C.A.R. Wildlife

Venture into the pristine landscapes and largely unexplored thick forests by local Ba’Aka, where you can encounter forest elephants and lowland gorillas, bongo and sitatunga antelopes, mangabey monkeys, forest buffalos and forest and river hogs. There are a variety of bird species including endemic species such as the Dzanga robin, African Grey Parrots, rare Hartlaub duck, as well as numerous raptors and water birds.

Forest Elephants

Lying within the rainforests of the Central African Republic, the Dzanga bai is a huge remote clearing rich in minerals, with useful tree-top hides offering the optimum chances of coming in close contact with forest elephants. Congregating daily to access the salt water of the bai, forest elephants can be found playing and bathing in the mud, in numbers ranging between 50 and 100 as they bathe in the mud and play. Smaller than bush elephants, forest elephants tend to have darker skin and rounder ears.

Western Lowland Gorillas

Distinguished from other gorilla subspecies by their brown-grey coats, auburn chests and slightly smaller size, Western Lowland Gorillas inhabit some of the most dense and remote rainforests in Africa. The exact number is unknown but despite being the most numerous and widespread gorilla species, they are critically endangered and their numbers are falling because of poaching and disease. The Dzangha-Sangha Reserve protects the highest density of these creatures and is home to two of only three habituated groups of western lowland gorillas in the world.

Birdwatching

The Central African Republic is a great destination for birdwatching, with over 940 species of birds recorded in the country. Some of the best places to go birdwatching in the Central African Republic include the African grey parrot, African fish eagle, Shoebill stork, Black-casqued hornbill, blue-headed bee-eater and the goliath heron.

Red River Hog

A distinctive and colourful species of wild pig native to various countries in West and Central Africa, including the Central African Republic, Red River Hogs are typically found in dense, tropical forests and woodland areas and prefer habitats with access to water sources such as rivers or streams. Easily recognisable by their striking appearance; they have reddish-brown to rusty-red fur with white stripes or bands on their face, throat, and back. These bands and the tuft of white hairs on their ears make them quite distinctive. They are a valuable species in the region's ecosystems due to their role as seed dispersers for various plant species.