Major city · Democratic Republic of the Congo
Goma
Skip Goma for leisure; only travel if work or essential, limit to 1 day and stay in a budget hotel.
Goma is the provincial capital on the Rwanda border, offering volcano climbs and cheap meals, but security remains unstable and most governments advise against leisure visits. If you must go, a single day for Nyiragongo or a quick market stop is enough.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CDF
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (dry season, lower rain)
- avoid Oct–May (higher rain, increased rebel activity)
- Airport
- GOM
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 9Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Sort the visa before the flight
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Central Africa ↗Sort the visa before the flight: none of the seven countries reliably issues tourist visas on arrival to Western passports, and e-visas here are tied to named airports.
- Central Africa ↗Carry the original yellow fever vaccination certificate in your hand luggage; health desks at every Central African airport ask for it, and a missing card can mean refusal or a jab at the desk.
- Central Africa ↗Before booking anything in or near the DRC, read the WHO Ebola situation page and your own government's health notice: the 2026 outbreak brought quarantine and boarding rules for people who have been in the DRC.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport with the DRC authorities or embassy before booking; a visa is usually needed in advance.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo ↗Check your government's advice province by province: most governments advise against all travel to the eastern provinces and several other areas, and the US and Canada advise against all travel to the DRC in 2026.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead; ask about malaria prevention, and carry the yellow fever vaccination certificate, which is strictly checked at DRC entry.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo ↗Photography in public places can lead to detention; do not photograph government buildings, soldiers, police, airports or bridges.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Goma117 ▾
- Police117
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Goma, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?The currency is the Congolese franc (CDF), but US dollars are widely used for larger payments; bring clean, recent dollar notes…Democratic Republic of the Congo-wide
- SIM or eSIMVodacom, Orange, Airtel and Africell sell SIMs with passport registration.Democratic Republic of the Congo-wide
- Tap waterDrink bottled water.Democratic Republic of the Congo-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 10%.Democratic Republic of the Congo-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Democratic Republic of the Congo-wide
- SafetyDaytime travel in Goma is possible with caution; avoid night walking and trips outside the city due to rebel activity and unpredictable road safety.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and restaurants.Democratic Republic of the Congo-wide
- Emergency numbers117 police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysOffices close on public holidays and during unrest.Democratic Republic of the Congo-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportGOM Goma International Airport (Daily flight from Kinshasa (CAA/Congo Airways); also connections via Kigali (road).).
- Getting aroundMotorbike taxis (boda‑boda) cost ~500 CDF for short rides; shared minibuses link to Kigali (≈3½ h) and Bukavu (boat).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealStreet meal (rice, beans, ugali)$0.5
- Budget bedBudget hostel/guesthouse, a night, per personCDF 7
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel, a night, per roomCDF 80
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel, a night, per roomCDF 120
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CDF 30 · Mid CDF 50 · High CDF 80
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GOM Goma International Airport (Daily flight from Kinshasa (CAA/Congo Airways); also connections via Kigali (road).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Feb
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Mar
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Apr
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
May
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Oct–May. Month by month →
Warmest Feb (26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)), coolest Jul (13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C) low), wettest Oct (143 rain days), driest Jul (29). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Goma: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
94 rd
Feb
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
84 rd
Mar
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
117 rd
Apr
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
119 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
108 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
55 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
29 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
70 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
117 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
143 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
138 rd
Dec
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
118 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Motorbike taxis (boda‑boda) cost ~500 CDF for short rides; shared minibuses link to Kigali (≈3½ h) and Bukavu (boat).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Nyiragongo Volcano
cautionDoor to door: ≈8 h total
Organised trek from Goma; 6–8 h climb, night at summit.
Tour cost US$255 for internationals; check park status.
Lake Kivu (Green Lake)
goDoor to door: ≈30 min
Local taxi or walk along lakeshore
Scenic spot near city centre.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Colibri Hotel
Budget rooms $5–10, garden area, near tourism office.
VIP Palace
$55–225, central, lake view.
Goma Serena Hotel
From $200, upscale, on Avenue de la Corniche.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ≈14,000–28,000 CDF excl. bed
- Mid
- ≈28,000–45,000 CDF excl. bed
- High
- ≈45,000 CDF+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Budget hostel/guesthouse1 × 1 night × CDF 7 | CDF 7 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × CDF 30 | CDF 30 |
| Nyiragongo trek (incl. permit & guide)1 × CDF 255 · check | CDF 255 |
| Boda‑boda ride (short trip)1 × CDF 1 · approx 500 CDF ≈ $0.5 | CDF 1 |
| Buffer 20%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CDF 59 |
| Trip total≈ CDF 352 per person per day, bed included | CDF 352 |
Colibri Hotel price range.
2026 estimate in USD; flights and security fees excluded.
Prices of common things
| Street meal (rice, beans, ugali) | $0.5 |
| Mid‑range restaurant dish | $3–10 |
| Boda‑boda ride (short) | $0.5 |
| Boat ferry Bukavu‑Goma (2–5 h) | $10–40 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Rebel activity around the city and in Virunga park; check latest security alerts.
- Roads can be chaotic; use boda‑boda only in daylight.
- Nighttime walking outside main nightclub zone is unsafe.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 117
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
GomaGoma
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police117
Embassy
US Embassy in Kinshasa (check address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Goma ↔ Kinshasa flight: about $200 one way (check)
- Boda‑boda short ride: ≈500 CDF (~$0.5)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bonjour)
- Combien? — How much? (combien)
- Merci — Thank you (merci)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Goma. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep (dry season, lower rain) · avoid Oct–May (higher rain, increased rebel activity) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- secondaryCanadian travel advice – DRC
- secondaryUK foreign travel advice – DRC
- secondaryWikivoyage: Goma, revision 5312884 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Goma
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