Central African Republic travel advice

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Summary, Crime, Political, Local Travel and Road Travel sections. The overall level of the advice has not changed; there are no travel restrictions to the capital, Bangui, but we continue to advise against all but essential travel to the rest of the Central African Republic (CAR).

Travel Summary

• There are no travel restrictions to the capital, Bangui, but we advise against all but essential travel to the rest of the Central African Republic (CAR). If you must travel outside Bangui, we recommend that you check first on the current situation in the areas through which you plan to travel.
  
  
• You should avoid all travel to Vakaga and Bamingui-Bangoran provinces in the North East and Haut Mbombou province in the South East. This is due to continued rebel activity in these areas. See the Local Travel section of this Travel Advice.
  
  
• There is no British Embassy in the CAR. There is an Honorary Consul, based in Bangui who will be able to assist in emergencies. The nearest British diplomatic mission is the High Commission in Yaoundé, Cameroon. See the General (British Representation) section of this Travel Advice.
  
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism in the Central African Republic (CAR). You should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• We are not aware of any British nationals who required consular assistance in the Central African Republic (CAR) in 2008.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See the General (Insurance) section of this Travel Advice .

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. For further information see Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

Incidents of theft and robbery occur regularly and armed gangs are known to operate in the outlying areas of Bangui. Take sensible personal security precautions and maintain a high level of vigilance in public places. We recommend that you avoid carrying valuables or wearing jewellery in public. You should avoid isolated or poorer areas of towns and walking alone at night.

In the past there have been strikes and demonstrations in Bangui. Even peaceful protests have the ability to turn violent. You should avoid all political rallies, demonstrations and large public gatherings.

For more information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Political Situation

Central African Republic (CAR) Country Profile
In May 2005, General Bozize was elected as President, having taken power in a coup in 2003. The elections were widely accepted as representative of the will of the people. An inclusive political dialogue in December 2008 between the government, rebels and political opposition led to a unity government being formed in January 2009. Despite this the security situation in CAR is unstable with sporadic fighting between armed groups and government forces across the country. There remains an absence of state authority or rule of law outside of the capital, Bangui.

Local Travel

There are no travel restrictions to the capital Bangui, though we advise against all but essential travel to the rest of the Central African Republic (CAR). If you must travel outside Bangui, we recommend that you check first on the current situation in the areas through which you plan to travel.

You should avoid all travel to the following areas:

Vakaga Province: Rebel forces are active in the North East of the country in particular around the regional capital Birao. In March 2008 a well marked NGO vehicle travelling in convoy was fired upon by armed assailants, killing one patient. In November 2009 two French aid workers were abducted from Birao at gunpoint.

Bamingui-Bangoran province: Heavy fighting broke out in November 2009 when rebel forces attacked the town of Ndele. During the course of the attack there are reports of violence against the civilian population by rebels. Ndele and the surrounding province remain unstable with fighting between rebel groups and government forces.

Haut Mbomou Province: Since March 2008, there have been credible reports of periodic incursions into South East of CAR by the Lords Resistance Army (LRA). There have been reports of LRA raids on towns and roads around the provincial capital Obo despite government troops present there. On 21st September 2009 a truck carrying aid workers was attacked on the road between Mboki and Obo and 8 passengers were killed.

You should be aware that the ability of the nearest British High Commission, in Yaounde, Cameroon, to assist you in the event of an incident would be constrained by the remoteness of the region and the lack of communications.

There is an Honorary Consul in Bangui, should you require assistance during an emergency you can contact them using the details shown under the British Representation section.

Road Travel

You may find local travel difficult in current circumstances. Roads are poorly maintained and most require a four-wheel drive vehicle. You should keep a private supply of fuel available if possible and carry supplies with you if travelling outside Bangui.

Illegal road blocks operate in remote areas, where you may be forced to hand over money or possessions in order to continue your journey. You should also be aware of indiscriminate and violent attacks on travellers in remote areas. There are reports of vehicles being fired upon and passengers killed or injured. In many of these cases victims have been robbed or taken hostage and vehicles taken or burnt.

You should seek local advice before travelling and we recommend that you do not travel after dark.

For more general information see Driving Abroad page.

Air Travel

The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the community. You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel - European Commission Transport - Air.

There is a Departure Tax of 10.000 CFA per person when leaving Central African Republic (CAR) in International flights from Bangui airport.

For more general information see Airline Security.

Local laws and customs

You should carry identification at all times (either a residence permit or a certified copy of your passport). Failure to produce such identification can lead to detention by the police.

Penalties for the use and possession of drugs are severe.

The purchase of diamonds or precious stones is prohibited except through those agents authorised by the government. All cultural artefacts are subject to an export tax.

Caution and discretion must be used in the taking of photographs in public places, as permission is often required. Taking photos of government property, uniformed law and enforcement Officers, military installations and personnel, may lead to detention, subsequent fines and the impounding of cameras. The taking of any photographs which the Central African Republic (CAR) authorities deem as damaging the image of Central African Republic (CAR) (such as street urchins, people with handicaps/deformities) is also not permitted. The situation is more relaxed outside of the capital, where people are generally open to having their picture taken, but it is always advisable to ask first. A permit may be obtained for the more serious photographer from the Ministry of Tourism.

Satellite telephones should be registered [fee applicable] with the Bangui or regional Agence chargée de la Régulation des Télécommunications (ART) Government Telecommunication offices.

Homosexuality is not widely accepted in Central African society and some sexual acts between members of the same sex are illegal.

For more general advice for different types of travellers see our Your trip page.

Entry requirements

Visas

British nationals need a visa to visit Central African Republic (CAR). To apply for a visa and to obtain further information on entry requirements, please contact the Embassy of Central African Republic in Paris at 30 rue des Perchamps, 75116 Paris.

Yellow Fever vaccination certificate

You will be asked to produce a yellow fever vaccination certificate on arrival in the country. Failure to do so may result in a further vaccination being administered, for which a charge is made.

Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Embassy of the Central African Republic in Paris.

Health

Medical facilities are extremely limited and strikes by government workers have affected medical services and hospitals. You should ensure that you are covered for medical evacuation by air ambulance.

Malaria and water-borne diseases to occur in CAR and meningitis outbreaks occur during the six-month dry season that starts in December, especially in the country's north, which lies within the African meningitis belt stretching from Senegal to Ethiopia.

You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. Food purchased from local street vendors may not meet adequate hygiene standards. If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Central African Republic (CAR) you should seek immediate medical attention.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 140,000 adults aged 15 or over in Central African Republic (CAR) were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 6.3% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Central African Republic (CAR) and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health.

General

Insurance

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is How We Can Help.

Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

British Representation

There is no British Embassy in the CAR. However, there is an Honorary Consul, based in Bangui who will be able to assist in emergencies. His name is Mark Pearson and his contact numbers are:

Cell: +236 75 561 456

Tel: +236 21 618 513

Fax: + 236 21 614 639

E-mail: Mark.LindsayPearson-HonCon@fconet.fco.gov.uk

The nearest British diplomatic mission is the British High Commission in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

In an emergency, the French Embassy in Bangui may also be able to offer some consular assistance (tel +236 613 000; +236 610 584).