Central African Republic - Overland
 

After exploring most of the Tibesti, some of the Ennedi and Zakouma National Park in Chad (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hu...i-chad-74756-4) we crossed from Sarh into the Central African Republic.

The route:
- Entering from Sahr, Chad
-Bossango
-Ndele
- Manovo Gounda St Floris National Park
- (Air from Ndele-Bria-Ndele)
- Bangui
- (Air to Dzangha Sangha and back)
- (Day trip across to Zongo, D.R.C.)
- Zinga
- Boali
- Bouar
- Carnot
- Berberati
- Bayanga
- Exiting to Bertoua, Cameroon

Bossango
 

The road down to Bossango was fairly easy going, trucks are regularly passing along between Sarh and Bangui. We got through the border without much by way of hassle for Central Africa... We stayed a bit at the mission station of the Catholic church in the town.

Catholic mission station in Bossangoa

Ndele
 

Heading north from Bossango to Ndele. We were invited on arrival to the palace/residence of the Sultan of Ndele, for some shade and coca cola. They were surprised that two foreigners had driven into town....

Problems in the middle of nowhere
 

After returning from the Manovo Gounda St Floris National Park we had various problems and needed spares urgently (our supply had been stolen previously on the trip). Getting them in by air was the only feasible solution, rather than risking attempting to drive onwards to Bangui in an unstable condition, and not knowing what the road would bring or how long it may take. With the parts in hand, we flew with the plane to Bria, so as to see CAR from the air, and after a few hours on the ground, we returned to Ndele and set off southwards. (photos from the air in this post, not overland, apologies!)

Bangui
 

A long drive to Bangui, through beautiful timeless scenes. The strangest thing we came across was an elderly man in a hut near the side of the road with a solar charger for an old CD player, loudly playing a piece I recognized - Haydn's Cello Concerto No. 1 in C Major. We chatted for a while, he had studied music in Paris and had performed for the then Emperor Bokassa.

Bangui was a much welcomed injection of city life, alongside the mighty Oubangui River. For those who have seen Mads Brugers film "The Ambassador", the Oubangui Hotel (formerly Safari Hotel) is instantly recognizable. For those who haven't seen it, it comes highly recommended for an interesting glimpse into a different side of life in the Central African Republic - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLQNYsxP9T0

Street scenes in Bangui

Oubangui river
 

A few pictures from down at the Oubangi River. It was tempting to load the car onto a barge to head south to Brazzaville, but I resisted, in favor of keeping to the original rough plan to head to Douala to ship out. I sort of regret missing that possible adventure... Lots of activity going on, including lots of sand digging.

ZONGO - Democratic Republic of Congo
 

The village across the river, yet a different country. The temptation to visit was too great... Fortunately, the DRC legation in Bangui is not as fussy as the ones in Europe.... next day service, no invitation needed. Zongo is just a short pirogue ride away and has enough going on to justify an hour or two to wander around (after dealing with police hassles, far greater than anything experienced in the C.A.R.), go with strong fortitude for dealing with whatever they want to throw at you...

To be continued....

Pygmy villages
 

One of many passed through between Bangui-Boali-Boar-Carnot-Berberati

Typical roadside gas station in the CAR....

Boali falls
 

The Boali Falls on the Mbali River and the hydroelectric dam behind it. It was built in the 50s by the French and remains operational, helping to keep the lights on in Bangui and a few other small towns nearby.

Typical small village scene alongside the road from Carnot to Berberati

Can I ask when you made this trip or are you there now?