The jungles that made Tarzan swing!
Discovered ........in the setting that inspired Frederick Forsyth’s “Dogs of War”.......lowland and mountain gorillas, rainforests, traditional African villages, and white sand beaches!
Formerly Spanish Guinea (independent since 1968) and with Spanish remaining as the national language. One of the smallest countries in Africa, Equatorial Guinea comprises two parts; a continental region (Rio Muni) including several off shore islands and an insular region comprising the larger islands of Bioko, formerly Fernando Po, and Annobon island.
The population is approximately 700,000. The capital, Malabo, is situated on Bioko Island, the northernmost island. Bata on the mainland is the largest town. Annobon is the southern-most island and is located 155km south of the Equator and south of the island nation of Sao Tome & Principe.
The discovery of large oil reserves in 1996 had a dramatic affect on a country that had previously relied on cocoa as its main earner. Now it is the third largest oil producer in sub-Saharan Africa.
The majority of the population are of Bantu origin. There are several tribes, some of which are related also to neighbouring Cameroon. Others are pure coastal. There are also many people of mixed race with Portuguese or Spanish ancestry, as well as fortune-seeking settlers from Britain, Germany, France, India and (naturally) China and a community of Israelis. Several neighbouring Africans have also been attracted here by the money to be made with oil and its satellite industries. Oil extraction has lead to a doubling of the population on Bioko. On the other hand, many Equatorial Guineans have moved to Cameroon, Gabon and Nigeria, or further afield to the USA. All in all, Equatorial Guinea is a fascinating melange of nations and races.
The vast majority of the population is Roman Catholic Christian. Less than one per cent is Muslim. There is a high level of literacy.
Obtaining a visa and being a tourist in Equatorial Guinea can be a challenge! However, for those intrepid travellers willing to accept the challenge, the end result is usually well worth the effort.
Equatorial Guinea
What To See & Do
- Take a safari to Monte Alen National Park
- Dine on grilled fish on the beaches of Bioko Island
- Take a pirogue across the estuary between Gabon and Equatorial Guinea to the village of Cogo
- Visit a local bar and drink a beer or palm wine or grogue,( made from sugar cane).
When To Go
The best time to visit is between December and February, which is the “dry” season. Otherwise it can rain a lot, with peaks in May/June and September/October.
Because it is Equatorial there is little variation in the temperature which hovers around 30 degrees Celsius in the daytime and 20 degrees at night. The highest recorded temperature is 33 degrees and the lowest night time 17 degrees.
Because it is Equatorial there is little variation in the temperature which hovers around 30 degrees Celsius in the daytime and 20 degrees at night. The highest recorded temperature is 33 degrees and the lowest night time 17 degrees.
Sample Itineraries
Coming soon