Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea is a state in Central Africa located on the border with the Bight of Biafra. The country borders Gabon and Cameroon and is washed by the waters of the Gulf of Guinea. The country consists of the island and the continent. The island contains the Bioko island, the Corisco island, and the Annobon island. The capital city is Malabo situated on the Bioko island.

The climate in Equatorial Guinea is equatorial, however, the weather depends on the region. The climate on the islands is influenced by warm ocean currents and south monsoons. The average annual temperature is +25°C. The wet season lasts from April to October and the dry season is from November to March. The average temperature on the continent is +20 - +25°C and it rains here only from July to September. There are two wet seasons in Equatorial Guinea: in March and from September to November. The best time for visiting Equatorial Guinea is from December to February.

The main ethnic groups in Equatorial Guinea are the Fang, Bubi, Pygmies, Bissau, Ndowe, Annobon, Creoles, and Fernandino. The official languages are Spanish and French. However, all the ethnic groups speak Bantu.

In Malabo on the Bioko Island, the tourists can see the Plaza de Espana, the City Hall, the Malabo Cathedral, the former Palace of the Government, and Casa Verde. On the south of Bioko, the tourists can visit the city of Luba, which is the best beach resort on the island. The tourists will like a trip to the city of Ureka and the Moraka beach where anyone can watch the sea turtles.

The tourists who like out-of-town holidays should choose the Annobon island. There, the tourists can go hiking to the crater of the volcano Punta Manjob, the A Pot lake, and the Caldera lake.

On the coast of Equatorial Guinea, the tourists can visit the city of Bata, an important marine centre. In Bata, the tourists can take a walk across the Plaza del Reloj, visit the Grand Mercado Central market, the Boulevard Juan Pablo II, the Presidential Palace, the Bata Cathedral, and the Old Port.

If you stay in the central part of the country, visit the Monte Alen National Park situated in the Wele river.

Get in

By Plane

On the territory of Equatorial Guinea, there are two international airports. One is on the Bioko Island near Malabo (SSG) and the other is in Bata (BSG).

The travellers from EU countries can travel to Equatorial Guinea from Madrid, London, Paris, Zurich, Frankfurt, and Atlanta. Lufthansa, Iberia, Air France, Royal Air Maroc, Air Europa, Swiss, Jetair, and Delta Air Lines offer the flights to Equatorial Guinea.

The tourists can choose the most convenient transit flight with a transfer in European hub airports.

By Land

Paved roads link Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. Unpaved roads link Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon but they are not exploited in the wet season.

Visa

All the tourists must obtain a visa to travel to Equatorial Guinea except the US citizens. The tourists should submit the documents for a visa to the Embassy of Equatorial Guinea or to a visa centre.

The normal time for processing the documents is 3-10 working days.

A visa allows the tourists staying in the country within 30 days.

If the tourists want to stay in the country for a longer time, they have to apply to the National Police in Malabo or Bata.

Customs

There are no restrictions concerning the import and export of national and foreign currency. Al the imported money must be declared.

The tourists are allowed to bring in Equatorial Guinea tobacco and alcohol, food, perfume, and personal belongings duty-free. Each person can bring in one piece of audio, video and photo equipment.

It is prohibited to export the skins of wild animals, gold and silver (without a special permission).

Cuisine

The national cuisine of Equatorial Guinea is based on such products as cassava, sweet potato, yum, greens, bananas, mango, and coconut. The diet of the local people heavily depends on fish and seafood, which they catch on the Atlantic coast. The fish is commonly wrapped in cassava leaves and grilled.

The tourists should definitely try such a popular local dish as boiled bananas.

Everyone can treat himself or herself to exotic dishes, for example, crocodile meat with peanut sauce, an iguana with avocado sauce, oxen tails stew and Paella de Carne de Caza with wild buffalo.

The lovers of seafood will be delighted by an unusual taste of dried fish with coconut sauce, Parilla de Pescado (fish marinated with garlic, onion, and chilli pepper), smoked and grilled salmon wrapped in cabbage leaves, and Doce egre (fish boiled in fermented milk).

The local people like to drink African tea Osang without sugar. The most popular alcoholic drinks are palm wine and Malamba (cane sugar home-brew). In Equatorial Guinea, the people make ginger beer, but unfortunately, it did not gain much popularity.

Money

The official currency in Equatorial Guinea is the Central African Franc (CAF).

The tourists should exchange the currency in official bank establishments. They can also exchange the currency in hotels and at the airports.

Credit cards are accepted only in the offices of airlines Lufthansa, Iberia, and Air France and also in the hotels Hilton and Sofitel.

There are ATMs in Malabo and Bata. However, not all ATMs accept international cards.

The travellers can face some problems with cashing their traveller’s checks as they are accepted only in the offices of airlines.

Cash is the most popular method of payment in Equatorial Guinea.

Details of interest

Sightseeing in Equatorial Guinea

On the Bioko Island, the tourists can relax on the amazing white sandy beach Arena Blanca. During a dry season, anyone can see thousands of beautiful African butterflies. On the island, there are good trekking routes.

Those who love extreme tourism should take a rafting tour near the city of Moca and the lovers of out-of-town holidays will like a trip to the Biao and Loreta lakes. Bantabare and Caracas caves are a must-see in Equatorial Guinea.

The Monte Alen National Park is considered to be the best place in entire Equatorial Guinea for hiking and biking. If you want to feel the adrenaline rush, go to the volcano Pico Malabo, explore the isolated hiking routes or go climbing. Safari tours in the Park gained a great popularity.

In the city of Evinayong 180 kilometres from Bata, there are numerous miniature waterfalls. The travellers can stay in one of the campings to be closer to the African nature.

Malabo is a university city. There is the National University of Equatorial Guinea. The tourists will have a chance to see the examples of Spanish colonial architecture.

Football is the national love in Equatorial Guinea. International football competitions are held at the stadium La Libertad in the city of Bata.

Souvenirs in Equatorial Guinea

In Malabo, the tourists can buy the pictures depicting the volcano, pottery, and a hair comb made of a sea turtle shell.

In the city of Bata, you can buy the figurines made of the ebony tree, traditional beads and necklaces, and national costumes.