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Travel information and tips on Central African Republic including passport information, accommodations, transportation to and in Central African Republic, attractions and things to see and do, restaurant suggestions, tours, and much more. "Getting Away With Jim Bruner" - your first stop for travel information on Central African Republic!
NOTE:
This page is still being developed and new countries will be added as soon as
they are completed. Please contact us if you have information you believe should
be added to the Africa section of Getting Away.
mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
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Click on any one of the following below for specific information on getting around the Central African Republic; attractions, museums, tours, and other places
to go and things to see and do; some ideas for accommodations and dining; and some of my favorite
things in Central African Republic.
General Information about the Central African
Republic
Books, Maps and Other Resources |
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Here is a quick overview on
Central African Republic.
Wild animals and an abundance of fish make hunting and fishing very popular here. It is also a great place to visit if you love
waterfalls. Of special interest would be the falls of Kembe and Boali, the megaliths of Bouar, and the Pygmies at
Mongoumba.
As the name dictates, the
Central African Republic lies in Central Africa entirely within the tropical
zone. Completely landlocked, it is bordered to the North by Chad, on the east by
Sudan, on the south by Zaire and the Congo, and on the west by Cameroon. The
southern border follows the bed of the Ubangi River; the eastern border
coincides with the divide between the watersheds of the Nile and the Zaire
rivers.
The land consists of an undulating plateau varying in altitude from 2,000 to
2,500 ft. Two important escarpments are evident: In the northwest the Yade
Massif, rising to 3,750 ft, is a high granite plateau related to the Adamawa
Plateau of Cameroon; and in the northeast the Fertit Hills rise to 4,200 ft and
extend into the Sudan. Soils are complex: sands and clays predominate, sometimes
covered with a lateritic layer, over granite and quartz rocks. The land is well
drained by two river systems: the Ugangi and its tributaries in the southern and
the tributaries of the Shari and Longone rivers in the north. The two largest
rivers are the Ubangi (1,300 km) and the Sangha (1,400km), both tributaries of
the Zaire River.
Passports and Visas
Currency Information
Climate
Electricity
Language
Travel Insurance
Travel Warning
Passports and Visas
Visas are required by all except national of France, Germany, Israel and
Switzerland. CAR visas are issued in neighbouring countries generally within 24
hours but are expensive. Where there is no CAR embassy the French embassy will
often issue visas.
Visa extensions can be obtained from the immigration office in Bangui, and you
require 3 photos and the fee which has to be presented in tax stamps (timbres
fiscaux) obtained from LA Domaine.
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Passport Visa Express specializes in obtaining Passports for United States Citizens who wish to travel internationally within the next 30 days. We work directly with the U.S. Passport Agency assisting you in expediting your passport application in as fast as the same day! Our passport consultants have many years of direct experience working with the Passport Agency. |
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Currency Information
The official currency is the Central African Franc. 1 CFA (Central African Franc)=100 centimes.
Currency
Exchange - Get your currency needs managed in advance! Many airports,
railroad stations, bus depots, and other points of entry have no currency
exchange. When currency exchange is available in airports, lines can be long and
rates can be "sky high". These long waits and usurious fees can be a
nightmare. Order in advance from
All
Foreign Currency right online. It's fast, easy, and you save time and
money! The can also provide you with Travelers' checks, bank drafts, and
transfers. U.S. dollars are not accepted everywhere and rates can be atrocious! Current Exchange Rate:
Check Today's Exchange Rate
Banks: Monday to Friday 0730-1130
Shopping: Monday to Saturday: 0800-1200 and
1600-1900
Climate
The climate is tropical, with abundant rainfall of about 70 inches annually in
the south, decreasing to about 31.5 inches in the extreme north. There is one
rainy season from April to November and one long, hot, dry season. Floods are
common and temperatures range from 21°C to 32°C (70°F to 90°F)
Travel Warnings are issued to
describe long-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or
unstable. A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S. Government's ability to
assist American citizens is constrained due to the closure of an embassy or
consulate or because of a drawdown of its staff. The countries listed below
meet those criteria. Additionally, the State Department issues
Country Specific Information for every
country of the world with information on such matters as the health conditions,
crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, any areas of instability, and the
location of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in the subject country. Check with the U.S. State Department for
Travel Warnings, Consular Information Sheets & Public
Announcements.
Electricity
Be sure to take your adaptor and converter kit. Find the converter you will need in the
Getting Away
Travel Store. Additionally, you will find just about anything and
everything you will need when you travel. Across the state, country, or
to a destination on the other side of the world, you'll find what you
need in the Getting
Away Travel Store!
I have found that it helps to know at least a little bit of the language as I travel in other countries. You do not have to be able to be a fluent speaker, but knowing a few key words and phrases will really help. I have found that, although almost everywhere I go I can find someone who speaks English, knowing just a few words of the local language can really be a help. And, it lets others know I am at least interested in their language. Visit the Getting Away Language Learning Center where you can find out how to learn another language, or where to purchase books, dictionaries, electronic translators, software and more
Click here for language helps, dictionaries, electronic translators, language software and other helps for learning a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Jim.
Travel
Insurance
If you need medical
care while you are away, it is best to be aware that medical providers may not
accept payment through your insurance company and that you will therefore to pay
in full for your treatment and file a claim with your insurance company for
reimbursement. Therefore you should have access to cash, either from a credit
card or by wire transfer. If you need assistance contact the country's local
embassy or representative. For compensation, you must be treated by licensed
medical personnel and provide your insurance company with proper documentation
and receipts. It is advisable to always ensure you have a comprehensive travel
insurance policy which covers you for repatriation to your home country. Visit
the Getting Away
Health
and Safety Tips for Travelers
page for additional information about insurance.
Travel Warning
Check with the U.S. State Department for
Travel Warnings, Consular Information Sheets & Public
Announcements.
Books, Maps and Other Resources
My favorite guidebooks when I am traveling is
Fodor's. I find them to be quite complete, easy to use, and almost always on the
money with helps and tips for traveling in the country I am visiting. Click on
Fodor's Travel Guides
to find the perfect guidebook for your travels.
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I always research the destinations to which I intend to travel with books and maps. I normally use Fodor's as I find their guidebooks very informative and easy to read and understand. Click on the Amazon logo to search for travel books and maps. If you don't find what you are looking for, click on the Getting Away Travel Bookshelf to find some of my favorites! Still can't find what you need? Contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com |
Getting To and Around the Central African Republic
| River: | You can catch a river ferry from Bangui to several of the town located further up the Ubangi. This is also an interesting way to travel into the country from Brazzaville in the Congo. |
| Bus: | Cheap, but overcrowded, local bus services are available connecting the main towns. A popular way to get around is by hitching a ride with the many trucks running between towns but you are expected to pay for this service |
Self
Drive / Car Hire:
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The
Africa Guide's recommended Map Central Africa - Folded Map (Maps Worldwide) GeoCenter International UK Ltd.- Scale 1:4 000 000 The maps show motorways, principal highways, secondary roads, with road numbering where practicable, and distances between selected points. There is tourist information and indications of places of interest, with a legend in eight languages - German, English, French, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Danish, Swedish. Street plans of major cities are also included. |
| Driving is on the right
hand side and an International Driving Licence is required. Road
conditions are generally poor throughout the country particularly in the
raining season. The only sealed roads connect Bangui to M'Baïki,
Bossembélé and Sibut. Limited car hire is available from local companies as is chauffeur driven cars. AvisCar Rental in Central African Republic |
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At
Travelocity, not only can you find
the lowest fare or best schedule on over 400 airlines, but you can also
find
Great
Car Rental Deals, Low hotel rates when you click on |
For Flights, Hotels, Cars, Cruises, Vacations, Tours and Travel Deals, Click on Global Travel International. If the link does not work properly, type www.gettingaway.globaltravel.com in the address line of your browser.
Cities, Towns and Areas of
the Central African Republic
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have information you believe I should
add to this section of Getting Away, please send it to me.
mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Some Things to
See and Do in the Central African Republic
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Tours and
Safaris
Turtle Tours
Inc.
Pygmies of the Lobaye and Ubangui River
Suggestions for
Dining in the Central African Republic
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have information you believe I should add
to this section of Getting Away, please send it to me.
mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Some Favorites in the Central African Republic
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have information you believe I should add
to this section of Getting Away, please send it to me.
mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Links for the Central African Republic
| Commission free foreign currency delivered to your door. Transfer money to over 150 countries with Direct FX. Simple, secure and cost-effective money transfer service provided to you from Getting Away and Direct FX. Click here to order commission free foreign currency and travelers' checks. |
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Books, Maps & Atlases
Click here for language
helps, dictionaries,
electronic translators,
language software and other helps for learning
a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the
country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip
more. Jim.
All the books recommended below are available from one of our Affiliate
companies and when selected, the link will take you directly to the relevant
page on our Affiliates' website where you will find prices and ordering details.
A new browser window will fire up so you can return to this page at any time.
I have personally used our Affiliate Companies for ordering my own books and
maps and found their service to be first class, fast and reliable, and all the
books I have received have arrived in good condition. However, please read our
disclaimer
before ordering any goods
Country Guides & Maps
Central African Republic in Pictures (Visual Geography
Series)
by Thomas O'Toole, Department Of Geogr Lerner Publications (Editor)
Text and photographs introduce the geography, history, society, economy, and
government of this central African country.
Central African Republic Country Study Guide
by USA International Business Publications
This study guide contains basic information on economy, government, business,
history and geography, climate, traditions, people, places to visit. Provides
information on government, political organizations, and more... Includes basic
statistics, information on the most important business contacts and business
travel. Updated annually.
Central African Republic (World Bibliographical)
by Pierre Kalck
Illustrated Road Atlas of South, Central and East Africa
An updated route-planning map of South, Central and East Africa, with an atlas
section of maps covering Africa as far north as Kenya and Zaire. It provides
distance tables, tourist area maps, town plans and an index to place names
Central Africa - Folded Map
GeoCenter International UK Ltd.- Scale 1:4 000 000
The maps show motorways, principal highways, secondary roads, with road
numbering where practicable, and distances between selected points. There is
tourist information and indications of places of interest, with a legend in
eight languages - German, English, French, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Danish,
Swedish. Street plans of major cities are also included.
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iTravelto.com offers a comprehensive African travel search engine (especially for South Africa) with lots of good information along with bookings for exciting travel packages to key tourist destinations in South Africa and the world. |
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