The Central African Republic (CAR) offers some of Africa’s most remote and challenging hunting. The season runs from 1 January to 31 May and features two distinct zones: equatorial rainforest and savanna. Hunting laws are strict—only daylight hunting is allowed, and it is illegal to shoot females or young animals or to hunt from a vehicle. CAR’s wilderness harbours some of the continent’s most coveted trophies, including the giant Lord Derby eland and western bongo.
From dense equatorial forest to open savannas, CAR delivers both elusive jungle species and classic plains game.
Savanna Zones In the north and east of CAR, open woodland and grassland support giant Lord Derby eland, lions, leopards, central savanna buffalo, western roan, Lelwel’s hartebeest, sing‑sing waterbuck, greater western kudu, western kob, bohor reedbuck, korrigum (giant topi), oribi and harnessed bushbuck. Hunts combine vehicle access and tracking on foot, with long shots across open plains.
Equatorial Forest The southern rainforest requires on‑foot hunting, often with pygmy trackers. Here hunters pursue western bongo, dwarf forest buffalo, yellow‑backed duiker, giant forest hog, forest sitatunga and red river hog. Thick vegetation and humidity make these hunts physically demanding.
Transition Zones Where savanna meets forest, mixed habitats harbour both savanna and forest species. Hunters may encounter buffalo, eland and bushbuck in one area and then track bongo and duiker in the next.
Hunting Regulations CAR’s game laws prohibit night hunting and restrict ammunition calibres. Permits must be obtained for each species, and foreign hunters are required to hunt with licensed professional guides.
