Kinshasa Travel Guide: Things to Do & Best Time to Visit

Top things to do in Kinshasa

Kinshasa rewards visitors who embrace its pace and energy. Plan around traffic and group sights by area.

• National Museum of the DRC — Opened in 2019, the museum showcases masks, sculptures, musical instruments and objects from across the country's many cultures.
• The Congo River — Watch the wide river flow past from the riverside in Gombe and Ngaliema, with Brazzaville visible on the far bank.
• Lola ya Bonobo — This sanctuary on the south-western edge of the city cares for orphaned bonobos, great apes found only in the DRC.
• Live music — Congolese rumba, recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, and its lively offshoots can be heard in bars and clubs across the city, especially at weekends.
• Académie des Beaux-Arts — The fine arts academy and its sculpture garden are a window onto Kinshasa's creative scene.
• Local markets — Browse colourful wax-print fabrics, crafts and everyday goods, ideally with a local guide.

Best time to visit Kinshasa

The dry season from June to September is the most comfortable time to visit, with cloudier, slightly cooler days and little rain. Roads are easier and outdoor sightseeing is more pleasant.

Kinshasa is hot and humid for much of the year. The rainy season runs from roughly October to May, bringing heavy afternoon storms that can flood streets and slow traffic.

Getting from the airport

Kinshasa is served by N'djili International Airport (FIH), about 25 km east of the city centre. The journey into Gombe can take a long time in heavy traffic. Most visitors use a pre-arranged hotel transfer or a trusted driver; taxis are also available at the airport.

Where to stay

Most visitors stay in the western and central districts, close to the river.

• Gombe — The central business and diplomatic district, with offices, embassies and riverside avenues; the most convenient base.
• Ngaliema — A greener, largely residential area to the west, with river views and quieter streets.
• Limete — A commercial and residential district to the south-east, handier for the airport side of the city.

Travel tips

• Money — US dollars are widely used alongside the Congolese franc. Bring clean, recent notes in small denominations, as cards are accepted in few places.
• Getting around — Traffic can be very heavy. Hire a trusted driver through your hotel rather than hailing vehicles on the street.
• Photography — Ask before photographing people and avoid photographing government buildings, police, military sites and infrastructure.
• Safety — Keep valuables out of sight, avoid walking alone at night and check your government's travel advice before you go.
• What to pack — Light clothing, an umbrella in the rainy season and insect repellent. Seek medical advice on malaria prevention before travel.
• Before you go — Check current entry requirements for the DRC using RwandAir's travel requirements tool.