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.
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.
Set on the Gulf of Guinea, Cameroon is an essential central African country of diverse landscapes and wildlife - a microcosm of all that wonderful Africa has to offer in one diverse nation. From the lush tropical rainforests and the remote, idyllic beaches in the south to the vast expanses of desert, lakes and savannah in the north, and the impressive, otherworldly volcanic mountain region in the west, the variety of Cameroon’s landscapes is astounding. Add to this, several excellent game reserves, providing endless opportunities to witness some impressive wildlife, including elephants and lions, and you have one of the most underrated and eclectic nations on the African continent.
Situated in southwest Cameroon, Doula is a coastal city set opposite Malabo Island. The frenetic city offers an authentic representation of this vibrant country, with its historic Independence architecture, bustling port and popular churches. However, an abundance of nature awaits visitors at the Douala-Edea Wildlife Reserve, made up of tropical forest and mangrove, where explorers can see endangered monkeys and Green Turtles, African Forest Elephants, dolphins, crocodiles, West African Manatees, and many more animals. The park is also inhabited by more than 70 types of waterbirds and a variety of migrant species. History enthusiasts will enjoy delving into the area’s past at the Maritime Museum and the German-colonial La Pagode (Palace of the Kings Bell), while art lovers will delight in the works from Cameroon and around Africa on exhibit at the Doual’Art Gallery.
Resting at the mouth of the Kienke River in the South Province’s Ocean Department, the gorgeous resort town of Kribi offers wonderful respite and some unusual attractions. With its soft beaches, crystalline waters, and fantastic tourist facilities, the town is an obvious choice for visitors wishing to enjoy seaside tranquillity. Vast golden shores backed by lush tropical jungle beckon to nature lovers and provide some stunning and relatively private photographic opportunities. The area is famous for its wonderful fresh sole and shrimps, and several top-notch restaurants are on offer, as well as tailor-made beach barbeques. Make sure to see the breathtaking Chutes de la Lobé, a magnificent display of waterfalls plunging straight into the sea.
