Things To Do
in Aru

Pounded or boiled cassava dough served with a savory sauce (often with fish, chicken or peanut-based sauce); widely available at market eateries and family homes.

Must-Try!

Stewed cassava leaves cooked with palm oil, peanut paste or fish; a regional leafy-green specialty found in local kitchens and market stalls.

Freshwater fish grilled over charcoal and meat skewers sold at street stands in the evening and at market cookouts.

Sweet or ripe plantains fried until caramelized—an easy street snack available across stalls.

Bustling market selling fresh produce, cassava, plantain, smoked fish and small cooked dishes; best for photography, people-watching and trying quick street snacks.

Open-air stalls near the border area where traded goods and prepared foods reflect cross-border culinary influences—good place to sample grilled fish and brochettes.

Warm, extended greetings and handshakes are important—start conversations with Bonjour/Habari and ask about family before business. Using French or Kiswahili phrases is appreciated.

Dress modestly, especially in villages and when visiting religious sites. Show respect to elders and community leaders and accept hospitality politely.

Always ask permission before photographing people or private property; some religious or ceremonial contexts are off-limits.

Refrain from discussing local conflicts, politics or ethnicity unless you have established trusted local relationships.

Tipping is informal—small amounts or rounding up for service staff, drivers and guides are appreciated. For restaurant service 5–10% is acceptable where applicable; give small local-currency notes directly and discreetly.

Cash (Congolese franc, CDF) is king in Aru; small businesses rarely accept cards. Carry small denominations and some US dollars for emergencies. ATMs are limited or absent—withdraw larger sums in regional hubs and expect few banking services locally.

Frequent heavy downpours can make dirt roads muddy and impassable; plan extra travel time, carry waterproof gear, and expect fewer market stalls on stormy days.

Brief periods of rain and high humidity; mosquitoes increase and some outdoor activities may be interrupted by showers.

Cooler mornings and dusty roads make travel easier; ideal for photography, birdwatching and overland journeys, though evenings can be cooler than expected.

Hotter temperatures and clearer skies; water sources may be lower and planting/activity cycles in villages can affect market availability.

Small airstrip serving local and charter flights—limited services and schedules; suitable for chartered planes or occasional regional flights when available.

Regional airport in Bunia (Ituri Province) with connections to Kinshasa or other regional hubs; overland travel from Aru can be long and may require an arranged vehicle or internal flight.

Larger regional airport offering more frequent connections; reachable by long road journeys or internal flights from larger DRC hubs.

Major international airport in nearby Uganda (access requires border crossing and appropriate visas); often used as an international arrival/departure point when traveling to northeastern DRC.

Aru is home to a mix of ethnic groups typical of northeastern DRC, with multilingual communities speaking French, Kiswahili, Lingala and various local languages; communities are often young and predominantly engaged in agriculture and trade.

Proximity to Uganda and South Sudan means the town hosts traders and visitors from neighboring countries, creating a culturally mixed atmosphere in markets and along trade routes.

By far the most popular sport—local pickup games and small organized matches are common across town and villages.

Informal local contests, running, and traditional competitive activities occur during festivals or community gatherings.