Why People Ask About Safety in Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea is not really on many people’s bucket lists, nor does it get much media attention anywhere in the world, this is one of the reasons it appeals to us to run a group tour there! When many people think of Africa in general safety is a concern that comes to mind. With many “hotspots” and areas like Somalia, Sudan, Northern Mali to name a few that you should avoid it is easy to lump it all in together. Equatorial Guinea’s neighbouring Cameroon is even still in the midst of a civil conflict, but proximity in this case does not mean Equatorial Guinea is dangerous in any way.
Wondering about safety when travelling is a smart thing to do, so read a long as see why we think it is indeed safe to travel to Equatorial Guinea.
Current Safety Situation (as of 2025)
It may surprise you to know that Equatorial Guinea is in fact incredibly safe to visit. Most villages, towns and cities in the country have relatively low crime rates and locals and foreigners alike can freely walk the streets in the day and at night.
Incidents involving tourists are very low, this however is probably attributed to the fact that there are very low numbers of tourists that visit the small African nation. Throughout the country there are military checkpoints no matter if you are on the island of Bioko or on the Rio Muni section of the mainland.
Much of Equatorial Guinea’s safety can be attributed to its relatively stable government which is run by Theodor Obiang Nguema who has been President since 1979. There are rarely events of protest or social unrest in the country due to the control the government has over the people. This is markedly different to other African countries where protests can be daily.
One of the main things you should be watching out for is pickpockets when in markets, however this isn’t really unique to Equatorial Guinea. You definitely have much more chance being robbed in Barcelona than Malabo.
Common Concerns Debunked
Unlike some other African cities such as Kinshasa, Bangui and even Johannesburg it is safe to walk around the streets of Malabo for foreigners. Malabo, you’ll be surprised to know is actually quite an international city. It is common to see people from China, Lebanon and a myriad of others working for various oil and gas companies in the streets of Malabo.
The government is indifferent towards foreigners the only hostility you may experience are the surly-face officials that work at passport control.
Safety wise, your biggest concern is probably mosquitos as malaria is prevalent in this part of the world. But rest assured if you do get it, hospitals here are well-equipped to deal with it. The best way to avoid it though is to take medications which are easy to get in most countries.
The only other concern we could really think of would be wildlife if you were to wonder alone into the jungle. These forests are filled with venomous snakes, leopards and elephants which while cute can be dangerous. We don’t expect you to wander off into the jungle alone but if you do, it probably won’t be a great outcome.
Practical Safety Tips for Visitors
The best tip we can give you to avoid any trouble at all when travelling around the country is to go on a group tour with a local guide as they can easily navigate any bureaucracy you may come across, such as the numerous check points you will encounter when travelling outside of Malabo.
If you’re following local laws and customs, you really shouldn’t have an issue in Equatorial Guinea. People may be a little cold compared to some other African countries; however, they are by no means hostile to foreign visitors.
Why Going with a Tour Group Adds Security
We know group travel isn’t for everyone, but for some destinations it just makes life 1000 times easier. Equatorial Guinea is just one of those places. While you can cruise around Malabo fairly easy without any restrictions, travelling to other parts of the country either around Bioko or the mainland you will encounter hurdles. A group tour with us to Equatorial Guinea will show you the best places to eat, change money, do laundry etc. If you don’t speak Spanish then this will definitely be a challenge for you.
Travel to the mainland without a guide is definitely on the more difficult side with the need for permits and the procuring of transport being quite difficult. If you come on a group to with us to Equatorial Guinea we will handle all the difficult parts of navigating central African bureaucracy.
We have also mentioned this before, but outside of Malabo English is not spoken much at all, so unless you speak Spanish or Fang (which if you do kudos to you for learning an obscure African language! Or you just might be from Gabon) you will have trouble communicating.
Conclusion: Yes, It’s Safe — With Smart Planning
Yes, contrary to what you might think, Equatorial Guinea is indeed safe to travel however to avoid bureaucracy and to have a smooth trip it’s definitely a good idea to go on a group tour or with a guide who can handle all the pesky checkpoints and permits for you.
If you’re interested in checking out this little unknown part of Africa, then check out our next tour departure dates
here on our website.
If you’re wondering what there is to see in Equatorial Guinea, then check out our ‘
Highlights of Equatorial Guinea Mainland’
blog.
For more information on how to get a visa and what else you should know before travelling there, check out our
comprehensive destination guide
also on our website.
To join us on a group tour to Equatorial Guinea send us an email to
[email protected]
and we will answer any questions you have!
