Best time to go to DRC

Sitting on the equator and covered in forest, DRC is warm all year round, with temperatures ranging from the low
20°Cs to the low 30°Cs.![]()
20°Cs to the low 30°Cs.

The best time to travel to DRC is during the long dry season from May to September, with July markedly the driest month, followed by June. The temperature also drops ever so slightly during these months. There is a shorter dry period in January and February. Don’t picture sunshine and blue skies, though; like much of Central Africa DRC is generally overcast with oppressive humidity. The higher regions of Virunga and Nyiragongo Volcano will provide a welcome relief from the stuffiness. Of course, you don’t need to worry about avoiding ‘peak tourist season’ in DRC; the crowds have yet to arrive.
Kinshasa Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
22
30
154
FEB
22
31
136
MAR
22
31
170
APR
22
31
196
MAY
22
30
124
JUN
19
28
7
JUL
18
27
1
AUG
19
28
4
SEP
21
30
34
OCT
21
30
136
NOV
21
29
254
DEC
22
29
171
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Things to do in DRC
What to do in DRC…
What not to do in DRC…
Is it safe to travel to DRC?
As of January 2019, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advises against all but essential travel to most of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It advises against all travel to eastern DRC, with small exceptions around Goma and Bukavu, which should be avoided for all but essential travel. DRC had enjoyed a period of relative peace following its horrific civil war, which lasted from 1997 to 2003. However, President Kabila’s refusal to step down in 2016 reignited tensions and violence flared up again, particularly across the east. There is a humanitarian crisis as over 4.5 million internally displaced Congolese join another half a million refugees fleeing violence in neighbouring countries, according to UNHCR. Read more
Our top Congo Vacation
Congo River Expedition, DRC
Join a Pioneering Boat Trip Down the Congo River
From
£8245 to £9070
4 weeks
ex flights
Small group travel:
2023: 8 Aug
2024: 2 Aug
2023: 8 Aug
2024: 2 Aug
Travel Team
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DRC travel advice
Jim O’Brien, from our supplier Native Eye Travel, shares his top travel advice for the Democratic Republic of the Congo:
Getting around DRC
“The country is a stark contrast from next door Rwanda – perhaps the most orderly country in East Africa – and generally speaking the infrastructure here is not on a par with other countries. However it’s utterly fascinating to travel in – an example of a country that barely, but somehow does, function, in its own inimitable way. Travelers here need a good dose of patience and a sense of humour…”
Hotel standards
“Accommodation in the main hubs of the Kivu region here is surprisingly good – the hotels are on a par with other mid range options in East Africa, with a decent variety of choices, especially in Goma. Public transport here is unreliable to nonexistent, but taxis and private hire vehicles are a good way to get around if you prefer a little more certainty.”
Meeting the Congolese
“As with any African country the people are a highlight, but a favourite place for me is the laidback island of Idjwi on Lake Kivu, with its simple communities and pygmy villages, which feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of Goma and Bukavu.”
Staying safe
“DRC gets a bad rap, but the insecurity doesn’t stretch everywhere in the country. We have a good network of local contacts here, who keep very up to date with what is happening in the country, and as well as this our itinerary tends to keep to fairly well trodden tracks, if there is such a thing in