Guinea-Bissau is a tropical country on West Africa’s Atlantic coast that’s known for national parks and wildlife. The forested, sparsely populated Bijagós archipelago is a protected biosphere reserve. Its main island, Bubaque, forms part of the Orango Islands National Park, a habitat for saltwater hippos. On the mainland, the capital, Bissau, is a port with Portuguese colonial buildings in its old city center.
Day 01: Arrive Bissau
Start your Guinea Bissau tour when arrive into Bissau meet and assist at the airport and transfer to hotel.
Overnight in Hotel.
Day 02: Bissau- Quinhamel- Bissau B-L-D
After breakfast and some time to relax in the morning drive to Quinhamel where we discover the magical and animist traditions of the intriguing Pepel ethnic group. In this region the forest hides a fetish endowed with feared powers, and only the initiated young men can carry it on their shoulders. We also visit a local rum distillery which has been in use since colonial times, and visit a cashew nut plantation, the main export of the country. Return to Hotel.
Overnight in Hotel.
Day 03: Bissau – Varela B-L-D
After breakfast we depart north-west to see the ritual dances of the Diola sacred mask rarely shown to foreigners. It is said this mask is animated by the spirits, and drums, dances and a colourful crowd will liven the tiny village. We reach the beaches of Varela in the late afternoon.
Overnight in Hotel.
Day 04: Varela – Bissau B-L-D
After breakfast travel along a unique landscape of streams, salt swamps, flooded lands, clay dams and paddy fields. In this remote environment, some gigantic and isolated Kapok and Baobab trees give shade to some isolated villages inhabited by the Felupes and Baiotes, both tribes of the Diula ethnic group. We will witness their complex tribal technology and how they manage to desalinate the land for crop cultivation and we will hope to see their ceremonies and distinctive adobe huts. We then leave the flooded mangrove forest to reach Bula where we meet a Manjaco king and learn about the Gendiman traditions of his tribe. They worship wooden poles and statues representing the spirits of their ancestors and which are kept in sanctuaries known as Cab Balugun. Return back to Bissau in the evening.
Overnight in Hotel.
Day 05: Bissau – Bijagos Archipelago B-L-D
After breakfast head for the Bijagos Archipelago. Our first stop will be Bolama Island, the former Portuguese capital of Guinea-Bissau but now an atmospheric ‘ghost town’, with charming remnants of its former importance. We then head to Rubane Island which will be our base for our stay in the Bijagos Archipelago.
Overnight in Hotel.
Day 06: Rubane – Bubaque – Rubane B-L-D
After breakfast we take a speed boat to Bubaque, the largest village in the archipelago and only one connected to the continent by a ferry once a week. Stroll along unpaved alleys, a tiny colorful market, local shops and the tiny ethnographic museum dedicated to Bijagos culture.
Vaca Bruto mask ceremony (April 2021):
After the visit, we reach an isolated village to experience the Vaca Bruto initiation mask ceremony before returning to Rubane.
Turtles’ nesting (October and December departures):
Later, we sail in the direction of the Southern Island and stop at Meio, a pristine uninhabited island where our footprints on the sand will be the only human traces. In the late evening, we transfer to Poilao, an uninhabited island where we should be able to observe the many turtles emerge with high tide from the ocean to lay their eggs and nest (sightings not guaranteed).
Return to Rubane late in the evening.
Overnight in Hotel.
Day 07: Rubane – Orango island – Rubane B-L-D
After breakfast, we reach by speed boat the Orango island, enjoying on the way the dolphins jumping in the waves by the boat. Orango Island is classified as a national park where the elusive saltwater hippos may be seen in the the mangrove forests. Sightings can never be guaranteed, but local guides will do their best to show you the local wildlife. Return to Rubane for the evening.
Overnight in Hotel.
Day 08: Rubane B-L-D
Today is at leisure to relax on the beach or discover the lush vegetation and villages on the island.
Overnight in Hotel.
Day 09: Rubane – Bissau B-L-D
After a relaxing morning we return back to Bissau. Take a stroll around Bissau-Vehlo; the lively old quarter with its sleepy streets and alleys. Visits include the Presidential Palace, the Catholic Cathedral, Fortaleza Amura, the Independence Monument and Che Guevara Square.
Overnight Hotel.
Day 10: Depart Bissau B
After breakfast departure transfer to the airport to catch the flight for onward journey.
| Place | Night (s) | Hotels |
| Bissau | 02 | Bissau Royal Hotel |
| Varela | 01 | Aparthotel Avo Anisa |
| Bissau | 01 | Bissau Royal Hotel |
| Rubane | 04 | Hotel Ponta Anchaca |
| Bissau | 01 | Bissau Royal Hotel |
- Welcome on arrival with fresh flower garlands.
- Meet to attend airports / hotels by our office representative.
- 09 nights in accommodation as per the program.
- Meals as per Program
- Boat Transfer as per Program
- Guide Services ( English language )
- Entrance fees to the monuments.
- All taxes.
• International flights
• Personal Expenses.
• Camera / Video Camera Fees.
• Medical Aid.
• Tipping.
• Travel Insurance.
• Visa If any.
• Accommodation in good hotels.
• Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
• Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost. – Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
• A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
• If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
• Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
• In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
• In Asia, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
• While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
• Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
• In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.
