Birao is a remote and out of the way place in the very north of the Central African Republic. It is close to the Chad and Sudan border so there is some trade going on but mostly the place suffers from lack of government attention and money.

Understand

In March 2007, the town was almost completely burnt down in the fighting between rebels and government troops in the area.

Climate

Birao is hot to sweltering throughout the year, with every month having an average maximum over 30 °C or 86 °F. The period before the wet season breaks in March and April sees average maxima reach 39.7 °C or 103.5 °F. The wet season lasts from May to September, peaking in July and August, and is cooler by day than the long dry season but just as uncomfortable due to the higher humidity.

Get in

Birao is 45 km from the border with Sudan and 60 km from that of Chad. The city is also 150 km north of Ouanda Djallé and above all 300 km from Nyala, the nearest major city. (Birao is 1,000 km from Bangui and from N'Djamena, and 1,600 km from Khartoum.

The airstrip is no longer usable, but 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) south of Birao - just where the laterite soil turns into sand - there is a big airstrip, so connection with the capital Bangui is a matter of hours. However, fuel for the airplanes is rare (often months on end not available) and very costly.