SOLO TRAVELER’S GUIDE TO SELF-DRIVING IN CONGO
Get a complete solo traveler’s guide to self-driving in Congo. Solo-travel or self-driving in the destinations such as Congo incredibly guarantee you a memorable road trip adventure of a lifetime. Congo boasts of her diverse landscapes, abundant wildlife and other unique attractions worth exploring on self-drive tour.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of the least explored destinations and embarking on self-drive tour is a great opportunity to unearth its unique wonders. To have a successful and mind-blowing self-driving road trip in Congo, it requires you to plan adequately and also make early preparation.
Planning and preparing for your self-drive road trip in Congo can be tasking but well, we have great tips to guide you. Amazing tips to guide solo travelers on self-driving tour to Congo;
How to plan your self-drive Congo adventure
Pick the right self-drive rental car
The foundation of any successful solo travel in Congo or anywhere else starts by securing the right rental car for your self-drive. It is essential to find the reliable 4×4 rental car suitable for self-drive road trips. Get a 4x4x self-drive rental car with high ground clearance for your easier navigation in the remotest parts of Congo.
You can get a comfortable self-drive rental car through Self Drive Congo at the most affordable rate. We have a range of rental cars suitable for all self-drive road trips in Congo and the rest of East Africa.
Plan your route and where to stay
Any successful self-drive road trip requires you to plan adequately for your route and accommodation. This should be done early and before you hit the road to your self-drive safari destination. There are many routes that connect to different destinations and also various accommodation options to book. Choose a safe accommodation to stay and your tour operator on ground is in the right position to choose or guide you.
Pack the right gear
When packing for a self-driving road trip, consider the right gear from clothing to footwear. What you pack should be suitable for various weather conditions that is during the rainy or dry seasons. Some of the essentials to have for your Congo self-drive road tour include sunglasses, a safari hat, insect repellents, bottled drinking water, proof walking or hiking shoes/boots, a camera, extra camera batteries plus memory card, first aid kit, and others.
Safety
Safety is essential on any trip bit it guided or self-drive. Embarking on a safe and secure self-drive road trip is by far the great way to get around Congo. Safety begins with you first, and before you embark on any road trip, inform someone about your travel plan and when you expect to get back.
Provide your contacts to the trusted person and always try as much as you can to always keep in touch with the team back home or your local tour operator. In your self-drive rental car, consider having first aid kit, GPS, emergency supplies and others gear.
Know the driving limits
Do not over speed when you embark on a road trip in Congo. Regardless of the destination you are heading to, ensure that you keep within the road traffic set driving speed limits. You can also keep watch of the speed limits on the road signs or read more about them as per the Congo standards. Different speed limits are required when driving in the urban centres and highway.
Wildlife/game viewing etiquette
Ensure that you respect every bit about game viewing etiquette while on your self-drive road trip. Disrespecting the set rules and regulations for wildlife can earn you a penalty as per the laws in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Stay informed
Always be alert about Congo from safety to where you want to visit. Consider planning your Congo self-drive road trip with the local tour operator to stay informed in case of any eventualities.
Interact with locals
Try as much as you to connect with locals to boost your experience and also avail valuable insights about Congo. There is a lot to explore about Congo and her rich cultures, traditions, and other practices.
Personal travel insurance
When you think about self-drive road trips in Congo, securing personal travel insurance should be prioritized. This can cover a cost on some of the expenses during unexpected eventualities. You should also be certain about road assistance, especially when your self-drive rental car gets issues. Inquire if the rental car provided for your Congo self-drive road trips has rental car insurance.
Prepare your rental car
Before you hit the road, ensure that you have conducted a thorough inspection on the vehicle you intend to use. Check the cooling system, the tyres, change the oil, air conditioning system, steering and suspension.
Conduct adequate research
If you want to have the best of your road trip on self-driving in Congo, then consider conducting adequate research. Your research encompass different aspects, the kind of the car to use, accommodation, when to visit, the routes, what to pack, and other factors.
Where to visit in Congo
There are multiple places to consider for your exploration in Congo. They include Virunga National Park for you to track mountain gorillas, Kahuzi-Biega National Park for Eastern lowland gorillas, and other wildlife destinations; Kinshasa city, etc.
Getting around
The best way to get around Congo is by hiring a car. A rental car in Congo can be booked through the local expert such as Self Drive Congo your leading car hire service provider. You can book for your rental car in advance at least 2-6 months before you travel for actual road trip in Congo.
