MyPassportStory
Your travels, worth telling.
MyPassportStory › Destinations › Republic of the Congo
🇨🇬Things to Do in Republic of the Congo
From gorilla trekking in Odzala-Kokoua National Park to the banks of the Congo River - the essential sights, and how to keep your own record of them.
Travel guide - last updated September 2026
The Republic of the Congo (not to be confused with its larger neighbor, the Democratic Republic of Congo) holds Odzala-Kokoua National Park, one of Africa's oldest protected areas and increasingly recognized as a premier western lowland gorilla trekking destination, generally less crowded than East Africa's mountain gorilla parks. Here are 3 places worth building a trip around.
Top attractions
The sights most first-time visitors build an itinerary around.
Odzala-Kokoua National Park
One of Africa's oldest national parks, with western lowland gorilla trekking in forest clearings called bais, alongside forest elephants and a wide range of primate species.
📍 Cuvette-Ouest Department
🚉 The rainforest park is in the north-west: charter flights from Brazzaville take about 90 minutes, and the road journey is two days in the dry season - camps arrange everything, as there is no public route.
Congo River, Brazzaville
Brazzaville sits directly across the Congo River from Kinshasa, capital of the neighboring DRC - the closest two capital cities are to each other anywhere in the world, both visible from either riverbank.
📍 Brazzaville
🚉 The Beach ferry terminal in Brazzaville runs the crossing to Kinshasa in about 20 minutes, one of the shortest international ferry routes anywhere; river excursions leave from the same quay.
Basilique Sainte-Anne, Brazzaville
A distinctive green-tiled Catholic basilica built during the French colonial period, one of Brazzaville's most recognizable landmarks.
📍 Brazzaville
🚉 The green-tiled basilica is in the Poto-Poto district, a short shared-taxi ride from the centre - Brazzaville has no rail service for visitors, so taxis do everything.
Mark Republic of the Congo, get the stamp
In MyPassportStory, every country you mark - visited, lived in, or still on the list - becomes a stamp like these in your own travel passport. Add the cities you stopped in, draw the route between them, and turn the whole trip into a shareable passport-style image.
Open MyPassportStoryPlanning questions
How many days do you need in the Republic of the Congo?
A gorilla trekking trip to Odzala-Kokoua typically takes 4-6 days given the remote logistics involved; adding Brazzaville extends a trip to about a week.
What's the best time to visit the Republic of the Congo?
June-August and December-January (drier periods) are generally the most comfortable for trekking at Odzala-Kokoua.
Is the Republic of the Congo good for a first-time visit?
Yes, particularly through an organized eco-tourism operator, which is how nearly all visitors experience Odzala-Kokoua given the park's remote location.
Do I need a visa to visit the Republic of the Congo?
Most nationalities need a visa, typically arranged in advance through an embassy or e-visa application. Check the official visa information for your nationality: congo-consulate.org.
What are some things to do in the Republic of the Congo on a tight budget?
Gorilla trekking permits and lodge stays at Odzala-Kokoua are a significant fixed cost regardless of budget, though Brazzaville itself is relatively inexpensive for food and local transport.
Can I rent a car in the Republic of the Congo, and what licence do I need?
Rental is limited to Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire and almost always comes with a driver, which is the sensible arrangement given the checkpoints and road conditions. A foreign licence with an International Driving Permit is accepted for visits, and the minimum age is generally 25. The national parks in the north are reached by charter flight rather than road, and the rainy seasons make many routes impassable. Photography of official buildings is restricted. Confirm current requirements with a Congolese embassy before travelling.