The Boali Falls

The Boali Falls, on the Mbali river not far northwest of the capital Bangui, are among the most beautiful and accessible natural attractions in the Central African Republic. Here the river spills over a broad rock ledge, plunging some fifty metres in a wide curtain of water into a lush, misty gorge fringed by tropical greenery. Especially powerful in the wet season, when the swollen river thunders over the full width of the falls, they make an impressive and refreshing spectacle, viewed from platforms and paths around the gorge. Close enough to Bangui for a day trip, Boali offers a lovely glimpse of the country's green, well-watered landscapes.

What you actually see

• The wide cascade - the broad curtain of water over the ledge.
• The misty gorge - the lush green gorge below the falls.
• The viewpoints - the platforms and paths around the falls.
• The wet-season power - the thunderous flow after the rains.

When to go

July to November, during and just after the rainy season, is when the falls are at their most powerful and spectacular, thundering over the full width of the ledge; the drier months show a gentler flow but easier access. The green gorge is lush and beautiful throughout the wetter half of the year.

Honest expectations

Boali is a single, if impressive, waterfall best combined with the journey from Bangui, and its power varies greatly with the season, so timing matters for the full spectacle. As one of the Central African Republic's most beautiful and accessible natural sights, a wide curtain of water in a lush green gorge, though, the Boali Falls are a genuinely refreshing and rewarding destination.

Nearby

The capital Bangui and the surrounding green countryside lie nearby.