Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > sub-Saharan Africa
sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 23 Jun 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Devon, UK
Posts: 16
Gabon Congo and DRC visas at border?

We (4 x Uk, 1 x German passports) are currently in Yaounde on the way south and were wondering what our options are regarding visas for Gabon, Congo and DRC. We already have double entry transit visas for Angola that we got in Abuja two weeks ago.

I found infos that visas for Gabon and Congo are available at the borders (Wendy and Rob go travelling: Info on visas for Angola, DRC, Congo, Gabon) . Can anyone confirm availability and prices?

Regarding DRC visas, is it easy and cheaper in the embassy in Brazza? Here in Yaounde they want 60000 CFA plus 15000 'admin fee'. Gabon visa here is 50000 and Congo 50000 for German nationals and 70000 for British. All very pricey...

Anyone with some recent info regarding alternatives in Libreville and Brazza?

Thanks.

Micha
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 24 Jun 2009
eljulian's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Berlin
Posts: 110
Hi, I'll be going to Capetown in 2010 and I'm worried about going through Congo and Kinshasa.

Since it seems possible to get a double entry visa for Angola (difficult?), is it advisable/possible to go:
a) Cabinda, Matadi, Angola, or
b) Cabinda and take the ferry to Angola (expensive)?

Or is my fear of Congo exaggerated and solely based on Tim Butcher's Blood River, which I'm currently reading?
Blood River by Tim Butcher ~ Published By Chatto & Windus

Thanks,
Julian
__________________
Where is Julian?
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 25 Jun 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Vanderbijl Park, South Africa
Posts: 76
You worry too much

DRC is no problem and actually a pleasure. If you catch the 10 am ferry you can make Kintampu before dark and the next day is a half day drive to Matadi. IRC 300 km's on good tar, no problems at all.
__________________
__________________
Jean Visser

http://ons4.reproroom.com
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 25 Jun 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Vanderbijl Park, South Africa
Posts: 76
Visas

Quote:
Originally Posted by micha View Post
Regarding DRC visas, is it easy and cheaper in the embassy in Brazza? Here in Yaounde they want 60000 CFA plus 15000 'admin fee'.
It's a scam, the girl there tells you your visa has been declined and then keeps the 'admin fee', we got ours their but it took a lot of strong arm tactics from our embassy. Get it in Brazza, much cheaper and you get it same day.

Quote:
Originally Posted by micha View Post
Gabon visa here is 50000 and Congo 50000 for German nationals and 70000 for British. All very pricey...
Yep, that side of the continent is pricey.

Quote:
Originally Posted by micha View Post
Anyone with some recent info regarding alternatives in Libreville and Brazza?
Unless you want to see Libreville the easiest way to go currently is to Lope and on to Franceville to Oyo in Congo, nice route and you cut out the Pule region completely, let me know if you want the track log. Brazza is a bit expensive but a really nice city to visit.
__________________
__________________
Jean Visser

http://ons4.reproroom.com
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 28 Jun 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Devon, UK
Posts: 16
@eljulian: Abuja visa was straight forward, though only for the 5-day transit visa. It cost 100 US dollars. Double entry appeared to be standard. For the tourist visa you have to wait two weeks as they send all paper work to Luanda for processing.

@jean: great, thanks for your info. Will apply for DRC visas in Brazza then, not planning to go to Libreville. BTW the tracklog would be good, many thanks. Can you PM me?

We got the Gabon visas here in Yaounde for 50k CFA and the Congo one also for 50k (EU passports), though we have heard that others were charged 70k. The Gabon embassy was 'interesting'. When I came to pick our passports up I could have chosen any quantity and names out of the magic cardboard box: How many do you want? Is this one of yours? No names asked and nothing signed for. Scary...
For anyone else interested in getting the Gabon visa here: They will quote you 50k for 3-day or 70k for next-day processing. We went for the 50k option and asked already the next day and sure enough it was ready already. It happened to others, too. Just another scam...
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 27 Jul 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Taos, New Mexico
Posts: 49
Congo visa at border

Quote:
Originally Posted by micha View Post
I found infos that visas for Gabon and Congo are available at the borders (Wendy and Rob go travelling: Info on visas for Angola, DRC, Congo, Gabon) . Can anyone confirm availability and prices?
I don't know about prices, but when I crossed from Congo into Gabon (between Oyo and Francesville, June 2009), the immigration official proudly showed me pages of blank visa stickers and confirmed that he could issue Congo visas there at the border.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 30 Jul 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Madrid , Spain
Posts: 239
CONGO (brazza) definitely issues visa on arrival , and on both borders (DRC and Gabon) . I also saw the stamps , etc.. and the price list on the Gabon-Congo border -kind of scary border , btw with all those recoilless guns pointing out -


I fly to Congo in 3 weeks. Congo has been funny latelty about chinesse inmigration , and -as my flight Sydney->HK->Nairoby-Brazza they insisted 3 times to see a visa before issuing me the ticket. I had to get a Congo visa -from Sydney- at a horrendous price (>300 EURO!)
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 30 Jul 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Oz
Posts: 11
roads

Quote:
Originally Posted by micha View Post
We (4 x Uk, 1 x German passports) are currently in Yaounde on the way south and were wondering what our options are regarding visas for Gabon, Congo and DRC. We already have double entry transit visas for Angola that we got in Abuja two weeks ago.

I found infos that visas for Gabon and Congo are available at the borders (Wendy and Rob go travelling: Info on visas for Angola, DRC, Congo, Gabon) . Can anyone confirm availability and prices?

Regarding DRC visas, is it easy and cheaper in the embassy in Brazza? Here in Yaounde they want 60000 CFA plus 15000 'admin fee'. Gabon visa here is 50000 and Congo 50000 for German nationals and 70000 for British. All very pricey...

Anyone with some recent info regarding alternatives in Libreville and Brazza?

Thanks.

Micha
Hi, wondering how you got on and which road you took to get from yaounde to braza? Myself and 2 others are going on bikes shortly. What did the visas cost you also?
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Gabon-Congo Crossing chriskean1 sub-Saharan Africa 10 28 Aug 2008 11:15
DRC, Congo and Gabon universaltourist Route Planning 6 30 Dec 2007 04:30
Gabon-Congo-Cabinda-DRC-Angola hschout Travellers Seeking Travellers 2 1 Dec 2004 22:38
Angola, Congo, Gabon Beat Travellers Seeking Travellers 4 3 Oct 2003 21:06
Gabon/congo/DRC/angola??????? bosvenson sub-Saharan Africa 7 1 Oct 2003 16:12

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 07:05.