VENUE, TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION

TRAVEL

How do I get to Brazzaville? 

Brazzaville is served by quite a variety of international airlines including: Air France, Royal Air Maroc, Ethiopian Airlines, Lufthansa (Point-Noire), Turkish Airlines and Kenyan Airlines. Regional airlines include Senegal Airlines, EC Air, Transair Congo, Air Ivoire, Asky Airlines, RwandAir, TAAG and Cameroon Airlines

Shuttle bus service

We will be providing a shuttle bus service during the event to take you to the International Conference Center de Kintele, Brazzaville and any other activities that are connected with the event. Please check your hotel for the latest timetable information when you arrive.

VISAS

At present all foreigners except members of the CEMAC region (Cameroon, Tchad, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon) travelling to the Republic of Congo require a valid visa in their passport before they travel. You should apply at your nearest diplomatic representative accredited to the Republic of Congo to find this out please go to http://cg.embassyinformation.com

 When you are applying for your visa

Please bring with you:

1. A valid Passport (at least six month validity)

2. Two application forms properly completed, dated and signed by the traveller.

3. Two (2) recent passport photos with the person facing the camera.

4. An International Certificate of Vaccination showing immunization against yellow fever

5. A copy of airline tickets or itinerary from an authorized travel agent

6. A letter from the company assuming all financial responsibilities for the traveller (for business trips only)

7. The required fee (which varies from country to country) for the issuance of your visa.

Please note that the organisers of CIEHC will inform all embassies and consulates of the Republic of Congo worldwide about the event to facilitate the visa process. The organisers will issue each participant a general visa invitation letter.

 If there is no Republic of Congo embassy or consulate within easy reach of you, we will have the facility to grant visas on arrival (please note that this will carry a small administrative fee). If you require a visa on arrival please inform us at least one month in advance of the event so we can make the necessary arrangements. We will NOT issue visas on arrival for participants who have Republic of Congo representations in their country of residence.

What should I bring with me to Brazzaville?

• A yellow fever certificate – this is mandatory and you may be asked for this on arrival
• A photocopy of your passport – as it is always advisory to carry your ID with you
• Insurance – you are responsible for arranging your own travel cover
• Credit card – Visa, American Express and Master Card are accepted at the main hotels and some restaurants. However do not always rely on this and it is better to carry some funds in cash.
• Medical Kit – always a good option just in case
• Malaria tablets and mosquito spray – you are in a malarial zone
• Your mobile phone – you can buy a local SIM for less than $10

Language
French is the official language, but Lingala and Munukutuba are the two major local languages

Customs
Do not take photographs of uniformed officials or any military equipment and installations; in general be discreet when taking photographs in public places.

Health
Yellow fever vaccination is a requirement for entry for everyone over one year, and vaccinations against cholera, meningitis, typhoid and polio are highly recommended.

Water
Do not drink from the tap. Bottled water is readily available.

Currency
The Central African CFA franc (French: franc CFA or simply franc is the currency of the Republic of the Congo. U.S. dollars and euros are easily exchanged providing that the notes are in good condition.
The current exchange rates are: 1USD = 450 CFA and 1 EURO = 655 CFA

Communications
The international dialling code for Congo is +242 and the outgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0033 for France). International direct dialling is available. Domestic telephone connections are unreliable. There are GSM 900 and 1800 networks.

Electricity
Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Plug types in use are round two-pin attachment plugs

Time
GMT +1