Genvisec advises that all business and leisure travel should continue for some areas after appropriate security advice is taken.

 

Crime

 

Crime levels are low in Brazzaville and Pointe Noire, but you should take sensible precautions to safeguard yourself and your belongings. Don’t walk in the streets after dark, or carry large amounts of money or valuables. The chance of being targeted by criminals is higher in rural areas.

 

Local travel

 

Genvisec advises against all but essential travel to the Pool region as there is sporadic rebel activity and armed banditry in the area. There is a very low risk of rebel attacks on the coastal town of Pointe Noire, but travellers between Brazzaville and Pointe Noire in vehicles and trains have been robbed by armed criminal gangs around the Pool region. Road travel in the Pool region requires a permit from the Congolese army.

 

Avoid travelling around the country at night.

 

Boat travel

 

The river crossing/border with Kinshasa is subject to closure without warning. Check the situation locally before travelling.

 

Crime (sometimes armed) is committed against boats using the Ubangi River in the Likouala region, where the river forms the border with the DRC. This area is also subject to periodic instability.

 

Road travel

 

Road conditions are generally poor and deteriorate during the wet season (November to May). Overland travel off the main roads requires a four-wheel drive vehicle.

 

There are frequent vehicle checkpoints throughout the Republic of Congo. These can be poorly marked and there have been reports of police and military personnel targeting foreigners at these checkpoints to extract bribes.

 

Air travel

 

All airlines from the Republic of Congo have been refused permission to operate services to the EU because of safety concerns

 

Political situation

 

Keep yourself updated on the local political and security situation and avoid any demonstrations or large gatherings.

 

Health

Contact your doctor around 8 weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or other preventive measures. 

 

If you become ill during or immediately after travelling to the Republic of Congo, seek medical advice immediately. Medical facilities in the country are extremely limited, particularly in rural areas, and medical evacuation is likely to be necessary for all but the most basic treatments. Make sure you have adequate travel and medical insurance to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation; this should specifically include the very high costs of evacuation by air ambulance. If you take medication regularly, bring in a properly-marked supply, sufficient for the time you will be in DRC, with you.

 

There have been reported incidents of packs of rabid dogs in Point Noir.

 

Outbreaks of the human form of the Ebola fever have occurred in recent years. Don’t eat bushmeat as this is widely thought to be responsible for a number of diseases, including Ebola.

 

In the UNAIDS 2012 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic it was estimated that around 61,000 adults aged 15 or over in Republic of Congo were living with HIV; the prevalence percentage was estimated at around 2.8% of the adult population compared to the prevalence percentage in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS.

 

Passport Validity

 

Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. No additional period of validity beyond this is required.

 

Yellow fever vaccination certificate

 

You will be asked to produce a yellow fever vaccination certificate on arrival in the country. Failure to do so will result in a further vaccination being administered, for which a charge is made.

 

 

 

 

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