Congo (Republic) - Kongo (Republik)

The Republic of the Congo located in Central Africa. Bordering countries are Gabon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the too Angola belonging exclave Cabinda.

Regions

Cities

• Brazzaville - Capital

Other goals

background

The Republic of the Congo is a former French colony that gained independence from the mother country in 1960. After a semi-stable socialist government, the country fell into a protracted civil war that disintegrated the infrastructure.

The population is almost entirely concentrated in the capital Brazzaville and the surrounding area. The hinterland with its dense jungle is almost uninhabited and, due to the lack of traffic routes, impenetrable.

Today the country is extremely poor, but a comparatively safe travel destination (especially in relation to its large neighbor, the DR Congo).

getting there

Entry requirements

A visa is required to enter the Republic of the Congo.

• Embassy of the Republic of the Congo in Germany, Wallstrasse 69, 10179 Berlin (center). Tel.: 49 30 49400753, Email: [email protected]. The embassy in Berlin is also accredited for Austria.Open: Mon-Fri 10: 00-16: 00.last change: not specified
• Embassy of the Republic of the Congo in Switzerland, Rue Chabrey 8, 1202 Geneva. Tel.: 41 22 7318821, Email: [email protected]. last change: not specified

See also: List of diplomatic missions of the Republic of the Congo

By plane

The only airport accessible from abroad is in Brazzaville. From Europe only Air France flies from Paris-Charles de Gaulle to the Republic of the Congo.

By train

By bus

In the street

The possibility of entering the country by land from Gabon or Cameroon only exists on paper, because the roads are muddy tracks and especially impassable in the rainy season.

By boat

There are regular ferry connections from Kinshasa (DR Congo).

mobility

There are hardly any rental cars in the Republic of the Congo, so you are largely dependent on bush taxis. The road network is paved only around Brazzaville.

language

The official language is French. Knowledge of French is essential, as German or English are rarely spoken.

to buy

The currency in the Republic of the Congo is the CFA Franc BEAC. Due to strong overvaluation, shopping is not a bargain.

Plastic money is as good as not accepted at all, at the same time there is almost always a chronic shortage of change. You should therefore take enough cash with you from home and exchange it in the local banks.

kitchen

nightlife

accommodation

Learn

Work

public holidays

Public holidays are New Year's Day, Labor Day on May 1st, “Atonement Day” on June 10th, and National Holidays on August 15th and November 28th.

In addition, there are the Catholic-Christian holidays taken over from the French colonial rulers: Ascension Day May 13th, 2021. Whitsun May 23rd 2021, All Saints' Day on November 1st and Christmas.

security

Outright crime against travelers is comparatively rare, but pickpockets occur as in almost every tourist area.

At night, especially in the poorer areas of Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire, it is best not to be outdoors.

health

Medical care in the country is completely inadequate, which is why it is always advisable to take out travel health insurance with return transport to Germany. The country is a malaria area, which is why malaria prophylaxis is absolutely necessary.

As in many African countries, tap water is undrinkable, so you should use packaged bottles from the supermarket.

climate

respect

Practical advice

German-speaking countries do not have a consular representation in the Republic of the Congo (in Kinshasa); the embassies in the DR Congo are responsible. If you are an EU citizen, you can contact the French embassy in Brazzaville in an emergency.

literature

Web links