Mid-Range Travel Guide: Congo

Accommodation

$60-150 per night

Mid-range hotels in major cities, private rooms with AC, decent lodges near national parks

Food & Dining

$25-50 per day

Mix of local restaurants and hotel dining, grilled fish and meat dishes, bottled water and soft drinks

Transportation

$30-80 per day

Private taxi hire, domestic flights between major cities, organized transport to attractions

Activities

$40-100 per day

Guided city tours, national park entries with basic guides, cultural site visits, boat trips

Eat at local markets and neighborhood restaurants instead of hotel dining (typically 60-80% cheaper)

Use shared taxis and public transport instead of private hire (usually 70-85% savings)

Stay in smaller cities and towns rather than Kinshasa for accommodation (generally 40-60% lower rates)

Book domestic flights well in advance during dry season for better rates (typically 30-50% savings)

Join group tours instead of private guides for activities (usually 50-70% cost reduction)

Carry cash in USD as card acceptance is limited and ATM fees can be very high

Buy bottled water in bulk from local shops rather than hotels (typically 200-300% markup at hotels)

Not budgeting enough for transportation - distances are vast and infrastructure limited, costs add up quickly

Underestimating cash needs - card acceptance is very limited outside major hotels, ATMs are scarce

Not factoring in visa and permit costs for activities - these can add $50-200+ to your total trip cost

Booking accommodation only in Kinshasa - it's significantly more expensive than other regions

Not budgeting for mandatory guides at national parks and tourist sites - often required and not optional