National park · Central African Republic
Manovo-Gounda St Floris National ParkParc national du Manovo-Gounda St Floris
Do not plan a visit until the security situation changes: the park has been under rebel control since at least 2023, and the Central African Republic is highly unstable. If conditions improve, the dry season (December–May) is the only viable window, and you must enter through the Birao or N'Délé gate with a park ranger and a 4×4; there is no public transport, no lodging inside, and the entrance fee is unknown (check).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
More
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
17,400 km² (6,718 sq mi)6,718 sq mi (17,400 km²)
approximate
Established
1988
Best months
—
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Sort the visa before the flightCheck your own government travel advice for Central Afric…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Central Africa ↗Sort the visa before the flight: none of the seven countries reliably issues tourist visas on arrival to Western passports, and e-visas here are tied to named airports.
- Central Africa ↗Carry the original yellow fever vaccination certificate in your hand luggage; health desks at every Central African airport ask for it, and a missing card can mean refusal or a jab at the desk.
- Central Africa ↗Before booking anything in or near the DRC, read the WHO Ebola situation page and your own government's health notice: the 2026 outbreak brought quarantine and boarding rules for people who have been in the DRC.
- Central African Republic ↗Check your own government travel advice for Central African Republic before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Central African Republic ↗Entry requires a visa issued by the Central African Republic authorities; no independent tourist route is documented here.
- Central African Republic ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Central African Republic before you rely on it.
At a glance
- Country
- Central African Republic
- Area
- 17,400 km² (6,718 sq mi)6,718 sq mi (17,400 km²)
- Approximate; official boundaries vary by source.
- Established
- 1988
- Best months
- —
- Permits
- For some areas
Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site in northern Central African Republic, was once known for its black rhinos, elephants, cheetahs and buffalo on vast savanna floodplains. Since 1997 it has been on the List of World Heritage in Danger due to poaching, and as of 2023 it is under rebel control. The Africa Conservation Trust manages the park in partnership with the CAR government, but no official visitor infrastructure exists. This page covers what the park offers in theory; in practice, travel is not advised.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1988Listed as World Heritage in Danger since 1997.
Size and age
17,400 km² (6,718 sq mi)6,718 sq mi (17,400 km²) · national park since 1988
Approximate; official boundaries vary by source.
Why go
- One of the largest savanna parks in Central Africa, with floodplains, wooded savanna and the Chaine des Bongo plateau.
- Historically held black rhinos, elephants, cheetahs, leopards, wild dogs, gazelles and buffalo — though poaching has severely reduced populations.
- Remote and rarely visited; if security ever stabilises, it offers a true wilderness experience.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctAvoid
- NovCaution
- DecGo
- JanDry, hot; grass fires possible
- FebDry, hot; best game viewing
- MarDry, very hot
- AprDry, extremely hot
- MayEnd of dry season; temperatures peak
- JunRainy season starts; roads become impassable
- JulHeavy rain; flooding on floodplains
- AugPeak rain; access extremely difficult
- SepRain continues; trails muddy
- OctRain tapers; still wet
- NovTransition to dry; roads may still be bad
- DecDry season begins; best window
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elephants, buffalo, gazellesDec–May · Concentrated near water sources in the dry season. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes |
| Black rhino, cheetah, leopard, wild dogDec–May · Severely depleted by poaching; sightings are extremely rare (check). | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes |
| Waterbirds on the floodplainDec–May · Best in the early dry season. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Bangui
Fly to Birao (check) or drive 800+ km north via Sibut and N'Délé on poor roads; a 4×4 is essential.
2–3 days by road
Open the page →
From N'Délé
Rough track south to the park boundary; ask locally for the gate.
3–5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Northern floodplains | Grassy floodplain along the Bahr Aouk and Bahr Kameur rivers; best for game viewing in the dry season. | 4×4 only; no marked trails. |
| Central savanna | Bushy and wooded savanna with granite inselbergs. | 4×4 only; no marked trails. |
| Chaine des Bongo plateau | Southern plateau with denser vegetation. | 4×4 only; no marked trails. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate; the park covers a large area and exact gate coordinates are not published.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | Unknown (check); no official fee schedule published. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Armed escort permit or guide
Park rules
- Armed escort
- Mandatory due to rebel activity and poachers; do not enter without a ranger or military escort.check
- No public access
- The park is under rebel control as of 2023; do not attempt to visit without official clearance.check
- No camping
- No designated campsites; overnight stays are not possible without prior arrangement.
- Drones
- Prohibited without special permission from the CAR government (check).check
Where to stay
In the park
No lodging inside the park
No park accommodation exists; the nearest towns are Birao and N'Délé with basic guesthouses (check).
Near the park
Birao
Small town with basic lodging; about 50 km (31 mi) from the park boundary.Small town with basic lodging; about 31 mi (50 km) from the park boundary.
Safety
Rebel control and armed poachers high
Landmines and unexploded ordnance high
Disease (malaria, yellow fever) medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- No visitor infrastructure; the park is accessible only by 4×4 on rough tracks.
- Not suitable for anyone with limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- The Africa Conservation Trust works with the CAR government to combat poaching; any future visit should support their work.
- Do not buy wildlife products or souvenirs made from endangered species.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park?
No official fee is published. In the past, entry was arranged through the Africa Conservation Trust or the CAR Ministry of Water and Forests; expect to pay for an armed escort and a 4×4 guide. Check with the trust before planning a trip.
What are the best hikes in Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park?
There are no marked hiking trails. The only way to explore is by 4×4 game drive on the floodplains or, with an armed ranger, a walking safari in the central savanna. Both require a guide.
When is the best time to visit Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park?
The dry season from December to May is the only viable window. The rainy season (June–November) makes roads impassable and game disperses. Even in the dry season, the security situation may prevent access.
Is Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park safe to visit?
No. As of 2023 the park is under rebel control. Poachers with automatic weapons operate in the area. Do not attempt to visit without official clearance and an armed escort. Read your government travel advice first.
What animals can I see in Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park?
Historically the park held black rhinos, elephants, cheetahs, leopards, wild dogs, gazelles and buffalo. Poaching has severely reduced populations; elephants and buffalo are the most likely sightings today, but even those are rare. Check current status with the Africa Conservation Trust.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park
Loading…
Was this useful?