Central Africa is the least visited and wildest region, home to the Congo Basin rainforest, lowland gorillas and forest elephants. Travel takes planning and specialist operators.
Where to go in Central Africa
GabonCountries
Cameroon
Volcanoes, beaches, rainforest and savanna: a whole continent in one country.
Yaoundé Nov to Feb
Some regions off-limits
Central African Republic
Remote rainforest with forest elephants and gorillas, but most governments advise against travel.
Bangui Dec to Mar
Advice against travel
Chad
Remote desert arches and one of Africa’s great conservation success stories at Zakouma.
N’Djamena Nov to Feb
Some regions off-limits
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Africa’s second-largest country, home to the Congo River, rumba and mountain gorillas.
Kinshasa Jun to Sep, Dec to Feb
Some regions off-limits
Gabon
Rainforest meets the beach, with elephants on the sand and whales offshore.
Libreville Jun to Sep
Republic of the Congo
Deep rainforest and gorilla trekking in Odzala, one of Africa’s great wild places.
Brazzaville Jun to Sep, Dec to Feb
São Tomé and Príncipe
Two tiny volcanic islands of rainforest, beaches and old cocoa estates.
São Tomé Jun to Sep, Dec to Feb