Guinea-Bissau Discovery

Itinerary

Day 1 – Bissau
Arrive in Bissau and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your time of arrival, there may be time to explore the city. Overnight Hotel Azalai or similar.

Day 2 – Bafata
Spend the morning exploring Bissau. After lunch we travel inland to Bafata where we will spend the night. Overnight Hotel Triton or similar. (BLD)

Day 3 – Canthalez
Travel along remote tracks close to the border with Guinea to the Canthalez forest. Our base camp for exploring the area will be an eco-project managed by the local population. This evening we witness traditional dances around the fire. Overnight simple bungalows. (BLD)

Day 4 – Chimpanzee tracking – Bijagos Islands
Rise early and accompanied by local rangers we walk through the forest, looking for one of the many groups of chimpanzees to be found here. Later we take boats up the Rio Cumbija and out into the ocean to the Bijagos Islands. We have lunch on Ilha de Poilao, considered one of the most beautiful islands of the archipelago. We then head to Rubane for the evening. Overnight Bijagos Fishing Club or similar. (BLD)

Day 5 – Orango Island
Cruise to Orango Island, known for its unique saltwater hippos as well as crocodiles. We spend the day cruising along the mangrove fringed coastline looking for these animals. Often the hippos can be difficult to track; if this is the case then we will visit the village of Okinka Pampa with its matrilineal tombs. Overnight Bijagos Fishing Club or similar. (BLD)

Day 6 – Bubaque
Morning excursion to Bubaque, the ‘capital’ of the Bijagos Islands. Explore the market and perhaps meet some of the local Catholic missionaries who will be able to tell us about some of the customs of the Bijagos. Travel back to Rubane where the afternoon is free to relax or explore. This evening we will see some traditional Bijagos dances. Overnight Bijagos Fishing Club or similar. (BLD)

Day 7 - Canhabaque
Travel by boat to Canhabaque, a very traditional island where women still wear skirts made from palm fibres. Life in the villages here is characterised by ancient customs and secret ceremonies. We may be able to visit the ‘monastery’ where local men are initiated for seven years into the local beliefs and practices. Overnight Hotel Bijagos Fishing Club or similar. (BLD)

Day 8 – Bolama - Bissau
Travel back to Bissau. Tides permitting we will visit Bolama, the old colonial capital, with some time to explore. Upon arrival in Bissau you will have day use rooms to freshen up before transferring to the airport for your onwards flight. (BL)

Please note that the 17 February 2012 departure follows a different itinerary as it incorporates the Bijagos Carnival, and the 4 April 2012 departure also follows a different itinerary as it incorporates the Nimba mask festival. In addition to this the order of visits for the 28 December 2011 itinerary is slightly different. Please enquire for full details.