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.
Applying for a visa In Central African countries was usually complicated and took me a long time. It can also get expensive and feel like dealing with a lot of unnecessary paperwork. For me, the hardest part of the whole process was the requirement for an official letter of invitation.
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.
French and corruption in Central Africa
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 like me, being treated like a sack of dollars and always asked for bribes was exhausting. 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.
My presence in the region occurred at a favorable time, coinciding with the dry season and a period of peace without conflicts.
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 always preferred to travel in the dry season. It helped me avoid blocked roads, delays, and other problems caused by heavy rain.
Countries visited in Central Africa – 8 of 9
