Experience the culture in Sub-Saharan Africa's second-largest city, Kinshasa. Compared to the rest of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kinshasa is a completely different experience, and this city should definitely make it to your travel list.
The French-speaking city brings to you a blend of colonial and modern architecture. View the spectacular buildings, beautiful monuments, and lose yourself in the unique atmosphere. Go on outdoor adventures, buy souvenirs and most importantly, enjoy the art.
Taste the delicious mix of traditional Congolese foods, along with Indian, Chinese, French, and other European influences. Have local, freshly brewed beer in one of the many breweries that populate the streets.
Your adventure to Kinshasa is sure to be filled with excitement and wonder. To experience it all with fewer worries about the unexpected, let’s first explore the importance of travel medical insurance for your trip.
Kinshasa Travel Medical Insurance for International Travelers - FAQs
Medical insurance from your home country will not provide you with coverage in Kinshasa. If you want to secure medical treatment, you’ll have to pay for it on your own if you don’t have the right insurance. What is the right insurance for your trip to Kinshasa? Travel medical insurance.
Do I need travel medical insurance for Kinshasa?
Travel medical insurance is not mandatory to enter Kinshasa. Your passport will need to be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into the DRC, and depending on where you’re coming from, proof of vaccination against yellow fever may be required.
Though it is not required, we highly recommend that you purchase a travel medical insurance plan to ensure a safe trip.
Why buy travel medical insurance for Kinshasa?
Medical care is extremely limited, so be prepared.
The Centre Prive d’Urgence (CPU) clinic in Kinshasa is able to treat basic health problems and stabilize a patient after serious accidents. But in general, the level of treatment is not up to American or European standards. In case you get seriously ill, you will have to be evacuated to secure the necessary treatment. Medical evacuation can be very costly.
Travel medical insurance covering emergency medical evacuation can help immensely with these costs.
Make sure you purchase a travel medical insurance plan to allow you to receive the treatment you need without draining your bank account while in Kinshasa.
Things to Do for Travelers in Kinshasa
Here are some activities and landmarks that we believe will make your stay even more memorable, and will allow you to have the best experience of this cultural and intellectual center for Central Africa.
Meet Apes at Bonobos Sanctuary
Visit the world’s only sanctuary for orphaned bonobos.
Your visit will be held in groups for a one-and-a-half-hour duration. Watch the bonobos play around, jumping from tree to tree. You can also gush over the baby bonobos as they sleep and eat.
Musée National de Kinshasa Save
Spend a day in this amazing ethnographic archive and visit the small exhibit to view artifacts.
Ask one of the museum employees for a trip to the warehouse. If you tip, they’ll probably let you tour the warehouses where the rest of the collection is currently stored.
Enjoy the Scenery at Zongo Waterfalls
The gorgeous 65-meter-high Zongo Falls are one of the most spectacular sights that the city has to offer. You can hike to the viewpoint to watch the water roaring over the precipice into the river below. The water vapor that rises to the sky when the river water hits the ground makes for an unforgettable experience.
Unwind at Parc de la vallée de la N’sele
Drive 90 minutes from the city center to spend a day at this park. Relax and escape city life in these 10,000 hectares of wooded and grassy savannah while you enjoy the fresh air.
Go on a safari and meet lions, impalas, zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, hippos, rhinos, and elephants. You can also go cycling, canoeing or kayaking, hiking, or take a ride on the zipline.
Dance at Bar La Crèche
Experience Kinshasa’s musical heart at Bar La Crèche. It is one of the best places to meet the locals and witness their lives firsthand. The bar is locally infamous for its raucous music. Dance to Congo's best music and grab a drink at the bar.
Travel Risks for International Travelers in Kinshasa
Beware of street robbery
Foreigners are at particular risk of street robbery in Kinshasa, especially near hotels and supermarkets in the center of town. Robberies by people posing as taxi drivers or taxi customers are common in Kinshasa. Don’t hail taxis on the streets; only use a privately booked taxi.
General safety
Don’t walk on the streets alone at any time, especially at night. Do not display valuables and cash; instead, use a money belt and hide it with your t-shirt.
Use a hotel safe if possible and keep copies of important documents, including your passport, separate. Be wary of people trying to distract you, as they might be trying to steal from you.
Road safety
Roads in Kinshasa are poorly maintained. Lock vehicle doors and keep windows closed when driving.
Car hire is possible in Kinshasa, though most car hire companies will only rent a car with a driver. Self-drive options are limited. If you want to drive in Kinshasa, you need an International Driving Permit.
Avoid public gatherings
Avoid all public gatherings and demonstrations. These gatherings can turn boisterous, or even violent. Follow local media for updates on political protests, and make contingency plans in the event of demonstrations. Keep a stock of essential supplies and up-to-date travel documents and visas.
Avoid photography
Avoid taking photographs in public places, especially of borders and military installations. Violation of this can result in arrest and detention. If you want to conduct recorded interviews, you need local permits.
Before You Travel to Kinshasa - Do This
Take our advice to enjoy your vacation to the fullest
- Check if you need to get proof of vaccination against yellow fever and coronavirus
- Make sure your passport has a validity of a minimum of six months
- To protect yourself from major financial expenses due to a travel mishap, buy a travel medical insurance plan.