17:07
Further updated information that ongoing protests in Kinshasa, including outside the British Embassy, are likely to continue throughout the week starting 12 February (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

2024-02-11 15:05
Further updated information following protests outside the British Embassy in Kinshasa (Warnings and insurance and Safety and Security Pages) and likely protests on 12 February, with a risk that foreigners could be indiscriminately targeted.

2024-02-10 15:40
Updated information following protests outside the British Embassy in Kinshasa (Warnings and insurance and Safety and Security pages).

2024-02-09 16:39
Information following protests outside the British Embassy in February 2024 (‘Safety and security’ page).

2024-02-08 16:25
Updated information on Goma – British nationals should be prepared to leave at short notice and to have adequate supplies of food, water, medicine etc in case of the need to lock down (‘Regional risks’ page).

2024-01-18 16:39
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.

2023-12-29 14:08
Heavy rainfall is increasing the water level of the Congo River and its tributaries, and is causing flooding in certain areas of the DRC. British nationals are advised to check for news of flooding before travelling (‘Natural disasters’ page).

2023-12-21 15:50
Elections on Wednesday 20 December and risk of protests (‘Summary’ page and under the ‘Protests and demonstrations’ heading on the ‘Safety and security’ page).

2023-12-19 16:36
Border closures and flight disruptions on Wednesday 20 December. (‘Summary’ page).

2023-12-07 16:16
FCDO advises against all travel to the area of Mai N’dombe province between, and including the towns of, Kwamouth, Bandundu and the southern border of the province.FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the N1 road between and including: Menkao to the west, Kenge to the east, the border of Mai N’dombe province to the north, and 10km to the south. (‘Summary’ page).

2023-11-21 14:08
Information about upcoming elections in December 2023 including potential for civil unrest and disruption (‘Summary’ page and ‘Protests and demonstrations’ page).

2023-11-01 13:32
Information about a recent increase in violence in eastern DRC (‘Summary’ page and ‘Safety and security’ page).

2023-09-01 19:40
Updated information about planned protests against the UN peacekeeping mission known as the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) that took place on 30 August (‘Summary’ page and under ‘Protests and demonstrations’ on the ‘Safety and security’ page).

2023-08-25 11:52
Information about planned protests against the UN peacekeeping mission known as the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) on 30 August (‘Summary’ page and under ‘Protests and demonstrations’ on the ‘Safety and security’ page).

2023-08-22 15:55
Information about the removal of all COVID-19 related controls related to entry into the country, and travel outside of Kinshasa and the provincial capitals (‘Safety and security’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages).

2023-08-01 14:12
Information about a potential increase in protests in the run up to elections in December 2023 (‘Protests and demonstrations’ on the ‘Safety and security’ page).

2023-07-13 18:14
Addition of information about potential increase in protests following the death of a politician (‘Summary’ and ‘Protests and demonstrations’).

2023-06-22 11:49
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.

2023-05-26 13:15
Updated information about Kenge, wearing military style clothing, and road and air travel (‘Summary’, ‘Safety and Security’ and ‘Local laws and customs’ pages).

2023-05-24 18:21
Information on planned protests for 25 May (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages).

2023-05-24 09:25
Removal of information on planned protests for 20 May, as date now passed (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).

2023-05-19 12:57
Information on planned protests on 20 May, and reported fighting between local militia and Congolese Armed Forces in Kenge (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)

2023-05-12 16:47
General update of information throughout and changes to assist readability.

2023-05-10 16:48
Addition of information on flooding and landslides in eastern DRC (‘Summary’ page).

2023-04-06 17:58
Information on “express” kidnappings in Kinshasa on 6 April 2023 (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages).

2023-02-06 16:22
Information on protests in Goma on 6 February 2023 (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages).

2023-02-06 10:43
Updated information – The FCDO continues to advise against all but essential travel to Goma in North Kivu province (‘Summary’ pages).

2023-01-23 11:02
Addition of information on Pope’s visit to DRC. The FCDO continues to advise against all travel to Goma in North Kivu province (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).

2022-11-23 14:17
Addition of information on protests planned for 24 November 2022 near the Goma office which may impact access to the Grande Barrière border crossing. The FCDO continues to advise against all travel to Goma in North Kivu province (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).

2022-11-16 10:58
Updated with information that for security reasons staff have been temporarily withdrawn from the Goma office. The FCDO continues to advise against all travel to Goma in North Kivu province (‘Summary’ page)

2022-11-15 18:48
Change of travel advice for Goma from advising against all but essential travel (Amber) to advising against all travel (Red) (See ‘Summary’)

2022-11-13 10:41
Addition of information about clashes between Congolese military and armed group M23 near Goma in North Kivu (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)

2022-11-11 17:01
Addition of information about clashes between Congolese military and armed group M23 in the Ruthuru area of North Kivu, and changes to Covid departure rules (‘Summary’, ‘Safety and security’ and ‘Coronavirus’ pages)

2022-10-29 22:38
Addition of information about Clashes between Congolese military and armed group M23 in the Ruthuru area of North Kivu.(“summary” “safety and security”)

2022-09-29 15:36
Updated information on 15th Ebola outbreak (‘Summary’ and ‘Health’ pages).

2022-09-28 12:20
The FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to the territory of Kwamouth (located in Mai-Ndombe province) (‘Summary’ page).

2022-09-21 16:27
Updated information on protests in Eastern DRC and increased violence between ethnic groups in Mai-Ndombe province (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages).

2022-08-24 10:15
Addition of information and advice on an Ebola outbreak declared in Beni, North Kivu province and clarification on COVID-19 entry requirements (‘Summary’, ‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Health’ pages)

2022-08-04 16:17
Addition of information and advice about further protests in and around Goma (‘Summary’ page).

2022-07-29 20:09
Factual update on demonstrations in DRC (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).

2022-07-27 14:07
Factual update on demonstrations in DRC (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)

2022-07-26 17:23
Factual update on demonstrations in Goma (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)

2022-07-25 16:13
Changes to FCDO advice against travel: the FCDO no longer advises against all but essential travel to Equateur province. The FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to the provinces of Kasiaï and Kasiaï Central. Previous advice against travel remains in place

2022-07-11 17:11
Addition of information about a fine for Kinshasa resident’s who do not meet the 15 July deadline for renewal of residency cards (‘Summary’ page)

2022-07-08 16:02
New information on a 15 July deadline for foreign nationals in Kinshasa to report themselves for new residency cards (‘Summary’ page). Update to information on DRC’s 14th Ebola outbreak; the outbreak was declared over on 4 July 2022 (‘Summary’ and ‘Health’ pages).

2022-05-25 11:04
Addition of information on armed group activity near Goma in eastern DRC (‘Safety and security’ page)

2022-05-13 18:19
On 12 May 2022 reports were received indicating the risk of a terrorist attack on an unspecified ferry departing from Goma (‘Summary’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages)

2022-05-10 12:59
The FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to the province of Equateur due to the ongoing outbreak of Ebola (‘Summary’). Previous advice against all or all but essential travel to various parts of the country remains in place, as outlined in the ‘Summary’ section.

2022-04-25 16:14
Update to information on a confirmed case of Ebola in Mbandaka city, Equateur province in north-western DRC (‘Summary’ and ‘Health’ pages).