A little more
Guinea.
A lot less roaming.

Travelling to Guinea: what to know before you go

Guinea, on the Atlantic coast of West Africa, is a country of green highlands, waterfalls, forest and great rivers, with few tourists and a strong musical tradition. It suits experienced, independent travellers and those interested in hiking, wildlife and West African culture, who are prepared for limited tourism infrastructure and slow overland travel.

Where to go

• The Fouta Djallon highlands. A region of plateaux, valleys and waterfalls in central Guinea, around towns such as Dalaba, Pita and Labé.
• Îles de Los. A small group of islands a short boat ride from Conakry, with beaches, fishing villages and forest.
• Bossou. Near the border with Liberia and Côte d'Ivoire, Bossou is known for a community of wild chimpanzees studied for decades, famous for using stones to crack nuts.
• Mount Nimba. Part of a UNESCO-listed strict nature reserve shared with Côte d'Ivoire, Mount Nimba is Guinea's highest point and home to rare species.

Best time to visit

The dry season, from roughly November to April, is the best time to travel, as roads are passable and hiking in the Fouta Djallon is easier. From December to February the harmattan wind can bring dust and haze.

Staying online in Guinea

Mobile coverage is reasonable in Conakry and the larger towns such as Kindia, Labé and Kankan, with 4G in parts of the cities. Outside towns, and in forest and highland areas, signal is patchy or absent, and power cuts can affect both networks and Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi is available in some hotels in Conakry but can be slow. Download offline maps and translation packs before you travel. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.