Central African Republic

Understand

History Until the early 1800s, the peoples of Central Africa lived beyond the expanding Islamic frontier in the Sudanic zone of Africa and thus had relatively little contact with outsiders. During the first decades of the 19th century, however, Muslim traders increasingly began to penetrate this region and to cultivate special relations with local leaders to facilitate their trade and settlement in the region. The initial arrival of Muslim traders in the early 1800s was relatively peaceful and depended upon the support of local peoples, but after about 1850, slave traders with well-armed soldiers began to penetrate the region. European penetration of Central African territory began in the late 19th century during the so-called Scramble for Africa. The French, Belgians and Great British competed to establish their claims to territory in the Central African region. In 1889 the French established a post on the Ubangi River at Bangui, the future capital of and the CAR and in 1894, the "French Congo's" borders with (Belgian) Congo Free State, now the Democratic Republic of the Congo and (German) Cameroon were fixed by diplomatic agreements. The French named their colony Ubang Shari. On 1 December 1958 the colony of Ubangi-Shari became an autonomous territory and took the name Central African Republic. The founding father, Barthélémy Boganda, died in a mysterious plane accident in 1959, just eight days before the last elections of the colonial era. On 13 August 1960 the Central African Republic gained its independence and two of Boganda's closest aides became involved in a power struggle. David Dacko won and by 1962 had established a one-party state. Since then a series of coups, including a tyranny under a self-declared emperor, Jean-Bedel Bokassa, and periodic violence from rebel groups, have dealt a very bad lot to the citizens of the Central African Republic. Today, it remains one of the most lawless, dangerous and unstable nations on earth, and is the world's poo

Getting there

Entry requirements

Central African visas are very expensive to obtain and it can be difficult to apply for one since there are very few Central African embassies around the world. Citizens of the following countries can visit the country without a visa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Israel, Liberia, Niger, Rwanda, and Senegal. The Central African Embassy in the United States charges US$150 for a short stay (0-1 month) visa and the Central African Embassy in France charges €80 for a short stay visa. The longer you intend to stay, the more expensive the visa will be. Long-term visas (6 months to a year) are rarely issued unless you have a good reason. You can obtain a visa on arrival if your country doesn't have a CAR embassy, but you must get permission from the authorities to take advantage of that opportunity. Entering the country without a visa will result in a heavy fine.

Visa application requirements Although visa requirements vary from embassy to embassy, you're typically asked to submit the following:

A copy of your passport. Two passport-sized photographs with a white background. Two visa application forms. A copy of your travel itinerary. A letter from your employer stating that you will return after your visit. (Note: Only required if you're applying for a CAR visa in the US) A copy of an invitation letter (a hotel reservation will suffice). Proof you've been vaccinated against yellow fever.

By plane The country's only international airport (and only airport with scheduled flights) is Bangui M'Poko International Airport (BGF IATA). There is no Central African airline to provide regional connections or transfers to domestic flights. Air France provides the only service to Europe, flying to Paris. Ethiopian Airlines flies to Addis Ababa. Kenya Airways serves Bangui on its three-city route Nairobi-Bangui-Douala. Royal Air Maroc flies

Getting around

Getting around in the capital is easy with taxis, which make large parts of the city accessible. The fare must be negotiated before departure, there are no taximeters. To get to the provinces, you have to stick to buses that offer appropriate tours. You will need to plan a lot of time and some difficulties, especially during the rainy season. It is advisable to have an off-road vehicle and an experienced tour guide. You have to organize rides in minibuses yourself and negotiate prices.

By bus There are a few companies that offer intercity bus service in the country, primarily between the capital city of Bangui and other major cities. Due to the challenging security situation in some parts of the Central African Republic, travel by bus can be risky, especially for foreigners. Banditry, theft, and other criminal activity can occur along the roads, and roadblocks set up by armed groups can disrupt transportation.

By regular taxi Taxis can be hailed on the street or found at taxi stands in busy areas. Most taxis in CAR do not use a meter. It is crucial to negotiate the fare before starting your journey.

By standard taxi You can flag down a taxi on the street, especially in busy areas. Look for designated taxi stands in commercial districts or near major hotels, or if you're unsure, ask locals or your hotel staff to recommend a reliable taxi service. Always discuss and agree on the fare before starting your journey to avoid misunderstandings. Taxi meters are not commonly used.

By shared taxi Shared taxis use large cars called "taxis-brousse". These vehicles typically carry multiple passengers along designated routes. Shared taxis operate on fixed routes, commonly between major locations within cities and to nearby towns, and stop at designated points to pick up and drop off passengers. It's common for drivers to make multiple stops along the way. The capacity of shared taxis can range from about 8 to 20 passengers, depending on the type of vehicle used. It ca

See

The Musée Ethnograhique Barthélémy Boganda in Bangui is the country's national museum and has a decent collection of local instruments, weapons, tools, and displays about local traditions, religion, and architecture. Prehistoric rock paintings can be found in several locations, but some of the best can be found in Bambari. The Chutes de Boali, 2 hours from the capital, are a rather picturesque series of waterfalls, which are even more impressive in the rainy season. Taxi drivers will charge XAF 70,000 for the half-day trip. There is an entrance fee of XAF 5000. Megaliths near the town of Bouar are positioned in concentric circles and are remnants of the CAR's ancient peoples. As with most of Africa, local markets can be a feast for the eyes, offering a wide arrangement of crafts. Just be vigilant, as markets in the CAR are rife with petty and violent theft. The country is made up of vast swathes of tropical rainforest that make it popular for exploring.

Do

Visits and stays with the Pygmy c