The Central African Republic's Pole of Inaccessibility is farthest from any coastline. The term Pole of Inaccessibility describes a location that is challenging to reach due to its remoteness and lack of easily navigable terrain.
Security and the Central African Republic's Pole of Inaccessibility
The Central African Republic's Pole of Inaccessibility is situated deep in the Congo Basin rainforest, close to the town of Bayanga. Its coordinates are approximately 2.64° N latitude and 17.43° E longitude. However, the Central African Republic's Pole of Inaccessibility is not just difficult to reach due to its distance from the ocean. Crime and war also play a significant role in making this area inaccessible.
The complex layers of CAR’s current conflicts were preceded by decades of military coups and outsourced governance, both of which had been preceded by disastrous colonization. Near Bayanga, on the border with South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, lies Obo, a town under siege.
The communities in the far southeastern corner of the Central African Republic are unfortunately considered lawless, teaming with human rights abuses. Violence, reprisal killings, looting, and human rights abuses are common by armed groups such as Russian mercenaries, possibly from Wagner, Joseph Kony, and his Lord’s Resistance Army, Séléka, anti-Balaka armed group, Union for Peace, and 3R.
The Bayanga Congo Basin rainforest areas are so remote that they are often referred to as Africa’s Pole of Inaccessibility, meaning it’s one of the toughest places on the continent to reach because of the rainforest terrain, crime, and war.
Traveling to the Central African Republic Pole of Inaccessibility
With that said, if you plan on visiting The Central African Republic's Pole of Inaccessibility, it will take some planning. Taking Ethiopian Airlines, you would need to fly a three-hour flight from Miami International Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport. Next, you fly from Newark Liberty International Airport to Gnassingbé Eyadéma International Airport, a 10-hour flight. Then, you fly a six-hour flight from Gnassingbé Eyadéma International Airport to Bole Addis Ababa International Airport. Finally, the last leg of getting to Bangui involves a four-hour flight from Bole Addis Ababa International Airport to Bangui M'Poko International Airport. The total average cost of the flight is $4,500 for one passenger.
Congratulations, your flight has landed in Bangui, the Capital of the Central African Republic. To reach the Central African Republic's Pole of Inaccessibility from Bangui, you would then need to make further arrangements for transportation to take the 10-hour trip, such as by private charter, truck, or organized expedition, to reach the 2.64° N latitude and 17.43° E longitude coordinates in the rainforest near Bayanga.
It is important to exercise caution when traveling to Bayanga, as it is located only 32 miles away from Oba. Bayanga is situated on the northern edge of the Congo Basin forest, which is known for its dense and impenetrable vegetation, crime, and war.
The area is incredibly isolated, making it challenging to access. However, for those seeking adventure, a visit may be on their bucket list. Obo is a town that is currently under siege, which means that extra precautions should be taken when visiting the area. Despite the challenges, the Central African Republic's Pole of Inaccessibility is a location that is considered to be one of the most remote spots on the planet but not impossible to visit.
