Archaeology handicrafts and science and technology sites to visit Central African Republic

The engravings, which are on the ground on large flat rocks, are difficult to access and rare are those who know their precise location. To be sure to find them, it is better to ask Sister Cristina to accompany you, or go to the village of Lengo where teacher Paul will find them.

At the end of the th century, while Sultan Sonosi was carrying out real slave raids throughout the Ndélé region and beyond, many of the Gbaga villagers were refugees in the Kaga-Kpongouvou caves, which obstruaient all access routes with large slabs. Situated 40 km from Bamingui on the road of Ndélé, between the villages of Dangavo and Bangoran, the site appears as a massive granite hill, about 300 m of circumference and high of metres, the breakthrough of several perceptible cavities on the sides of the hill. The main is/southeast oriented. Some pottery and crafts dating back to that time were discovered inside, confirming the presence of the refugees who became revolutionary in the face of the massacre of the «eastern slave». At the heart of the Bamingui-Bangoran reserve, the Kaga-Kpoungouvou caves are protected from human damage through conservation measures in the park. Ban on hunting wildlife, exploiting the wood or establishing stone quarries.

3 km from the Catholic Church, you can reach on foot in three quarters of the hour the crystal clear water of a river that breaks between large stones heated by the sun. A little lower, a large pond in the shade calls for bathing. A wooden cabin, overlooking a broken tire wheel, contains an old generator that once fueled Bakouma's mission in electricity. Pending its release, solar panels offer a few hours of lighting to those who sit there.

The hiking trails are not marked, but the rooms ensure that it is possible to walk there quietly. However, many poachers still haunt their slopes (there is hardly any monkey left), while others plant anarchic cultures that accelerate erosion. According to local authorities, walking in the mountain is not dangerous. Everyone is a judge, but caution must always be imposed. Towards the southwest, towards Cameroon, lies the waterfall and the gorges of the Kadéï. Learn about their accessibility to the Tourist Information Office.

Two types of extraction, gold and diamond are practised in Nola, and are the most popular profession in the corner. Diamond and gold extractors are concentrated on the banks of the Sangha River, where the Kadéï and Mambéré give birth. At the football field level, turn right and continue to the pier. Next door is the outdoor slaughterhouse and, just behind, on the outskirts of the wooded area, the "parking park" of the prisoners of gold and diamond.

If some fortune researchers venture on foot in the forest, dig off the streams, most of the activities take place on the river, behind the outdoor abattoir. Nola has regained fame since February 2011 and the discovery by a young miner of a high-value rough diamond. Many young people work at the landing level, or on the other side of the bank, at the bottom of the mountain to the Monkeys and at the edge of the sawmill. Between the two banks, they have installed artisan dams, a variety of large pyramid screens of 3 m wide, at the base of which they are inlassablement to climb the desired gravel. Once their canoes have been filled, they wash on site or return to land. A moment always tinged with intense excitement. In dry season, when the depth of the river is smaller, researchers are more numerous, and can initiate you to their profession, bring you to discover their daily life on their boat. Diamond dealers work mainly from 10 h to 15 h. All are very enthusiastic and talk easily about their activity (it's free, but leave it at least 500 FCFA). 

Less impressive than that of gorillas and elephants, the visit of agile mangabés - little monkeys to long long-term members - evokes an incursion into a magical world: next to the river or in the heart of a clearing, some 120 mangabés evolve to less than 5 m. They sometimes get close, s, bickering, wash, wash, as if your presence and that of researchers almost didn't bother them. An activity to recommend in particular to young children, the journey to walk on foot being not very difficult. 

Between Bangui and Pissa, the asphalt road passes through the Boyali Agricultural Centre (PK 76). Approximately hectares of hectares of the old Bokassa farm were transferred to Chinese cooperation for agricultural experiments. Villagers work with the Chinese to cultivate many varieties of vegetables and rice (storm rice and irrigated rice) and raise some sixty pigs. A rice décortiqueuse was installed on the spot. The proceeds of this farm are sold almost entirely to the Chinese community in Bangui.

These engravings will reward the walker, after ten kilometres on foot in the heart of the trees. Do not leave without a good litre of water per person, and put it right: beware of snakes!

Approximately 3 km after Kembé, on the left of the bridge overlooking Kotto, huge cataracts of white foam are tearing on the bow of a black rock ship: The Kotto Falls are probably the most beautiful in the Central African Republic. Their noisy and steep flow contrasts wonderfully with the peaceful water restraint that feeds them. One hundred metres after the bridge, left at the left is a picnic area on the edge of Kotto, overlooking the falls. Provide a little méchouis, bread or grilled corn purchased at the Kembé market. The Dimbi market, 20 km before Kembé, is often much better supplied, as this village serves as a crossroads to Satéma in the south. But if the water is jonzac on that day, the fishermen will surely propose to you to taste their loot. In this calm water, bathing is pleasant, provided that it remains far from the abyss of the falls: the current can surprise at one stroke the reckless swimmer and be fatal to him. Better off on foot: rocks polished by erosion form giant steps to descend at the foot of the falls and contemplate their strength.