Guinea-Bissau

Guinea-Bissau is a tropical gem located on the West Coast of Africa. Its Portuguese colonial heritage has left an ornate mark on its architecture yet the country offers distinctly African wildlife and nature, especially along its famed Arquipélago dos Bijagós. There are several huge reserves where hippos, tropical birds and chimps thrive, and much of this delicate wilderness has been left untouched by tourism, giving you the chance to enjoy an authentic eco-holiday.

Despite the country’s rocky history, there is a careful sense of optimism in the air. Guinea-Bissau’s capital city Bissau has a sort of faded beauty, where Portuguese colonial architecture has been worn down by the intense tropical weather. But it’s beyond the city where Guinea-Bissau really shines. Out in the Arquipélago dos Bijagós there are several islands you should visit, including the nearby idyllic Ilha de Rubane, home to picture-perfect white sand beaches and elegant beachfront bungalows. For further travel around the islands, base yourself on the Ilha de Bubaque (the central island of the Bijagós) and plan a trip out to the Parque Nacional das Ilhas de Orango. Encompassing a few different islands, this park is one of the rare places on earth where you can see wild saltwater hippos and recline on truly unspoiled beaches.