Guinea is one of the westernmost countries of Africa. The country offers a variety of attractions ranging from climbing one of the most breathtaking mountains in Africa, namely Mt.Nimba, to enjoying the unspoiled beaches of western Africa.

Traveling info

All visitors are required to have a valid passport. Entry requirements vary depending on visitors nationality. Citizens of some African countries including Cuba and Singapore are allowed visa-free entry. Citizens of the United Arab Emirates are required to have a visa however they can enjoy the luxury of obtaining such document upon arrival at an airport, maritime port or border crossing. Citizens of all other countries are required to obtain a visa prior to their departure. Visitors who wish to drive must have their national driving permit and an international driving permit. Holders of UK driving permits do not have to obtain an IDP and may drive using their domestic driving permit. Those who are IDP holders must know that the document cannot be used alone to drive and must always be substituted by the original driving permit.

Traveling hazards

Guinea’s road network, which is only partly paved, is underdeveloped and unsafe. Roads and vehicles are poorly maintained, road signs are insufficient, and roads and vehicles are frequently unlit. Livestock and pedestrians create constant road hazards and make nighttime travel inadvisable. During the rainy season which begins in July and lasts through September, flash floods make some roads temporarily impassable. There is also a significant increase in banditry along the roadways between towns and upcountry during evening hours. The police and the military often set up roadblocks, making inter and intra city travel difficult from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Drivers in Guinea tend to be poorly trained and routinely ignore road safety rules. Foreigners are strongly discouraged from traveling after dark outside of populated areas. Roadside assistance is not available in Guinea.

Environmental hazards

Guinea is a relatively small country however it has its share of some of the most dangerous animals on earth. Lions are present in several areas of the country however mostly spotted in the north and east. These animals are the apex predators of Africa and are not afraid of any animal. Lions will attack even an elephant is such an opportunity arises. African bush elephants can be spotted in Guinea. These are the largest land animals. Their sheer size makes them dangerous however they are not aggressive. When angered or startled they can easily trample people, flip over cars or even break trees. Hippopotamuses are present in Guineas freshwaters. Hippos may look docile, but they are fiercely territorial and will even attack crocodiles that approach the herd. Hippopotamuses are responsible for more deaths in Africa than crocodiles, elephants, and lions taken together. Crocodiles can be found in Guinea however the west African crocodiles that inhabit Guinea are much more docile than their Nile crocodile cousins. Despite that, these crocodiles should not be approached anyway as an attack might take place. Shark attacks have taken place in the past however none have been recorded in the past century. Such incidents, however, cannot be ruled out.
Most commonly occurring natural hazards in Guinea include wildfires, floods, storms, and droughts. Floods, however, are responsible for most damage and carry the biggest death toll.

Health hazards

Visitors are strongly advised to get a yellow fever vaccination. Although it is not required from all visitors, the government of Guinea requires proof of yellow fever vaccination if you are traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever. Other recommended vaccines include routine vaccines aka MMR vaccines, hepatitis A and B, typhoid, meningitis and rabies vaccines. Both Zika and malaria are present in Guinea. Mosquitoes transmit the disease by biting their victim, therefore, using mosquito repellents and mosquito nets are advised since there are no approved vaccinations against either of these diseases. Both public and private medical facilities in Guinea are badly equipped and fall considerably short of international standards, although private medical facilities to provide a better range of treatment options than their public counterparts. A wide range of basic medicines are in short supply and treatment is often unreliable. Accessibility to safe drinking water and clean sanitation, particularly in smaller towns and rural areas, remain real problems and are the main causes of disease, particularly among children aged 5 years and under.
There is no ambulance emergency number in Guinea however one can dial 122 (Police) / 1717 (Fire department).

Crime

A wide spectrum of criminal activity can be found in Conakry. Persons are victimized primarily by crimes of opportunity such as pickpocketing, purse snatching, theft of valuables from vehicles, assaults, residential burglaries. In particular, low-level criminal activity occurs in areas of the congregation, such as markets. Criminals may take advantage of foreigners attempting to navigate the crowded locations. Travelers should not accept unsolicited offers of assistance at the airport or hotels, as individuals may be seeking opportunities to rob visitors of their belongings. Violent crime also does occur. Assaults involving firearms and machetes have occurred within the city limits however most occur outside of the city. There is no risk of terrorism in Guinea. Drugs are strictly prohibited in Guinea and mere possession is considered a criminal offense. Homosexuality is illegal in Guinea and penalties range from fines to a 3-year prison sentence.

Summary

Despite Guineas beautiful landscape and pristine beaches, the country remains a rather unpopular destination, partly due to impoverished conditions, safety reasons and poor infrastructure. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
https://www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/africa/guinea/passport-visa/
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/guinea