Is Lubumbashi safe to visit right now? (September 2026)

Travel advisories for Democratic Republic of the Congo

What the advice says

• The US State Department has issued a Level 4 - Do Not Travel advisory for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and this rating applies at the country level rather than specifically to Lubumbashi.
• The UK FCDO notes that foreign nationals are at particular risk of street robbery in Lubumbashi, Kinshasa, and other urban centers, especially near hotels and supermarkets in town centers.
• Organized gangs have been reported to lure victims into traps using tactics such as involving children, offering cut-price gold or diamonds, or posing as police or security personnel.
• The FCDO advises avoiding walking alone in the streets at any time, especially after dark, and recommends not displaying valuables or cash in public.
• Travelers are advised to use transport arranged by a hotel or tour operator, and if taking a taxi, to use a privately booked one rather than hailing one on the street.
• Kidnapping, including so-called express kidnaps where victims are taken to ATMs to withdraw money, has been reported as a risk in parts of the country, and foreign nationals may be seen as wealthier and therefore targeted.
• Both the US and UK advisories are issued at the country level, so conditions and risks can vary by location within the Democratic Republic of the Congo.