Democratic Republic of the Congo in October

Rains return.

October is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

• AugustGreatDry and overcast; best for Kongo Central if advice allows.
• JuneGoodDry season starts; Independence Day (30 Jun) security.
• JulyGoodCoolest, driest month in Kinshasa.
• SeptemberGoodEnd of the dry season.

• 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, Kolwezihot

  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 elevationdry

  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 shorefine

  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.

• Kinshasa31 °C (88 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 14 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 14 rain days
• Bukavu25.4 °C (78 °F) / 15.6 °C (60 °F), 144 rain days78 °F (25.4 °C) / 60 °F (15.6 °C), 144 rain days
• Bumba30 °C (86 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 16 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 16 rain days
• Bunagana25 °C (77 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 13 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 13 rain days
• Gbadolite30 °C (86 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 14 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 14 rain days
• Goma26 °C (79 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 143 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 143 rain days
• Kalemie29 °C (84 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 12 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 12 rain days
• Kananga29.6 °C (85 °F) / 19.2 °C (67 °F), 13 rain days85 °F (29.6 °C) / 67 °F (19.2 °C), 13 rain days
• Kisangani30 °C (86 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 218 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 218 rain days
• Kisantu31 °C (88 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 12 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 12 rain days
• Likasi24 °C (75 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 3 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 3 rain days
• Lubumbashi15 °C (59 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 37 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 37 rain days
• Matadi28 °C (82 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 13 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 13 rain days
• Mbandaka29 °C (84 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 13 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 13 rain days
• Mbuji-Mayi30.9 °C (88 °F) / 19.8 °C (68 °F), 16 rain days88 °F (30.9 °C) / 68 °F (19.8 °C), 16 rain days
• Zongo29 °C (84 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 14 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 14 rain days

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.

• Rainy season

  Oct–May · Kinshasa

  Flooding on main roads and erosion in the hills; journeys take much longer.

Crowds · Democratic Republic of the Congo

Low

Prices · Democratic Republic of the Congo

Medium

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Democratic Republic of the Congo, side by side.

• Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen
• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Rated best or good this month

• Likasi

  Best months: May–Oct (dry season, almost no rain)

• Lubumbashi

  Best months: May–Oct (dry season, less rain)