Démocratic Républic of the Congo

Goma city might be OK and if you know people there you can trust and you are surrounded by locals it should be fine.

>>1222157
Congo was iffy even when Joseph Conrad wrote his book.

>>1222157

North Kivu is fucking dangerous, Goma is the safest part of it but that's not saying much.

Things have gotten much worse in 2017 because a few hundred M23 rebels crossed the border from Uganda into North Kivu in January.

It's not a total no-go area but you need to wear your hosts like a fucking glove, stay in the city, and keep a low profile.

>>1222180
Frankly, the Congo has always been iffy. It straddles one of the most hardcore tracts of land in the world, this combined with near-constant strife makes it THE highest ranking RealTraveler™ destination on planet Earth.

File: 118-insolite-10.jpg (41KB, 500x333px) Image search: [Google]

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>>1222206
my hosts are leaving 2 days after their weeding ceremony for their honeymoon. I have 3 weeks to spend in Congo and I prefer not to stay in Goma all the time...
what do you suggest?
also, I would like some local's advises (Congo or Rwanda anyone?)

>>1222218

Leave and go to Rwanda.

There are some sights to see around the Goma area - some pretty cool active volcanoes - but you will need an armed escort. 3 weeks solo in North Kivu is, frankly, suicide, and there is no consular assistance available in that part of the country.

Rwanda is safer and nicer

File: Diplomatie Affaires Etrangères.jpg (890KB, 1280x1207px) Image search: [Google]

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>>1222220
Pic related are the recomendations for travelers from french foreing affairs minister
>Red
Highly discouraged
>Orange
Discouraged except imperative reason
>Yellow
Reinforced vigilance
>Green
Normal

>>1222157
1/ Go to Goma either by plane, or from Rwanda. You don't want to cross DRC from Kinshasa.

2/ Goma is somewhat OK for foreigners, due to the big numbers of NGO workers there, as long as you keep a low profile. It's better to stick around the other guests (you don't want the local thugs to see that you're not one of those coddled NGO workers with chauffeurs and night guards).
There are some great hotel by the lakeside, it can be very comfy though.

3/ Leave early, once your politician friend is gone. Do not shhow you're too close to her or anything, she might have some people against her that could cause a mess and you don't want to be caught in it.

4/ Follow what's going on in the politics there. Things can blow up, since presidential elections have been delayed a LOT and are supposed to take place during 2017.

5/ Go to Rwanda or Uganda for vacation afterwards. There is no tourism industry per se in North Kivu.

Besides all that, enjoy that trip ! I'm surprised you know a local politician though, how come ?
You'll probably play the token white guest, for some prestige value but hey, who cares.

>>1222157
Honestly, I'm jealous OP. I've always wanted to go to the DRC in a way that would be relatively safe/protected. I'd love it if you posted a follow-up with some pictures and stories afterwards.

I'm actually borderline suicidal. If you've ever read that advice, "don't commit suicide, travel and do crazy shit until you die," that's me. Wanted to go to DRC this year, but chose Ukraine instead. Can't wait to go to DRC next. Please report back OPie.

>>1222157
>I have to attend a wedding in Goma
WHY

>>1222238
The initial plan is to land in Kigali and have somebody waiting for me and a friend at the airport to bring us to Goma.
She's not really a politician but it's somebody with money and influence (+her family I guess). I met her at uni when she went in Europe for her degree. We dated (nothing serious) for some time and we were constantly joking about the future and how her family would pressure her get a husband once she would be back to Congo... I made the promise to come for her wedding but I did not think she would find a husband in less than a year-
We also share two friends from uni (23y/o white females) who she invited in Kivu for one week in 2015 and their trip was awesome they say. One of them will come with me in August.
That's why I'm asking you guys. I read a lot about coltan zinc and gold mines, M23, inter ethnic violence, Kabila, UNO, rapes and shit, but am I being paranoid or being memed by propaganda?
I will go to N-Kivu for sure this summer, and I'll report to you but for this I need your advices to survive...