Hello,

I will soon depart on my trip across Africa. I am currently waiting for my motorcycle (F650 GS Dakar) in Cape Town and will head north as soon as I get it.

I am doing research on the best route across DRC. I will be coming from Angola and heading towards RoC and then Gabon. Most likely, I will be getting a one month visa for DRC.

The main issue is that I will be arriving to DRC in the middle of the rainy season:

(image from here)

As most of the reports I have read described the situation during the dry season, I have to ask: is it that bad? The worst situation I can imagine would be getting stuck so bad in mud that I won't be able to continue. On the other hand, my reasoning is that any road would be passable because the locals have to use them.

I made the list of options below based on:
* reading various blogs
* asking people that went there recently
* checking the DRC General Logistics Planning Map -- does anyone know if it is reliable?
* checking the Africa Road Atlas (2012) -- does anyone know if it is reliable?

I intend to cross the border from Angola into DRC at Kimpangu. If anyone knows better alternatives, do say.

Here it goes, in ascending order of adventureness:

-- Plan A ~525km

Get a multiple entry visa for Angola, cross the Congo using the bridge at Matadi -> Boma -> Moanda and then cross into Cabinda, then head towards Congo. No concerns, seems pretty straightforward, asphalt all the way.

-- Plan B ~759km

Cross the Congo at Matadi, use the main roads N1 and N12 west and then north, Matadi -> Kisundi -> Lukula -> Loango -> Tshela. There should be asphalt up to Tshela. Head east towards Luozi, cross the border into RoC and head towards Boko. I am concerned about the condition of the road between Tshela and Boko and about the availability of gas.

-- Plan C ~232km

Head north near Kimpese - Mpete and cross the Congo at Luozi, then continue to Boko. I am concerned about the road between the main road (N1) and Luozi, of which reports say that have ditches the size of an adult.

-- Plan X
Take the military plane from Luanda to Cabinda and avoid DRC altogether. No concerns here, other than it might be more costly and it might take more time to arrange.

At the present moment, I am inclined to go for plan B or plan C. I will probably get the multiple entry Angola visa and change to plan A when I get there, if the situation will look bad.

Any recommendations?