Getting around

Taxis and shared minibuses are the only local transport, with no guarantee of safety; motorbike taxis are widely used and cheap, but Canada advises avoiding them.

A French licence is accepted for a tourist stay.

You need the correct international driving permit together with your UK licence.

Roads are reasonable but deteriorate in the rainy season (September to May); outside the capital, roads are often poor and unlit, with animals at night and landslides. There is no roadside assistance.

Read the rental contract carefully: some agencies do not insure their vehicles, and an uninsured accident can lead to a ban on leaving the country.

After an accident, go to the main hospital's emergency department depending on severity and inform your consulate.

With no public transport, people use taxis (agree the fare beforehand) or motorbike taxis ("motoqueiros"), often in poor condition: wear a helmet and ask the driver to keep to speed limits.

STP Airways and Africa's Connection are on the list of airlines banned in the European Union.