When to go · Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo in March
Mixed month. Rains build.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Crowds
- Low
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Prices
- Medium
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
Verdict
Rains build.
Is another month better than March?
March is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
Weather in March
- Kinshasa and Kongo Central · Kinshasa, Matadi, Muandarainy
Dry, grey and cooler June–September; storms and floods November–December and March–April.
- Congo basin centre · Mbandaka, Kisangani, Salongarainy
Equatorial: rain all year.
- Katanga plateau · Lubumbashi, Kolwezirainy
Long dry season May–October; cold nights in June–July.
- Eastern highlands (under advice) · Goma, Bukavu, Virungarainy
Mild at 1,500 m; shown for completeness — all travel advised against.
- Kasai: Kasai · Central DRCcheck
Month-by-month climate is not published in the sources used here; check before you travel. Roads are generally in bad shape and many sections are almost impassable in the rainy season.
- Katanga: Katanga plateau · Southern DRC, 1,200–1,500 m elevationrainy
Rainy season November–March; dry season May–September. Temperatures are moderate for the tropics (20–30 °C (68–86 °F)). Best months: May–September (dry, cooler).Rainy season November–March; dry season May–September. Temperatures are moderate for the tropics (68–86 °F (20–30 °C)). Best months: May–September (dry, cooler).
- Kivu: Kivu highlands · Goma, Bukavu and the lake shorerainy
Two rainy seasons: March–May and September–November. The dry months (June–August and December–February) are the best for trekking, but in 2026 the parks are closed.
- Western DRC: Kinshasa / Bas-Congo · Western lowlandshot
Rainy season October–May; dry season June–September. High humidity year-round.
- Kinshasa32 °C (90 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 16 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 16 rain days
- Bukavu25.3 °C (78 °F) / 15.4 °C (60 °F), 183 rain days78 °F (25.3 °C) / 60 °F (15.4 °C), 183 rain days
- Bumba31 °C (88 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 12 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 12 rain days
- Bunagana25 °C (77 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 12 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 12 rain days
- Gbadolite32 °C (90 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 10 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 10 rain days
- Goma26 °C (79 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 117 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 117 rain days
- Kalemie28 °C (82 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 18 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 18 rain days
- Kananga30 °C (86 °F) / 19.8 °C (68 °F), 14 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 68 °F (19.8 °C), 14 rain days
- Kisangani31 °C (88 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 178 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 178 rain days
- Kisantu31 °C (88 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 12 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 12 rain days
- Likasi22 °C (72 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 15 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 15 rain days
- Lubumbashi16 °C (61 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 0 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 0 rain days
- Matadi31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 13 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 13 rain days
- Mbandaka32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 13 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 13 rain days
- Mbuji-Mayi31.4 °C (89 °F) / 20.4 °C (69 °F), 20 rain days89 °F (31.4 °C) / 69 °F (20.4 °C), 20 rain days
- Zongo31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 10 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 10 rain days
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Low
- Prices · Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Medium
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Democratic Republic of the Congo, side by side.
Verdict
Mar: Mixed
Aug: Great (better)
Crowds
Mar: Low
Aug: Medium
Prices
Mar: Medium
Aug: Medium
Festivals listed
Mar: 2
Aug: 2
March: Rains build.
August: Dry and overcast; best for Kongo Central if advice allows.
Democratic Republic of the Congo: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
Where to go in March
Rated best or good this month
Best months: Dec–Mar (less rain)
Better another month
Heavy rain; flooding on main roads.