Language: French is the official language, but Lingala, Kingwana, Kikongo and Tshiluba are also spoken.
Currency: The official currency is the Congolese Franc (CDF). Credit cards have a very limited use, as do traveller cheques, usually only in Kinshasa. It is best to take US dollars in hard currency. Banks are closed on weekends and credit cards cannot be used to obtain cash advances. The economy is highly unstable in the Congo, and therefore denominations of currency and exchange rates are subject to change at short notice.
Time: GMT +1 in the west (Kinshasa)
and GMT +2 in the east.
Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Plug types in use are round two-pin attachment plugs and round pin plugs with grounding.
Communications: The international dialing code for the DRC is +243 and the outgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). International direct dialing is available. Domestic telephone connections are unreliable. There are GSM 900 and 1800 networks with variable coverage and roaming agreements covering Kinshasa, but it is unwise to use a mobile phone in public because of the likelihood of robbery. There are some Internet cafes in Kinshasa, but power failures can be a problem.
Duty Free: Visitors to the DRC may import 100 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco; one bottle of alcohol; perfume for personal use and a camera to be used for tourist purposes, without paying customs duty.
Tourist Office
Office Nationale du Tourisme, Kinshasa: +243 12 30070.
Embassies
Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 234 7690.
Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7278 9825.
Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 230 6391.
Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 344 6475/6.
United States Embassy, Kinshasa: +243 (0)81 556 0151.
British Embassy, Kinshasa: +243 81 715 0761.
Canadian Embassy, Kinshasa: +243 (0)89 895 0310.
Canadian Embassy, Kinshasa (also responsible for Australia): +243 (0)89 895 0310.
South African Embassy, Kinshasa: +243 884 8287.
Irish Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa (also responsible for DRC): +27 (0)12 342 5062.
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