Central African Republic travel guide

Getting there

Bangui M'Poko International Airport is the main entry point, with a limited number of international flights. Land borders exist but are generally unsafe for travellers.

Best time to visit: Dec–Apr – the dry season.

Flights: see the cheapest month to fly to Bangui, with live one-way and return fares from your nearest airport.

Tougher months: July–October: the heaviest rains make many roads impassable.

Weather by month in Bangui

• 32°J
• 34°F
• 34°M●
• 33°A●●
• 32°M●●
• 31°J●●
• 30°J●●
• 30°A●●●
• 31°S●●●
• 31°O●●●
• 31°N●
• 31°D

Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).

Time zone: Africa/Bangui. Compare with your local time.

Visas: in our passport dataset, 15 of 198 other passports can enter Central African Republic without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 0 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 183 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.

Background: Visa policy of the Central African Republic (Wikipedia).

Official advisory: Level 4: Do Not Travel (U.S. Department of State, updated 2026-01-15). Read the advisory.

Stay

Most trips to Central African Republic are based around Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve, Bangui or Boali Falls. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.

Typical daily budget: about US$60–100 for a backpacker and US$120–220 mid-range, per person.

Connect

Plug types: C, E. Voltage: 220 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.

Calling code: +236.

Mobile data: set up a travel eSIM or check your roaming plan before you fly, so data works as soon as you land.

Do

• Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve (Southwest · rainforest wildlife): Part of the Sangha Trinational UNESCO site, offering forest elephants, gorillas and BaAka culture.
• Bangui (Capital · river city): The capital on the Ubangi River, with markets, a cathedral and the main air gateway.
• Boali Falls (Ombella-M'Poko · waterfall): A broad, dramatic waterfall within a few hours of the capital.
• Bouar (West · megaliths): A highland town surrounded by ancient standing-stone sites.
• Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (North · savanna (UNESCO)): A vast UNESCO-listed savanna wilderness, currently on the World Heritage in Danger list and not accessible to tourists.
• Bayanga (Sangha-Mbaéré · river village): The small base village for trips into the Dzanga-Sangha forests.

Things to do

• Watch elephants at Dzanga Bai. Sit on a viewing platform as dozens of forest elephants gather at a mineral-rich clearing in the rainforest.
• Track lowland gorillas. Follow BaAka trackers through the forest to meet a habituated gorilla family in Dzanga-Ndoki National Park.
• Learn from BaAka guides. Join forest walks and net hunts to understand traditional knowledge of plants and wildlife.
• Cruise the Sangha River. Drift past dense forest by pirogue near Bayanga, spotting birds and monkeys along the banks.
• See the Boali Falls. Watch the Mbali River plunge over a rocky ledge, especially powerful during the rainy season.
• Visit the Bouar megaliths. Stand among mysterious ancient stones that are a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage status.
• Browse Bangui's markets. Discover butterfly-wing artworks, carvings and colourful fabrics in the capital's busy markets.
• Look across the Ubangi. Watch pirogues and ferries cross the wide river that forms the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Eat and drink

• Gozo – soft cassava dough eaten with stews
• Ngunza – cassava leaves cooked with peanut or palm oil
• Grilled river fish – fresh from the Ubangi
• Peanut stew – rich sauce with meat or chicken

Money and safety

Currency: Central African CFA franc (XAF). Currency and plug checker.

Tipping: Not expected; tips for guides and trackers are appreciated.

Emergency numbers: 117 police · 118 fire.

• The currency is the Central African CFA franc, shared with neighbouring countries.
• ATMs are very scarce and unreliable, so bring enough cash, ideally euros, for your whole trip.
• Most governments advise against all travel to the Central African Republic because of armed conflict, crime and kidnapping risk; check your government's latest travel advice before considering a trip.
• Movement outside Bangui is dangerous in many regions, and road travel should only be done with expert security arrangements.