Travel to Guinea to backpack, study, intern, volunteer, work, or live as a digital nomad, expat or emigrant?

Backpacking or traveling in Guinea?

• Are you ready for rugged mountains, vast savannahs and dense rainforests? Wait, let me go on... and rich culture and also few tourists? Then definitely visit Guinea!
• It is not that easy to enter the country by land (because of the roads) and there is also a fair amount of corruption, but don't let that stop you from going on a real adventure.
• Activities spotting: discover the local markets in Conakry and Kaloum; chill on the beautiful beaches of Iles de Los; admire the Soumba waterfalls; take a boat trip on the Niger River; walk the beaches of Bel-Air; hike the Fouta Djallon mountains; visit the Haut Niger National Park for Wildlife and nature; explore the caves of Kakimbon; visit the historic village of Dalaba; learn traditional dance and music during the local festivities. Spotting animals: chimpanzees, West African lion, crocodiles, African forest elephants, many species of monkeys, numerous birds such as the black ibis, the rare pygmy hippopotamus, turtles, hyenas, bongo antelope etc. etc. etc.
• Food spotting: riz gras (rice cooked in a sauce of vegetables and meat), foutou (puree of cassava or yam), kedjenou (stew with chicken and vegetables, also very spicy), poisson grillé (practice your French), jollof rice (rice dish), yassa (chicken marinated in lemon and mustard), fried bananas, zobo (hibiscus drink).
• Studying in Guinea?
• Education in Guinea is not known to be very good. There are a few universities where you can study in Conakry with a limited choice of studies.
• Study city: Conakry.
• Language: French.

Internship in Guinea?

• It is difficult find an internship in Guinea. You may find opportunities in agriculture, mining and environmental protection. In addition, there are opportunities to work with NGOs in the areas of health care, education and community development.
• Competencies: communication skills, French language skills, planning and organization, problem solving skills, teamwork, relationship management.

Volunteering in Guinea?

• Guinea is a country that could really use your help! There is a lot to do in the areas of health care, education, child care and nature (the country is plagued by deforestation, among other things). You may be able to find volunteer work in all these sectors, such as working with chimpanzees, teaching and helping in health care.

Working in Guinea?

• If you are a professional in your field, you may be able to work in the mining industry, agriculture, health care and education. Various NGOs and development projects also offer opportunities for foreigners.
• Work culture: the work culture in Guinea is often informal, but hierarchical. And brush up on your French, because building relationships (and therefore speaking the same language) is very important.

Working as a digital nomad in Guinea?

• Guinea is not the most obvious destination for digital nomads. The internet quality can be inconsistent, especially outside of the capital Conakry. There are few coworking spaces, and the infrastructure can be challenging for digital workers. Still, Guinea offers a unique experience for digital nomads who want to go adventurous and work from a lesser-known location.

Living in Guinea?

• Living in Guinea offers a mix of urban bustle in Conakry and the quiet, rural life in the interior. Expats working in Guinea often live in Conakry, where most of the facilities can be found. Outside of the capital, living conditions are simpler and more focused on community life.
• Education: Conakry has a few international schools that cater to expat children, such as the French and American schools. These often offer good education, but outside of the capital, there are limited options for international education. Safety: Guinea is generally a safe country, but political instability and protests can sometimes cause unrest, especially in urban areas. Also be especially careful in the evenings with petty crime. Outside the capital, be aware of remote and inaccessible areas, where healthcare and infrastructure can be limited.
• Culture: Guinea's culture is rich and diverse, with more than 24 ethnic groups, each with their own traditions, music and dance. Music plays a central role in daily life, especially the rhythms of the djembe, a traditional West African percussion instrument.
• Beware of the rainy season, which can make travel to certain areas difficult. It is also important to take vaccinations and medication for diseases such as malaria. In addition, a good command of French will certainly help you integrate.
• Health insurance: health care in Guinea is limited, especially outside the capital. There are a few international clinics in Conakry, but serious medical problems often require evacuation to another country. So make sure you have your own health insurance with good coverage.

Safety, insurances and packinglist for Guinea