Know Before You Go DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Introduction The anticipation of your holiday should give you enormous pleasure. In order to ensure you are fully prepared for your next trip we have put together this document which contains essential information about the country you are soon to visit. We know that visa requirements and electrical currents are not the most scintillating of topics but we also know that being forewarned is forearmed and we would hate for you to come back from your holiday, thinking “if only Steppes had told me that!” Travelling should be inspirational but above anything else it should be fun. We hope this information takes care of the more mundane matters of planning a trip so that you can then focus on building up excitement levels pre-travel, safe in the knowledge you’ve got everything covered.
DID YOU KNOW? Map data ©2015 AFriGIS (Pty) Ltd, Google, Inst. Geogr. Nacional, Mapa GISrael, ORION-ME
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The D.R.C. has been known by five names since the late 1800s: Congo Free State, Belgian Congo, Republic of the Congo (Leopoldville), Republic of Zaire and Democratic Republic of Congo.
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There are over 200 different ethnic groups in the country and over 240 languages.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS How long are the flights to the DRC?
Can I use my mobile phone in DRC?
Most people enter the DRC in either Kinshasa or Goma by air. Flights vary
In some of the main towns and cities you may be able to use your phone, but in
depending on who you fly with and which city you enter. There are currently no
more remote areas service is patchy and coverage is rare. This does depend on
direct flights from the UK to either city.
your own service provider, but we recommend you buy a local sim card.
What is the time zone in DRC?
Do I need to take anti-malaria medication?
GMT +1 from the Atlantic Coast to Kisangani and GMT +2 from Kananga and
Speak to a GP or nurse, and check the NHS Fit for Travel website
Lubumbashi to the eastern border.
(www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk). Generally, antimalarial medication is recommended, as
How much luggage can I take?
mot of the DRC is considered a high-risk area.
Check with your international carrier, but internal flights are limited to 15kg. This
Do I need a yellow fever vaccination?
includes both hand and hold luggage.
A certificate proving that you have had a yellow fever vaccination is required in
Is the DRC safe to travel?
order to enter the DRC. For more information, please check with a GP or nurse, and consult the NHS Fit for Travel website (www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk).
The DRC is generally safer than its unstable reputation suggests. But crime levels are relatively high in urban areas and sensible precautions, such as leaving valuables
Can I access the internet during my trip?
behind, avoiding isolated areas and not travelling at night are recommended.
Internet access is available in many of the cities, but it is often very slow and
It is important to be aware that FCO advice for the DRC is very cautious. However, Steppes Travel operates in several countries where there is negative FCO advice. To combat this, we seek assurances from those whom we work with on the ground and notify our insurers of the situation. If they are satisfied, they will insure us, which is the key.
unreliable.
LANGUAGE Whilst French and Swahili are widely spoken, you will impress people more if you use a few words of the local language, Lingala.
English
Lingala (phonetically)
Hello How are you? I am fine, thank you Goodbye Please Thank you Yes/No
M-bo-tay San-go Nee-nee? Ma-la-mu, mee-lee-see Ken-de-kay ma-la-mu Pa-lo-do Mee-lee-see Ee-yo / Tay
FOREIGN OFFICE ADVICE In association with the 'Know Before You Go’ campaign Steppes Travel are working with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) to do all that we can to help British travellers stay safe overseas. Please visit the Foreign Office website for any updates: www.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo
VISA REQUIREMENTS
TRAVEL INSURANCE
British passport holders require a visa to visit the DRC and this must be obtained prior to departure. The cost of a tourist visa can be up to £200 and we strongly recommend you apply for this through a procurement agency, such as CIBT Visas (http://cibtvisas.co.uk/). All applications require a letter of invitation, which our ground agents can supply.
For your safety and peace of mind, comprehensive travel insurance is required when travelling with Steppes Travel. We suggest the specialist travel insurance brokers Campbell Irvine. To arrange cover you can speak to our specialists or call Campbell Irvine on 020 7938 1734.
Other nationalities may have different requirements; please check with the nearest consulate or representative.
If you already have travel insurance then we require confirmation that your policy provides adequate cover for the duration of your trip, covers the full value of your invoice, is sufficient for the destination(s) you are visiting and includes medical, evacuation and repatriation cover. Please send your travel consultant the insurers name, policy number and emergency contact number.
Please note that it remains your responsibility to organise visas when required (unless otherwise specified by your consultant). However, we are more than happy to give advice, help or provide supporting documentation, where necessary.
VACCINATIONS We suggest you check online at the Fit for Travel website www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or with your local GP/ travel clinic regarding ‘boosters’ for standard immunisations such as Japanese Encephalitis and Tetanus. A Yellow Fever certificate is required and must be shown on arrival. PrePre -existing conditions If you have specific medical requirements, please consult your doctor prior to departure to obtain adequate supplies of any necessary medication that may be required whilst on holiday. Please carry personal medication with you in your hand luggage (in line with current airline regulations), remembering to keep a copy of your prescription or the usage guidelines with you as well.
HEALTH & SAFETY Travelling with Steppes Travel is a wonderful chance to experience a stunning array of cultures, landscapes, ecosystems and activities. At the heart of this experience are the differences between our respective ways of life. You should understand that this means that standards of health and safety will not be the same as in the UK and may often be lower. Please refer to our full health and safety information on our website, under Travellers Code.
AIRPORT & FLIGHT INFORMATION •
While travelling, please make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond the date of departure for the country you are visiting.
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Have appropriate visa for your destination and transit points.
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Please note the date, time of your flight and also the time to arrive at the airport. Please be on time.
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Please advise if you have special meal requests (vegetarian, medical, halal / kosher, baby food, etc…), while booking your flight.
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Some food items are not allowed to be carried in the cabin or inside hand baggage.
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Please affix your name and address label on the baggage. It is also recommended to put the label in side of your checked in baggage to help us identify the bag in case the baggage tag/label attached outside is detached & lost.
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Please do not put valuable items such as money, jewellery, cameras and other expensive electronic items in your check-in baggage.
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If hand baggage is collected at the check-in counter or at the gate due to its size being above the allowed limit, the airline will not be liable for the damage and loss of valuable items in the baggage.
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Do not carry liquids or gels of over 100ml, toy or replica guns, razor blades, household cutlery, knives, scissors, knitting needles etc. in your hand baggage.
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For your own and the flight's safety and security, please do not accept any item from anyone as you will be held responsible & accountable for the contents of any of the items found in your custody.
SHELF IMPROVEMENT
ETIQUETTE & CULTURE
A good book is an excellent way to learn about a new culture; many an adventure has
The culture of central Africa is diverse, due to the number of ethnic groups found
been inspired by a great read. And vice versa. Here are some books that we
here, particularly in the DRC. Whilst huge numbers live in the main urban areas, the
recommend. Hopefully they can give you a feel for the D.R.C. and help you to
vast majority still live in small villages that are scattered throughout the country and
understand its many facets.
hard to reach.
Author
Title
Christianity remains strong in urban areas, with local beliefs deep rooted in rural
Robert Egerton Adam Hochschild Colin Turnbull Michela Wrong Tim Butcher David Van Reybrouck
The Troubled Heart of Africa. King Leopold’s Ghost The Forest People In the Footsteps of Mr Kurtz Blood River: A Journey to Africa’s Broken Heart Congo: The Epic History of a People
areas.
Dress Code There is no official dress code, but it is highly recommended that both men and women dress appropriately as many Congolese dress smartly when meeting people and take great pride in their appearance.
Photography ELECTRICITY
As always, it is polite to ask permission before photographing someone as it may not always be appropriate. Do not take photos of airports, military buildings or government establishments.
Mains electricity in DRC is 230V. Sockets accept two-prong, European-style plugs.
MONEY
Local Currency The currency in the Democratic Republic of Congo is the Congolese franc, which you can only get inside the country. For most transactions, payments and tips, US dollars are your best bet. There are banks and money changers available in most of the big cities and our guides always carry a small amount of local currency, in case you get caught short.
Credit Cards Credit cards, except in the larger international hotels, are not recommended.
Tipping When it comes to tipping, you should budget around $10 per guide, per person, per day. Please bear in mind that you will have a number of different guides in each location, in addition to your own personal guide with you throughout the trip. You will also have the opportunity to tip the staff at the lodges, for which there is usually a small gratuity box in reception. As always, this remains at your discretion.
RESPONSIBLE TOURISM Just because we believe travel should be of benefit to both traveller and the host country, that doesn’t mean having fun is frowned upon. On the contrary, it is positively encouraged and because you’ll feel like you’re giving something back to the local people, wildlife and environment, you’ll have even more to smile about.
Our policy is that we endeavour:
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To work with privately owned companies and hotels rather than state owned or foreign companies in the countries that you visit.
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To support a number of charities which promote a wide range of education programmes together with environmental and community projects in the countries we visit. When possible, we encourage you to visit these initiatives.
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To encourage travellers to visit unspoilt areas of the world where low impact tourism can have a hugely beneficial effect.
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To take you beyond the ordinary, to local markets or community craft schemes rather than large corporation tourist shops so that your money benefits those who need it most.
Our ‘responsible policy’ is not just limited to the destinations in which we operate. Responsible practice is exercised in our office with various measures put in place aimed at reducing, re-using and recycling resources where possible.
In return we ask you:
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To be sympathetic to local customs, traditions and idiosyncrasies, which to us might seem strange.
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To be aware of local resources, particularly water and its purity, and treat them with care.
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To be generous in relation to local monetary values, but do not over tip
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To give money where it is needed and not to hordes of children. Handing out gifts creates an air of expectancy and exacerbates the problem. Far better to give items such as pens to teachers.
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To not buy goods that will have a detrimental effect on either wildlife or the environment however beautiful or plentiful they may seem. It only encourages others.
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You are encouraged to report back on your experience and on the behaviour and awareness of our agents and local guides on your return. Only in this way can we improve and ensure our demands are being met.
We are committed to developing our Policy of Responsible Practice even further in the future. Our aim is to continually incorporate new responsible practices into our business at all levels and encourage our suppliers to do the same.
USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS
British Embassy 83, Avenue Roi Baudoin Gombe Kinshasa Democratic Republic of Congo
Email: ambassade.britannique@fco.gov.uk Tel: +243 81 556
Health and Vaccinations Malaria Hotspots Foreign & Commonwealth Office advice
www.malariahotspots.co.uk 0845 8502829
Fit for travel
www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice www.ďŹ tfortravel.nhs.uk
Passport and Visa requirements The Visa Service
0870 8900185
www.cibtvisas.co.uk
Identity and Passport Service
0870 210410
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-passport-office
Heathrow Airport
0870 0002468
www.heathrowairport.com
Gatwick Airport
0870 0002468
www.gatwickairport.com
Airports
Flights Airline information
www.airlinequality.com
Currency Currency converter
www.xe.com/ucc/
WHAT TO PACK You will undoubtedly have items you consider personal favourites and utterly indispensable. Therefore, the following items are a mixture of not-to-be-forgotten essentials and our personal recommendations. Use them to supplement your own packing list.
Important Stuff • Passport and photocopy* • Itinerary & airline reference number • Copy of insurance policy • Credit cards/cash • Emergency contact numbers • International vaccination card e.g. a yellow fever certificate (where applicable) *Please store your passport and the photocopy in different locations.
Clothing • • • • • • • • •
T-shirts and vests Fleece or sweatshirt Light-weight, windproof and waterproof jacket Flip-flops Comfortable walking shoes Small spare towel Long trousers suitable for walking Socks and underwear Two or three long-sleeved shirts
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Shawl or scarf
Essentials • • • • • • •
Head torch with spare batteries 20-litre daypack One-litre water bottle Good quality sunglasses, preferably polarised Camera with charger Wash kit Travel guide or pocket language guide
Medical Equipment • • • • • • •
Personal first aid kit Personal prescription medicines Insect repellent Lip salve Spare prescription glasses Contact lenses & cleaners Sunscreen
USEFUL TRAVEL APPS
XE Currency
Evernote Food
Know how much you’re spending with live updates.
Document recipes you love as you travel.
Google Translate
Map My Walk
Translates between 64 languages, with audio too.
Calculate your duration, distance, pace and speed.
Weather Pro
Pin Drop
Weather reports for up to two million locations.
Pin on a map to record locations you’ve discovered.
Flight Track
Travel Smart
Follow detailed paths of thousands of flights.
Access to emergency services & health advice.
Prizmo
Trip Journal
A pocket scanner for all your important documents.
Virtual scrapbook, geotagging pictures & videos.
Tipulator
WhatsApp Messenger
Nifty tip calculator, also helps to split bills easily.
Free to send pictures, videos & sound clips over wifi
Flashlight
Viber
Simple gadget, always handy for travelling.
International calls and messaging for free.
Packing Pro
Triposo
Packing suggestions based on your destination.
Pocket Wikitravel, internet connection not required.
THE STEPPES TRAVEL GROUP 51 CASTLE STREET CIRENCESTER GLOUCESTERSHIRE GL7 1QD
T +44 (0)1285 880 980 F +44 (0)1285 885 888 ENQUIRY@STEPPESTRAVEL.COM WWW.STEPPESTRAVEL.COM