Central Africa
Challenging, unstable, yet rewarding
Complicated visa procedures, arming conflicts
Central Africa consists of 9 countries, which represent one of the most demanding area for travelling in the world: Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, DR Congo, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and São Tomé & Príncipe.
The visa application process is often characterized by its demanding nature, prolonged duration, and significant costs, presenting substantial bureaucratic challenges. Among these challenges, the requirement for an official letter of invitation stands out as particularly troublesome.
Furthermore, the region is plagued by ongoing armed conflicts between various rebel groups and the government military, along with regions that are densely forested and often impassable. Usually these areas are accessible only during the dry season.
Communicating mostly in French and evading corrupt authorities
Central Africa’s key economic activities are centered around farming, herding and fishing. The foremost challenge linked to these sectors is the widespread issue of poverty, which can raise over 40% in the rural population. Severe food shortages are common, especially in the of northern and eastern Central Africa, where climate change in the future will cause even more troubles.
In this region, speaking French is indispensable for effective communication and daily interactions with the locals, apart from Spanish-speaking Equatorial Guinea and Portuguese-speaking Sao Tome and Principe. English is only seldom spoken. I had dedicated time and energy to elevate the knowledge of French to a level that allows me to normally communicate with the locals.
Corruption is part of the system that has causes a lot of harm to local residents and deprives them of hard-earned income.
It is often the responsible for the inadequate use of natural resources and the unfair allocation of wealth, favoring the elite over the impoverished population. For a backpacker, who is often perceived as a sack of dollars, constant demands for bribes and extra money can be tiring. I tried to get as much information as possible beforehand, being ready for encounters with corrupted authorities and always made it clear that I would rather distribute money among poor people.
From stone age to a modern globalized era
In addition to Equatorial Guinea, which I explored during a business trip in 2011, I travelled to all other countries in Central Africa in the 2020s. By then I was already an experienced backpacker, ready for all kind of challenges. This preparation allowed me to appreciate and enjoy my journeys much more deeply. I was able to tackle obstacles, manage poor infrastructure in remote areas and embrace the breathtaking wilderness.
I was present in the region in the right time, which coincided with the dry season and state of non-conflicts, peace.
The Central African Republic had just managed to stabilize after the decades long conflict was, most of DR Congo regions were stable and Covid-19 pandemic concluded. I prefer to travel during the dry season to avoid impassable roads, delays and other difficult circumstances that can be caused by constant downpours.
