An authentic but unsecure African destination for the adventurous, the Central African Republic hosts fascinating tribal villages and magnificent national parks with diverse and unique flora and fauna offering great trekking and wildlife viewing. Forest elephants, gorillas, leopards, lions and rhinos can be found in the tropical rainforests of this little visited former French colony.
Jungle reserves. Located in the rainforests of Central African Republic, the Dzanga-Sangha Reserve is home to indigenous jungle tribes and many unique African plant and animal species. The park is inhabited by forest elephants, buffaloes, gorillas, and antilopes, and offers excellent opportunities for trekking and wildlife viewing. The small nearby village of Bayanga serves as a starting point to excursions to Dzanga-Sangha Reserve. Central African republic also hosts the World Heritage -listed Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Park and several other wildlife parks to visit.
Bangui is the green and tropical capital of the Central African Republic located on the northern banks of the Ubangi River. The city is a business centre of the country and has many restaurants, business hotels and modern buildings. Boganda Museum and Bokassa Palace are the main attractions in the city. However, Bangui has very high crime rates, and traveling to the city is not recommended. A number of small villages inhabited by the indigenous tribes can be found in the Lobaye and M'Baiki Regions. The magnificent Boali waterfalls are located 90 kilometers northwest to the capital.
How to get there. The easiest way to travel to Central Africa is by plane. Bangui M'Poko International Airport is the main airport in the country. There are some direct flights to Bangui from Paris, New York and the major cities in French-speaking Africa. Other Central African cities can be accessed by boats via the Ubangui River, which begins in Sudan and ends up in Congo.
Local transport. One of the poorest countries in the world, the Central African Republic has only little developed infrastructure. The roads are often in poor condition and many borders are closed. The public transportation is handled by buses, trucks and minibuses. Taxis are available in Bangui, and rental cars usually come with a local driver.
Villages and national parks in Central African Republic
The Central African Republic is rich and diverse in nature: there are savannas, rivers, waterfalls, deserts and mountains. The economy of this scarcely populated and poor African country is based on agriculture, forestry and diamonds, but it also has a big ecotourism potential.Jungle reserves. Located in the rainforests of Central African Republic, the Dzanga-Sangha Reserve is home to indigenous jungle tribes and many unique African plant and animal species. The park is inhabited by forest elephants, buffaloes, gorillas, and antilopes, and offers excellent opportunities for trekking and wildlife viewing. The small nearby village of Bayanga serves as a starting point to excursions to Dzanga-Sangha Reserve. Central African republic also hosts the World Heritage -listed Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Park and several other wildlife parks to visit.
Bangui is the green and tropical capital of the Central African Republic located on the northern banks of the Ubangi River. The city is a business centre of the country and has many restaurants, business hotels and modern buildings. Boganda Museum and Bokassa Palace are the main attractions in the city. However, Bangui has very high crime rates, and traveling to the city is not recommended. A number of small villages inhabited by the indigenous tribes can be found in the Lobaye and M'Baiki Regions. The magnificent Boali waterfalls are located 90 kilometers northwest to the capital.
Travel tips to Central African Republic
Central African Republic is a landlocked country located in Central Africa. The landscape consists of flat and rolling plateau with some hills in northeast. The country enjoys tropical climate with dry harmattan winds in the North and occasional flooding in the South. The best time to visit Central African Republic is from November to April when the weather is warm and pleasant and there is plenty of sunshine. The rainy season in Central African Republic lasts from May to October.How to get there. The easiest way to travel to Central Africa is by plane. Bangui M'Poko International Airport is the main airport in the country. There are some direct flights to Bangui from Paris, New York and the major cities in French-speaking Africa. Other Central African cities can be accessed by boats via the Ubangui River, which begins in Sudan and ends up in Congo.
Local transport. One of the poorest countries in the world, the Central African Republic has only little developed infrastructure. The roads are often in poor condition and many borders are closed. The public transportation is handled by buses, trucks and minibuses. Taxis are available in Bangui, and rental cars usually come with a local driver.
Photo: Hdptcar, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
Language & prices. English is understood and spoken by the educated people in Central African Republic. To deal with people outside the capital it is essential to have at least a basic knowledge of French. As the majority of the products must be imported in the country, prices in the better restaurants, supermarkets and hotels can be quite expensive. However, the prices in the modest local restaurants and accommodation are very low.
Limited services. Central African Republic has very limited services for visitors, and the cheap hotels in the country do not have running water. The nightlife in the Central African Republic is centered in the capital Bangui which has numerous bars and rather expensive international clubs.
Safety issues. Crime is a significant problem in Bangui, and visitors should exercise caution when traveling around the city. Petty thefts are problem in crowded places. Natural disasters like floods are not rare in the Central African Republic, and the political situation of the country remains tense with guerrilla activity in some areas, so travelling to Central African Republic is discouraged by many foreign ministries.
History and culture of Central African Republic
A former colony of France, the Central African Republic gained independence in 1960 and has experienced political instability since then. Rebels still control the northern parts of the country. Political unrest is common in the border regions with neighboring countries. The majority of the inhabitants in Central African Republic live in the countryside near to the capital Bangui.The culture in the Central African Republic is affected by many different ethnic groups. More than 80 ethnic groups with their own languages can be found in the country. Baka pygmies are the indigenous people of the rainforests in the Central African Republic. Music and dance plays an important role in the society. Sanza is a popular indigenous instrument in the Central African Republic.
