Why visit Bangui
Bangui is the country's most cosmopolitan city — every ethnic group in the CAR crosses paths here, alongside a large international community (NGOs, diplomats, the United Nations). Between the Oubangui River, lively markets, and local crafts, a day in the capital gives a genuine sense of Central African life before — or after — heading out to the regions.
What awaits you
- Craft Center — artisan workshops and shops: carved wood, basketry, jewelry, sanza, and textiles
- Central Market — the city's main market, local products, fabrics, everyday life in Bangui
- Oubangui riverbanks — a walk along the river, views of the DRC on the far bank, sunsets
- Notre-Dame Cathedral of Bangui — colonial architecture, the city's religious heart
- Saint-Paul des Rapides Church — a brick church on the riverbank, in the district that gives its name to the Bangui Rapides arrondissement
- National Museum of Bangui — the country's ethnographic and historical collections
Practical information
The visit is mainly on foot in the city center, with short taxi rides between farther-apart sites. The Craft Center and Central Market are best visited in the morning, when activity is busiest and the heat is still moderate.
A French/English-speaking guide, transport around town, and recommendations for trusted artisans at the Craft Center are all arranged by our local partner. Just let us know your dates alongside.