Why visit
The Central African Republic holds Dzanga-Sangha, where forest elephants and western lowland gorillas gather at jungle clearings. Ongoing instability means the few visitors who come fly directly into the reserve with specialist operators.
Country - Africa
Central African Republic
culturenatureadventure
How to use this result
Use it as a country shortlist
Central African Republic works best as a first-pass travel idea. Start with the region, season, and themes on this page, then compare flights, entry rules, safety guidance, and local transport before treating it as a real option.
Compare the capital and side trips
Use Bangui as the administrative starting point, then check whether the strongest trip idea is actually the capital, a coastal area, a nature route, or another city in Central African Republic.
At a glance
Location
7.0°, 21.0°
Coast
Landlocked
Country area
622,984 km²
240,535 mi²
Subregion
Middle Africa
Currency
Central African CFA franc (Fr)
XAF
Dial
+236
Languages
French, Sango
Demonym
Central African
Internet
.cf
UN
Member state
ISO code
CF / CAF
Where in the world
7.0° - 21.0°
Central African Republic
Open in Google Maps
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- The Central African Republic has no coastline and sits at the heart of the continent.
- The country has one of the lowest population densities in Africa and contains some of the world's most intact rainforest.
- Dzanga-Sangha Reserve is famous for its bai (forest clearing) where hundreds of forest elephants gather.
Bordering Central African Republic
Traveler notes
- Dzanga Bai hosts dozens of forest elephants at once
- Habituated gorilla tracking runs at Bai Hokou
- Conventional tourism is currently very limited; this is expedition territory
Plan checks
- Start research with the capital Bangui, then compare two or three other regions.
- Check passport validity, visa rules, health requirements, and travel insurance for current conditions.
- Bring layered clothing and verify trail/park access before arrival.
Explore more
Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.
Frequently asked about Central African Republic
What is the capital of Central African Republic?
Bangui is the capital of Central African Republic.
What currency does Central African Republic use?
Central African Republic uses the Central African CFA franc (Fr), ISO code XAF.
What languages are spoken in Central African Republic?
The primary languages are French and Sango.
Is Central African Republic landlocked?
Yes, Central African Republic is landlocked: it has no sea coastline.
What countries border Central African Republic?
Central African Republic borders Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Sudan.
What is the international calling code for Central African Republic?
The calling code is +236.
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