Central African Republic

Meet-and-greet at Bangui International Airport and transfer to our hotel of choice in central Bangui. Introductory briefing about the region, the route, and the set of rules to observe while travelling in the Central African Republic. Time permitting, we will spend the rest of the day touring Bangui, a chaotic African capital city of few standard tourist sights but many colours, vibes, sounds, and scents. In the late afternoon we'll then enjoy a relaxing boat ride along the Oubangui River and hit the rooftop bar of the namesake hotel for a refreshing drink with sunset vista. Overnight in Bangui.

Today we'll visit the Imperial Palace in Berengo, a pompously decaying building that once belonged to one of the most feared Africa's madmen: Jean-Bedel Bokassa. We'll explore the palace and its surrounding feeling like the main characters. (Emperor Bokassa, whose extravagance, lavishness and abominations have been thoroughly recounted in Werner Herzog’s Echoes from a Somber Empire, a must-watch cinematographic masterpiece for every visitor to the Central African Republic). In the afternoon we’ll then tour the traditional pygmy communities around Mbaïki, before eventually coming back to Bangui for the night. Overnight in Bangui. Overnight in Bangui.

In the morning we’ll transfer to Bangui International Airport and board our charter flight to Bayanga, a remote jungle outpost and the gateway to access the many wonders of the Dzanga-Sangha National Park. In less than two hours we'll land on the narrow airstrip of Bayanga Regional Airport, where we will be met by the park rangers and transferred to our comfortable lodge in the jungle. Meals and overnight in the Dzanga-Sangha National Park.

For four full days you’ll admire the incredible wildlife and get to know the fascinating communities inhabiting the Dzanga-Sangha National Park, one of the most beautiful and yet least visited parks in the entire African continent. The long list of highlights of our sojourn in the Dzanga-Sangha National Park will include (but won’t be limited to):
• Forest elephants, river buffaloes, giant hogs, and bongo antelopes peacefully grazing in the Dzanga Baï;
• Bird watching, mangabey monkey spotting and gorilla tracking (western lowland gorillas).
• Microfauna observation (butterflies, reptiles, insects, and other creepy crawlers);
• Visits to traditional pygmy villages (Ba'aka people);
• Net-fishing and hunting sessions with the Ba'aka people.
• Meals and overnights in Dzanga-Sangha National Park.

After enjoying a last jungle meal together, we'll transfer to Bayanga Airport for our charter to Bangui, from where you’ll be able to connect to your next international flight. End of the tour.