Carnot

Introduction

Carnot sits in the south west of the Central African Republic, within the prefecture of Mambéré. This is the country's forested western side, and the town makes a low-key base for travellers moving through the region rather than a destination with a long list of sights.

Approach it expecting a quiet provincial town and a chance to see everyday life in Mambéré, and you will find the stop worthwhile. The source material for Carnot is limited, so plan around the essentials of getting there and onward travel rather than a fixed itinerary.

Three days in Carnot

Day one: Start in Carnot itself, getting your bearings in the town before heading out towards Mambér. Take your time on the approach, since the roads in this part of the Central African Republic reward patience more than speed.

• Carnot town
• Mambér

Day two: Give the day to the road to Mambér, travelling slowly and stopping as you go. This is a landscape to watch rather than rush through, and the journey is the point as much as the destination.

• Mambér

Day three: Return to Carnot and use the day to settle into the town's rhythm, revisiting whatever caught your eye on the first morning before you move on.

• Carnot