Overview
The Central African Republic (CAR) is a landlocked country in the very centre of Africa, bordered by Cameroon, Chad, Sudan, South Sudan and the two Congos. It is one of the least-visited nations on the continent, drawing adventurous travellers to its rainforests, rivers and wildlife reserves. Almost everyone arrives into the capital, Bangui, which sits on the Ubangi River. Check the latest FCDO travel advice before you book, as it currently advises against travel to much of the country.
Best time to fly to Central African Republic
CAR has a tropical climate with a long wet season. The most comfortable window is the dry season, roughly December to February, when roads are passable and southern wildlife viewing is at its best. The rains build from March and peak around July to September. Use the When to book chart above to compare fares month by month.
Main gateway cities & airports
Bangui M'Poko International Airport (BGF), about 7km from the city centre, is the country's only international gateway and handles every scheduled long-haul connection. There is no practical overland or rail route from the UK, so UK travellers fly in.
Airlines and routes
There are no direct flights from the UK to Central African Republic, so every trip needs at least one connection. The simplest routing from London is with Air France via Paris Charles de Gaulle, with the Paris–Bangui leg taking around six hours. Other one-stop options include Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa, Kenya Airways via Nairobi, RwandAir via Kigali and Royal Air Maroc via Casablanca. From Manchester you would first reach a European or African hub. Allowing for the connection, expect 12–20 hours in total.
Popular places to visit in Central African Republic
- Bangui: the riverside capital, with the Boganda Museum, busy markets and views across the Ubangi.
- Dzanga-Sangha: a rainforest reserve famed for the Dzanga Bai clearing, where forest elephants gather in the open.
- Boali Falls: a wide waterfall around two hours from Bangui, most powerful late in the rains.
- Chinko Nature Reserve: a vast, remote wilderness in the east protecting savannah and forest wildlife.
- Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park: a UNESCO-listed savannah park in the far north, wild and hard to reach.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Central African Republic
- Compare connecting hubs — Paris, Addis Ababa, Nairobi and Casablanca can price very differently for the same dates.
- Be flexible with timing; fares to Bangui usually ease outside the December–February peak.
- Book early, as the few weekly seats to CAR fill their cheaper fare classes well ahead.
- Use the price charts on this page to find the cheapest weeks and plan around them.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders need a visa, arranged in advance through a CAR diplomatic mission; there is no embassy in London, so allow time. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required. The currency is the Central African CFA franc (XAF), pegged to the euro; bring euros to exchange, as cards are rarely accepted. Book as early as you can, and review FCDO advice and your travel insurance before committing.
