Congo SKETCH SCORE: 51/100Congo moved +4 this weekThe Sketch Score rose to 51 today, but the US, UK, and Canada maintain level 2 advisories while Ebola and Meningococcal disease remain active threats.Congo SKETCH SCORE: 51/100Congo moved +4 this weekThe Sketch Score rose to 51 today, but the US, UK, and Canada maintain level 2 advisories while Ebola and Meningococcal disease remain active threats.
Congo

Think twice.

The Sketch Score rose to 51 today, but the US, UK, and Canada maintain level 2 advisories while Ebola and Meningococcal disease remain active threats.

Verified Jul 12, 2026Confidence high▲ +4 this week
51Sketch Score
90-day trend

Governments, one trip

What they're telling their own citizens about Congo

The real score

The breakdown

67advisoryConsensus
61Political Stability
26Police Trust
24Health
90LGBTQ+

See it from your perspective

51

Think twice.

The general Sketch Score, unweighted for any specific traveler.

Don't fall for it

Scams to know

Police bribery

Police officers with low salaries may coerce travelers into paying bribes or abuse their powers. Remain calm, firm, and polite, and do not challenge their authority.

Staying healthy

What to watch out for, health-wise

Active notices

  • • Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease in Parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • • Meningococcal Disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Vaccines

Recommended:

From people who've been there

Local know-how

Staying safe

  • Authorities: There are numerous police checkpoints throughout the country and it's difficult to know if you're coming across a police checkpoint since many of them are poorly marked.
  • Corruption in the Congolese police is widespread. Since members of the police earn low salaries, it's possible they may coerce you into giving them bribes or they may abuse their powers.
  • As with all authority figures, always remain calm, firm, and polite.
  • Political unrest: The Republic of the Congo is one of the most corrupt and least efficiently governed countries in the world. Corruption, cronyism, and nepotism are widespread.
  • The Congolese have a strained relationship with their government and demonstrations against the government can turn violent.
  • Civil conflict: As aforementioned, many Congolese people are frustrated with their government, and this has often lead to open warfare.

Staying healthy

  • Population estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death ra…
  • The likelihood of getting malaria is very high if effective preventative medication is not taken.
  • Tap water is not drinkable, if it's even running at all.
  • Medical care is substandard throughout the country.
  • Brazzaville has many pharmacies, but Pharmacie Mavré is recommended. Please remember to always check the expiration dates on boxes before purchasing any products.

Adapted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA — edited by travelers, not us.

Right now

In the news the last few days

Pack this, know this

The little things that trip people up

🔌

Plug & voltage

C / E · 230V

🚗

Driving side

right

🚨

Emergency

police: 117 / ambulance: 117 / fire: 118

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Printable pre-trip checklist for Congo →