Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Democratic Republic of the Congo

Accommodation

15 000-45 000 CDF ($6-18) per night

Basic guesthouses in Goma (normally in the city centre or near Marché de la Liberté), shared-bath backpacker hostels in Kinshasa’s Bandal or Matonge quarters, simple Catholic mission rooms in Bukavu or Kisantu

Food & Dining

8 000-20 000 CDF ($3-8) per day

Street brochettes and foufou at Kinshasa’s Marché de Kintambo, beignets and coffee for breakfast, local canteen plates of pondu and rice, plenty of Primus or Skol beer

Transportation

3 000-12 000 CDF ($1-5) per day

Shared taxis and crowded ‘Esprit de Mort’ minibuses within cities, occasional fast-boat up the Congo River, second-class seats on the SNCC train when running

Activities

0-15 000 CDF ($0-6) per day

Self-guided walks around Marché Central, public beaches on the Congo River, free music nights in Bandal, small donations for village visits outside cities

Eat lunch at ‘mama buvette’ canteens near markets - plate of rice, beans and ndakala (small fish) runs about half restaurant prices

Take shared ‘esprit de mort’ minibuses instead of solo taxis; Kinshasa cross-town fare drops by 70%

Negotiate accommodation in CFA or USD cash on arrival - many mid-range places will knock 20-30% off the posted CDF rate

Travel June-August or January-February when demand is lowest; guesthouses often slice 25% off room rates

Stick to local Primus beer (versus imports) and avoid hotel minibars - saves roughly 50% on drinks

Book domestic seats on the riverboat or SNCC train directly at the station; middlemen add 15-25%

Changing money at the airport or big hotels: rates are routinely 8-12% worse than downtown exchange shops on Boulevard du 30 Juin

Relying on international card withdrawals - ATMs often empty or with 6-10% bank surcharges; bring cash

Taking the first taxi price quoted - always negotiate down to roughly two-thirds of the opening fare

Eating only in hotel restaurants where mains cost 2-3× what nearby local eateries charge