Packing list for the Central African Republic, travel insurance for the Central African Republic and taking your belongings

What to take with you to the Central African Republic: brief

To pack and check:

• Documents and money: a passport that is valid for at least 6 months upon arrival and a valid visa. Check the current visa conditions well before departure. Bring several paper and digital copies of your passport, visa, travel insurance and any vaccination certificates. The local currency is the Central African CFA franc (XAF). It is hardly possible to pay by card outside the capital Bangui and credit cards are only accepted to a limited extent. Therefore, bring enough cash US dollars or euros to exchange on site.
• Clothing: light, airy clothing made from breathable fabrics is pleasant in the tropical climate. In addition, bring a thin sweater or fleece for the cooler evenings. Preferably choose light, covering clothing to protect against the sun, mosquitoes and for visits to villages and religious places. Avoid camouflage clothing, this is prohibited.
• Shoes: sturdy walking shoes are recommended for unpaved roads, nature reserves and rainforest. Sandals or slippers are nice for use at accommodations.
• Care and hygiene: sunscreen with a high protection factor, lip balm, hand gel, wet wipes.
• Pack and protect: a rain cover for your backpack is important during the rainy season. Waterproof bags protect your phone, camera and documents against tropical showers. Due to the dusty roads, a lockable storage bag for electronics is also useful.
• Insects and animals: a powerful mosquito repellent with DEET or picaridin.
• Lying down and sleeping: a bed sheet can be useful in simple accommodations or during camping trips and an impregnated mosquito net is highly recommended when staying outside larger hotels.
• Medicines and travel pharmacy: an extensive travel pharmacy with ORS, anti-diarrheals, plasters, blister plasters, painkillers, disinfectant, personal medication and, depending on a doctor's advice, malaria prophylaxis.
• Outdoor and useful: a reusable water bottle with filter, sunglasses, sun hat or cap.
• Technology and equipment: a universal travel adapter for sockets of types C and E. Also bring a flashlight or headlamp and a power bank for power outages.
• Safety and theft: always check the most current travel advice and take a money belt or other hidden bag with you for your passport, money and other valuables.

To consider:

• Binoculars for wildlife parks and bird areas.
• Water purification tablets or a water filter.
• Spare batteries and extra memory cards; electricity is not always available.
• A notebook with important telephone numbers and addresses in case the internet or mobile networks fail.
• Knowledge of the safety situation, the long travel times and the limited infrastructure. It is also useful to speak a few words of French, because English is rarely used.

Are there mosquitoes in the Central African Republic?

• Yes, mosquitoes are common throughout the country and all year round, with peaks during the rainy season and in wooded and wetland areas.
• Malaria is a major health risk in virtually the entire Central African Republic. In addition, mosquitoes can also transmit dengue and other tropical diseases.
• A good mosquito repellent, covering clothing and a mosquito net are therefore not an unnecessary luxury.
• More about protection against mosquitoes and insects.

Are there sand flies in the Central African Republic?

• Sand flies do not pose a health risk to visitors to the Central African Republic.
• More about sandflies and sand fleas.

Are DEET, or other mosquito repellents, available in the Central African Republic?

• Sometimes, and the selection is very limited. In Bangui, mosquito repellents are sometimes available at pharmacies or larger stores, but you cannot count on this.
• Therefore, take enough of your own trusted mosquito repellent with you. This is the safest choice, especially if you travel outside the capital.

Is it legal to buy a joint or weed in the Central African Republic, or to bring it with you to the Central African Republic?

• No, because cannabis is completely illegal in the Central African Republic. There are heavy penalties for possession, use, trade and import.