Central Africa

Overview

The visitor is severely restricted as to which destinations are actually safe enough to include in any itinerary. Current problems stem from artificial borders left in place by the European colonising powers even after they withdrew. Countries are struggling to make up for the centuries of repression and dubious control techniques. However, there are those who have taken advantage of past problems within the countries themselves and gravely contributed to the bloodshed. In some of the possible destinations there are stark reminders of former atrocities; bullet holes in buildings in Chad and sites of the genocide in Rwanda that demand the utmost humility.

Deserts contrast with forests, silent mountains with active volcanoes in this frequently troubled region. Gorillas and lions in Rwanda, antelope and hartebeest in Cameroon and hippos in Gabon are some of the less dangerous denizens. Gabon's national parks are especially well tended. Activities are not confined to the observation of wildlife. Climbing Mount Cameroon, choosing a beach or a trip up the Ogooué river should prove distracting.