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Central African Republic Safaris

Landlocked in the heart of Africa, the Central African Republic (CAR) is one of the continent’s last true wildernesses. Deep within its tropical rainforests lies Dzanga-Sangha National Park, a biodiversity hotspot home to critically endangered western lowland gorillas, forest elephants, bongos, and red river hogs. Gorilla tracking here is a rare and immersive experience, following signs through remote jungle terrain with expert guides. While sightings are not guaranteed, the raw and authentic encounters make every step worthwhile.

The CAR Safari Experience

Track endangered western lowland gorillas in Dzanga-Sangha National Park
Visit Dzanga Bai, where forest elephants and other species gather in a natural mineral-rich clearing
Join the Ba’Aka on a traditional net hunt and learn about local medicinal plants
Explore the Sangha River by boat and hike through pristine primary rainforest
Climb to panoramic viewpoints above the forest canopy to spot rare birdlife, including the grey-necked rockfowl
Head out on night safaris in search of elusive nocturnal species such as pangolins, pottos, civets and owls
Meet rescued and rehabilitated pangolins at Sangha Lodge

CAR Safaris

CAR & Chad Safari

Travel on an unforgettable and one-off journey combining two very unique counties. Unlike more popular safari destinations, the Central African Republic and Chad remain as hidden gems, providing a unique opportunity to explore untouched terrain, where untamed wilderness and extraordinary encounters await. This expert-led safari promises a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, conservation, and remarkable encounters in some of Africa’s few untouched wilderness areas.

From 52500 per person

Dzanga Sangha Gorilla Tracking Safari

Track endangered western lowland gorillas, observe forest elephants, bongos, and mangabey monkeys, and join the local Ba'Aka tribe on a net hunt in the dense rainforests of the Dzanga Sangha reserve.

From 9500 per person

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The Central African Republic Safari Experience

How much does Central African Republic cost?

Expect to budget from $9,500 per person sharing for an 8-day pioneering safari to the remote Dzanga Sangha Reserve, this will typically include charter flights to the reserve and two gorilla treks and exclude international flights.

When to go to the Central African Republic?

The tropical rainforest within Dzanga Sangha National Park has an equatorial climate with no pronounced summer or winter, so there are generally opportunities for year-round travel. If you are looking to transfer from another country by pirogue, we would recommend between July to October as river levels must be high with an adequate flow. Read more about when to go to the Central African Republic.

Where to stay in the Central African Republic?

Accommodation options in the Central African Republic are much more basic as the country is less developed for tourism than other African countries. Many of the lodges and camps focus on sustainable tourism rather than luxury; traditional wood and thatch bungalow-style rooms are common, with beautiful settings on the banks of the Sangha River. Read more about where to stay in CAR.

Download our Gorilla Trekking Guide

Discover the top gorilla tracking experiences, when to go, best accommodation and more.

CAR Wildlife

CAR Sl Central African Republic Dzanga Bai Elephant Credit Andrew James

Where To Go

CAR Travel Info

St Uganda Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Mountain Gorilla Shutterstock Daniel Lamborn

Packing List for Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla trekking is an exciting experience that needs a lot of planning; among them, the right gear selection. Be it Rwanda, Uganda or Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), our guide covers everything needed to have a successful gorilla trek.

Learn what to pack

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CAR Safari Highlights

Client Reviews

africa-car-wendy-ostgaard
David went out of his way to help with our trip and we had an amazing experience! The guides at Sangha were excellent, and knowledgeable, and everyone went out of their way to help. We would love to travel again due to the attention to detail and NWS' willingness to deal with difficult situations.
—Wendy Ostgaard who travelled on Central African Republic: Dzanga Sangha Gorilla Tracking Safari
5 out of 5

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Natural World Safaris for your Chad Safari?

Gorilla Trekking Specialists

We’re proud to offer the rare opportunity to trek to critically endangered western lowland gorillas — a unique experience found in very few places on Earth. Led by expert trackers and researchers, each trek is a privileged window into the lives of a fully habituated group deep in the rainforest. We time our trips for optimal trekking conditions and wildlife viewing.

Wealth of Experience

Travelling in the Central African Republic requires deep logistical expertise — and that’s exactly what we bring. We’ve worked closely with partners on the ground in Dzanga-Sangha for over a decade, ensuring seamless arrangements in one of the most remote and rewarding regions of Africa. Our experience gives you rare access to a place few have explored.

Small Group Expeditions

Our journeys to Dzanga-Sangha are operated in small, exclusive groups to allow for intimate and respectful wildlife encounters. Group sizes are capped to ensure minimal disturbance to the environment and more meaningful time with the region’s key species — from lowland gorillas to forest elephants and flocks of African grey parrots.

C.A.R.