Luxury Yacht Charter Guide to Central Africa
Yacht charter guests looking to sail as far as possible from the beaten track will be awe-struck by the lush lowlands and colonial coastal towns that etch out the water’s edge of Central Africa. From the beach meets village life of Gabon to the desert elephants in Namibia, this thin stretch of ocean is home to deep cut cultural treasures, ancient fables, bright colors, and a wild array of creatures. Huge swathes of protected parks, shimmering sands, and laid-back communities make for a wonderful welcome to this side of Central Africa.
Reasons to Charter a Yacht in Central Africa
National Geographic Scenes
Sail into a sublime safari on the shores of Central Africa. Gabon is the land of giants both on land and sea; their waters burst with breaching whales and their rainforests brimming with elephants. In Namibia you can take a walk on a different wilderness side, with some of the world’s most interesting flora and fauna having adapted to the harsh conditions, and spiders and geckos skirting across the dunes.
Local Encounters
Meet the Himba people on the banks of the Kunene River in Angola. A fascinating local culture, the striking jewelry and guided walks through the settlements offer rare encounters. Over in Gabon and the villages are home to some incredible local traditions and healing customs.
Rare Adventures
Rainforests, jungle, deep sea and sand mountains – the landscapes that make up Central Africa all come with a kick of adrenaline. Leave the superyacht back in the port as you journey into the edges of the interior to trek and raft across the Equator itself. Track night crocodiles in the mangroves of Gabon and test all your senses as you sandboard down the death-defying red dunes of Namibia.
Where to Visit in Central Africa
Equatorial Guinea
Previously one of the most closed off countries in Central Africa, Equatorial Guinea flings open its doors to showcase powder blue waters, rare wildlife encounters, and colonial architecture that echoes stepping back in time. Travelers who have touched down on these jungle clad shores have compared the scene to something straight out of Indiana Jones. Spanish speaking and with gorillas roaming the lowlands, elite vibes in the buzzing city of Bata and monastery ruins in Corisco; exploration is endless.
Gabon
Gorgeous Gabon boasts a glut of geography carved out to accommodate sprawling protected National Parks. Endlessly green and nicknamed the last Eden on Earth, everything about Gabon leaves you enchanted. From elephants to sea turtles, every inch of Gabon is creatures both big and small. These lands are home to fifty percent of forest elephants in Africa making it a prime safari spot. Deep sea fishing, white water rafting, and cultural visits to Bwiti villages are also high up on the list of things to do.
Namibia
Namibia is famed for its skeletal trees of Sossusvlei, its rolling orange dunes, and it’s fascinating carved architecture and museums that tell tales of a complicated past. It’s the home of desert elephants, quirky German colonial towns clinging to the coast, hot air balloon mornings, and scattered settlements of The Himba people. From stargazing to remote windblown safaris, white clay pans and slinking cheetahs, stepping into Namibia is like stepping into another world.
When to Charter a Yacht in Central Africa
No superyacht adventure to Central Africa would be complete without a wealth of wildlife. The best time to visit these shores for safari is out of the wet season when you have the chance to see creatures gathered around the watering holes. Between July and October, temperatures are comfortable and down near Namibia the climate remains dry and warm. Further North, near Gabon and the lush rains fall a little harder, but work wonders in keeping the landscape fresh and green.