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Small villages and jungle scenes are a staple for the DRC. Enjoy them to the fullest with preventative vaccinations from Passport Health.

We’ll help keep you safe at home or abroad. Book your visit online today!

Travel Vaccines and Advice for the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Passport Health offers a variety of options for travellers throughout the world.
Nationwide
Travel Health
Services

Yellow fever vaccination, mosquito repellents, netting and other key vaccines can help you stay illness-free.
Yellow Fever
Vaccination
Available

See what vaccinations or medications may be recommended for your specific destination.
DR Congo
Specific
Advice

Passport Health offers a variety of ways to prevent travellers' diarrhea.
Travellers’
Diarrhea Kits
Available

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), located in Central Africa, was previously known as Zaire. In area it is the second largest country in Africa.

Travellers visiting the DRC will have a lot to explore including rain forests and wildlife. They can also enjoy city life as well as the historical sites. Brazzaville is a great place for tourists to visit Brazzaville Basilica, the marketplace, the Congo River Rapids and the Lefini Faunal Reserve.

If you enjoy cruises, the DRC has a tour that takes you down the Congo River. It starts from the capital of Kisangani to the city of Kinshasa. This 1750-kilometer cruise is ideal if you have a lot of free time on your hands.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a great destination for tourists. There’s so much to explore. Whether you travel by train or by air, the DRC awaits you.

Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Democratic Republic of Congo. The PHAC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Democratic Republic of Congo: COVID-19, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.

See the bullets below to learn more about some of these key immunizations:

  • COVID-19 –
    Airborne –
    Recommended for all travellers
  • Hepatitis A –
    Food & Water –
    Recommended for most travellers
  • Hepatitis B –
    Blood & Body Fluids –
    Accelerated schedule available
  • Typhoid –
    Food & Water –
    Shot lasts 2 years. Oral vaccine lasts 5 years, must be able to swallow pills. Oral doses must be kept in refrigerator.
  • Cholera –
    Food & Water –
    Recommended for travel to most regions. Active transmission occurs in most parts of the country.
  • Yellow Fever –
    Mosquito –
    Required for all travellers over 9 months of age.
  • Rabies –
    Saliva of Infected Animals –
    High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travellers and those who may come in contact with animals.
  • Meningitis –
    Airborne & Direct Contact –
    Located in the meningitis belt, vaccination is recommended during the dry season (Dec. – June)
  • Polio –
    Food & Water –
    The DRC has had documented polio cases in the last year. Vaccination or a single adult booster is recommended.
  • Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) –
    Various Vectors –
    Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended.
  • TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) –
    Wounds & Airborne –
    Only one adult booster of pertussis required.
  • Chickenpox –
    Direct Contact & Airborne –
    Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox.
  • Shingles –
    Direct Contact –
    Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles.
  • Pneumonia –
    Airborne –
    Two vaccines given separately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both.
  • Influenza –
    Airborne –
    Vaccine components change annually.

See the tables below for more information:

Recommended Travel Vaccinations for Democratic Republic of Congo

VACCINE HOW DISEASE SPREADS DETAILS
COVID-19 Airborne Recommended for all travellers
Hepatitis A Food & Water Recommended for most travellers
Hepatitis B Blood & Body Fluids Accelerated schedule available
Typhoid Food & Water Shot lasts 2 years. Oral vaccine lasts 5 years, must be able to swallow pills. Oral doses must be kept in refrigerator.
Cholera Food & Water Recommended for travel to most regions. Active transmission occurs in most parts of the country.
Yellow Fever Mosquito Required for all travellers over 9 months of age.
Rabies Saliva of Infected Animals High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travellers and those who may come in contact with animals.
Meningitis Airborne & Direct Contact Located in the meningitis belt, vaccination is recommended during the dry season (Dec. – June)
Polio Food & Water The DRC has had documented polio cases in the last year. Vaccination or a single adult booster is recommended.

Routine Vaccinations for Democratic Republic of Congo

VACCINE HOW DISEASE SPREADS DETAILS
Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) Various Vectors Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended.
TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) Wounds & Airborne Only one adult booster of pertussis required.
Chickenpox Direct Contact & Airborne Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox.
Shingles Direct Contact Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles.
Pneumonia Airborne Two vaccines given separately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both.
Influenza Airborne Vaccine components change annually.

Sources: PHAC, WHO and ISTM

Yellow fever is still a problem in the DRC. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter the country.

Zika is present in the DRC. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should avoid travel to the region. Steps should be taken to prevent mosquito bites and sexual exposure to the virus.

Malaria is a serious mosquito-borne disease which is present in the DRC. Antimalarials are the best form of prevention alongside repellents and mosquito netting.

Dengue and chikungunya are also present. Both are only preventable through repellents, netting and other anti-mosquito measures.

See our vaccinations page to learn more about these infections and vaccines. Ready to protect yourself? Book your travel health appointment today by calling or schedule online now.

All Canadian citizens must be in possession of a business or tourist visa to enter the DRC. You must obtain this visa while in Canada – there are no visas available upon arrival. Your passport must also be valid for 6 months beyond your expected date of departure.

Democratic Republic of Congo Entry Requirements

Do I Need A… For My Trip to Democratic Republic of Congo?
Passport table check mark
Tourist Visa table check mark
Business Visa table check mark
Vaccinations table check mark

Sources: Embassy of Democratic Republic of Congo and Canadian Travel and Tourism

Visit the Canadian Travel and Tourism website for more information on entry and exit requirements.

The DRC has an equatorial and tropical climates making it hot and humid. The average temperature around 26 degrees in the low central basin and 18 degrees at altitudes of 1,500 metres. The best time to travel to the DRC is during dry season.

Here is what to expect from the climate in DRC:

  • Equatorial Climate – The temperature is stable throughout the year. There is a lot of rain during the months of April-May, and October-November. The least months with rainfall are January-February and June-July.
  • Tropical Climate – This occurs to the north and south of the equatorial zone. The climate becomes tropical and the rainfall averages between 100 to 170 centimetres per year. The temperature is lower in the winter dry season but higher during the summer rainy season. The spring is the end of the dry season.
  • The Mountains – In the east the DRC experiences the East African Rift that has created many lakes. The mountains affect precipitation, causing the west to have more rain while the east remains dry.

The coast experiences fog and low clouds because of the cool sea current. Travellers exploring the southern DRC will feel the dry season is more evident.

There are some parts of the DRC travellers should not visit. The eastern part of the DRC is not stable because of rebel and military groups. Violence has occurred including hurting civilians, killing, rape, and kidnapping. Pillaging is still happening in places like North Kivu, South Kivu, Tanganyika, Haut, Lomami, Ituri, Bas-Uele and Haut-Uele. Civil unrest is ongoing.

Travellers should stay away from demonstrations and large crowds. Protests can turn from peaceful to violent at any moment. People also need to be cautious of roadblocks and security forces. When you’re driving, you should keep doors and windows locked. Don’t let soldiers get into the car with you. It’s important not to get into a vehicle with anyone.

If you need to communicate with a legitimate officer, you should make sure your doors are locked. Only leave your window open a little bit to communicate with the officer.

You need to have your identity papers with you to show the police if the situation calls for them. It will make things easier if you follow the officer’s commands and if threatened, don’t resist.

If a crime occurs or you’re a victim of a crime, you should report it to the Canadian Embassy of Kinshasa.

Travellers who want to connect with the wildlife of the DRC should visit the gorilla orphanage. This orphanage can be found on the grounds of Mikeno Lodge. The Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage was named after a silver back killed defending the Rugendo group against poachers in 2007. Four gorillas now live in the orphanage and two of them, Ndakasi and Ndeze, survived the massacre.

Travellers who stay at the hotel have access to the gorilla orphanage for free. It is open from 8 am – 4 pm, and it’s an experience tourists should not miss out on when they travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

When you’re planning your trip to the DRC, there are some things you should consider taking with you.

  • Packing – Sunscreen, insect repellent, cotton clothing that is comfortable, good walking shoes, sunglasses, and a camera with plenty of film are some of the essentials you’ll need for your trip.
  • Currency/Money – International currency, especially the dollar and Euro, is widely accepted. There are also money changers available in many cities in the DRC. ATMS, that are internationally linked, are available in the larger cities, but they are not that reliable. When travellers tip, a 5% to 7% tip is expected. Most taxi drivers don’t expect tips but some ask for them. A good tip to have on you is CDF500, and it’s good to carry cash just in case of emergencies.
  • Medicines and Supplies – Prescription medicines, medical supplies, over the counter medicines, a first aid kit, and supplies to prevent injury and illness are important things to consider on your trip to the DRC.

It doesn’t hurt to be prepared on your trip so make sure you take everything you need to travel and stay healthy.

The Canadian Embassy’s mission is to advance the interests of the United States as well as to serve and protect Canadians in the DRC.

Embassy of Canada to the Democratic Republic of the Congo
17, Pumbu Avenue
Gombe Commune
Kinshasa
Democratic Republic of Congo
Tel: (243) 99 60 21 500

Ready to start your next journey? Call us at or book online now!

Customer Reviews

Passport Health – Travel Vaccines for the Democratic Republic of Congo

Overall rating: 5 stars – 3 reviews
★★★★★
“Fantastic“
“The nurse was very knowledgeable with the vaccinations that we required to go on our trip to the Congo. Very helpful and was able to answer all our questions.”

Submitted by: Meg
★★★★★
“Great experience“
“The ladies were knowledgeable about the DRC and easy to talk to. They appreciated us completing our medical info ahead of time so they could prep your packages. Would recommend them And will use them again.”

Submitted by: Melanie
★★★★★
“Will Use Again“
“We were very pleased with the service provided by our nurse. She was knowledgeable and very organized, with all of the recommendations for our trip to the DRC prepared in advance. All of our questions were answered. An excellent service! Would definitely use Passport Health again.”

Submitted by: Lois

On This Page:
Do I Need Vaccines for the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
Do I Need a Visa or Passport for the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
What is the Climate Like in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
How Safe is the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage
What Should I Take To the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
Canadian Embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

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