Equatorial Guinea has a unique geographical arrangement. Its capital, Malabo, is found on boot-shaped Bioko Island, which is separated from the only continental region of Rio Muni by over 200 km of ocean. Add to this four more islands that are even further adrift, and you have yourself a rather complex country. But this complexity only increases the sense of wonder, and the exclusivity any visitor to the country will experience. Malabo presents a beguiling range of age-old architecture, which sits alongside a vibrant African culture of colourful markets and lively side streets. It’s also the gateway to a rainforest that’s home to many rare birds and the endangered red colobus monkey. Arrange a safari with the Bioko Biodiversity Protection Programme, who also take on seasonal volunteers. Elsewhere on Bioko Island, you can walk along the edges of crater lakes, amid waterfalls, and all the way to Ureca Beach, where sea turtles lay eggs during dry season. On the mainland, the tropical forests of Monte Alen National Park are a habitat for mandrills, lowland gorillas, chimpanzees and forest elephants. Given Equatorial Guinea’s tourism industry is still in the early stages of development, only some hotels can be found on Bioko Island, with very few to choose from on the mainland.
