HUNTING PRESERVES AND CLOSING DATES FOR HUNTING. 
Besides the National Parks, many total or partial preserves have 
been set up; hunting for some kinds of animals is prohibited in 
some areas. 
Close seasons vary according to the Provinces. They are roughly ; 
in Kwango from 1/4 until the 30/11; in Katanga from 1/4 until 
the 30/4; in the Eastern Province from 1/8 until the 30/11; in 
Ruanda-Urundi from 1/5 until 31/8; in Kivu and in the areas of 
the Maniema savanna, from 1/3 until the 30/6; in the big forest 
of Maniema and Shabunda, from 1/8 until 30/9. 
HUNTING AREAS. — The favourable areas are : the approaches 
to the National Parks and the total or partial preserves and espe- 
cially : in Ruanda-Urundi, the approaches to the Kagera National 
Park in the Kibungu and Biumba territory and the area between 
Kigali and Muhinga; in Kivu, the Luama (Kabambare), Fizi, Ruts- 
huru, Beni and Lubutu hunting estates; in the Eastern Province, the 
hunting estates in the surroundings of the Garamba National Park 
in the Dungu and Faradje territories and in the Paulis territory, 
the game preserve in the Lake Albert plain, some savannas in the 
Uele; in Katanga, the approaches to the Upemba National Park 
and the game preserve of the Kundelungu; in Kwango, the hunting 
estates of Kasongo Lunda and Gungu. 
To be allowed to hunt in the hunting estates, it is necessary 
to have a licence from the Governor of the Province or his delegate; 
duration of hunting is limited; further taxes are exacted in addition 
and the full licence for non-residents is absolutely necessary. 
FURTHER PARTICULARS ON HUNTING IN KIVU. 
The best season for hunting is the dry season. In the Kivu, this 
season lasts from June to September. 
During this period, the grass is burnt over and the young 
shoots attract game; furthermore, the hunter is certain of enjoying 
good weather. 
During the rains, the grass is very tall, especially in the Luama 
region, and this makes hunting impracticable. 
The average altitude in the Luama game preserve is 2000 feet 
and the temperature varies between 15 “^ and 95° F. It is not quite 
so hot on the Rutshuru plain which is over 3000 feet up. 
Animals mentioned in table II, which can be shot by the holder 
of a full permit for a non-resident, after payment of the tax. 
Species 
Bongo 
Situtunga .... 
Roan Antelope 
Wood-antelope yellow-loined 
Hippopotamus 
Hylocherus .... 
Number Tax for one animal 
3 3.000 frs 
3 800 frs 
1 1.000 frs 
3 1.000 frs 
2 2.000 frs 
4 500 frs 
The roads are passable during every season. Although the dry 
season is to be chosen for hunting, the rainy season, on the other 
hand, is more attractive where scenery is concerned. 
An especially agreeable period is the short dry season from the 
15th of December until the end of January. During that period it 
does not rain too hard and visibility is extremely good. The country 
is green whereas, during the long dry season from June until Sep- 
tember, it is scorched and dried up and the atmosphere is misty. 
However, the long dry season is to be mostly recommended for 
hunting. 
Therefore, the best thing to do is to choose Bukavu as the 
place of arrival and the starting point where excellent hotels are 
to be found, and then to proceed towards the chosen areas for 
touring or for hunting. 
INFORMATION SOURCES : Tourists must always inquire, before 
going hunting, at the territorial administrators' or the honorary 
game wardens, about the preserves, the close seasons and the 
protected animals. 
EXPORTATION OF THE TROPHIES : Tusks must be registered 
within 30 days at the chief-town of a territory; the trophies of 
animals mentioned in tables I, II and III, riders to the decree, 
must be accompanied by a legitimate exportation certificate deli- 
vered by the territorial administrator for the area where hunting 
has taken place. 
Generally speaking, all the travel agencies organise safaris. 
Amongst others, we would mention : Sitoconil of Bukavu; Congo- 
Safari of Stanleyville; Congo-Tours of Bukavu, etc. 
FISHING. — Rod-fishing is generally free and not subject to 
any formalities on the whole of the territory, except in the National 
Parks and in some preserves. All the lakes (Kivu excepted) and 
the big rivers abound with fish. 
The atlantic coast (Moanda, Vista and Banana) where game 
fishing for large sea fish (tarpon) is organized is to be recom- 
mended to those who are fond of thrills. 
At Moanda, Mr. Gaston Quinet (B.P. 23, Banana) hires out 
motor launches with native pilot and equipment at the price of 
500 C.frs. per half-day. He sells or hires out equipment for game 
fishing and arms for crocodile-hunting. 
★ 
I 
1 
S, . 
Complete your information by obtaining a 
copy of the TRAVELER'S GUIDE - 
This important work contains 850 pages, 
400 photographs and 23 maps and plans 
of towns, and is on sale at the 
Tourist Bureau for the Belgian Congo 
and Ruanda-Urundi, at the price of 
250 Bfrs., or 35/, or $ 5.-. 
Account n° 20970 with the Banque du 
Co ngo Beige - Brussels. 
IMPRESOR - 60, Quai Fernand Demets, Brussels - Tel. 21.30.70 - No 7010 
Form 170 
VISIT THE BELGIAN CONGO 
AND RUANDA-URUNDI 
BULLETIN OF PRACTICAL INFORMATION WITH MAP OF THE PRINCIPAL CONNECTIONS 
PUBLISHED BY 
THE TOURIST BUREAU FOR THE BELGIAN CONGO & RUANDA-URUNDI 
28, PUTTERIE - BRUSSELS (Belgium) Telephone: 13.11.27 - 12.87.98 
MARCH 1954 
TOURIST BUREAU FOR THE BELGIAN CONGO AND RUANDA-URUNDI 
The Tourist Bureau for the Belgian Congo and Ruanda-Urundi 
does not act as a travel agency which sells tickets or organizes 
visits or excursions in the Belgian Congo at an established price. 
The Bureau advises tourists, gives them, free of charge, infor- 
mation about transport and hotel accommodation and documentation 
relating to natural and all other curiosities and also suggests spe- 
cimen itineraries. 
The Bureau, Touring organizations and the qualified agencies, 
acting in their own field and with the intention of collaborating 
together endeavour to facilitate travelling in the Belgian Congo 
and to make it as attractive as possible. 
CONDITIONS FOR THE ADMISSION OF TOURISTS TO THE BELGIAN CONGO AND RUANDA-URUNDI (I) 
(The necessary formalities can be easily and quickly fulfilled.) 
A. — For tourist's of Belgian nationality. 
(a) Tourists travelling by one of the national Belgian means of 
transportation. 
Require : 
( I ) An identity card or any equivalent document accompanied 
by a certificate (declaration) issued by the Ministry of Colonies, 
specifying that all the formalities required for entrance to the Congo 
have been complied with. Such certificate may be obtained from 
the Immigration Office of the Ministry of Colonies, Rue du Pepin, 
1 0, Brussels. The Office is open every day from 9 to I 1 .30 a.m., 
except Saturdays. The certificate should be requested at least 1 5 
days prior to departure; the certificate is supplied against payment 
of 80 frs.; five photographs are required, three of which are to be 
given to the Immigration Authorities when entering the Colony. 
Note. — Tourists travelling by Sobelair or Sabena air lines and 
stopping in Egypt must also carry a passport in order. 
(2) Two certificates of good conduct for government service, less 
than three months old, and, in case of a previous stay in the 
Colony, an abstract of the Colonial Court records. 
(3) A certificate of vaccination predated at least 1 4 days and 
not over 3 years old, stating the type of reaction. 
(4) A certificate of protective inoculation against yellow fever 
predated at least I 0 days and not over 6 years old. 
Note. — A.B.C. antityphoid and antiparatyphoid inoculation is 
also strongly recommended. 
Travellers wishing to stay longer than 6 months must also carry 
a certificate of good health dating back at least 3 months. 
All certificates mentioned under (3), (4) are valid only if deli- 
vered by a physician recognized by the Ministry of Colonies. 
These various certificates and vaccination or inoculations may be 
obtained at the Service de I'Hygiene du Ministere des Colonies, 20, 
Rue de Namur, Brussels, every day from 9 to I I and from I 4 to I 7, 
except Saturdays, or at the Institut de Medecine Tropicale Prince 
Leopold, 1 55, rue Nationale, Antwerp. 
(b) Tourists travelling by a foreign means of transportation. 
Same documents as above and, in addition, they must be provided 
with a passport visaed for all countries by the consular authorities 
of each country to be crossed, insofar as this formality is still 
required. 
B. — For tourists of foreign nationality. 
Foreign tourists require : 
( I ) A passport with a visa issued by the Belgian authorities of 
the place of departure (a transit visa or a 6 months travel visa). 
Consular authorities are allowed to deliver visas immediately, with- 
out reference to the Governor General. 
The Governor General may authorize a transit traveler to stay 
over for a maximum period of 8 days and' may also extend a travel 
visa for 3 months. 
(2) Same documents as under (2), (3) and (4) above. 
C. — Regulations for tourists from neighbouring colonies. 
a) People who have their residence in Uganda, or in Kenya or 
in the Tanganyika Territory are allowed to enter the Belgian Congo 
without passport, provided that they carry their identity card and 
a written statement from the British authorities stating that they 
have been living in these territories for at least six months and 
that nothing prevents them from returning there. They will receive 
a visitor's permit valid for one month when they enter the terri- 
tory. 
b) Those who have their residence in F.E.A., on the shores of 
the Stanley Pool, are allowed to go over to the Belgian Congo for 
24 h., provided that they carry with them a valid residence card, 
which they must hand over when they enter and which is given 
back when they return. 
The non-residents who only travel there and back must carry 
a passport in order or a certificate from the Ministry of Colonies, 
which has also to be handed over on entering the territory. 
D. — Bond. 
A bond is required, but it is possible for foreign tourists holding 
a transit or a travel visa and for Belgians who are not staying in 
the Congo over 6 months to be exempted from giving the neces- 
sary deposit or guarantee. 
For Belgians, such dispensation is given by the authorities who 
issue the certificate accompanying the identity card (passport), 
and for foreigners by the authorities who grant the visa. 
Should the length of stay be extended, the bond or the guarantee 
may be claimed. 
The bond required is 50.000 francs for the head of the family 
and each child aged or over 1 8 years, and 25.000 francs for the 
wife, and each child between 1 4 and 1 8 years. 
(I) For more detailed information, refer to the « Traveler's Guide » obtainable at 35 / — or $ 5 per copy from the Tourist Bureau 
for the Belgian Congo and Ruanda-Urundi. 
