Galleries / Central African Republic

Immense Potential. Rewarding Safari Destination. Western Lowland Gorillas.

A haven for forest elephants and western lowland gorillas, Central African Republic (CAR)  is rich in rivers, savanna, forests and minerals, yet is one of the ten poorest countries in the world. Subsistence farming feeds the majority of the country’s population, and poaching is an ongoing problem. Two thirds of the country lies within the Ubangi RiverBasin, which flows into the Congo, while the remaining third lies in the basin of the Chari, which flows into Lake Chad.

In the southwest, Dzanga-Sangha National Park is located in a rainforest area, known for its western lowland gorillas and forest elephants. In the north, Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Park is well-populated with wildlife including lion, leopard, cheetah and rhino. Bamingui-Bangoran National Park in the northeast boasts an even higher density of animals than Manovo-Gounda. Here it is possible to see the endangered Chadian wild dog, as well as Sudan cheetah, West African lion and African manatee – all classified as vulnerable.

A country with immense potential on the cusp of a Chad-like wildlife renaissance, CAR is a taxing but rewarding safari destination for those wanting to make a difference.