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Bull elephants stand off, Dzanga Bai, Dzanga Sangha, Central African Republic
Home Destinations Africa Central African Republic

Central African Republic Holidays

Those lucky enough to explore the Central African Republic will experience a country with staggering beauty, from forests to open savannahs and dramatic waterfalls.

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A landlocked country in Central Africa, the Central African Republic is little known and little explored. It rubs shoulders with neighbours including Chad, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo and is not a destination for the fainthearted.

The Central African Republic has a troubled history, having suffered under colonisation and then at the hands of its own leaders, however, the people here are open and friendly and keen to show adventurous travellers all that their country has to offer away from the capital and the headlines.

Ba'Aka trackers, Bai Hokou, Dzanga Sangha Reserve, Central African Republic
Central African Republic

Why we like Central African Republic

Those lucky enough to explore the Central African Republic will experience a country with staggering beauty, from forests to open savannahs and dramatic waterfalls. Stepping away from the forests, the ancient tribal megaliths of Bouar near Bangui are reputedly thousands of years old and now a UNESCO World Heritage site, whilst the Chinko Nature Reserve is a fledgeling park of both forest and savannah, home to the highly sought after bongo, as well as lions and wild dogs, and it is currently under the watchful eye of the pioneering African Parks Foundation.

Bongo antelope, Dzanga Bai, Dzanga Sangha Reserve, Central African Republic
Dzanga Sangha, Central African Republic

Explore Dzanga Sangha

Some of the closest and most exciting wildlife encounters, however, are to be found in the prehistoric Dzanga Sangha Park. Arguably the best park in Africa to see forest elephants and lowland gorillas, Dzanga Sangha is home to some great birdlife (including the native Dzanga robin), hundreds of rare and butterflies and the Ba’Aka pygmies, who hunt and sing through the shadows.

Explore Dzanga Sangha

Agile mangabey, Dzanga Sangha, Central African Republic
Dzanga Sangha, Central African Republic

Highlights of a Central African Safari

  • Track forest elephants and lowland gorillas in untouched forests
  • Join Ba’Ka communities on thrilling net hunting trips – not for the squeamish
  • Follow wild dogs, lions and bongos in the remote Chinko Nature Reserve
  • Walk through tribal stone megaliths at Bouar

Explore Central African Republic

  • Dzanga Sangha

Experiences

What do you really love doing? We curate your itinerary especially for you.

White-bellied pangolin, Central African Republic
 

Meet Pangolin Researchers

Meet the people doing vital work to help conserve this heavily trafficked animal. There are three species of pangolins that survive in Dzanga-Sangha – long-tailed pangolins, tree pangolins and giant pangolins.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Lowland Gorilla, Bai Hokou with trackers, Dzanga Sangha Reserve, Central African Republi
 

Track Forest Wildlife

Go in search of western lowland gorillas and forest elephants in untouched forests.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Ba'Aka people, Dzanga Sangha, Central African Republic
 

Visit Ba’Ka Communities

Join a thrilling net hunting trip with the Ba’Ka community – not for the squeamish.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Bongo antelope, Dzanga Bai, Dzanga Sangha Reserve, Central African Republic
 

Visit Dzanga Bai

Spend the day at the raised observation platform that looks out over Dzanga Bai. Watch forest elephants dig for salt-rich soil.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Discover more experiences
Idea
Central African Republic
Central African Republic – Dzanga Sangha Adventure
Follow in the footsteps of Africa’s most illustrious explorers to the wilds of the Congo Basin, where lowland gorillas and forest elephants outnumber tourists, the dark forests are ablaze with giant butterflies and Ba’Aka tribes hunt and sing in the shadows.
8 days from £6,325pp
Bull elephants stand off, Dzanga Bai, Dzanga Sangha, Central African Republic
View Holiday Idea
Idea
Central African Republic
Dzanga-Sangha Extension from Odzala
Combine Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve with Odzala National Park, thanks to new flight and boat connections. Staying at Sangha Lodge, visit the incomparable Dzanga Bai, venture into the forest with the Ba’Aka and meet pangolin researchers. This trip is not designed as a…
5 days from £5,290pp
Bongo antelope, Dzanga Bai, Dzanga Sangha Reserve, Central African Republic
View Holiday Idea
Idea
Republic of Congo
Lowland Gorilla Trekking in the Congo Basin
Explore the wildlife riches hidden deep within the dense forests of the Odzala National Park. Track lowland gorillas and encounter forest elephants in a jungle wilderness that hides in the far north of Congo.
10 days from £13,495pp
Young male gorilla in tree, Ngaga Camp, Odzala, Rep of Cong
View Holiday Idea

Need Inspiration? Browse our Central African Republic holiday ideas.

Our Central African Republic experts have created and curated these holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something to spark ideas for a unique adventure.

Idea
Central African Republic
Central African Republic – Dzanga Sangha Adventure
Follow in the footsteps of Africa’s most illustrious explorers to the wilds of the Congo Basin, where lowland gorillas and forest elephants outnumber tourists, the dark forests are ablaze with giant butterflies and Ba’Aka tribes hunt and sing in the…
8 days from £6,325pp
Bull elephants stand off, Dzanga Bai, Dzanga Sangha, Central African Republic
View Holiday Idea
Idea
Central African Republic
Dzanga-Sangha Extension from Odzala
Combine Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve with Odzala National Park, thanks to new flight and boat connections. Staying at Sangha Lodge, visit the incomparable Dzanga Bai, venture into the forest with the Ba’Aka and meet pangolin researchers. This trip is not designed…
5 days from £5,290pp
Bongo antelope, Dzanga Bai, Dzanga Sangha Reserve, Central African Republic
View Holiday Idea
Idea
Republic of Congo
Lowland Gorilla Trekking in the Congo Basin
Explore the wildlife riches hidden deep within the dense forests of the Odzala National Park. Track lowland gorillas and encounter forest elephants in a jungle wilderness that hides in the far north of Congo.
10 days from £13,495pp
Young male gorilla in tree, Ngaga Camp, Odzala, Rep of Cong
View Holiday Idea
View all holiday ideas

Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Chris Johnston
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Chris Johnston

Chris is the Conde Nast Traveller chosen Specialist for Africa.

25 years ago, my first trip to Africa took on a life of its own. I planned for three months, I stayed for two years. Whilst there, I was mistaken for a priest, attacked by sharks and arrested. Yet the countless, clattering journeys opened my eyes to the beauty of the landscapes and the grace of the people. My recent trips are undoubtedly more comfortable, but the welcome is as warm as ever and the best experiences are still those I never see coming.

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