Central African Republic Travel Overview
Home of the gorillas
Some call the Central African Republic the great natural gem of our planet.
Location
According to Countryaah, the Central African Republic is located in Central Africa and has no access to the sea. The country shares borders with Chad, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo, and Cameroon. The large country in terms of area is relatively sparsely populated with 3.42 million residents.
Travel to the Central African Republic
The area is strongly tropical, so inquire about the travel time. The best travel time is from the end to the beginning of the rainy season, from mid-October to mid-March.
The country is criss-crossed by lush and humid rainforests where gorillas still live. Some refer to the land as the natural jewel of our planet. The Dzanga-Sanga National Park on the border with Cameroon is home to the rare forest elephants.
Culture Central African Republic
The country is also home to the pygmies, whose cultural products, especially their singing, have become known around the world.
At a glance
Capital: Bangui
Official language: French
Currency: CFA franc
Continent: Central Africa
Important facts
Capital: Bangui
Official language: French
Currency
Currency (sub-unit)
CFA franc (100 centimes)
ISO 4217 code
XAF / 950
Geography
Continent: Africa
Region: Central
Geo coordinates: N 6 ° 36 ’40 ” E 20 ° 56′ 22″
Highest mountain: Mont Ngaoui (1,420 m)
Total area: 622,984 km²
Mainland: 622,984 km²
National border: 5,203 km
Politics
Dependency: France until 1960
UN member since: 1960
Other political affiliation: African Union
Form of government: Military dictatorship
Economy
Export goods: Diamonds, cotton, coffee
BSP: $ 1,723,400,000
GDP: $ 1,804,600,000
GDP purchasing power parity: $ 5,236,000,000
Economic growth: 2.9%
Inflation rate: 2.3%
Electricity consumption: 124 million KWh
Oil consumption: 3,100 million m³
Cultivation area: 3.26%
Bovine: 3,406,000 pieces
Fishing: 15,400 t
Demographic data
Residents: 4,303,400
Residents in cities: 1,612,000
Average age: 18.4 years
0-14 years: 41.9%
15-64 years: 53.9%
> 65 years: 4.2%
Population growth: 1.53%
Birth rate: 33.91 / 1,000 residents
Death rate: 18.65 / 1,000 residents
Ratio men / women: 0.98
Fertility: 4.41 children / woman
Infant mortality: 85.63 ‰
Life expectancy men: 43.46 years
Life expectancy women: 43.62 years
Country codes and abbreviations
ISO 3166 Alpha 2: CF
ISO 3166 Alpha 3: CAF
ISO 3166 numeric: 140
Top Level Domain: cf.
IOC country code: CAF
UN / LOCODE: CF
Source: Abbreviationfinder
Communication
Telephone connections: 14,000
Cell Phones: 56,000
Radios: 300,000
TV: 30,000
Computer: 15,000
Internet users: 23,000
Transportation
Paved roads: 684 km
Cars: 11,000
Health
Number of doctors: 240
Daily food intake: 1,990 kcal / resident
HIV- infected people: 280,000
Education
Illiteracy: 48%
History
Foundation: 1960
Last sovereign since: 1960
Religion
Main religious group: Natural religions
Crime
Prison inmates: 4,600
Military
Armed forces (troop strength): 3,000
Defense Spending: $ 17,200,000
GETTING THERE
Arriving by plane
The airlines Air France (AF) (Internet: www.airfrance.com), Benin Golf Air and Sudan Airways (Internet: www.sudanair.com) fly to the Central African Republic.
Departure fee
2000 CFA Fr.
Arrival by car
The roads of Yaoundé (Cameroon) and N’Djaména (Chad) are passable in all weathers, and there are additional roads connecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo. When arriving via the Democratic Republic of the Congo, you have to cross the Ubangi by ferry (see above).
Due to the unstable political situation in the Central African Republic and some of the neighboring countries, it is advisable to obtain information about the current situation from the embassy before departure.
Arrival by ship
Ships of the ferry companies ACCF (Tel: 610 967) and SOCATRAF (Tel: 236 614 315) operate on the Ubangi and connect Bangui with the Congo and the Dem. Rep. Congo. Entry by boat from the Congo is pleasant and interesting. However, progress is slow and the timetable is not always kept. It is difficult to get information about fares; theoretically the trip takes place every two weeks. It is best to arrange everything in Brazzaville (Congo).
In addition, passenger / car ferries operate between Bangui and Zongo (Dem. Rep. Congo); another ferry crosses the Ubangi and connects Bangassou with Ndu. Fares are low, but you should expect breakdowns and delays.
Boats can also be rented, sometimes at high prices. The relevant border crossings of the Dem. Rep. Congo are closed on weekends, entry and exit by water are not possible.
In the case of political unrest that recurs, shipping is very irregular, if at all.
ON THE GO
warning
A certified copy of the passport must always be carried with you, otherwise there is a risk of arrest by the police. In the outskirts of Bangui, armed attacks by criminal gangs are to be expected.
Traveling by plane
Charter flights with Minair (Tel: 611 963 or 612 238) and BADICA (Tel: 613 726) between Bangui and Berbérati, among others.
On the way by car / bus
The few larger towns in the country are connected by good roads; many are impassable during the rainy season and delays must be expected. Few roads are paved and most of the routes require four-wheel drive. Vehicles are few and far between outside the city limits and spare parts are rare. Every driver should bring several cans of petrol with them, petrol stations outside of the urban areas receive very irregular deliveries.
Bus: Inexpensive public buses run between the cities, but the journey can be exhausting. For a fee you can also be taken by truck drivers who drive to all major cities.
Rental cars: vehicles with and without a driver can be obtained from the localHertz agency (location Solo Hertz) and local companies.
Documentation: international driver’s license.
Traveling in the city
Bangui has a small bus network with two fare zones, taxis are only available in urban areas. The fare has to be negotiated before departure, there are no taximeters.
On the way by ship
Ferries connect Bangui with several cities on Ubangi, Congo and the Sangha.