Central African Republic
The Central African Republic receives only a trickle of visitors, nearly all bound for Dzanga-Sangha in the far south-west, where forest elephants gather in dozens at the Dzanga Bai clearing and habituated western lowland gorillas can be tracked with BaAka guides. Reaching it takes money, planning and flexibility, so check the FCDO travel advice closely before committing.
Overview
Landlocked and slightly larger than France, the Central African Republic stretches from Sahel savannah in the north to dense Congo Basin rainforest in the south-west, with the Oubangui River forming much of its southern border. Decades of political instability have left almost no tourism infrastructure, so trips are shaped by logistics rather than route-planning: fly into Bangui, then continue to Dzanga-Sangha, part of the UNESCO-listed Sangha Trinational alongside reserves in Cameroon and the Republic of the Congo. A couple of days in the capital and an excursion to Boali Falls are the usual additions.
Expect high costs: charter flights, fuel, park fees and guides add up, and most visitors book through a lodge or specialist operator that arranges transfers. In return you get extraordinary wildlife with very few other people around. It suits experienced Africa travellers, wildlife photographers and anyone comfortable with basic facilities and plans that can change at short notice. What surprises people most is the forest itself: walking in with BaAka trackers, listening for gorillas, and learning how many plants they can name for food and medicine.
Map of Central African Republic
Top 5 highlights
- 1Wildlife
Dzanga Bai
A mineral-rich forest clearing where forest elephants come to dig for salts, often dozens at a time, watched from a raised platform; bongo, giant forest hogs and sitatunga appear too. Reached from Bayanga by road and a short forest walk.
- 2Wildlife
Gorilla tracking at Bai Hokou
The primate habituation programme at Bai Hokou lets small groups follow habituated western lowland gorillas through the forest with BaAka trackers, often with agile mangabeys nearby. Numbers are strictly limited, so book well ahead.
- 3Culture
BaAka forest walks, Bayanga
Spend a morning in the forest with BaAka guides from around Bayanga, joining a traditional net hunt, gathering plants and hearing their polyphonic singing, which UNESCO recognises as intangible cultural heritage.
- 4Nature
Boali Falls
Roughly 100 km north-west of Bangui, the Mbali River pours around 50 m over a broad rock face; the falls are at their fullest in the rainy season and make the classic day trip from the capital.
- 5Sacred site
Notre-Dame Cathedral, Bangui
The capital's red-brick colonial-era cathedral, where Pope Francis opened the first Holy Door of the 2015 Jubilee of Mercy, days before the one at St Peter's in Rome; Sunday Mass is lively with song.
Biggest cities
Bangui
The riverside capital on the Oubangui, facing the DR Congo, is the unavoidable gateway; its markets, red-brick cathedral and river views fill a day or two between flights.
Bimbo
A separate town that has grown into Bangui's south-western sprawl along the river; it has no sights of its own and most visitors pass straight through.
Berbérati
A diamond- and timber-trading town in the far west near the Cameroon border; it sees few visitors, though overland travellers arriving from Cameroon may pass through.
Bimbo is a separate municipality but is effectively part of greater Bangui; counting it within the capital, the third place would go to one of Carnot, Bambari or Bouar, which are of broadly similar size. All figures are estimates, as the last full census was in 2003.
When to go to Central African Republic
Best time: Dec–Feb.
Average climate in Bangui
Festivals & events
- MarBoganda Day
29 March marks the death of Barthélemy Boganda, the country's founding father, in a 1959 plane crash, with commemorations in Bangui and widespread closures.
- DecNational Day
1 December commemorates the proclamation of the republic in 1958 with parades and speeches in Bangui; many offices and businesses close for the day.
How much does Central African Republic cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Kanda ti nyama
Meatballs of minced beef or goat simmered in a tomato and onion sauce, often thickened with peanut, and eaten with gozo or rice.
Gozo
The everyday staple: a stiff, slightly sour dough of fermented cassava flour, torn by hand and used to scoop up stews.
Ngunza
Pounded cassava leaves stewed with palm oil or peanut paste, sometimes with smoked fish, found in homes and roadside eateries across the south.
Getting around
Bangui has shared taxis, minibuses and motorbike taxis but no ride-hailing apps; agree fares before setting off. Paved roads are few, and the overland route to Dzanga-Sangha via M'Baïki and Nola is a long, rough 4x4 drive that can take more than a day. Most visitors therefore charter a light aircraft from Bangui to the airstrip at Bayanga, usually arranged through their lodge or operator.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- CE220V — bring a UK-to-C/E adapter
- Emergency numbers
- Telephone: 117 (ambulance, fire, police)
- or: Ambulance: 610600
- Fire: 118
- Military police (‘gendarmerie’): 2161 2200
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +236
- Time zone
- UTC+1 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Not safe — drink bottled or treated water
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Not expected in local places, but around 10% is appreciated in Bangui's better restaurants; tip trackers, guides and lodge staff at Dzanga-Sangha.
- Etiquette
- Greet people before making any request — 'balao' in Sango is welcome. Never photograph soldiers, government buildings, bridges or the airport, and ask before photographing anyone.
- Main airports
- Bangui M'Poko International Airport (BGF), Bangui
Visas & entry for Central African Republic
Shown for a British passport.
Visa required — apply before you go
You must have a visa to visit the Central African Republic.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanusTyphoidYellow fever
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- ChikungunyaDengueHepatitis BMeaslesMeningococcal diseasePolioRabiesTuberculosis
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all travellers (usually over 9 months or 1 year old). There is a risk of yellow fever in parts of the country — vaccination may be advised.
- Malaria
- High risk of malaria
- There is a high risk of malaria in Central African Republic: antimalarial tablets recommended.
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Central African Republic
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Sun 1 Nov 2026 | All Saints' Day |
| Tue 1 Dec 2026 | National Day |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Tue 9 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Mon 29 Mar 2027 | Barthélemy Boganda Day · Easter Monday |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Thu 6 May 2027 | Ascension Day |
| Sun 16 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Mon 17 May 2027 | Pentecost Monday |
| Wed 30 Jun 2027 | General Prayer Day |
| Fri 13 Aug 2027 | Independence Day |
| Sun 15 Aug 2027 | Assumption Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in French
| English | French | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Bonjour | bon-ZHOOR |
| Thank you | Merci | mair-SEE |
| Please | S'il vous plaît | seel voo PLAY |
| Excuse me | Excusez-moi | ex-KOO-zay MWAH |
| How much is this? | C'est combien ? | say kom-BYAN |
Know before you go
- Check the FCDO travel advice well before booking, and arrange Dzanga-Sangha through the reserve or an established lodge, which can handle flights, permits and guides.
- Bring plenty of euros in cash: the CFA franc is pegged to the euro, but card payments and reliable ATMs are rare outside a few Bangui hotels and banks.
- Carry your yellow fever vaccination certificate, which is checked on arrival, and pack antimalarials, repellent and a basic medical kit, as healthcare is very limited.
Central African Republic travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Central African Republic?
The best time to visit Central African Republic is generally Dec–Feb. Peak months are January, February and December. Average highs in Bangui range from 30°C to 34°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Central African Republic cost per day?
Roughly £60 a day on a tight budget, £150 mid-range and £320+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Central African Republic?
Central African CFA franc (XAF).
What plug type does Central African Republic use?
Type C and E sockets at 220V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Central African Republic?
Traffic drives on the right in Central African Republic, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Central African Republic?
Not safe — drink bottled or treated water.
Do I need a visa for Central African Republic?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You must have a visa to visit the Central African Republic. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Central African Republic before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/central-african-republic/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Central African Republic?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid and Yellow fever for most travellers, with Chikungunya, Dengue, Hepatitis B, Measles, Meningococcal disease and Polio sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
