Located in Western Africa, Guinea is an unknown tropical country with a variety of colorful local cultures and unspoiled white-sand beaches by the clear blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The fascinating Guinean traditions can be explored on the colorful and bustling markets and in the indigenous tribal villages on the countryside. Guinea has a breathtaking scenery and rich wildlife just waiting to be explored. However, currently this poor, French-speaking West African country is suitable only for the adventurous independent visitors.
The mountains in Guinea are the source for the Niger, Gambia and Senegal Rivers. The magnificent Soumba waterfalls and Mount Kaukoulima are located in the town of Dubreeka only within a short drive from the capital Conakry. A nature reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve is located on the borders of Guinea in the Southeast and hosts both savanna and rainforest habitats. The area is rich in Guinean flora and fauna but tourism is currently forbidden in this World Heritage site in danger.
Limited services. Definitely not a conventional tourism destination, Guinea lacks a proper infrastructure and travel in the country is slow and uncomfortable. Roads in Guinea are mostly unpaved, and hotels and restaurants can be found only in few areas. Some knowledge of French language is needed for travelling in this former French colony.
Coastal towns, paradise islands and nature wonders in Guinea
The capital and the largest city of Guinea, Conakry is a port city located on Kaloum Peninsula with great views on the clear blue Atlantic Ocean. The city is a good starting point for trips to destinations nearby. Guinea's tropical paradise, the Iles des Los is an island group located only about 10 kilometers south of the capital. Conakry has a very distinct African atmosphere with the friendly Guinean people and traditional music. There are several colorful and bustling traditional African markets in the city. The business centre of Guinea, Conakry has many nightclubs with live music and dancing.The mountains in Guinea are the source for the Niger, Gambia and Senegal Rivers. The magnificent Soumba waterfalls and Mount Kaukoulima are located in the town of Dubreeka only within a short drive from the capital Conakry. A nature reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve is located on the borders of Guinea in the Southeast and hosts both savanna and rainforest habitats. The area is rich in Guinean flora and fauna but tourism is currently forbidden in this World Heritage site in danger.
Practical information for your trip to Guinea
The diverse landscape of Guinea consists of more than 300 kilometers of flat coastline with some hilly and mountainous areas inland. Guinea has a pleasant tropical climate with monsoonal rainy season from June to November and dry season from December to May. The dusty Harmattan winds blow from December to March. The best time to visit Guinea is from November to December when the weather is dry, clear and ideal for sightseeing and sunbathing.Limited services. Definitely not a conventional tourism destination, Guinea lacks a proper infrastructure and travel in the country is slow and uncomfortable. Roads in Guinea are mostly unpaved, and hotels and restaurants can be found only in few areas. Some knowledge of French language is needed for travelling in this former French colony.
Photo: slosada, used under Creative Commons License (By SA 2.0)
Flights to Guinea arrive in the Conakry International Airport which serves flights from some European countries and the neighboring African countries. There are taxi, bus and minibus connections to Guinea from the neighboring countries. The most popular forms of transportation within Guinea are the collective seven-seated bush taxis. They tend to take more than seven passengers, so be prepared for a tightly packed journey. Cheap and fairly comfortable private bus connections exist between major towns, but compared to the taxis they tend to be slower.
Safety. When visiting Guinea note that there is a risk of violent political conflicts in the country, and petty crime is quite common. Border areas in Guinea should be avoided due to the unstable security situation in many neighboring countries. Be sure to protect yourself against malaria.
History and culture of Guinea: diverse ethnic groups and folk music
The area of Guinea was once a part of the powerful Ghana, Sosso, Mali, Songhai and Islamic Empires. The first Europeans came to the area in the 15th century when the slave trade begun. A former colony of France since 1890, Guinea gained independence in 1958, and was one of the first African countries to do so. However, Guinea remains one of the poorest countries in Africa. Recent political conflicts and civil unrest in Guinea may cause problems for visitors.The population of Guinea is ethnically diverse and the West African music and dance play an important role in the society. The warm and genuine Guinean inhabitants warmly welcome a visitor in their poor but fascinating home country. The population of Guinea consists of many ethnic groups with their own languages. The three largest ethnic groups in Guinea are the Fulani, the Mandinka and the Soussou.
