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Central African Republic

The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office advise against all-but-essential travel to central Bangui between the airport and Oubangui River. All travel to the rest of the Central African Republic is advised against. Click here for more information.

Central African Republic (CAR) is a country with staggering rare natural beauty and some wonderful wildlife. Not so long ago it was one of the best places in Africa for encounters with huge forest elephants and western lowland gorillas, and the best place in the world, some say, to see butterflies. However, since 2012 political problems and religious-fuelled civil war have made the country completely off limits to travellers for safety reasons, with all Western governments warning against any visits here.

One of the most impoverished and least developed countries on the continent, CAR endured centuries of rapacity from colonisers and then from its own leaders. Yet the people of this plundered nation remain incredibly open and friendly; and their conversations are more full of hope than despair.

Explore Central African Republic

  • D

    Dzanga-Sangha National Park

    This national park, wedged into the triangle of southwestern CAR Cameroon from Congo, is probably the one corner of the country still attracting visitors…

  • M

    M'Baïki

    Southwest of Bangui and surrounded by rainforest, M'Baïki is in a timber, coffee and tobacco growing area. It's also the stopping-off point for visiting…

  • C

    Chutes de Boali

    These waterfalls tumble 50m (164ft), which is just a whisker more than Niagara can manage. Although no more than a trickle when its dry, they are dramatic…

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Central African Republic.

  • See

    Dzanga-Sangha National Park

    This national park, wedged into the triangle of southwestern CAR Cameroon from Congo, is probably the one corner of the country still attracting visitors…

  • See

    M'Baïki

    Southwest of Bangui and surrounded by rainforest, M'Baïki is in a timber, coffee and tobacco growing area. It's also the stopping-off point for visiting…

  • See

    Chutes de Boali

    These waterfalls tumble 50m (164ft), which is just a whisker more than Niagara can manage. Although no more than a trickle when its dry, they are dramatic…

Guidebooks

Learn more about Central African Republic

Ready to go? Get to the heart of Central African Republic with one of Lonely Planet's in-depth, award-winning guidebooks.

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