Out of this World... Guinea

The west African state of Guinea is the next in our series of lenses on alternative vacation destinations. This troubled country has had bad publicity in the past, with tales of civil war, civil unrest and high crime. This has all died down now and Guinea is safe to visit as long as you don't stray too close to the borders and stay away from any political demonstrations.

Guinea is a former French colony and the majority of the country's population speak French. It would be handy to have at least a basic grasp of the language as it will make your travels a lot easier.

Guinea has a lot to offer the adventurous traveller with plenty of natural sights and some friendly and hospitable people. The country is roughly divided into four geographical zones; the Sahelian north, the forested jungle region in the south east, the lowlands along the eastern coast and the mountains of Fouta Djalon that runs north to south.

Travelling in Guinea is not easy and if you prefer to have luxury accommodation and easy travel then it may not be a destination for you. If you are more adventurous however, Guinea has much to reward you with.

The capital, Conakry, has the best choice of hotels in the country, though these are not of a high standard. The city is a buzzing place to be with plentiful markets and some great places to experience the dance and music that makes West Africa famous.

There are some wonderful beaches near Conakry and they will be very quiet compared to beaches you may be used to in Spain or Florida.

Guinea has some interesting Mosques to look at in both Conakry and the provincial town of Dinguiraye, which sits in the centre of the country. The Islamic history of the region is fascinating and stems from the time of the Mali Empire which engulfed the whole region.

The hiking in the Fouta Djalon is really good and if you can find a guide, it is really worth your while spending a few days around here. Now that the civil unrest is over, there is the possiblity of local tour guides advertising their services in the town.

Guinea's Forest region is another natural highlight and is well worth a few days in itself. The lush vegetation is very diverse and it has the last strands of dry rainforest in the World.

It has to be said though, that the highlight of visiting Guinea is the people and the culture, you will not find friendlier people.

If you do decide to visit Guinea, make sure that you check the political situation as neighbouring countires have been having problems. When travelling in the Forest Region, steer clear of the borders.