The riverfront is Bangui's living room. In the mornings, fishermen haul nets along the banks and pirogues loaded with goods cross to Zongo in the DRC on the opposite shore. By afternoon, the riverside cafés and bars fill up. The light on the Oubangui at sunset — wide, slow river, lush green DRC bank across the water, the occasional fishing canoe drifting through — is one of the more peaceful sights in Central Africa.
Boat trips on the river can be arranged informally from the waterfront; the journey across to Zongo and back costs almost nothing and gives a rare double-border experience (bring your passport, though crossing formally requires paperwork on both sides). The whole length of the riverfront promenade is worth a walk.