When to go · Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo, month by month
The best months for Democratic Republic of the Congo: Aug. Months to avoid: Apr, Nov, Dec.
Month by month
- JanuaryMixedHot and humid in Kinshasa; Martyrs' Day (4 Jan) and Kabila/Lumumba days (16–17 Jan).Kinshasa and Kongo Central: hot · Congo basin centre: rainy · Katanga plateau: rainyCrowds: Low · 5 festivals or holidays
- FebruaryMixedShort drier spell; still hot.Kinshasa and Kongo Central: hot · Congo basin centre: fine · Katanga plateau: rainyCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- MarchMixedRains build.Kinshasa and Kongo Central: rainy · Congo basin centre: rainy · Katanga plateau: rainyCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
- AprilAvoidHeavy rain and flooding.Kinshasa and Kongo Central: rainy · Congo basin centre: rainy · Katanga plateau: fineCrowds: Low · 3 festivals or holidays
- MayMixedRains ease late in the month.Kinshasa and Kongo Central: rainy · Congo basin centre: rainy · Katanga plateau: best weatherCrowds: Low · 4 festivals or holidays
- JuneGoodDry season starts; Independence Day (30 Jun) security.Kinshasa and Kongo Central: cool · Congo basin centre: fine · Katanga plateau: coolCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- JulyGoodCoolest, driest month in Kinshasa.Kinshasa and Kongo Central: cool · Congo basin centre: fine · Katanga plateau: coolCrowds: Medium
- AugustGreatDry and overcast; best for Kongo Central if advice allows.Kinshasa and Kongo Central: cool · Congo basin centre: fine · Katanga plateau: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
- SeptemberGoodEnd of the dry season.Kinshasa and Kongo Central: fine · Congo basin centre: rainy · Katanga plateau: best weatherCrowds: Low
- OctoberMixedRains return.Kinshasa and Kongo Central: rainy · Congo basin centre: rainy · Katanga plateau: hotCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- NovemberAvoidViolent storms; flooding in low districts.Kinshasa and Kongo Central: storm or typhoon risk · Congo basin centre: rainy · Katanga plateau: rainyCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
- DecemberAvoidWet; Christmas diaspora flights full.Kinshasa and Kongo Central: storm or typhoon risk · Congo basin centre: rainy · Katanga plateau: rainyCrowds: Low · 3 festivals or holidays
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Democratic Republic of the Congo, side by side.
Verdict
Aug: Great (better)
Jun: Good
Crowds
Aug: Medium
Jun: Medium
Prices
Aug: Medium
Jun: Medium
Festivals listed
Aug: 2
Jun: 1
August: Dry and overcast; best for Kongo Central if advice allows.
June: Dry season starts; Independence Day (30 Jun) security.
Democratic Republic of the Congo: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
Weather by region
How each climate zone rates each month.
| Region | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kinshasa and Kongo CentralKinshasa, Matadi, Muanda | Hot | Hot | Wet | Wet | Wet | Cool | Cool | Cool | OK | Wet | Storm | Storm |
| Congo basin centreMbandaka, Kisangani, Salonga | Wet | OK | Wet | Wet | Wet | OK | OK | OK | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet |
| Katanga plateauLubumbashi, Kolwezi | Wet | Wet | Wet | OK | Best | Cool | Cool | Best | Best | Hot | Wet | Wet |
| Eastern highlands (under advice)Goma, Bukavu, Virunga | OK | OK | Wet | Wet | OK | Best | Best | Best | Wet | Wet | Wet | OK |