Bangui (pronounced: bang-EE) is the capital of the Central African Republic. Bangui lies on the northern banks of the Ubangi River just below a series of rapids that limit major commercial shipping farther upriver, on the southern border. The navigable Ubangi River turns sharply south below Bangui and connects to the Congo River just south of the Equator near Brazzaville as its chief northern tributary. The river marks the border between the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The Congolese town of Zongo sits opposite the river from Bangui.
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.
The city centre lies near the river and features a large triumphal arch dedicated to Bokassa, the Presidential Palace and the central market. Lying 5km 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, Avenue Barthélemy Boganda. The national museum.
- Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l'Immaculée-Conception of Bangui. The largest cathedral in Bangui.
Boganda National Museum, Avenue Barthélemy Boganda. The national museum.
Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l'Immaculée-Conception of Bangui. The largest cathedral in Bangui.
Buy beautiful wood carvings, but do not be tempted to buy rare African Grey parrots that are being traded illegally in the town. You will be arrested if you do.
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.
- Mocaf. One of the local beers. Tend to be the cheapest and very good in quality. Comes in a 65cl big bottle, perfect for beer lovers.
Mocaf. One of the local beers. Tend to be the cheapest and very good in quality. Comes in a 65cl big bottle, perfect for beer lovers.
Four GSM-900 mobile telecommunications companies, Telecel CAR, Nationlink Telecom RCA, Orange CAR and MOOV CAR operate out of Bangui. State-owned Socatel is the principal telecom in CAR and Bangui, and is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the communications infrastructure.
Internet cafes in town allow users to access the Internet, also using own laptop computers. Download speeds are acceptable and prices reasonable. MOOV provides GPRS/EDGE Internet access with USB sticks for reasonable prices in whole Bangui and in major cities of CAR as well.
Le Grande Cafe in the city center has open free Wi-Fi and serves coffee and food.
MOOV and Orange phones can access GPRS/EDGE networks if properly configured. Configuration is provided free at the telecommunication offices at PKZero. Speeds are generally EDGE, but may fade to G. GPRS is available in Bangui center, but fades out by PK12.
As of April 2019, the UK Foreign Office and other western governments advise against all but essential travel to the centre of Bangui, and against all travel to the rest of the country.
A colour photocopy of your passport can be certified at the Hotel de Ville for a few dollars and is much safer to carry around than your passport.
- United States United States, Avenue David Dacko, +236 2161-0200. Does not provide consular services. U.S. citizens in need of assistance should contact the embassy in Yaounde, Cameroon, instead.
- France France, Boulevard Charles-de-Gaulle, +236 21 61 30 00. May be able to provide assistance in emergency situations to citizens of other EU countries with no embassy in the CAR.
- Russia Russia, 108, avenue Gamal Abdel Nasser, BP 1405, +236 21 61 03 11, +236 70 15 21 73 (mobile).
United States United States, Avenue David Dacko, +236 2161-0200. Does not provide consular services. U.S. citizens in need of assistance should contact the embassy in [[Yaounde]], Cameroon, instead.
France France, Boulevard Charles-de-Gaulle, +236 21 61 30 00. May be able to provide assistance in emergency situations to citizens of other EU countries with no embassy in the CAR.
Russia Russia, 108, avenue Gamal Abdel Nasser, BP 1405, +236 21 61 03 11, +236 70 15 21 73 (mobile).
- Zongo – A congolese town, on the opposite side the Ubangui River, on the left bank. There is no road to cross the river.