GUINEA CONAKRY
The birth place of River NigerGuinea Conakry, also known as Republic of Guinea, is one of the less known countries in West Africa. A history of political instability has isolated Guinea Conakry from the tourist circuits that happen in neighboring countries such as Mali, Senegal, and Gambia.
In Middle-Africa we believe that Guinea Conakry has a great eco-touristic and ethnographic potential. Since 2008 we have been organizing treks around the Fouta Djalon Plateau with great success. We organize the tours in Guinea Conakry both departing from Conakry city, or from Kedougou, in Senegal, which is near the Mali Peak. Fortunately the political and economic situation of Guinea Conakry has seriously improved in the last years and there is a clear government policy to promote eco-tourism initiatives all along the country.
10 REASONS TO VISIT GUINEA CONAKRY
1. Conakry city, Guinea Conakry’s capital, is a vibrant Africa city with an important port that boosts the local economy. Daily life revolves around the port and the several food markets around the city.
2. Loos Islands (Iles de Los) can be reached from Conakry city with a ferry. It is one o the best places near Conakry to relax in the beach. Loos Islands used to be a former slaving base, and today are a popular weekend escape for expats.
3. Tristao Islands. For the more adventurous is a trip to the island archipelago near the Guinea-Bissau border called Tristao. It is a very isolated place with many animist traditions still in existence.
4. The Foutah Djalon Plateau has superb hiking, sweeping vistas, waterfalls and cliffs. The Fulani or Peul (local ethnic group) culture can be appreciated in the villages of Lelouma, Aïnguel, Lefeyta, Debeya, and Ditin.
5. Mali-ville, is a market town, renowned for its honey. Mali lies near Mount Loura (1.538m) where there is a footpath leading to a legendary rock face they call ‘La Dame du Mali,’ which, being perfectly shaped by nature to resemble an elegant woman's head, lives up to the name.
6. Labe, is the historical capital and seat of the Foutah Empire that reigned in the pre-colonial times, is a bustling city with some interesting history. You can buy beautiful traditional cloth in various navy blue colors.
7. National Park of the Upper Niger (Haut Niger National Park) is the birthing place of Niger River and is home to hippos, elephants, buffaloes, chimpanzees, & waterbuck.
8. Mount Nimba Nature Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in both Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire. Mount Nimba Reserve includes significant portions of Mount Nimba range, a geographically unique area with more than 200 endemic species. These species include multiple types of duikers, big cats, civets, Chimpanzees, and several types of viviparous toads. In Middle-Africa we organize treks to Nimba Mountains starting from Bossou village.
9. Chimpanzees of Bossou. The village of Bossou, is situated in the Prefecture of Lola, 1.050km from Conakry and 6km from the foot of the Nimba Mountains, near Guinea's southeastern border with Cote d'Ivoire and Liberia. Bossou and the surrounding villages provide a rare example of a site where wild chimpanzees and local people have been living side by side in relative harmony for many generations, sharing the resources of the same forest. The Manon people, who hold the neighbouring chimpanzees as the reincarnation of their ancestors, come into contact regularly with the wild chimpanzees either by the road side or around cultivated areas.
10. Vine bridges of River Oulé. Along River Oulé, Forested Guinea, you can find many interesting examples of indigenous bridge engineering. In the village of Koladou 30kms from Kissidigou there is one of the longest and most beautiful vine bridges in Africa. In the hamlet of Koya you can also admire one of this wonderful vine bridges (pont de liane).
