+351 965 133 699
travel@hodophileexperience.com
Price Includes:
Price Excludes:
Extra:
– Plane ticket reservation: €30
** pricing advised is an estimate value based on survey performed in Jun22.
Register here: https://forms.gle/3AkTSZBDDWe2gFhd8
Email us at: travel@hodophileexperience.com
Arrival in Bissau at the Osvaldo Vieira international airport
If arriving on TAP Air Portugal, arrival time is 12:40LT.
Lunch at local spot before we depart by speedboat to Bolama, which was the capital of Portuguese Guinea until 1936.
Bolama’s buildings are built in a beautiful colonial style, presenting the appearance of a city anchored in time. Silently the indigenous population has taken over the old abandoned colonial buildings. The surreal atmosphere of this “forgotten city” becomes even more intense at dusk: thousands of oil lamps barely illuminate those places, hidden among the tropical vegetation, and after the visit we continue towards Bubaque.
Arrival in Bubaque.
Hotel accommodation Hotel Kasa África.
Meals: Dinner
Early breakfast.
Bubaque Island, the Bissagos Archipelago (Bijagos), Guinea Bissau. UNESCO Biosphere Reserve –
We depart in the morning, and depending on the tides schedule, we will accompany the Bijagó women in the traditional shellfish activity.
Visit Marcha to see the oldest tabanka in the national park. We go along the dry bed of a river and cross mangroves with their high roots exposed. A large palm grove announces our arrival at the most important sacred tabanka of Ambuduco on the island. Here we can appreciate the traditional architecture of the Bijagó town and the way of life of its inhabitants.
After the visit we will leave for Orango to visit the hippos, walking for 1 hour to look for the hippos.
Imagine, being able to observe a unique animal in the world, whose protection deserved the creation, more than 25 years ago (in 1996), of the Orango National Park – Guinea Bissau. The saltwater or marine hippopotamus, which alternates its life between mangroves, rivers and lagoons, being those of the Anor region its favourites to spend the beginning of the dry season, taking advantage of the fact that they are still full of water.
After the visit, we will return to Bubaque overnight at the Hotel Kasa África.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Breakfast.
Departure In the morning and depending on the tide schedule, we will go to the island of Soga where we can see the animist rituals related to female initiations on the island Soga is a very local island, we will see the elders chat with them about life from Bijagós.
Return to Bubaque
Overnight Hotel Kasa África.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Breakfast.
Departure In the morning and depending on the tides schedule, we will go to the island of Canhabaque.
A 1 hour of trek between the towns of Bijago and the dream beaches of Canhabaque Island.
Return to Bubaque
Overnight Hotel Kasa África.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Breakfast. Today is a full day! The Carnival Festival in the cities of Bubaque and Bruce.
Carnival is a Western Christian festival that takes place before the liturgical season of Lent. The main events typically occur during February or early March, during the period known historically as septuagesima or time before Lent.
Carnival usually involves a public festival or a combined parade. People wear costumes, masks of everyday individuality, and experience a high sense of social unity.
The wild beaches and the parades and dances of the Bijagós queens at the Bubaque Carnival, and the long night.
Overnight Hotel Casa Africa.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Early breakfast for an early departure to Bissau.
We arrive in Bissau and transfer to the hotel.
In the afternoon, we will visit the Bande market and the old district of Bissau, the National Museum, the Mercado (Central Market), The old colonial centre of Bissau Velho, and Porto Pidjiguiti.
After the visit, we will visit the carnival and return to the hotel.
Today we participate in the carnival party in the city of Bissau. It is also the last day of the carnival, all day and night.
Overnight at Azalai Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Breakfast at 0800.
Today we depart for Quinhamel, 35 kilometers from Bissau, to visit the village of Pepel, famous for being the guardian of the secrets of magic and traditional medicines.
After the visit, we travel back to Bissau and to our hotel.
Overnight at Azalai Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Breakfast
Free morning until its time for your airport transfer.
Safe delivery to airport 2 hours before your flight.
If you’re travelling on TAP, the flight is scheduled to depart at 14:20
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
END
Register here for the trip and further details will be sent
https://forms.gle/3AkTSZBDDWe2gFhd8
Travel@hodophileexperience.com
Group minimum 06
Rates:
Solo Traveller – on request
02 pax EUR2055 per person
03-05 pax EUR1600 per person
06-07 pax EUR1450 per person
08-10 pax EUR1345 per person
Accommodation shared Double/Twin rooms
Single supplement: EUR180
30% payment required on booking
Remaining payments can be done in 2 instalments with the final payment, 2 weeks before departure.
Cancellation fees apply – for further details see:
https://hodophileexperience.com/index.php/about-our-trips/
Will be sent with full itinerary when confirmed
Will be sent with full itinerary when confirmed
Click here to check the visa requirements
Guinea Bissau’s weather is tropical, hot all year round with two seasons. November sees the start of the dry season ending in May, with the rainy season lasting from June until October.
The rainy season brings the hottest and most uncomfortable weather from February to May. Monsoon rains between June and September are likely to bring flooding, so they aren’t the best months to consider a trip to Guinea Bissau.
The best time to travel in this region is between October and March, outside of the rainy season when tracks can become difficult, particularly in the interior. If you want to visit the Bijagós
Islands, the sea tends to be a little too choppy for safe travel until around November. It’s worth
trying to time your visit with the annual carnivals held in Bissau and on the islands – usually around February or March each year.
When it comes to clothing it is usually recommended that lighter clothes are worn through the day and warmer ones at night, although you shouldn’t expect it to be cold here. A hat is also advised to be worn through the day to protect from the sun. Guinea-Bissau is fairly relaxed in terms of clothing. Shorts are generally acceptable for men but not worn by local men. You should make sure that you have sufficient long- sleeved tops and trousers for entering any mosques. There are lots of opportunities for swimming so please bring a swimming costume. You may also find a waterproof jacket to be useful for the journeys made by speedboats.
Sun, Heat and Humidity
Unless accustomed to intense equatorial sun or tropical climates, the sun, heat and humidity may tire you quickly. You will sweat a lot, so be sure to keep hydrated by drinking a lot of water and cutting down on salt, caffeine and alcohol. Take a relaxed pace and siesta during the hottest part of the day.
When in the sun, use a sunscreen and wear a hat. The mosquito repellent DEET lowers the effectiveness of any sunscreen, so more frequent applications of sun-block are necessary for adequate solar protection. Apply the sunscreen first, then the DEET on top of the sunscreen.
West African CFA franc (XOF), interchangeable at par with the Central African CFA franc (XAF)
CFA (Communaute Financiere Africaine) Franc (XOF) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of
XOF10,000, 5,000, 2,500, 1,000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of XOF250, 100, 50, 25, 10 and 5.
ATM Availability is very limited and very unreliable. Credit and Debit will be accepted in very few places, and you should travel with cash.
Recommended Currency for Exchange: Euros
Where to Exchange: Your guide will advise you
Currency restrictions – There are no restrictions on the import of local currency and the import or export of foreign currency. Export of local currency is limited to CFA200,000.
Street food and local restaurants are generally inexpensive, with meals costing around $3-5 USD. Western-style restaurants and international cuisine can be pricier, with meals averaging around $10-15 USD.
Tipping – Guide and Drivers
Tipping is common practice throughout the region. If your local guide has been helpful, then you could think about tipping. This amount can obviously be left to you. When tipping a driver, a guide or hotel staff a few dollars will always be gratefully received.
Malaria and Avoiding Mosquitoes
The mosquito is the most dangerous animal in Africa by far! It is essential that casual visitors to Guinea Bissau take proper precautions against mosquitoes and the malaria that some may be carrying. Taking a prophylaxis is no guarantee that you will not get malaria if bitten, but do not over-react and think that every mosquito bite is deadly.
While you may have heard that malaria-carrying mosquitos come at dusk and dawn, there are many types of mosquitos traveling at all hours of day and night. These beasts can also transmit a number of other maladies, so it is best to avoid mosquitoes as best as possible.
For protection, stay in open, sunny, breezy areas and wear light coloured, loose fitting long pants and long-sleeve shirts, shoes and socks. Mosquitoes can bite through T-shirts and other lightweight, tight-fitting clothing. Mosquitoes are attracted by motion, heat, the trail of carbon-dioxide (CO2) in your exhaled breath, the smell of Lactic Acid, found on your skin when exercising, and other elements of your skin biotics. Scientists estimate that genetics account for 85% of your appeal to mosquitos.
Mosquitoes do tend to prefer men over women, adults more than children, and larger people. Larger bodies produce more heat, more carbon dioxide and have more body mass to bite. Sleeping with a strong fan makes it difficult for mosquitoes to find you and also helps prevent the ability of these insects to fly. They also can love the bacteria that grows at your ankles, so keep your feet washed well.
Be sure you bring a DEET-based mosquito repellent, as these are difficult to find in Ghana. After extensive testing, the US military has determined that a 35% time-release (micro-encapsulated) formulation offers best coverage with the least side effects. Anything in the range 20%-35% will be effective in most situations.DEET works by inhibiting signals from the mosquitoes’ antennae and making it difficult for them to find you. It does not stun or kill mosquitos.
Treat your clothing before you arrive with a Permethrin spray. This is very effective as it does kill or stun insects that come in contact with the treated fabric. Permethrin will remain in fabric for 6 or more washings. Both DEET and Permethrin sprays may be found at any camping goods dealer.
Vaccinations
Only a Yellow Fever vaccination is required for entry into Guinea Bissau. You will be asked to show proof of immunization at the border.
Recommended
* A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age coming from infected areas. Travellers arriving from non endemic zones should note that a vaccination is strongly recommended for travel outside the urban areas, even if an outbreak of the disease has not been reported and they would normally not require a vaccination certificate to enter the country.
Medications
Be sure to bring your own medications. These would of course include any prescription medicine, but also some basic medical supplies. These would include:
Aspirin and/or pain killers
Hand sanitizer, spray or gel
Band-aids and antiseptic spray (not ointment)
Antibiotic for gastrointestinal (GI) infection
Lip Balm
Nasal decongestant
Anti-fungal spray or cream
Water and Food borne illnesses
Be careful of what you eat and drink, as well as the conditions under which your food and beverage are prepared and served. Many illnesses are acquired by touching your eyes, nose or mouth with dirty hands, or by people with dirty hands touching the food you put in your mouth. Eating food prepared by dirty hands can, among many things, give you Typhoid fever or Hepatitis A.
Of these common illnesses that befall travellers, the most likely encounter will be with an unfamiliar e. Coli bacterium. People generally acclimate to local strains of e. Coli within 3 to 6 months. Simple diarrhoea, with no mucus or blood, usually requires no treatment and will quickly resolve. Stay hydrated, keep out of the heat, and relax.
Diarrhoea is your body’s way of getting rid of infection. Only take Lomotil or Imodium when absolutely necessary. These diarrhoea-stopping drugs delay elimination of the offending organism, which increases the mucosal contact time with any invasive amoebas or toxins produced by bacteria. Diarrhoea with a high fever, diarrhea with mucus and blood (dysentery), massive watery diarrhoea (cholera), or prolonged diarrhoea (more than 10 days), are indications to see a doctor
Trip Highlights
• Mingle with local partygoers at the annual Bissau carnival
• Check out the ghost town atmosphere of Bolama
• Look for saltwater hippos on the Bijagos Islands
• See the Vaca Bruto mask dances
• Cruise through thick mangrove forests looking for wildlife
