Central African Republic
Bangui travel guide
Bangui is a city in Central African Republic, home to about 889,000 people.
- Nearest airport
- BGF6 km · Bangui M'Poko International Airport
- Currency
- XAFCentral African CFA franc
- Time zone
- Africa/Bangui
- Language
- French, Sango
About
About Bangui
Bangui (French pronunciation: [bɑ̃ɡi]; or Bangî in Sango, formerly written Bangi in English) is the capital and largest city of the Central African Republic.
Modern Bangui was founded in 1889, but archaeological studies in and around Bangui have yielded at least 26 ancient Iron Age sites that contain many metallurgical tools and objects, illuminating the pre-European history of the city and surrounding area. The Central African Republic is just north of the Equator and consequently throughout the year daily high temperatures rarely fall below 30°C. The rainy season lasts from May until October. Bangui, being in the south of the country and thus closest to the Equator, is slightly hotter and wetter than the northern parts of the country.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Bangui
See
The city centre lies near the river and features a large triumphal arch dedicated to Bokassa, the Presidential Palace and the central market. Lying 5 km further north, the heart of the residential area has the largest market and most nightlife. North of the city lie rolling hills.
- Boganda National Museum
- Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l'Immaculée-Conception of Bangui
- Renaissance Palace
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
When to go
The best time to visit Bangui
Bangui has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. February is the warmest month, with average highs of 34 °C; August is the wettest, with about 205 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Bangui: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Bangui M'Poko International Airport (BGF), about 5.6 km from the city centre in a straight line.
BGF · Bangui M'Poko International Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Bangui
Eat
The city has a community of French expats, which translates into one of the best ice cream parlours in Africa; a supermarket that sells international (mainly French) delicacies, e.g. foie gras; and a really good Italian restaurant.
Drink
Mocaf is one of the better local beers, cheap and good quality. Comes in a big 650 ml bottle.
Stay safe
As of March 2020, the UK government advises against all travel to most parts of Bangui and all but essential travel to "central Bangui between the Airport and the Oubangui river". Other governments including the United States recommend against all travel to CAR, including all parts of Bangui. The KM-5 district has a particularly high crime rate. A colour photocopy of your passport can be certified at the Hotel de Ville (city hall) for a few dollars and is much safer to carry around than your passport.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Bangui: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Bangui?
Bangui has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. February is the warmest month, with average highs of 34 °C; August is the wettest, with about 205 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Bangui?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Bangui M'Poko International Airport (BGF), about 5.6 km from the city centre in a straight line.
What currency is used in Bangui?
Central African CFA franc (XAF).
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.