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Travel Tips
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| Guinea General Information |
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Capital
Conakry.
Population: 1,092,936 (1996 census).
Government
Republic since 1958. Gained independence from France in 1958.
Head of State: President Lansana Conté since 1984.
Head of Government: Francois Loseny Fall became Prime Minister in February 2004 but then left the country and resigned in April 2004 claiming his life would be in danger if he returned.
He is currently living in exile and the position has not been reappointed.
Language
French is the official language. Susu, Malinké and Fula are local languages.
Religion
The majority of the population are Muslim, with animist and Roman Catholic minorities.
Time
GMT.
Electricity
220 volts, 50Hz.
Communications
Telephone
IDD service is available. Country code: 224. The communication is relatively poor and outgoing international calls must be made through the operator. Limited telephone and fax lines are usually available 1800-0600.
Mobile telephone
GSM 900 networks covering main inhabited areas are operated by Celtel Guinea (website: www.msi-cellular.com), Sotelgui, Spacetel Guinee and Telecel Guinee SARL.
Note
Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.
Special Events
The main events celebrated in Guinea are Muslim holy days and feasts. The following is a selection of special events celebrated annually in Guinea Republic:
Feb: Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice).
May: Mouloud (Prophet’s Anniversary).
Nov: Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
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In 1958, when it declared independence from France and voted in a staunchly socialist one-party government, Guinea became an isolated and secretive country. However, after the death of the dictator Sekou Touré in 1984, Guinea began, slowly, to allow tourists through its once stubbornly closed doors. Even so, it is still one of the least visited countries in Africa and it can be difficult, despite declarations to the contrary, to acquire visas. Guinea’s main attraction to tourists is its relatively undisturbed countryside. Its landscape varies from mountains to plains and from savannah to forest, and the three great rivers of West Africa – the Gambia, the Senegal and the Niger – all originate here. The capital, Conakry, is located on the island of Tumbo and is connected to the Kaloum Peninsula by a 300m-long (984ft) pier. The city is well laid-out, its alleys shaded by mangrove and coconut palm trees. The Cathedral, built in the 1930s and located in the town center, is well worth viewing. There is also a National Museum. The Kakimbon Caves in the village of Ratoma, now a suburb of Conakry, are the source of many interesting legends and are bestowed with great religious significance by the local Baga people. The Îles de Los, off the Kaloum Peninsula some 10km (6 miles) southwest of Conakry, are recommended as a tourist destination and are easily accessible from Conakry. Good beaches can also be found at the Île de Roume and Île de Kassa, the latter being accessible via a public boat service. Approximately 150km (93 miles) outside Conakry is the picturesque le Voile de la Mariée, nestled at the bottom of a 70m-high (230ft) rock from which the River Sabende plunges, amidst lush vegetation, into a deep pond. In Pita, located between Dalaba and Labé, the Kinkon Falls can be found which produce 150m (492ft) of cascading water.
Known as the land of waters, fruit, faith and freedom, the Fouta Djalon highlands are renowned for their picturesque hills, offering superb views, and the rolling valleys and waterfalls, which are all presided over by the mostly Muslim population of Fula herders and farmers. In the eastern region of Guinea lie many historical towns with echoes and remnants of medieval empires. Along a road following the Nimba Range, which stretches from Guinea to the Côte d’Ivoire, small groups of round houses nestle in traditional African villages. In the south is the Guinée Forestière, a highland area of rainforest and old pre-Islamic tribes.
There are no national parks in Guinea, but wildlife can be best seen in the northeast savannahs between the Tinkisso River and the Mali border, in the foothills of the Fouta Djalon highlands and in the southeast.
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Social Conventions
Although Muslim customs are less strict than in the Arab world, beliefs and traditions should be respected by tourists. Casual dress is acceptable. Street crime is relatively common. It is important to greet people and ask them how they are before starting a conversation. Guineans always use titles when addressing others, so the visitor should do likewise (Monsieur, Madame, Mademoiselle etc). Photography: A permit (applied for in advance) has to be obtained from the Ministère de l’Intérieur et de la Sécurité when photographing government buildings, military and transportation facilities or public works. It is inadvisable to photograph buildings at present, and visitors should always ask local people if they want to photograph them.
Tipping
A 5 per cent service charge will usually be included in the bill.
International Travel:
Note
Visitors are strongly recommended not to travel to the borders with Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia. The civil war in neighboring Sierra Leone ended in 2002 and is now largely peaceful, but travelers should stay in touch with any local developments. Travel to Nzerekore is advised against due to violence between different ethnic groups. For further information, contact a local government advice department.
Air
Air France flies regularly from London to Conakry, via Paris. Aeroflot, KLM and Sabena also fly direct from Europe. Air Afrique operates from New York to Dakar, from where connecting flights to Guinea are available. Other airlines serving Guinea incude Ghana Airways.
Approximate flight times
From Conakry to London is 11 hours (including a stopover time in Paris or Brussels of up to three hours).
International airports
Conakry (CKY) is 13km (8 miles) southwest of the city. Taxis are available to the city.
Note
Foreigners at Conakry Airport are particular targets for pickpockets and persons posing as officials who will offer assistance and then make off with bags, purses and wallets. Being met at the airport by travel agents, business contacts, family members or friends lessens the risk of this.
Departure tax
None.
Sea/River
There is a fast hydrofoil service along the coast from Conakry to Freetown in Sierra Leone. There is also a ferry to Mali which operates when the river is high enough.
Road
There are road links with Danané (Côte d’Ivoire), Bamako (Mali), Tambacounda (Senegal) and Freetown (Sierra Leone). Bus services are available to the neighboring countries - including Sierra Leone since the end of the civil war in 2002 - but services can be unreliable and timetables may be purely theoretical (see also Travel – Internal section). Visitors should also note that political instability is persisting in some neighboring countries – notably in Guinea-Bissau. Check with an embassy or relevant organization for up-to-date travel advice.
The following goods may be imported into Guinea without incurring customs duty:
1000 cigarettes or 250 cigars or 1kg of tobacco; 1 bottle of alcoholic beverage (opened); a reasonable quantity of perfume.
Internal Travel:
Air
Guinee Airlines operates internal services to some of the main towns, such as Boké, Conakry, Labé, Kankan, Kissidougou, Macenta, Nzérékoré and Siguiri. Schedules are erratic.
Rail
Despite the existence of rail lines and plans to upgrade them, there are currently no rail services in Guinea.
Road
Many roads are in poor condition and the minor roads are often overgrown with bush. Travel by road is often impossible in the rainy season (May-Oct). The roads between Conakry (via Kindia) and Kissidougou and from Boké to Kamsar are both paved, as is the road to Freetown. Traffic drives on the right. In an effort to counter urban crime, the Guinean Government maintains roadblocks from 0000-0600. Bus: The government bus company, SOGETRAG, operates services from Conakry to most other towns. The buses are fairly comfortable and good value. Taxi: These are available, although fares should be negotiated in advance. Bush taxis usually cover smaller distances than buses and can take up to seven passengers.
Urban
Buses and taxis operate cheaply within Conakry. It is not usual to tip taxi drivers.
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