Your full Wanderlust guide to
Republic of the Congo
While the Republic of the Congo is often conflated with its near neighbour, the Democratic Republic (DRC), the security issues and rebellions that have plagued Central Africa aren’t really prevalent here. Capital Brazzaville might lie just a river’s width from its DRC equivalent, Kinshasa, but it is an altogether safer, more wholesome place for travellers, and its French colonial architecture offers a charming, less flashy take on a major Congolese city. Yet it’s the wildernesses beyond that truly catch the eye here.
One thing brings travellers to the Republic beyond any other: wildlife. The likes of Odzala-Kokoua and Nouabale-Ndoki national parks are home to families of endangered western lowland gorillas, with guided – and often rugged – treks to meet habituated families a must for most visitors. You might even get the odd glimpse of a rare forest elephant among the jungle and the bais. Or head over to the west coast, where humpback cruises skirt the coastal forest park of Conkouati-Douli, in which some 7,000 chimpanzees swing through the crowded canopies.
That said, Brazzaville is still a lively base, and is not to be overlooked. Its nightlife and elegant sapeurs (Congolese dandies) strike an eccentric note, while strolls along the Corniche let you take in the sight of the two magnificent river ports of the Congo. It’s a great counterpoint to the laidback west-coast city of Pointe Noire, which lies just off the ‘wild coast’. Here you’ll find surf beaches in the lee of jungle-tipped ridges and a chance to explore the colourful Diosso Gorge, a prehistoric land scratched with crazy pinks, yellows and oranges.
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When to go
Temperature and humidity are high year round. The best time for wildlife-spotting is the long dry season, which runs in the south from May to September, when most roads are passable.
In the north, however, these are considered to be some of the wettest months; it experiences a short dry season in January and February, which is a good time to visit the likes of Odzala, with the rains starting to subside in October.
International airports
The country has just two international airport: Maya-Maya (BZV), which lies just north-west of downtown Brazzaville, and Antonio-Agostinho-Neto, in the suburbs of Pointe-Noire, out on the far west coast of the country.
Getting around
A regular rail service (known as La Gazelle) runs from Brazzaville to the main coastal city of Pointe-Noire, and resumed service in 2023 after seven years hiatus; one train typically runs per week. This was once the only overland way to reach the coast from Brazzaville; now a 500km-plus revitalised highway (RN1) also connects the two, though it is plagued with checkpoints and harassment, and driving between the two or taking a bus is ill-advised; it is always much safer and quicker to fly.
Generally speaking, taxis are the easiest way to get around the cities, with pre-booking the wisest approach. Ask at your accommodation for the best service to use, or they will know a reliable driver.
For rainforest trips, you need to employ a local guide – either enquire at park HQ or go as part of a guided tour or with a safari camp. Access to the habituated gorilla families is strictly regulated, however, so these will need to be booked in advance.
Health & safety
From a crime perspective, the Republic is relatively safe, so long as you take sensible precautions. Healthwise, it’s pin-cushion time. Essentials include obtaining a yellow fever certificate and a course of anti-malaria tablets – ask your GP. Typhoid, hepatitis A and B, polo, meningitis and tetanus jabs should all be updated. DEET-based repellent and head-nets will battle bugs. Carry antihistamine cream for bites and an EpiPen adrenalin injection if you’re susceptible to anaphylactic shock. Also check the UK’s FCDO site for any Ebola virus outbreaks.
