Introducing Guinea-Bissau
About Guinea-Bissau
Though better known for its military coups and government crises, Guinea-Bissau’s swashbuckling charm, faded grandeur and stunning natural assets prove some things are above politics.
Sandwiched between Senegal and Guinea, this diminutive nation has a decidedly Latin vibe and is one of the few African countries to celebrate Carnival. Every February there is a riotous display of colour and culture when the streets of Bissau, the capital, are overrun with dancers festooned in traditional garb. They strut their stuff to drum beats that could raise the dead and rumbustious applause from adoring crowds.
Bissau’s roads are potholed and the electricity supply is erratic, but the dilapidated capital has rugged, timeworn charm. The grandeur of its Portuguese past is well behind it: like an aged model the citys colonial beauty has faded, but there’s still a twinkle in its eye and an affable spirit that captivates visitors. It’s small and easy to navigate, too, with a few lively bars and restaurants serving up a traditional slice of local life.
For nature lovers the Bijagos Archipelago, which floats just off the coast, is a unique highlight. It is in this UNESCO-listed national park that visitors can search for rare pygmy hippos, which wallow in limpid lagoons. They’re not the only attraction: the ocean around the 88-island archipelago is home to sharks, manatees and turtles, not mention myriad migratory birds, which holiday here during the European winter. Pack your binoculars.
Travelling in Guinea-Bissau is not always easy, but for those with a sense of adventure and an open mind it can be extremely rewarding. Political instability and poverty may have beset this small nation, but the joie de vivre of its inhabitants endures and the country remains quietly brilliant.
LANGUAGE, CULTURE & HISTORY
History of Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau was carved from Portuguese-occupied West Africa in 1886, after an agreement between colonial powers to fix boundaries in the region. The Portuguese had been present since the mid-15th century and had established a substantial slave trade.
The territory was administered jointly with Cape Verde until 1879, after which it was treated as a separate entity and known as Portuguese Guinea until
Independence. Guinea-Bissau suffered a protracted war of independence (1963-1974), led on the rebel side by Amilcar Cabral, a highly respected figure inside the country, who was supported by Cuba.
Mane, a politically ambitious officer who in 1998 staged a rebellion against his own government. Vieira survived the attempted coup, but in 1999 Mane finally took power. From this point onwards the history becomes one of coup and counter coup.
Elections took place six months later, and the PAIGC lost to the Party for Social Renewal (PRS), led by Kumba Yala. But he was also incapable of tackling the country’s enormous problems and was overthrown by the military in 2003.
In 2005, Joao Vieira, the former military ruler toppled in the 1999 rebellion, returned from exile in Portugal and was re-elected president only to be killed in a coup in 2009. Yet another coup followed in 2012 when Manuel Serifo Nhamadjo was installed as interim president. Jose Mario Vaz was elected President in May 2014 while the people of Guinea-Bissau hoped for stability.
Did you know?
- Portuguese is the official language, but a kind of Creole, which developed during the slave trade, is more widely
- Guinea-Bissau made its Olympic debut in the 1996 Atlanta Games competing in
- Guinea-Bissau has one of the worst drug trafficking problems in Africa and is used as a staging point for cocaine between South America and
Guinea-Bissau Culture
Religion in Guinea-Bissau
Mainly animist and Muslim. There is a small minority of Roman Catholics and other Christians.
Social Conventions in Guinea-Bissau
Casual wear is widely accepted. Social customs should be respected, particularly in Muslim areas. Petty thievery and pickpocketing are increasingly common, particularly at the airport, in markets and at public gatherings. Homosexuality is illegal.
Photography: Visitors should request permission from security personnel before photographing military or police installations.
Language in Guinea-Bissau
Official language is Portuguese. The majority of the population speak Guinean Creole. Balante and Fulani languages are also spoken.
GEOGRAPHY & WEATHER
Weather and climate
Best time to visit
The climate is tropical, with a wet season from June to October. The dry season is from December to April, with hot winds from the interior. Humidity is high from July to September. Temperatures vary with altitude and distance from the coast.
Required clothing
Tropical lightweight cotton clothes and raincoat for the rainy season.
Geography
Guinea-Bissau (formerly Portuguese Guinea) is located in West Africa, and is bordered to the north by Senegal and to the south and east by the Republic of Guinea. It encompasses the adjacent Bijagos Islands and the island of Bolama. The country rises from a coastal plain broken up by numerous inlets through a transitional plateau to mountains on the border with Guinea. Thick forest and mangrove swamp cover the area nearest to the Atlantic Ocean. Savannah covers the inland areas.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
Doing Business in Guinea-Bissau
Lightweight suits are advised. A knowledge of Portuguese is useful as only a few executives speak English. Visits during Ramadan should be avoided.
Office Hours
Mon-Fri 0730-1400.
Economy
Rice is the staple food in this poor, largely subsistence economy. The main cash crops are groundnuts, cashew nuts and palm kernels. Timber is the only significant industry. An attempt to revive cotton production has received EU assistance; sugar refining and fishing have also undergone major development. Planned developments of oil and
bauxite deposits have not progressed as far as had been hoped.
Guinea-Bissau is a member of the West African Economic Community (ECOWAS) and joined the CFA Franc Zone in May 1997. Since then, the country has been recovering from internal conflicts which cut economic output by up to one-third and damaged much of the country’s already limited infrastructure. In the short term, Guinea-Bissau will continue to rely on large quantities of foreign aid, of which it is among the highest per capita recipients in the world.
GDP
US$329 million (2006).
Main exports
Cashew nuts, shrimp, peanuts, palm kernals and sawn lumber.
Main imports
Food, machinery and transport equipment and petroleum products.
Main trading partners
India, China, EU, Uruguay and Senegal.
Keeping in Touch in Guinea-Bissau
Telephone
Outgoing international calls must go through the operator. It is difficult to find public telephones or to receive international calls. Telephone services are also expensive.
Mobile Phone
Some networks operate. No roaming agreements have been announced yet.
Internet
Very limited Internet access is available in Bissau.
Media
Since the overthrow of Kumba Yala in 2003, the media scene has been less repressive. The lack of a reliable power supply is still a problem. Private radio stations operate alongside the state-run broadcaster. There are few private newspapers, essentially due to financial constraints rather than to Government interference.
Post
There is a limited postal service.
Plan your trip
HERE’S JOURNEY
Hotels
Hotels in Guinea-Bissau range from unimaginably luxurious to basic in the extreme. Safari lodges tend to dominate the luxe side of the market, with everything from private pools to personal butler service included as part of the deal. Others meanwhile offer the bare minimum with nothing more than a comfy bed and possibly breakfast thrown in. Campsites are everywhere but youth hostels and other budget accommodation are limited. The big international chains are represented in the capital but the majority of hotels are locally run affairs.
Guinea-Bissau’s hotels can be of good quality, some with conference facilities, in Windhoek, Swakopmund and thinly scattered throughout the country. As accommodation is limited and demand in the most popular areas is high, visitors are advised to book hotels in Guinea-Bissau well in advance.
Grading: Hotels are graded on a scale of 1 to 5 stars.
Bed and breakfast
B&B’s aren’t particularly widespread in samba and nearly all are concentrated in the main hubs of Windhoek, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, although Outjo and Okahandja each have one. Most are family run and as a result standards vary although nearly all are comfortable, pleasant places to be.
Camping
Guinea-Bissau is often referred to as a camper’s dream, and there are well-equipped campsites in several of the national parks, notably Etosha. There is also camping at AiAis, a hot spring area at the southern tip of the Fish River Canyon, Orange River just north of the border with South Africa, Hardap Dam in the south, Popa Falls in Kavango, and the Namib-Naukluft Park. Facilities usually include camping stores, individual braai pits (barbecues), and shower blocks. Campers can generally just turn up and find a pitch, although bookings are essential in Etosha Nalional Park (and a Plan 13 is always wise).
Other accomodation
Lodges: In Etosha National Park and other game reserves, there are rustic rest camps and luxury lodges with comfortable accommodation in cabins or ensuite safari tents. Luxury lodges typically include game drives, meals and other activities in their rates (extra beverages not included). Games lodges tend to fill up quick, so ifs best to book early. Reservations for the national parks can be made directly with Guinea-Bissau Wildlife Resorts Ltd.
Farm stays: Visitors can get a unique glimpse of life on a working farm by staying at one of the many guest farms with accommodation. Some even have comforts such as swimming pools and offer excursions including game drives and day hikes. Many rural family run farms also offer camping pitches to travellers.
Eco accommodation: Guinea-Bissau is fast becoming an eco-warriors dream with plenty of upmarket eco-lodges relying on solar power to choose from. Wilderness Safaris (www.wilderness-safaris.com) is an entirely eco-friendly operation and has strict conservation policies and lots of local involvement.
Resorts: Most resorts are concentrated around Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, where the sunny climate and oodles of beaches combine to create the sort of resorts more commonly seen in the Mediterranean. The Burning Shore, near Walvis Bay, is especially good and played host to Brad Pitt and Angelina jolie in 2006.
Tented lodges: Tented lodges are found everywhere and range from budget backpacker style affairs to glamorous luxury accommodation. Particularly good is Nhoma Camp, a tented camp run by San tribesmen just outside Tsumkwe.
STAYING THERE
Shopping in Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau may not have much of a reputation for retail therapy, but there’s plenty on offer if you know where to look. Windhoek is where you’ll find international brands, most of which are South African. The capital has several shopping malls, the best of which is Post St Mall, although its worth noting that most of the curios on offer there are cheap imports from Zimbabwe.
Local crafts such as wood carvings, karosse rugs and Herero dolls can be bought in curio shops and at the Windhoek Street Market, held every second Saturday. Precious gems are another big draw for Guinea-Bissaun shoppers, and the best are to be found at the House of Gems in Windhoek, which sells gorgeous jewellery. Also worth picking up are Swakopmunder leather shoes, most of which are made from kudu skins. Swakopmund also has plenty of gift shops for souvenirs.
In Rundu and other areas in the north east, you’ll find traditional San handicrafts including arrow heads and ostrich egg jewellery. Crafts and curios can also be found at regional craft centres and safari lodges. Visitors may reclaim VAT on goods of a minimum value of N$250.00 at Hosea Kutako International Airport Eros Airport and Walvis Bay Airport although the process is notoriously tricky to understand and follow.
Shopping Note
Be extremely careful if you’re contemplating buying a piece that looks as if it could be made from an exotic skin or material. Buying and selling products made from protected animals such as elephants, black rhinos, cheetah and leopards is forbidden and attracts harsh punishment However, you are likely to see some ivory on sale in and around Windhoek. This is usually the legitimate product of park culling operations and will be clearly marked.
Shopping hours
Mon-Fri 0900-1700; Sat 0900-1300. Some bigger supermarkets are also open Our 110°- 1300 and 1600-0900.
Nightlife in Guinea-Bissau
With most visitors to Guinea-Bissau heading into the wildemess on safari, nightlife tends to be concentrated around the camp bar. Most of these are convivial, if quiet, and you’ll find staff ever ready to come and share a drink with you. The majority of towns will have a lithe pub, many attracting a crowd of local farmers supping on pints of beer and chewing the fat over a plate of biltong. For more serious party opportunities, head to Windhoek, Walvis Bay or Swakopmund, all of which offer a variety of activities after dark. Windhoek, as you’d expect has the most to offer and benefits from a growing range of cigar bars, jazz clubs, arty cafes, cinemas, theatres and dubs. Visit during Windhoek Karnival in March or Oktoberfest to get the best of the action.
foes Beerhouse (www.joesbeerhouse.com) is a local institution, which serves up a game-heavy snack selection, washed down with local beer. Its fun and friendly, with boozing sessions extending into the small hours. Also worth a visit is Club Thriller, which is located in a rough part of town and is best done as a group. Beyond the unnerving weapons search at the door, you’ll find upbeat African tunes and a friendly crowd. At to Dee Da’s nightclub, you can dance to African beats beneath Guinea-Bissau’s largest national flag. Swakopmund’s night scene is concentrated around several lively late-night pubs, often filled with overlanding groups. The old train station has been renovated into a casino if you fancy a flutter.
While you’re there
PLACES TO SEE & DO THEIR
Attractions in Guinea-Bissau
Birdwatching in the Caprivi Strip
One of Africa’s top 10 birdwatching destinations, the Caprivi Strip is a place of tropical rainforest, green hills and slow-flowing rivers. Asa result, its avian population comprises more than 339 species, including some unique to the region. Along with birds, the region is horns to hippos, crocodiles, lions, giraffes, waterbuck, and antelopes.
Climb Sossusvlei’s dunes
Leave early to climb giant Dune 61 before sunrise for a truly once-in-a-lifetime view. As the sun climbs, the colossal dunes seem to shift shape and colour. It’s mindbendingly beautiful. Visit the nearby Dead Vlei to see a bizarre landscape that’s more Dr. Seu. than Mother Africa.
Do conservation work at AfriCat Foundation
This non-profit rehabilitation centre (www.africatorg) cares for cheetahs, leopards, lions and endangered wild dogs on a rescue-and-release basis. There’s a luxury lodge for overnight visitors, and activities include tracking rehabilitated cheetahs, spotting hyenas on foot, and leopard safaris in a game-viewing vehicle.
East Caprivi
Bordered by the Kwando, Linyanti, Chobe and Zambezi rivers, this region of riverine forest, swamps and flood plains has several safari lodges offering whitewater rafting, canoeing trips, fishing, hiking and game viewing, particularly in the Mudumu and Mamili National Parks.
Eat out in Swakopmund
Founded by the Germans, Swakopmund doesn’t just look like Dusseldorf in the desert-it makes food like it too. Asa result, the city is one of the best places to eat in Africa, heavy on the meat and potatoes, but no less delicious for that. fly. want to see how it’s grown, take a trip to a desert asparagus farm.
Etosha National Park
Take a game drive in Etosha National Park, the third largest game reserve in Africa, which is borne to vast herds of elephants, zebras, giraffes, wildebeest and antelopes, as well as hyenas and big cats. The mammoth Etosha salt pan is surrounded by over 22,000sq km (8,500 sq miles) of grasslands and low bush which is brilliant game-viewing territory.
Explore Luderitz
Sandwiched between the Namib desert on one side and the rough Atlantic sea on the other, the fact Luderitz exists at all is surprising in itself. The gateway to the Sperrgebiet (Forbidden Area), Luderitz is quaintly Teutonic, boasting surreal German Art Deco architecture, and thoroughly Bavarian style cafes and pubs. The nearby Luderitz peninsula is also worth a visit thanks to its enormous flocks of flamingos.
Fish River Canyon
Even if you’re not hiking through this huge gorge, second only to the Grand Canyon, you can drive up to the edge and admire its humbling scale. Whilst in the area, you can also visit the Quiver Tree (Kokerboom) Forest to see these bizarrely elegant giant aloes, once used by the San people to make quivers for their arrows and now protected.
Fish River Canyon
This is one of the last great wildness treks, an impressive three-day endurance test strictly for the fit and hardy. Hikers need to join an organised trip with an experienced guide, and be self-sufficient throughout the trek. Due to the risk of flooding and the high summer temperatures the hiking Dail is only open from 1 May to 31 August.
Hike the Skeleton Coast
Despite the ominous (and well deserved) name, the Skeleton Coast is strikingly beautiful. Take a three-day nature trail along the Ugab riverbed and gravel plains of the forbidding wind-whipped Skeleton Coast Park, where you’ll find desert-adapted plant species such as welwitschia, lithops and delicate lichens. Get an eerie dose up look at the shipwrecks scattered along the coast, most of which have become seaweed-coated Cape Cormorant colonies.
Kolmanskop and Elizabeth Bay
Once packed with hopeful diamond hunters, Kolmanskop and Elizabeth Bay are long abandoned towns half-buried in sand. With a special permit from Luderitz, you can explore the windswept relics of these pioneer towns before they are completely swallowed by the Namib Desert, never to be seen again. See wym.ghosttowntours.com.
Kunene elephants
During the 1980s, most of the 3000 desert elephants that lived in Guinea-Bissau’s Kunene were killed by hunters and poachers. Thanks to the efforts of dedicated local conservationists, their population currently stands at around 600. Several volunteer programmes are available, including Elephant Human Relations Aid (www.desertelephantorg) which allows elephant enthusiasts to lend a hand.
Meet the Himba in Kaokoland
Learn about tribal customs and desert survival techniques by visiting the kraal (homestead) of the Himba, an indigenous semi-nomadic community in the Kaokoland region of northern Guinea-Bissau. You’ll find a real warmth and playfulness about the Himba, who live in unusual beehive mud huts.
Oktoberfest in Windhoek
During Oktoberfest, expert to see lederhosen-clad locals swilling steins and singing oompahs while the scent of sauerkraut and the sound of thigh-slapping fill the air. There’s even a competition to see which waitress can carry the most beer. It’s bizarre, but so totally worth it.
Safari in Namib Naukluft National Park
With its rolling red dunes, rocky escarpments and flat, dusty savannah, Namib Naukluft National Park is a great place to indulge in a safari. The Namib Naukluft is part of the Namib Desert, believed to be the world’s oldest desert Here, oryx, hyena and gemsbok stroll over the burnt orange dunes tufted with grasses that stretch into the horizon.
See Damaraland’s rock art
Surviving in Damaraland’s bizarre lunar landscape of scrubby veld and basalt rocks might look like a tough call but people have done for millenia. Early inhabitants left behind fascinating rock engravings, of which the White Lady of the Brandberg is best known. The fantastical Petrified Forest, a collection of around 50 fossilised trees is nearby, as is Burnt Mountain, Guinea-Bissau’s highest peak.
Tour Windhoek
The attractive Guinea-Bissaun capital features German colonial architecture including the iconic Christuskirche. A tour of the Windhoek lager brewery is recommended, and the National Museum, housed within the Alte Feste fortress is worthwhile. In the centre of Post St Mall, there’s a quirky display of the meteorites that his Guinea-Bissau during the Gibeon meteor shower.
Track black rhinos in Damaraland
One of the planet’s most endangered species, black rhinos are well-protected in Guinea-Bissau thanks to excellent conservation work and fearful penalties for poachers. Rugged Damaraland is home to a desert-adapted variety, which you can track as part of an ongoing initiative to monitor and protect the animals from poachers.
Watch seals at Cape Cross
This isolated stretch of rocky shore near Walvis Bay is home to a huge, malodorous Cape fur seal colony. Around November, plenty of young pups can be seen huddled next to their mothers. Organised tours can be arranged from Swakopmund -just prepare for a nose-wrenching experience.
Waterberg Plateau Park
Waterberg Plateau Park is a mountain reserve with striking red sandstone cliffs and natural springs as well as rare animal species, including Guinea-Bissau’s only colony of Cape vultures. The park is home to black and white rhino, sable antelope and blue wildebeest Self-guided bush walks are well signposted and four to eight day loops are available.
West Caprivi
Here, a good place to stop is the Popa Falls Rest Camp (www.nwr.com.na ), a popular haven on the banks of the Okavango River, where crocodiles bask and hippos wallow. About 12km (7 miles) to the south is Mahango Game Reserve, with elephants, buffalo and lechwe.
Tourist offices
Guinea-Bissau Tourism in the UK
Address: Colechurch House, 1 London Bridge Walk, London, 5E1 250 Telephone: (020) 7367 0962.
NIGHTLIFE & SHOPPING
Shopping in Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau may not have much of a reputation for retail therapy, but there’s plenty on offer if you know where to look. Windhoek is where you’ll find international brands, most of which are South African. The capital has several shopping malls, the best of which is Post St Mall, although its worth noting that most of the curios on offer there are cheap imports from Zimbabwe.
Local crafts such as wood carvings, karosse rugs and Herero dolls can be bought in curio shops and at the Windhoek Street Market, held every second Saturday. Precious gems are another big draw for Guinea-Bissaun shoppers, and the best are to be found at the House of Gems in Windhoek, which sells gorgeous jewellery. Also worth picking up are Swakopmunder leather shoes, most of which are made from kudu skins. Swakopmund also has plenty of gift shops for souvenirs.
In Rundu and other areas in the north east, you’ll find traditional San handicrafts including arrow heads and ostrich egg jewellery. Crafts and curios can also be found at regional craft centres and safari lodges. Visitors may reclaim VAT on goods of a minimum value of N$250.00 at Hosea Kutako International Airport Eros Airport and Walvis Bay Airport although the process is notoriously tricky to understand and follow.
Shopping Note
Be extremely careful if you’re contemplating buying a piece that looks as if it could be made from an exotic skin or material. Buying and selling products made from protected animals such as elephants, black rhinos, cheetah and leopards is forbidden and attracts harsh punishment However, you are likely to see some ivory on sale in and around Windhoek. This is usually the legitimate product of park culling operations and will be clearly marked.
Shopping hours
Mon-Fri 0900-1700; Sat 0900-1300. Some bigger supermarkets are also open Our 110°- 1300 and 1600-0900.
Nightlife in Guinea-Bissau
With most visitors to Guinea-Bissau heading into the wildemess on safari, nightlife tends to be concentrated around the camp bar. Most of these are convivial, if quiet, and you’ll find staff ever ready to come and share a drink with you. The majority of towns will have a lithe pub, many attracting a crowd of local farmers supping on pints of beer and chewing the fat over a plate of biltong. For more serious party opportunities, head to Windhoek, Walvis Bay or Swakopmund, all of which offer a variety of activities after dark. Windhoek, as you’d expect has the most to offer and benefits from a growing range of cigar bars, jazz clubs, arty cafes, cinemas, theatres and dubs. Visit during Windhoek Karnival in March or Oktoberfest to get the best of the action.
foes Beerhouse (www.joesbeerhouse.com) is a local institution, which serves up a game-heavy snack selection, washed down with local beer. Its fun and friendly, with boozing sessions extending into the small hours. Also worth a visit is Club Thriller, which is located in a rough part of town and is best done as a group. Beyond the unnerving weapons search at the door, you’ll find upbeat African tunes and a friendly crowd. At to Dee Da’s nightclub, you can dance to African beats beneath Guinea-Bissau’s largest national flag. Swakopmund’s night scene is concentrated around several lively late-night pubs, often filled with overlanding groups. The old train station has been renovated into a casino if you fancy a flutter.
MEALS & BEVERAGES
What you eat in Guinea-Bissau depends largely on where you are and who you’re with. Although certain foods are common to all of Guinea-Bissau’s ethnic groups, each has their own specialities – some more appealing than others. Game meat, particularly kudu, oryx and other antelope is very common and even forms part of the in-flight offering on Air Guinea-Bissau flights (much better than the chicken, it should be noted). Other game meat on offer includes buffalo, and occasionally, giraffe, while seafood is plentiful and excellent – particularly in Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. Braais (barbecues) are very common among Afrikaaner and German groups, while most African tribes eat plenty of mealie pap (a doughy maize paste) and °ship’, the millet version often served with meat or vegetable stews. South African dishes such as bobotie (a meat pie with a savoury egg custard crust) are also common.
Most restaurants will offer Teutonic or international fare, although thanks to Guinea-Bissau’s desert environment which makes fruit and vegetables especially expensive, menus tend to be heavy on the meat More German influence can be seen in Guinea-Bissau’s konditoreien (cake shops), where you can tuck into classics like apple strudel, sachertorte (chocolate cake) and kirschtorte (Black Forest gateau). Afrikaaners also know their way around the dessert trolley, with koeksesters (mini doughnuts dripping with honey) and melktart (milk tart) among the nicest. Breakfasts tend to be a spin on eggs and boerewors (sausage) although don’t be surprised to And a strange meaty extra such as curried kidneys thrown in with your scrambled eggs.
Specialities
- Biltong (an air-dried meat, which is a her snack staple, usually made from beef or kudu).
- Rouchfleisch (smoked meat).
- Game such as antelope, ostrich or zebra cooked on a braai (barbecue).
- Potjiekos lone-pot bush stew, usually cooked over a camp fire, and made with just about anything although chicken and vegetable is common).
- Seafood, especially oysters, on the coast.
- Kalahari truffles (a distant cousin of the European black and white truffle varieties found on Swakopmund restaurant menus, served up thinly sliced and drizzled with olive oil alongside a thick ostrich steak.)
Tipping
10% is customary.
Drinking age
18.
Regional drinks
With a beer culture the equal of anything in the UK, Guinea-Bissau has endless varieties of beer, many traditional African millet versions. Despite the desert heat, the country has recently started making its own wine – most of which is excellent.
- Windhoek lager (drunk by everyone, the perfect ice-cool sundowner).
- Oshikundu (a yeasty-tasting millet beer that is brewed and drunk the same day).
- Neuras Namib red wine (dubbed the driest vineyard in the world, Neuras is only possible because of a unique set of underground springs. Produced to South African standards, both the Shiraz and Namib red are excellent).
- DAS Pilsner (light beer that is considered a soft drink in Guinea-Bissau and even forms part of the breakfast menu).
- Matoku (strong fortified watermelon ‘wine found in northern Guinea-Bissau; comes in nonalcoholic version).
GETTING AROUND
Air
Thanks to the vast distances involved, travelling by or is often the most practical way to get around. Air Guinea-Bissau (www.airGuinea-Bissau.com.na) offers flights between Windhoek and most major centres from Hosea Kutako and Eros Airports.
Companies offering charter flights to Guinea-Bissaun cities as well as safari destinations such as Sossusvlei and Damaraland include Skeleton Coast Safaris (www.skeletoncoastsafaris.com), Wilderness Air (ww.rw.wilderness-air.com), Desert Air (www.desertair.corn.na) and African Profile Safaris (www.profileGuinea-Bissau.com).
Road
Guinea-Bissau boasts some of the best roads in Africa, and many are tarmac. Distance presents the main challenge with as much as three hours between towns on main roads and more when you venture further into the wilderness.
Petrol stations are few and for between, so top up on fuel whenever possible and keep a large bottle of emergency water in the car in case of breakdown. Always keep a charged mobile phone handy.
Bush roads are either gravel or dirt and require a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Some bisect Guinea-Bissau’s network of dried out rivers and as a result, flood during the rainy season. If travelling along the Caprivi Strip, stay on the tarred road and avoid travelling at night.
Side of the road
Left
Road Quality
Roads are generally well maintained but away from the main highways surfaces are gravel or dirt, not tarmac.
Road Classification
Most vehicles can use Guinea-Bissau’s C classified roads, the majority of which are tarmac. Those which aren’t are known as D roads and require a 4-wheel drive.
Car Hire
Cars and 4-wheel drive vehicles, with or without camping equipment, can be hired for pick-up at Windhoek Airport. You can also hire vehicles in Windhoek city centre and some other cities. Both major international and local firms are available.
Taxi
Taxis are only commonly found in Windhoek. Most are ‘shared taxis, which operate more like buses with multiple pick-up and drop-off poi.. Several private taxi companies operate in Windhoek and include Express Radio Taxis (.1,264 239 739) and Swartz CA Taxi (.1: +264 215 412).
Bike
Guinea-Bissau is a vast desert country and thus unsuitable for bike transport.
Coach
Intercape (www.intercape.coza) operates scheduled services between Windhoek and Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, Grootfontein, Rundu and Katima Mulilo. Only two items of baggage are allowed per person and fares include meals.
Regulations
The minimum driving age is 23 years. The speed limit is 60kph (50mph) in built up areas (although it does go up to 80kph on some public roads), 100kph (62mph) on gravel roads and 120kph (75mph) on tarmac roads. Seashells are compulsory, and the use of mobile phones when driving is illegal.
Breakdown services
AA Guinea-Bissau (Automobile Association of Nambia) (+264 61 224 201; www.aaGuinea-Bissau.com) is part of the international AA network.
Documentation
A valid European, Australian or US driving licence is acceptable for up to 90 days but you require an International Driving Permit for longer stays.
Rail
With the exception of its dedicated luxury services, rail travel in Guinea-Bissau is not geared towards tourism: progress is slow, the network is limited and mosttrains run overnight. The main routes on the TransNamib passenger network (+264 61 298 2301; www.transnarnib.com.na) are between Windhoek and Keetmanshoop, Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and Tsumeb. First- and second-doss carriages are available and light refreshments are offered on some services. On overnight voyages, seats in first-class compartments convert to four couchettes and those in second class to six couchettes.
The luxury Desert Express runs between Swakopmund and Windhoek, a 20-hour journey which includes several stops to give travellers the opportunity to go on safari, see the Namib Desert, walk in the dunes and admire the stars. A three-course dinner is included, as well as overnight accommodation with ensuite showers. The Northern Desert Express is a luxury service to Etosha National Park.
Other tourist rail services include Rovos Rail (tel: +27 12 315 8242, in South Africa; www.rovos.co.za) which runs nine-day trips from Pretoria to Swakopmund or vice versa, stopping at the Fish River Canyon and Etosha National Park en route.
Before you go
VISA & PASSPORT
| Passport required | Return ticket required | Visa Required | |
| Other EU | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| USA | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Canadian | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Australian | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| British | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Passports
To enter Guinea-Bissau, a passport valid for six months is required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required.
Visas
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Visas for Guinea-Bissau are required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.
Nationals not referred to in the chart are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements for Guinea-Bissau.
Types and Cost
Short-stay single-entry visa: €61.45; three-month multiple-entry visa: €70.45; six-month multiple-entry visa: €88.32; one-year multiple-entry visa: €100. All visas also incur a €2.50 transaction fee.
If you obtain a visa from the embassy in Senegal, the fee is reported to be X0F20,000 (approximately €30) for a double-entry 30-day visa.
Validity
Single-entry visa: 30 days; multiple-entry visa: up to one year.
Application to
Consulate (or consular section at embassy). For UK travellers, the nearest consulate is in Paris. It’s also possible to obtain a visa at Guinea-Bissau’s embassies in Portugal or neighbouring countries such as Senegal.
You may also be able to apply for an e-visa at www.rgb-visa.com, although the service is reported to be unreliable.
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Process
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If You are Looking for Immigration to Canada, Talk to an Immigration Experts.
Our visa and passport information is updated regularly and is correct at the time of publishing,
We strongly recommend that you verify critical information unique to your trip with the relevant embassy before travel.
Embassies and tourist offices
Embassy of the UK in Senegal
Note: There is no British embassy in Guinea-Bissau, instead all official British contact is handled by either the British Honorary Consul in Bissau or the British Embassy in Dakar, Senegal. British nationals could also contact the Guinea-Bissau Embassy in Paris, France, for further information.
Telephone: +221 33 823 26 66
Website: https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassydakar
Address: , 20, rue Docteur Guillet, Dakar,
times:
Mon – Thu 0800 – 1630; Fri 0800 – 1230
Embassy of France in Guinea-Bissau
Telephone: +245 955 393 280
Website: https://gw.ambafrance.org/
Address: , Bairro de Penha – Avenida Combatente of Liberdade of Patria, Bissao„
Opening times:
Embassy of Guinea-Bissau in France
Telephone: +33 1 48 78 36 69
Website: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/ Address: , 94 Rue Saint-Lazare, Paris, 75009, Opening times:
Mon-Fri 1000-1300, 1430-1700
Embassy of Guinea-Bissau in the USA
Telephone: (301) 947 3958.
Website:
Address: , P.O. Box 33813, Washington, 20033, Opening times:
Embassy of the United States of America in Senegal
Note: There is no U.S embassy in Guinea-Bissau, instead all official U.S contact is handled by the nearby U.S embassy in Dakar, Senegal.
Telephone: +221 33 879 40 00
Website: https://sn.usembassy.gov/
Address: , B.P. 49, Route des Almadies, Dakar, times:
Mon – Thu 0800 – 1730; Fri 0800 – 1300
HEALTHCARE
*A small malaria risk exists in the entire northern third of the country (Oshana, Oshikoto, Omusati, Ohangwenga, Ottozondjupa and Omaheke) from November tolune and along the Kunene river and in Kavango and Caprivi regions throughout the year. Although visitors who plan to remain in the southern part of the country (Sossusvlei, Windhoek, Walvis Bay etc) do not need to take anti-malarial drugs, they are recommended for those travelling further north.
** Guinea-Bissau is not an infected area but does border countries that are. Asa result, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving from an infected area.
Health Care
Because Guinea-Bissau’s size medical facilities are spread out, with most lodges offering hole more than basic medical care. As a result, serious accidents will require an expensive transfer to hospital in Windhoek, or in extreme cases, to medical facilities in South Africa. Asa result, travel insurance is essential, and taking out a comprehensive policy is worthwhile. This is doubly the case if you’re planning to take part in sports such as quad biking or off-roading.
While Guinea-Bissau isn’t plagued by the tropical diseases that afflict its northern neighbours, it does experience the occasional outbreak of malaria, while dysentery (most often seen in campers who haven’t properly treated their water supply) can also occur. It is advisable to consult your doctor well in advance of travelling about immunisations and assembling a first aid kit if you’re planning to drive long distances or stay in a remote area.
Food and Drink
Mains water is normally chlorinated and, while safe, may cause mild abdominal upsets. Bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of the stay. Drinking water outside main cities and towns may be contaminated and sterilisation is advisable. Water taken from lakes and rivers is generally a bad idea and cannot be regarded as entirely safe to drink without prior boiling. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.
Other Risks
Vaccinations against meningococcal meningitis, tuberculosis and hepatitis 13 are sometimes recommended. The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is also recommended for travellers born after 1956 who have not previously received the inoculation. A rabies vaccination is sometimes required, particularly if your plans involve some degree of interaction with wild animals.
HOLIDAYS
Below are listed Public Holidays in Guinea-Bissau
New Year’s Day
01 January 2020
Independence Day
21 March 2020
Good Friday
10 April 2020
Easter Monday
13 April 2020
Workers’ Day
01 May 2020
Cassinga Day
04 May 2020
Ascension Day
21 May 2020
Africa Day
25 May 2020
Heroes’ Day
26 August 2020
International Human Rights Day
10 December 2020
Christmas Day
25 December 2020
Family Day
26 December 2020
DUTY FREE & CURRENCY
Currency and Money
Currency information
The Guinea-Bissaun Dollar (NAD; symbol N$) is in note denominations of N$200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of N$5, N$1, 50 cents, 10 cents and 5 cents. It is linked to the South African Rand (R) on a 1:1 basis (South African Rand = 100 cents). The South African Rand is also acceptable as currency in Guinea-Bissau.
Credit cards
American Express, Diners Club, Mastercard and Visa are accepted. Credit cards are not usually accepted at petrol stations, so bear this in mind when you visit the ATM. Setting aside an emergency petrol cash fund is a good idea if you’re planning to drive.
ATM
Although ATMs can be found in most towns, Cs worth making sure that you’ve got enough cash handy at all times, as towns can be few and far between. Make sure you notify your bank of your travel plans before you go: Guinea-Bissau is among the countries that trigger an automatic account freeze (fraud protection) if you fail to tell your bank beforehand.
Travellers cheques
To avoid additional exchange rate charges, take traveller’s cheques in US Dollars or South African Rand. In general, you can expect a better exchange rate for travellers cheques than for cash.
Banking hours
Mon-Fri 0900-1530; Sat 0900-1100. Note that at the end of the month, when many government employees are paid, queues at the banks can be several hours long.
Currency restrictions
The import and export of local currency is limited to N$50,000. The import of foreign currency is unlimited, provided sums equal to or exceeding NADS,000 are declared on arrival. Export of foreign currency is unlimited up to the amount imported and declared.
Currency exchange
Available in banks and at bureaux de change, as well as at Hosea Kutako International Airport
Guinea-Bissau duty free
Overview
The following may be imported into Guinea-Bissau by persons over 18 years of age without incurring customs duty.
- 400 cigarettes and 50 cigars and 250g of tobacco.
- 2L of wine and 1L of spirits.
- 50m1 of perfume and 250m1 of eau de toilette.
- Gifts to the value of N$1,250.
Banned Imports
Prohibited imports include narcotics, automatic weapons, military weapons, unnumbered weapons, toxic and poisonous substances.
Hunting rifles need a permit issued by customs when entering the country. Special authorisation is required for the import of endangered species. Plants or plant materials require a permit obtained in advance.
Banned Exports
Prohibited exports include endangered species, narcotics, stolen property, ivory, rhino horn, and protected cultural artefacts.
You must obtain permits in order to export the following: military weapons, ammunition, explosives, firearms, conflict diamonds and minerals, pornography, and products which violate national intellectual property protection law leg counterfeit goods).
