Bangui

Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, spreads along the broad Ubangi river, a tributary of the Congo, beneath a backdrop of green hills near the very heart of the continent. A relaxed, low-rise city, its life centres on the river, which forms a natural border and a busy highway of pirogues and traders, and on its lively central market brimming with produce, textiles and crafts. Wide avenues, a triumphal arch, the hilltop views and the easygoing riverside atmosphere give the city a distinctive character. As the country's main gateway, Bangui is also the starting point for journeys into the vast rainforests and wildlife wildernesses of the south, a green and characterful capital in the middle of Africa.

History

At least 26 Iron Age sites have been found in and around Bangui, among them Pendere-Sengue, 800 metres from Independence Avenue, where thousands of potsherds and iron tools have come to light, perhaps dating close to the ninth century BC; the sites were placed on UNESCO's tentative list on 11 April 2006. Michel Dolisie and Alfred Uzac founded the modern town on 26 June 1889 as a French outpost by the Ubangi rapids, which marked the end of navigable water from Brazzaville, and in 1906 it became the headquarters of the French administration (Wikipedia, Bangui).

What's there

• The Ubangi river - the broad river with its pirogues and trade.
• The central market - the lively produce and craft market.
• The hilltop views - the green hills overlooking the city.
• The riverside - the relaxed everyday life along the water.

When to go

December to February, in the drier season, is the most comfortable time to visit, avoiding the heaviest rains; the mild dry months suit exploring the markets and riverside and using Bangui as a base for onward travel into the forests. The Ubangi is especially pleasant at this time.

Before you go

Bangui is a modest, low-rise river capital rather than a city of grand monuments, so its appeal lies in the Ubangi, markets, everyday culture and its role as a gateway more than famous sights. As a relaxed, green capital on a great river at the heart of Africa, gateway to extraordinary rainforests, though, Bangui is a genuine and characterful place to experience.

Nearby

The Ubangi river, the Boali Falls and the southern rainforests lie beyond.

Key facts