So yesterday I had this random thought – why compare traveling to DR Congo and Tanzania? Like, everyone does Tanzania, right? But Congo… man, that’s heavy stuff. Grabbed my laptop around coffee time and just dove in.
First, I started digging up visa rules. For Tanzania, piece of cake – applied online, paid $50, got approval in 48 hours. DR Congo? Holy hell. Needed invitation letters, vaccination proofs, even my hotel bookings. Spent three hours just tracking down embassy email addresses. Found out you gotta pay $100+ for a visa that takes weeks.
What I checked first:
- Safety alerts: Tanzania’s chill but petty theft happens. Congo? Red zones everywhere, especially east.
- Transport: Tanzania has tourist buses. Congo? Hired drivers with armed guards – not kidding.
- Costs: Tanzania hostels = $15/night. Congo safe hotels start at $80.
Then I tried calling tour companies – best way to get real info. Tanzania agencies answered quick, sent full itineraries. Congo operators? Ghosted me twice. Finally got a guy who said “You need satellite phone and $500/day minimum”. My jaw actually dropped.
Biggest surprise? Health prep. Tanzania needs yellow fever shot plus malaria pills. Congo required cholera vaccine kit plus WHO papers. Had no clue that even existed. Almost quit right there.
Why this matters:
See, most blogs just say “go see gorillas!” They don’t tell you the Congo gorilla trek requires military escort paperwork that costs more than your flight. Or that Tanzania’s visa-on-arrival might get you stranded if your passport expiry date’s iffy.
Finished the whole comparison by midnight, feeling tired but happy. Printed both country checklists and stuck ’em on my wall. Realized they’re not alternatives at all – Tanzania’s your trip when you want adventure without panic attacks. Congo? That’s surviving, not vacationing. Glad I dug deeper before telling anyone “hey just wing it”.
