Packing list for Equatorial Guinea, travel insurance for Equatorial Guinea and taking your belongings

What to take to Equatorial Guinea: brief

To pack and check:

• Documents and money: a passport that is valid for at least 6 months and a visa that must be arranged in advance. Printed and digital copies of your passport, visa, vaccination certificate, and travel insurance details. Bring enough cash in euros, US dollars, or CFA francs, as there are only a limited number of ATMs and international cards are accepted in a few places.
• Clothing: lightweight (cotton or linen), quick-drying clothing for the hot and humid climate. Lightweight long trousers and a long-sleeved shirt in light colors are useful for protection against mosquitoes and other insects.
• Shoes: comfortable shoes or sandals for Malabo and Bata. For walks in the rainforest, national parks, or other natural areas, sturdy hiking shoes are a better choice.
• Toiletries and hygiene: high-factor sunscreen, lip balm, hand sanitizer, tissues, and wet wipes. Also bring enough of your personal medication for the entire trip, as medical facilities are limited.
• Packing and protecting your belongings: a good rain cover for your backpack and waterproof bags or pouches for your phone, passport, and electronics.
• Insects and animals: an effective insect repellent, preferably containing DEET or picaridin.
• Sleeping: an insecticide-treated mosquito net is advisable if you are staying in basic accommodation or sleeping outdoors.
• Medication and travel first aid kit: a well-stocked travel first aid kit with ORS, plasters, blister plasters, painkillers, medication for diarrhea, hand sanitizer, and any personal medication.
• Outdoor and useful items: sunglasses, a sun hat or cap, a reusable water bottle with a filter and a small daypack.
• Technology and equipment: a universal adapter for type C and E power sockets. A power bank is useful because of limited infrastructure and long travel days.
• Safety and theft: take as few valuables as possible and use a bag that closes securely. Carry your passport or a copy with you, as police and military checks are common. Also be aware of the strict rules around photography and internet use to avoid problems.

To consider:

• A lightweight rain jacket or poncho.
• A waterproof dry bag for boat trips or traveling during heavy rain.
• A few words of Spanish, as Spanish is the official language while English is much less widely spoken.
• Offline maps and translation apps, as mobile coverage can be limited outside the main areas.

Are there mosquitoes in Equatorial Guinea?

• Yes, and mosquitoes are an important consideration when visiting the country.
• There is a high risk of malaria in Equatorial Guinea. Dengue and Zika also occur, and there is a risk of yellow fever. Some mosquitoes that transmit dengue and yellow fever are mainly active during the day, while malaria-transmitting mosquitoes mainly bite between dusk and dawn.
• Using insect repellent throughout the day is therefore important, as are lightweight long clothes and sleeping under an insecticide-treated mosquito net or in a well-screened or air-conditioned room.
• More about protection against mosquitoes and insects.

Are there sandflies in Equatorial Guinea?

• Sandflies occur in the wider region, but Equatorial Guinea is not known as an area where sandflies transmitting leishmaniasis are a significant problem.
• Sandflies are therefore not considered a major concern for visitors to the country.
• More about sandflies and sand fleas.

Are DEET, or other insect repellents available in Equatorial Guinea?

• It can be difficult to find effective insect repellent in Equatorial Guinea. It is therefore important to bring enough DEET or picaridin from the Netherlands to last for your entire trip.
• Health and personal-care products are easier to find in the larger cities, but availability is limited and can vary.
• More about DEET.

Is it legal to buy a joint or weed in Equatorial Guinea, or bring it with you to Equatorial Guinea?

• No, drugs are treated very seriously. Possession, use and trafficking can result in extremely severe penalties.
• So do not bring cannabis, CBD products, or any other drugs into Equatorial Guinea. A local prison is definitely not a place you want to see from the inside.