Bordered by Cameroon, Chad and the two Congo countries, the Central African Republic is home to a vast and monotonous plateau, with scattered hills in the north east and south west areas of the country. Yes, the area is dry, humid and hot, but the very landscape and the flora and fauna found in the country is enough to make you swoon in delight.

Located in the heart of Africa, you will surely appreciate not only the landscape and the people's hospitality, but also the variety of forests and jungles which houses various species of animals that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. In 2001, the Ecologist magazine declared that the Central African Republic in the world's leading country in sustainable development with a lot of its jungles remaining untouched after so many years.

Just like any other trip, if you are planning to travel to Central African Republic, it is necessary that you are aware of the different seasons and the weather they typically bring. The best time to go is during November to April as the rain starts to come in early February. When it rains here, it really rains so best to avoid the rainy season.

Travelling to Central African Republic is not only an adventure, but rather, a way to commune with nature and experience its splendour. If you are the ultimate nature lover, then this place is for you. Most of the national parks in the country are open year-round but Manovo-Gounds St. Floris National in the north east is open only from December 1 to May 15 because many of the animals here start to mate in this season and it is necessary to provide a quiet and peaceful environment for them. This park was also listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

In the north east, the Bamingui-Bangoran National Park is well-populated with wildlife including leopards, lions and rhinos. In the south west of the country is Dzanga-Sangha National park and this is one of the most popular rainforests in the area.

To get to the other cities, visitors can use boats and barges on the Ubangui River. This is the most important river not only in the Central African Republic but all throughout Africa as this is also a way for merchants to trade the traditional way.

The Chutes de Baliis is yet another natural wonder as it tumbles from 50m above the mountains. It is said to be mightier that the Niagara falls during the rainy seasons but is no more than a trickle during the summer. Water is controlled by a Chinese built-dam upriver and a small entry fee applies if you want to get a glimpse of this enormous water fall.

Five kilometres to the south west of Bangui is the forest village of Ma Baiki. This area is surrounded not only by forests, but also by the amazing aroma of coffee and tobacco growing nearby. It is a stopping point for tourists who are visiting the neighbouring Baka encampments. Sabe is another village in the north east mainly known for its ebony sculptures.