Dzanga Bai, Dzanga-Sangha, Central African RepublicVideo: JosepMGracia, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Find your Bliss in Central African Republic
Central African Republic, explained honestly: rainforest, rivers and real answers
The Central African Republic holds some of Africa's wildest rainforest, the gorillas and forest elephants of Dzanga-Sangha, the Oubangui river and a warm, music-loving capital. It is also one of the hardest places on earth to travel safely. This guide gives you the plain facts on safety, entry, money and getting around, so you can decide with confidence.
Your trip, step by step
- Before you decideCurrent travel warnings, visa, yellow fever and insurance, answered
- LandingBangui M'Poko airport and the first hours, explained
- Your days in CARBangui, the river, the falls and the forest, planned with care
- Home againDeparture tips so the last day is calm too
Where to go, eat and stay
Our local picks
Restaurants, things to do and nightlife
Our hand-picked spots in Nairobi and beyond, from must-haves to off the beaten path.
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Flights, stays and travel essentials
Search flights to Central African Republic and places to stay, and get set before you go.
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- Plain answersClear, honest guidance on the questions visitors actually ask, including the hard ones.
- Official sourcesEntry, health and safety facts point you to the official pages to confirm.
- No price surprisesWe explain what costs more and what costs less, so your budget holds.
- Free to useEvery guide and the trip planner are free.
Our promise
Travel should never be a gamble. We tell you exactly where the Central African Republic stands today, what the warnings say and how the few visitors who do go plan their trips, so every choice you make is an informed one.
Coming home to see family in Bangui, or dreaming of the gorillas of Dzanga-Sangha? This guide was written with you in mind.
How to use this guide
Four steps from first idea to a well-informed decision.
- Read the warnings firstStart with your government's current travel advice for the Central African Republic and the safety section of this guide.
- Sort the essentialsVisa, yellow fever certificate, cash in euros and the right season, checked against official sources.
- Pick your placesUse our places to visit list for markets, culture, nature and stays in Bangui and beyond.
- Plan your routeUse the free trip planner to shape your days and how you move between them.
Everything your Central African Republic trip needs
Free tools and guides for every stage of the journey.
Destinations
Bangui, Dzanga-Sangha, the Boali Falls and the Lobaye forest, each explained in depth.
Explore destinationsPlaces to visit
More than a hundred markets, landmarks, river spots, forest camps and stays, from classics to hidden corners.
See places to visitFlights and stays
Search flights into Bangui and stays in each area.
Plan travelPlaces finder
Restaurants, sights and stays mapped around each base.
Find placesFree trip planner
Tell us your dates and interests and build a route that fits.
Plan your trip
Why people still come
Gorillas, forest elephants and the Oubangui
In the far south west, the Dzanga-Sangha reserve protects habituated western lowland gorillas, hundreds of forest elephants gathering at the Dzanga Bai clearing and the hunting traditions of the BaAka people. Bangui, on the Oubangui river, is the gateway, with its markets, cathedral and riverside sunsets.
- Gorilla tracking with BaAka trackers in Dzanga-Sangha
- Forest elephants at the Dzanga Bai clearing
- Bangui's markets, river and Boganda museum
- The Boali Falls in the rainy season
Start with the destinations
See how Bangui, Dzanga-Sangha, Boali and the Lobaye fit together.
CAR destinationsPlan with care
Informed choices, not guesswork
Governments advise against travel to most or all of the Central African Republic, and roads, flights and services change quickly. Our free planner helps you think through timing, logistics and the questions to ask before you commit.
- Current warnings in one place
- The right season for the forest
- Realistic travel times
Where to go in the Central African Republic
From the capital on the Oubangui to the rainforest of the far south west.
Bangui (capital district)
Bangui
The riverside capital, with busy markets, a red brick cathedral, live music and the only international airport.
Read the guidePhoto: Michael Walsh, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sangha-Mbaéré prefecture
Dzanga-Sangha
Protected rainforest with habituated gorillas, forest elephants at Dzanga Bai and BaAka guides.
Read the guidePhoto: JosepMGracia, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Ombella-M'Poko prefecture
Boali Falls
A tall, wide waterfall on the Mbali river, at its most dramatic in the rainy season.
Read the guidePhoto: Kondotikodro, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Lobaye prefecture
Lobaye forest and Mbaïki
Rainforest, coffee country and Aka villages south west of Bangui, centred on Mbaïki.
Read the guidePhoto: Kondotikodro, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A note from our founder
A note from our founder
My first time visiting Kenya, I was genuinely surprised with how fast it began feeling like home. The people are so friendly, the food is delicious and familiar, and the accommodations are modern and upscale.
During my travels throughout the continent, I commonly hear tourists share stories about being scammed or taken advantage of, which is both frustrating and disheartening.
Living in Kenya for the last 2 years, I have had the great fortune to meet a network of wonderful Kenyans who have continuously help guide my family's journey. Their shared knowledge has not only greatly enhanced our overall experience here, but it has also saved us tons of time, energy, and resources.
With BlissPoint Travel, my hope is to build a global community that is willing to share useful, uncommon knowledge so that we can all blissfully enjoy the wonders our world has to offer.
Questions we hear most
Is the Central African Republic safe to visit?
Major governments, including the US, UK, France and Canada, advise against all or almost all travel to the Central African Republic because of armed groups, crime and kidnapping risk. Read your own government's current advice before making any plans, check your insurance covers you, and accept that help in an emergency is very limited.
Do I need a visa for the Central African Republic?
Almost all visitors need a visa arranged before travel, usually through a Central African embassy, and some reach Bangui with an approved authorisation. Rules vary by passport, so confirm the current process with the nearest embassy before you book.
Do I need a yellow fever vaccination?
Yes. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required on arrival, so carry your certificate with your passport. Talk to a travel clinic about malaria prevention and other vaccines too.
When is the best time to visit?
The dry season, roughly December to March, is the easiest time to travel and the usual season for Dzanga-Sangha. The long rains from about May to October make roads very hard going.
What language is spoken?
French and Sango are the official languages. Sango is spoken by almost everyone, and a few words of it, like 'Bara ala' for hello, are warmly received.
How do I get help planning?
Use our free trip planner to shape your route, or send a question through our contact page.
Thinking about the Central African Republic?
Use the free trip planner to think through timing, logistics and the questions to ask before you go.