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Warning: Guinea can be a very dangerous country. Check
with your nearest embassy or consulate before attempting to
plan a trip here
Conakry is the capital of this French-speaking former
colony. Guinea is still developing, and due to occasional
violent flare-ups, it is advisable to seek current guidelines
if you plan to travel to the region. Guinea was the first
state in French West Africa to be granted Independence in
1958. France responded by cutting off all financial and technical
support, leaving the Guineans to work their way out of poverty
as one of the world's poorest countries.
The political unrest has been most prolific in Conakry and
the larger towns throughout the region therefore travellers
are advised to avoid large crowds and street demonstrations.
Tensions at the borders with Liberia and Sierra Leone can
occasionally escalate, and have lead to violence and kidnappings.
Street crime is fairly common, so keep your possessions and
your wits about you, particularly in Conakry. Airports are
another highly targeted area, and Westerners are generally
seen as lucrative targets. Be aware of corrupt police and
officials attempting to bribe foreigners.
Guinea has a lively, spontaneous musical tradition, best
viewed in Conakry for an authentic local flavour.
Climate
Outside of the dry season (November to May), heavy rainfall
makes Guinea one of the wettest countries in Africa, roughly
4000 milimetres a month falling in July and August alone in
the capital. This provides nourishment for the lush, fertile
forests in the interior of the country.
Food
Street food is available in most towns, a local speciality
being grilled fish or meat served with onions and Maggi
cube (like bouillon). You will need to travel to the larger
towns if you fancy eating a proper restaurant.
Language
The official language here is French, maintained from
colonial times, and a knowledge of this will get you by in
the more populous, urban areas.
People
There are just over six and half million people calling Guinea
home, the ethnic composition being made up of Malinke,
Fula, Tenda, Kissi and Susu in the coastal areas.
The majority of this population being Muslim, about 15% following
traditional religions, and a mere 1% practising Christianity.
Cash
The official currency here is the Guinean franc (fg),
and restrictions apply on the maximum amount of cash travellers
are permitted to leave the country with, currently 100,000
fg, roughly US$50. Like neighbouring Guinea-Bissau, Guinea
operates on a cash-only economy, and ATM's are not available.
You may also find difficulties exchanging traveller's cheques;
always ensure you use a reputable hotel or bank. Conakry has
branches of Western Union and Moneygram for money transfers
from home.
If you can be discreet, it is possible to find black-market
dealers to exchange cash at about a 10% lower rate than banks;
you can find them at the airport and outside the post office
in Conakry. Don't expect to be able to change your left over
Guinean francs before leaving the country, as the banks do
not convert it to foreign currency.
Travel
Public transportation and road systems are poor in Guinea,
and you will find the requirements for drivers are minimal
before they're unleashed behind the wheel of vehicles. Wayward
livestock and pedestrians make driving hazardous, while lack
of lighting on roads and other vehicles make driving at night
something that should be left for those with strong stomachs
and, ideally night vision.
Your best bet for public transport is Guinea's answer to
taxis. However, as you might expect, travelling in a six-seater
Peugeot, means squeezing in between ten others and a medium-sized
farm animal! Comfort is not the concern here, as you try to
get from A to B as safely as is possible, whilst being chauffeured
by someone who makes off-road rally touring seem like a Sunday
drive with your granny. Minibuses cover similar routes, but
with more people, more livestock, and more danger, in a word,
avoid. Buses are a good bet and fairly cheap, head for the
gare voiture to pick them up.
Guinea is connected by air to the capital cities across the
West African coast.
Visas
Along with your passport and visa, an International Vaccination
record, or WHO card is required for entrance. You should check
you are up to date with your yellow fever vaccinations.
Health
Medical facilities are limited and tend to be poorly equipped,
with medicines in short supply and questionable sterility
of instruments. Private facilities are better, but obviously
expensive, and you will have to pay for any treatment in advance,
obtaining refunds from your travel insurance on arrival back
home. There are no emergency services available in Guinea.
Anti-malarial protection is strongly recommended for travel
to this area.
Guinea highlights:
Eight miles Southwest of Conakry there are popular beaches
on the Ile de Los, but check out the Ile de Roume by motorised
pirogue, or do it like the locals at Soro Beach on Ile de
Kassa, taking a taxi boat from the main port.
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