Democratic Congo: travel firm questions Foreign Office advice

Kidnapping and Ebola should not put the DR Congo off-limits, says adventure travel expert

The Democratic Republic of Congo has few roads outside of major towns, making the Congo River a major highway for both trade and people. (iStock)

Two months after two tourists from London were abducted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a top adventure travel operator has said the Foreign Office is being unnecessarily cautious.

The latest official advice places large parts of the country off-limits, partly because of the fear of kidnappings and killings, but also because of an outbreak of Ebola virus.

Bethan Davies and Robert Jesty were released unharmed on 13 May, after an armed ambush in Virunga National Park. Their ranger, Rachel Baraka, died – as had 11 of her colleagues in the past year.

In the same week, the World Health Organization announced another outbreak of Ebola virus in the DRC.

But Jonny Bealby, founder of adventure travel company Wild Frontiers, rejects the advice, saying: “While most of eastern Congo does remain extremely volatile, the area in and around Bukavu is more stable – a point noted by the FCO.

“As home to a number of aid agencies, many of whom have European expatriate staff living in town, security is generally very good making Bukavu an excellent base for seeing the gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park, situated just outside of town’’

Congo is attractive because of its prominence as a primate tourist spot. Around half the world’s mountain gorillas are found in Congo, and the fees levied are far lower than in neighbouring Uganda and Rwanda.

(Foreign Office (Foreign Office)

Mr Bealby also points out that the now contained Ebola episode is 600 miles away from the national park he operates in.

“Even had the outbreak not been controlled, I’d have had no qualms in continuing to take people into the Congo,” he said.

The adventurer plans to lead the next Wild Frontiers Trip to DRC on 29 September 2018. Starting in Rwanda, the trip includes seeing chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park, and then the DRC to see the gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park.

The Foreign Office has a number of nationwide warnings, saying: “The political and security situation remains uncertain following the national electoral commission announcement that elections will now take place in December 2018. There have been continued calls for general strikes (‘ville morte’), civil disobedience and public protests.

“In the event of serious unrest, commercial flights may be suspended, roads blocked and borders closed, making it difficult to leave the country. Internet connections and mobile phone networks may have reduced services or be cut off. Schools may be closed.

“Previous periods of unrest have seen an increased military and police presence in Kinshasa and other major cities, with stop-and-search checkpoints appearing in some areas, especially after dark.

“There are limits to the assistance the FCO can provide in a crisis, depending on the security and transport situation. You shouldn’t assume that the FCO will be able to provide assistance to leave the country in the event of serious unrest.”

Tourists who venture to locations on the Foreign Office no-go list risk invalidating their travel insurance.