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Many are only vaguely aware of the existence of the Central African Republic. But bridging landscapes that shift from the sands of the Sahel to savannah and then dense rainforests, it’s a country that’s relatively rich in wildlife. Together, the top 5 national parks in the Central African Republic provide important habitats for big cats, rhino, forest elephant and western lowland gorilla. No wonder interest is (admittedly slowly) growing in wildlife visits to CAR.
Introducing the Central African Republic
Since so little is known about the Central African Republic, it’s worth spending a couple of paragraphs introducing the nation.
While animal rich, the Central African Republic is one of the poorest countries in the world. Landlocked, life for millennia has been dominated by the flow of the River Ubangi, one of the main tributaries of the Congo.
Lying just north of the equator, the country is often referred to by the acronym CAR. Its modern-day borders were largely created by the French in the nineteenth century.
This, at least in part, caused the continuing civil war, since it grouped together disparate peoples under one flag. Make sure you get up to date security advice before contemplating any visit to the country.
My pick of the top 5 national parks in the Central African Republic
There are five sites within CAR which have national park status. There are further ‘faunal reserves’ put in place to protect an area’s natural habitat, and another two nature reserves.
I consider them all in my pick of the top national parks in CAR, starting with Dzanga-Ndoki National Park.
Dzanga-Ndoki National Park
Situated in CAR’s far south, Dzanga-Ndoki National Park is part of a cluster of national parks and reserves spread across three countries. They have UNESCO World Heritage status and a confusing array of names.
These include Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve, which I have previously celebrated in my round-up of the best places to see gorillas in the wild. Why? Because it has one of the highest densities of gorilla anywhere in Africa.
At its best, the park provides access to primary rainforest dotted with clearings known as bais. Their clays are rich in minerals, and attract a number of species including forest elephant as well as gorilla.
It’s on viewing platforms around these bais that most trips to Dzanga-Ndoki National Park take place. If you delve into the jungle proper, there’s also the chance of encountering chimpanzee, marshbuck (sitatunga) and bongo.
Without a huge number of options, most visitors end up staying at Sangha Lodge. Alongside Doli Lodge it’s one of the best places to be based for gorilla treks and other activities such as boat trips along the Sangha River.
Chinko Nature Reserve
Thanks to a partnership between the government (which has huge strains on its finances) and conservation charity Africa Parks, Chinko Nature Reserve is one of the best places to see wildlife in Central African Republic.
Covering nearly 7,000 square miles (or 18,000 square km), Chinko sits on the plateau of an extinct volcano around 2,000 feet (600 m) above sea level.
Climatically different to much of the rest of the country because of its altitude, the reserve lies in the country’s east.
Highlights from a long list of recorded animal species include populations of lion, leopard, forest elephant and approximately 500 types of bird.
They occupy an area of wooden savannah, which contrasts in its density and wildlife with the true jungle further south in Dzanga-Ndoki National Park.
Manova-Gounda St. Floris National Park
Formerly designated in 1979, Manova-Gounda St. Floris National Park is located in the north of the Central African Republic.
When taking diversity into account, the park is probably the country’s most important protected area, although you’ll have to head elsewhere in search of gorilla.
Instead, the drier climate of the country’s north makes for prime savannah habitat. Indeed, it’s pretty much indistinguishable from the landscapes of more famous parks in Tanzania or Kenya except for the number of visitors it receives.
Among the grassland favourites are predators including the three main big cats – lion, leopard and cheetah. Their presence is the result of healthy populations of prey species, such as gazelle and buffalo.
Largely untroubled by the lion roars are bush (savannah) elephant. However, the park’s small population of black rhino is now believed to be extinct due to poaching.
Zemongo Faunal Reserve
Although defined as a faunal reserve, Zemongo’s host of animal species are accompanied by an array of plants too.
Zemongo was created by the French colonial administration in 1925, and was reaffirmed 15 years after independence, in 1975.
At the same time, hunting was still permitted until 1980, which perhaps explains one reason why Zemongo never became a national park.
Even so, or perhaps in spite of this fact, the 4,000 square mile (10,000 square km) reserve has historically had both large antelope and elephant populations. Its tree cover also provides vital habitat for the eastern subspecies of chimpanzee.
Bamingui-Bangoran National Park
A national park and a biosphere reserve, Bamingui-Bangoran is named after the northern province in which it resides.
A sensible proposition for anyone based in and around the capital Bangui, Bamingui-Bangoran is not only closer than Manova-Gounda St. Floris National Park, but also has a greater animal density.
This could be because of the presence of Vassako Bolo Strict Nature Reserve within the national park, which all but prevents use of the land by people in any way.
The park is typified by dry (rather than rain) forest, although it also includes areas of marsh around the banks of the River Bamingui.
This blend of habitats makes it popular with birdwatchers hoping to catch sight of everything from African pied hornbills to Heuglin’s Francolin.
The park also has a healthy population of crocodile, and more surprisingly, manatee too. It has to be said that manatees are rarely encountered by visitors. Land based mammals include lion, cheetah and wild dogs, all of whom hunt small antelope species.
Visiting the top 5 national parks in the Central African Republic
Arranging a visit to any of the top 5 national parks in the Central African Republic isn’t without difficulty. On the up side, you won’t face the issues of more popular parks elsewhere in Africa, where vehicles can outnumber animals. The country is therefore worth considering as a wildlife destination as well as a place to explore the region’s human cultures.
