remote Pygmy communities and thriving wildlife

FEBRUARY 02 ⇾ FEBRUARY 10

In addition to our regular group departures to the Central African Republic, we also offer tour services for private travel parties and lone wolves alike. If you wish to visit Dzanga-Sangha without having to go via Bangui, we can also arrange for bespoke tours to the park via Cameroon. Get in touch for more info on our customised journeys to Central Africa!

Itinerary

DAY 1 – Bangui

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.
Major attractions of your sojourn in Bangui will include: the Marché Central, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Grand Mosque of Bangui, the modernist structures of the Hotel de Ville and the National University, the Boganda National Museum, and the lively Kilomètre Zéro (Central Square).
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.

DAY 2 – Boali Falls

In the morning we'll drive north and spend the day around and about the little town of Boali, visiting the nearby waterfalls and enjoying the stunning nature and friendly atmosphere of the region.
After a panoramic lunch at the Boali Falls, we’ll head back for Bangui and pay a visit to an Italian-run humanitarian project aimed at improving health, education, and labour standards for the vulnerable segments within the Central African society.
Overnight in Bangui.

Bespoke Experiences • Visit to an NGO project in Bangui and full cultural immersion with the Ba’aka pygmies in Bayanga.

DAY 3 – AKA PYGMIES

Today we'll travel south towards the tranquil town of Mbaïki with a couple of interesting stops along the way to visit enthralling bushmeat markets (something not for the faint-hearted) and charming pygmy hamlets.
En route to Mbaïki we’ll also pass by the notorious palace of Berengo, a pompously decaying building that once belonged to the self-styled Emperor of Central Africa by the Will of the Central African People, Jean-Bedel Bokassa, whose extravagance and abominations have been thoroughly recounted in Werner Herzog’s Echoes from a Somber Empire.
Overnight in Bangui.

DAY 4 – Bayanga

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.

DAY 5 to DAY 8 – 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).
- visits to traditional pygmy villages (Ba'aka people) and a night out with the locals at the bar in Bayanga;
- net-fishing, hunting and cooking sessions with the Ba'aka people.
Meals and overnights in Dzanga-Sangha National Park.

DAY 9 – FAREWELL TO CENTRAL AFRICA OR CAMEROON EXTENSION

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.
For those wishing to spend more time in the region, we’ll organise a four-day overland extension from Bayanga to Yaoundé in neighbouring Cameroon.
End of the tour.

CAMEROON EXTENSION

DAY 1 – Yokadouma

Early breakfast in Bayanga, departure by pirogue and navigation along the Sangha river towards the CAR-Cameroon border at Libongo.
After completing border formalities (no need to bribe here), we'll continue on to Yokadouma, a German-built timber town that looks straight out of a Wild West movie.
Overnight in Yokadouma.

Day 2 – Bertoua

We'll travel along endless dirt tracks used by timber trucks coming from the forest areas surrounding the Sangha Tri-National Park (Cameroon, CAR, and Congo) and head for the relatively large town of Bertoua.
Overnight in Bertoua.

Day 3 – Yaoundé

Today we'll eventually leave the jungle and drive a tarred road to Yaoundé, the political capital of Cameroon.
After lunch we'll head to the top of Mount Febe, home to a Benedictine Monastery, and admire stunning panoramic views over the city.
For those who know how to party: we will celebrate our last African night going out on the town for some drinks and good local vibes.
Overnight in Yaoundé.

DAY 4 – GOOD BYE CAMEROON

Transfer to either Yaoundé or Douala International Airport for your return flight.
End of the extension.

4490 €

INCLUSIONS
Double/twin-room accommodation (breakfast included), private transport in the Central African Republic (jeep/minivan/boat), return flight Bangui-Bayanga-Bangui, all entrance and park fees, all meals and most activities in the Dzanga-Sangha National Park, English-speaking guiding service, 24/7 on-site and remote assistance.

EXCLUSIONS
Single supplement, international flights, main meals (lunches and dinners) outside the Dzanga-Sangha National Park, extra drinks, visa fees (if required), gorilla tracking, tips, travel insurance.