Tourism in the Central African Republic

The Central African Republic has seen a decrease in tourism due to its recent history of conflict, unrest, instability as well as the insecurity in certain areas of the country, particularly the north and northwest.

It is obvious that Tourism needs peace and stability. Tourism in The Central African Republic (CAR) has been affected due to the civil war and conflicts in countries around it since the early 2000s.

The CAR is a landlocked country in Central Africa with a population of 6,100,000 within an area of 623,000 km2.

CAR is surrounded by Chad to the north, Sudan to the north, South Sudan to the east, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo to the south, and Cameroon to the west.

The US Department of State has a travel advisory in place discouraging travel to CAR for US citizens due to the risk of civil unrest and violent crime. In April 2007, a hunting party near Ndele town was attacked and a French hunter was killed and three others were injured.

In 2019, the country recorded a total of 87,000 tourists ranking 174th in the world.

The CAR has also been affected by regional conflicts, such as the South Sudanese Civil War and fighting in neighbouring countries.

In recent years, the government has taken steps to improve the security situation in the country and has made some progress in developing its tourism industry. However, due to the ongoing civil war and regional conflicts, tourism in the CAR remains limited.

The Central Africa Republic's lack of air access makes it an expensive destination. The only international airport is Bangui M'poko International Airport. Locations in the country attractive to travelers include the Chutes De Boali, waterfalls of a height of 50m (164ft).

Dzanga-Sangha National Park in the southwest of the country has gorillas and elephants. The Baka people live in this area. Bayanga beside the Sangha River is the main village near to the national park. The village has some small guesthouses and a lodge. The best time to visit most of the country is from November to April.

Tourism in the Central African Republic is characterized by its diverse wildlife, stunning natural landscapes, and vibrant cultural heritage. Visitors can explore national parks like Dzanga-Ndoki and Manovo-Gounda St. Floris, which are home to rare species such as forest elephants and gorillas. Cultural attractions include traditional villages, craft markets, and festivals celebrating the country's rich heritage. However, political instability and security concerns have hindered the growth of tourism in recent years, with travel advisories often issued by foreign governments.