Lying along the banks of the Ubangi River, Bangui is the capital of the Central African Republic. Long wracked by political instability, the country - and the city itself - is slowly coming back into balance. Visit this colonial old town with its broad avenues and vibrant market square, pop in at the Boganda National Museum with its interesting collection of creative, religious, musical and martial relics, take a wander past the Presidential Palace and the memorial arch dedicated to past president Jean-Bédel Bokassa, or go shopping for beautifully crafted wooden carvings. An easy trip from Bangui, Dzanga Sangha National Park is one of CAR’s premier tourist attractions, blanketed with dense rainforest and home to an impressive array of wildlife, including elephants, gorillas and chimpanzees.
Situated in the southwestern Central African Republic, the Dzanga-Sangha Reserve is a protected sanctuary that forms part of the Sangha Trinational Protected Area, a UNESCO Heritage Site that connects the Lobeke Park in Cameroon, Dzanga-Ndoki National Park in the Central African Republic, and Nouabale Ndoki Park in the Congo. The area is internationally renowned for its "mosaic of ecosystems", including lowland rainforests, rivers, streams, grassy glades called bais and moisture-laden marshes. The rich landscape is home to top predators and rare and endangered species including bongo and sitatunga antelopes, forest buffalos, lowland gorillas, forest elephants, and other mammals, birds, trees, and plant species that cover the tropical terrain.
Covered by endless swathes of pristine and moisture-laden rainforest sluiced by gushing rivers and plunging waterfalls, The Republic of Congo (also known as Congo-Brazzaville) is a prime adventure destination for the intrepid traveller seeking an authentic African escape. The country's lush wilderness known as the Congo Basin is "the planet's second lung", inhabited by western lowland gorillas, chimpanzees, forest elephants, buffalo, hippos, extremely rare bongo antelope, and other mammal species. Swim in crystal-clear rivers, kayaking and boating along winding waterways, and tread along forest paths to the soothing sound of monkeys and tropical birds. For a taste of local culture, the capital of Brazzaville is dubbed the 'Little Paris of Africa' and has an intriguing French culture, lively fabric markets, colourful architecture, and the Pierre de Brazzaville monument, one of the city's beautiful cathedrals.
Vast, wild and surprising, Africa has always had a rugged mystique, enticing travellers to its tropical jungles, game-rich savannah, picture-perfect beaches and undulating deserts. Emerging from a continent once ravaged by unrest, Africa has embraced the future, bringing creativity and sophistication to the continent's cities and urban centres. At the same time, it offers some of the most striking scenic, natural and cultural attractions. From the beaches of Cape Town to the historical ruins of Great Zimbabwe and the plains of the Serengeti to the coral gardens of the Egyptian coast, Africa has it all. Going on safari may be somewhat of a travel cliché. Still, nothing can truly live up to the thrill one feels when observing the wildlife world in motion in the Masai Mara, watching wild battles between predator and prey in the Okavango Delta, or bonding with gorillas in Gabon. Whether choosing a grand tour from top to bottom or merely picking destinations of choice, the African continent welcomes you.
As previously described
Set on the banks of the mighty Congo River, overlooking the sprawling metropolis of Kinshasa across the river in the DRC, Brazzaville is a classic central African city and capital of the Republic of Congo. Brazzaville is by far the more appealing of these two neighbouring cities, with a thriving arts scene, great restaurants, vibrant nightlife, a fascinating colonial heritage, and some fabulously friendly locals. Visitors can look forward to relaxing on the city's scenic riverside embankment and exploring several colourful marketplaces, including a lovely candlelit night market. Must-see sights include the insightful national museum, the lush municipal gardens and the house constructed for Joseph Marie de Gaulle when the city served as the capital of Free France. Don't miss the striking Basilica of St Anne, one of the world's most beautiful modern churches.
