Republic of the Congo Travel Information

As of March 21, the Congolese authorities have closed the entry and exit limits (applies to both aviation, maritime and land transport). This applies to all traffic, with the exception of freight traffic and freight transport. For more information about coronavirus, see the section Health. According to Abbreviationfinder, ROC stands for Republic of the Congo in geography.

Major Landmarks in Republic of the Congo

Safety

Most trips to the Republic of Congo are made without special problems. The greatest risk is related to poor infrastructure and transport security, especially outside the larger cities.

Norway is represented by an honorary Consulate General in Brazzaville:
Consul General Hillegonde Anne Maria Fumey van Baggum.
Adr: BP. 8058 Cit¨¦ de I`OMS, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
Phone: + 242 551 02 47/+ 242 651 02 47/+242 (0) 6924 1407
Email: hamvanbaggum@yahoo.fr

Responsible Norwegian Embassy for the Republic of Congo is
Royal Norwegian Embassy in Luanda
Tel: +244 222 447 522/447 922 • +47 23981902/19
Fax: +244 222 446 248
Address: Rua Garcia Neto nº 9, Miramar, CP 3835, Luanda, Angola
Email: emb.luanda@mfa.no
Website: http://www.norway.no/angola/

The risk of terror in the Congo is considered low. In Brazzaville, personal safety is generally good, but some areas should be avoided. Serious violent crime is rare. It is normally not dangerous to drive alone in a car. Public transport is not recommended, but taxis are relatively decent and safe within city limits.

There is a right-hand drive in Congo, and Brazzaville city has good traffic flow. Traffic police are present at major intersections during rush hour. Traffic accidents occur frequently and lead to large crowds of people. If you have sustained personal injury, it may be recommended, for reasons of your own safety, to drive to the nearest police station and report the accident. Lightning mood can easily arise in such accidents.

  • Countryaah: Brazzaville is the capital of Republic of the Congo. Check to find information of population, geography, history, and economy about the capital city.

One is advised not to travel alone by car outside Brazzaville. Outside of urban areas, it is almost impossible to drive without four-wheel drive vehicles as the roads are generally in poor condition. During the rainy season it can be extra challenging to travel outside the urban areas. There is no rescue service that can be called if the accident is out, and it is difficult to get the necessary help if needed. It is therefore important to have sufficient spare/ spare equipment in the car when embarking on longer trips outside the city. There is a great risk of being subjected to more or less official controls and harassment by police and the military.

Pool region: It is recommended to avoid travel to the Pool region. If you have to travel, this should only be done during the day, preferably in the morning. Take extra security preparations, such as hiring a local driver, driving in a multi-vehicle column and preferably having extra security guards. Due to the security situation in the Pool region, it is strongly recommended to fly to Point Noire instead of driving.

Congo does not have any legislation that prohibits homosexuality, but there is still great prejudice against LGBT people and discrimination can occur, both from the government and the private.

Norwegian citizens staying for a shorter or longer period in the Republic of Congo are encouraged to register on reiseregistrering.no. Norwegian citizens are encouraged to have valid travel insurance

In crisis and emergency, contact the embassy on +244 222 44 9936 or +244 222 44 7922

The Norwegian Embassy (Embaixada Real Da Noruega) has the address
Rua Garcia Neto 9, CP 3835 Miramar, Luanda, Angola.

Outside the embassy’s opening hours, the public can contact the UD’s 24-hour operating center on tel: +47 23 95 00 00 or by e-mail: UDops@mfa.no

Entry

Please note that entry regulations may change. The Foreign Service is not responsible if the following information on entry regulations or visa requirements is changed at short notice. It is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure that travel documents are valid for entry and to familiarize themselves with the current entry rules for each country.

A visa is required for Norwegian citizens upon entry into the Congo. It is the traveler’s responsibility to ensure that travel documents, visas and vaccination cards are valid.

Application for work permit/visa must be sent to the consulate in Stockholm before departure from Norway. The processing of initial visa issuance can take several weeks, so you should be up early with the application. A written invitation is usually required from the authority/company/organization/ embassy which is the contact point in the Congo to obtain a visa. It is not possible to obtain a visa at the airport. If you arrive without a valid visa, you will be refused entry to the country and sent back with the same aircraft immediately.

For the latest updated information on entry rules to the country, travelers are encouraged to check with the country’s nearest embassy.

It is required that the passport must have at least six months validity from the last day of travel. Visitors must have a valid yellow fever certificate. In the absence of the latter, you risk being vaccinated at the airport.

Health

Coronavirus (covid-19): Norwegian travelers should keep abreast of the development of the coronavirus. Feel free to follow local authorities’ advice, guidance and instructions on how to deal with the situation. See also the WHO web pages about corona.

As of March 21, the Congolese authorities have closed the entry and exit limits (applies to both aviation, maritime and land transport). This applies to all traffic, with the exception of freight traffic and freight transport.

Most restaurants are closed. Shops, pharmacies and offices work normally. All schools are closed.

Infections have been reported in both Brazzaville and Point Noire, and all have been charged with home quarantine. No deaths have been reported.

All travelers who have arrived in the Congo from Europe or other countries with contamination are charged with the home quarantine.

You can find more information and guidance from the Norwegian health authorities on the website of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. See also UD’s answers to frequently asked questions about travel and coronavirus.

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The standard and quality of health services, clinics and hospitals are variable, often low. Evacuation to Europe or South Africa in case of serious accidents, surgeries and births is common. A comprehensive and good health insurance is therefore necessary.

The public hospitals in the country are of poor quality, both in terms of equipment, hygiene and staff qualifications. There are private clinics that can treat less complicated diseases.

If you need local treatment, you can contact the following clinics, among others:

Brazzaville Hospital (CHU)
+ 242 522 0008
Bvd Marechal Lyautey
Brazzaville

Cabinet Medical Cogemo
+ 242 81 38 67
B.P. 13104 Centerville
Brazzaville

Netcare Congo Clinic – Brazzaville
+ 242 661 5253
Avenue du Marechal Lyautey
Brazzaville

Securex Hospital
+ 242 81 3872
Av. Amilcar Cabral
Brazzaville

In case of serious illnesses or accidents, patients are evacuated to Europe or South Africa. Pharmacies exist and they are relatively well equipped. However, it is recommended that you bring a small travel pharmacy.

There is a high risk of malaria, brain malaria also occurs and it is therefore recommended that you follow an anti-malaria program after consulting a doctor. It is recommended to sleep under mosquito nets and use mosquito nets/ sprays when staying out after dark. Sanitary and hygienic conditions are poor. Water cannot be drunk from the tap, it must be filtered and boiled or bottled mineral water is purchased.

Always on entry and sometimes on departure, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required. Other vaccines, such as for polio, jaundice, cholera etc. should be taken in accordance with the recommendations obtained by contacting the Health Council or other medical offices.

Practical information

There is no time difference between the Republic of Congo and Norway, with the exception of the period when there is daylight saving time in Norway – then the Republic of Congo is one hour after. According to allcitycodes, Republic of the Congo area code is +242.

The electricity in the Congo is 220 volts, and ordinary Norwegian sockets can be used. Power outages occur frequently and a separate generator is required. One should use UPS/power stabilizer for PCs, TV, stereo etc.

The local telephone network is unreliable. That is why most of the mobile networks available in Brazzaville are used. These work satisfactorily both nationally and internationally.

Only at the largest hotels you can settle for credit cards. The Norwegian krone cannot be exchanged, the US dollar being the currency used. Some local businesses also accept euros. There are ATMs where you can withdraw local currency with Visa card. The local currency is the Central African Franc (CAF).

It is very important to get your ticket confirmed well in advance of your departure from Brazzaville. Upon departure one expects approx. three hour margin for check-in. Most airlines today require the traveler to personally check in their luggage. Airport fees must be paid – normally upon confirmation of ticket before departure.

Larger hotels can arrange airport pick-up upon request, and taxis are easily accessible and affordable.

Care should be taken with photography, especially at the airport, on or by the river and in public places.