Congo

Types of trips: Wildlife, Geography, Exploration, Culture

Best known for: Diverse cuisine, Coffee, River Congo, Wildlife 

Why Go?: With steamy and vibrant jungles filled with elephants and chimpanzees and surprisingly low levels of tourism for such a diverse and interesting country, this will be an excellent destination for experiencing some exciting local culture and some amazing wildlife. 

Fact File

Population: 4,600,000

Capital: Brazzaville

Language(s): French, Kongo, Lingala

Landscape: A low coastal plain in the southwest, with a central flat area inbetween a northern and southern basin. 

Climate/Seasons: Consistently warm all year round, with a dry season from June - August and wetter periods between March - May and September - November.

When to Go: December - February is the best time to visit in the northern regions, but visiting the southern capital is best from May - August. 

Reasons to Visit: Jungle wildlife, local culture 

How to Get There: There are no direct flights from the UK to the Republic of Congo, but there are many places you can get a connecting flight from.

Places to Go: Ecole de Peinture de Poto-Poto, Marche Touristique

Famous People: Denis Sassou Nguesso

Natural Wonders/Wildlife: Les Rapides, Loufoulakari Falls, Valley of the Butterflies

History: Part of the French colonisation of Central Africa in the 1900's, gaining independence in 1960 and becoming the Republic of Congo. 

Architecture: Basilique Sainte-Anne

Culture: Mixed influences, including French/European from colonisation in 20th century

Sport: Football

Watch Out For: You'll need a visa to gain access to the country - make sure to leave plenty of time before the trip to get this sorted.

Medical Issues: There are some recommended vaccines and boosters for travel to the Republic of Congo - see here for a general overview and always talk with a doctor.