Must See

Malabo

This small, vibrant, Spanish-influenced capital city is located on Bioko Island, 34 km northwest of the mainland. It has a genuine feel of the African tropics, characterised by open plazas, outdoor bars, thriving nightclubs and colourful markets. Visitors may be interested to learn that Frederick Forsyth wrote 'The Dogs of War' whilst in Malabo.

The city is overlooked by the prominent Pico Malabo volcano, which can be climbed after obtaining a special government permit (it's a military area). Other points of interest include the Malabo Cathedral, Spanish Cultural Centre and Malabo Court.

Luba

Situated on the west coast of Bioko Island, Luba is a gateway to some of the island's natural attractions. These include deserted white sand beaches, such as Arena Blanca. There are also some pretty fishing villages nearby and two hiking trails.

Ureca

During the dry season, turtles come ashore to lay their eggs near this small village on the south coast of Bioko Island. There are also the beautiful Rio Eola waterfalls about an hour's hike from the village, with clear, cool pools beneath that are perfect for swimming.

Bata

This town is located on Equatorial Guinea's mainland, and is the capital of the Rio Muni province. Larger than Malabo, it's a clean and charming town with bustling markets, along with plenty of restaurants, bars and hotels. To the north and south of Bata lie some of the most beautiful beaches anywhere in the world, which are excellent for swimming. Those near the town of Mbini (50 km south of Bata) are probably the best.

Ebebiyn

This town is the entry point for travellers arriving from neighbouring Cameroon, with bars on virtually every corner. Out of town is the interesting Museum of Biyahiyan, featuring traditional Fang sculptures and other examples of native artwork.

Monte Alen National Park

Located on mainland Equatorial Guinea, this National Park is entirely covered by rainforest, spared from logging due to its rugged terrain. Covering an area of around 1,200 km sq, it has a dense network of watercourses, and visitors may explore the area with guides and porters of the Fang people to discover abundant fauna such as elephants, leopards, gorillas, sitatunga, mandrills, giant frogs (weighing up to 4 kg) and a variety of birds.