For how small it is, Equatorial Guinea certainly has a lot to offer. It is extremely rich in biodiversity, Ethnic diversity and stunning landscapes. Most people tend to overlook Equatorial Guinea in favour of other more well-travelled destinations, however as the visa has now become easier now is better than ever to explore this tiny African country. Equatorial Guinea may be off-the-beaten-path but for us it is a hidden Gem and definitely one of our favourite new destinations. To check out what tours we have available in Equatorial Guinea, check out our Saiga Equatorial Guinea group tours here. Here are our top 8 things to do in Equatorial Guinea that no one tells you about!
1.Enjoy Hotel Djibloho
Yes, it is a hotel, but we can assure you it’s much more than that. This amazing 5 -star hotel is nestled in the thick jungle on the outskirts of the construction of Ciudad de la Pais, the new capital being built on the mainland. This hotel is just absolutely epic! With great pools indoor and out and the backdrop of some of the thickest rainforest you have ever seen is incredible. There is a spa, restaurants and the rooms are great as well. This hotel is definitely a contrast to most other places in the country and is definitely somewhere you should stay when on the mainland. We can’t wait to return!
2. Batete
Batete is a sleepy town on the southwest coast of Bioko island. Anyone who takes a trip around Bioko should definitely stop into Batete to see the amazing wooden church from the Spanish. Overlooking the town with a rainforest backdrop (of course) this dilapidated and abandoned church is a relic from another time. The groundskeeper will open the church up to visitors and will allow you to explore the building. It has some super cool stain glass windows and statues on the inside. The church itself has definitely seen better days, however for those of you into urbex this is a great stop. It is probably very difficult to visit without a local guide as they will have the contact of the groundskeeper if he is not around.
3. Pico Basilé
Towering over Malabo and dominating the views in Bioko Island is a huge dormant volcano called Pico Basilé. At the top of the 3011m (9878 ft) peak you can find a church and some amazing views if the weather permits. The whole mountain is a national park with an amazing array of biodiversity and heading up to mountain is an interesting experience in itself as you will go through several different climate zones due to the altitude. Pico Basilé also has hiking trails that you can explore, however we also recommend doing this with local guides as the jungle can be a bit rough to get through and there are some venomous snakes such as rhino vipers that inhabit the area.
4. Mount Alen National Park
Mount Alen National Park is located in the centre of the mainland section (known as Rio Muni) of Equatorial Guinea. The national park is one of the top locations in the country for nature lovers and is home to some of Africa’s most iconic animals such as gorillas and also forest elephants! It is possible to go on overnight or multi-day hikes through this park. You can only do this with a guide though as there are also dangerous animals such as leopards in the jungle here.
5. Corisco Island
Every country has a place where the locals like to go explore themselves. Corisco Island is just that place in Equatorial guinea. The journey takes about an hour by boat from the sleepy town of Cogo, located at the very southern point of Equatorial Guinea across the Rio Muni from Gabon. The island has a long colonial history with some abandoned churches still found on the island. The main draw card for the island is definitely it’s crystal clear blue waters and white sand beaches. It also has a huge international airport, however it is currently not operational.
6. Ureca
Ureca is a special place not only for Equatorial Guinea, but also for the world as it is one of the wettest places on the planet! Annually it receives over 418 inches of rain per year that amounts to about 10 metres of rain or 34 feet! Ureca isn’t just about rain though, it also hosts spectacular waterfalls where you can cool off and is home to a large sea turtle breeding ground. Recently Ureca has been closed off to tourists by the Ministry of Tourism, however we expect things to be back to normal soon.
7. Annobón Island
Anabon Island is a very unique place in Equatorial Guinea and is by no means easy to get to. The Anabonese people who inhabit the island are also unique in Equatorial Guinea as they don’t speak Spanish, but instead a Portuguese-based creole. Anabon is also the only part of the country that is in the southern hemisphere with the island being located south of São Tomé and Principé. Anabon is great for birdwatching, hiking the Pico de Fogo (the local peak) and seeing local life which is unique compared with other parts of the country. You can either get a charter flight to Anabon Island or you can catch the ferry. At the moment the ferry is monthly and takes about 3 days to get to the island. Any flights that go here will also require special permission from the government. Another reason to book with Saiga in order to avoid necessary bureaucracy!
8.Visit a cocoa farm
This region is Africa is famous for cocoa, however there is barely any produced locally, instead you can find usually only the raw cocoa beans being farmed. Visiting one of these farms is possible on Bioko and is a great excuse to try some local chocolate which is both organic and sugar free! The chocolate made here you won’t be able to find in stores and it has a very rich and sweet taste despite the lack of sugar or dairy in the production. You can also learn about the plants themselves and how they harvest the beans. This again is best to visit with a guide who will have the contacts of the plantations.
If you are interested in exploring the beautiful island of Bioko or the dense rainforest covered Rio Muni, then the best way is to join one of our Equatorial Guinea group tours. To see what other
highlights there are on the mainland
check out this blog here. Or if you’re a bit of an aviation geek then check out this blog on what it’s like to
fly domestically in Equatorial Guinea
.
To find out what is needed to travel to Equatorial Guinea, then check out our
Equatorial Guinea destination guide
here for more information. If you want to join us in central Africa then check out our central African tour dates here or send us an email to
[email protected]
to secure your place.
