Papua New Guinea consists of over 600 islands and lies in the middle of the long chain of islands stretching from mainland South East Asia. It is situated in the South Pacific, 160km (100 miles) north of Australia. A line of active volcanoes stretches along the north coast of the mainland and continues on the island of New Britain.

The tribal diversity of a country with over 700 languages cannot easily be summarized, although in Papua New Guinea it is the tribal life that is most fascinating to the visitor. Some of the excursions in Papua New Guinea are interestingly different from those offered elsewhere, for example tourists can be taken to one of the many wrecks of World War II aircraft that lie in the jungle. Haus Tambarans (‘Spirit Houses’) are a feature of many towns and villages in the country, especially in the area of the Sepik River, so only a few of them can be given specific mention. Only initiated men of a tribe can enter though in places this rule is relaxed for foreigners. They are built in a variety of styles, with massive carved wooden supports being a major feature. Other carvings and masks inside represent spirits. The orator’s stools in these places are not used for sitting on; bunches of leaves are slapped down on the stools as the orator makes his points.

Geography

Papua New Guinea consists of over 600 islands and lies in the middle of the long chain of islands stretching from mainland South East Asia. It lies in the South Pacific, 160km (100 miles) north of Australia. The country occupies the eastern half of the second-largest non-continental island in the world, as well as the smaller islands of the Bismarck Archipelago (Admiralty Island, Bougainville, New Britain and New Ireland), the D’Entrecasteaux Island group and the three islands of the Louisiade Archipelago. The main island shares a land border with Irian Jaya, a province of Indonesia. The mainland and larger islands are mountainous and rugged, divided by large fertile upland valleys. Fast-flowing rivers from the highlands descend to the coastal plains. A line of active volcanoes stretches along the north coast of the mainland and continues on the island of New Britain. To the north and south of this central mountain range on the main island lie vast stretches of mangrove swamps and coastal river deltas. Volcanoes and thermal pools are also found in the southeast of other islands. Papua New Guinea offers the greatest variety of terrestrial ecosystems in the South Pacific, including five types of lowland rainforest, 13 types of montane rainforest, five varieties of palm and swamp forest and three different mangrove forests. Two-thirds of the world’s species of orchids come from Papua New Guinea. Birds include 38 species of the bird-of-paradise, and the megapode and cassowary. Marsupials and mammals include cuscus, tree kangaroos, wallabies, bandicoots, spiny anteaters and, in the coastal waters, the dugong. There are between 170 and 200 species of frog and 450 species of butterfly.

Official Languages: French

Demonym: Guinean

Currency: Guinean franc (GNF)

Time Zone: GMT

Internet TLD: .gn

Calling Code: +224

Visa Formalities for Guinea:

Passports
Passports valid for a minimum of six months beyond date of departure required by all nationals referred to U.K, U.S.A, Australian, Canadian, and Other EU.

(a) Return ticket or sufficient funds equal to airfare, and 'Certificate d'Hébergement' required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas
Required by all nationals referred to U.K, U.S.A, Australian, Canadian, and Other EU.
except:
(a) those continuing their journey within 24 hours to a third country, provided holding tickets with confirmed onward reservations and not leaving the airport. Passports must be left with Immigration during transit time.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see General Info).

Types of Visa and Cost

Tourist and Business: US$100 (single-entry for a stay of up to one month); US$100(multiple-entry for a stay of up to three months).

Applications to:

Consulate (or consular section at embassy). (See General Info).

Working Days Required

Varies depending on nationality. Contact the embassy for more information (see General Info).

Warning
Most visits to Guinea are trouble-free. 
It is advised against all but essential travel in the areas bordering Sierra Leone, Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire. This is because of the fragile and unstable security situation in Côte d’Ivoire, and poor government control over the border areas in Liberia (where a large UN peacekeeping force is still in place) and Sierra Leone, where there is a high military presence due to border tension. It is recommended to register with your embassy.
In January and February 2007 a series of general strikes and demonstrations were called in Guinea. Over 100 people were killed in demonstrations and many more were injured. The situation in now calm but you should avoid all political demonstrations, rallies or large gatherings of people.The threat from terrorism is low.
Petty crime is common in Guinea. It is recommended to take sensible precautions and maintain a high level of vigilance in public. It is a requirement that you show identification if requested by the police or other law enforcement agencies. You are allowed to carry photocopies of the relevant pages of your passport, provided the Guinean police have certified them.

Attractions in guinea:

Bafata – Guinea Bissau

Bafata, Guinea Bissau is a premier tourist destination in Guinea Bissau containing within its landscape a variety of flora and fauna. Bafata, Guinea Bissau is also a broader region in the north central region of the country. Bafata in Guinea Bissau is linked by great transportation facilities as well as excellent accommodation so that the numerous tourists coming here can explore the territory in all its enormity, diversity and richness. As you embark on your Bafata tours, you will realize that the region is famous all over the world for being the birthplace of Amilcar Cabral. Primarily known for his role in African nationalism, he was a man of many interests.

Facts about Bafata prove that the Geba River flows along the territory of the town and is navigable to a certain extent. The place also serves as a major trading center for many of the interior zones within the country of Guinea Bissau. Bafata dominates in the high rate of agricultural production in the country for example the town produces and exports groundnuts. There are good transportation facilities with roads connecting the town with Senegal in the north, and connects the main road between Bissau and Kankan.

Bafata, Guinea Bissau is renowned for its excellent landscape and the interior regions of the country can be seen through ferry services that run along the Geba River to the Bafata region. This will give you an idea of the pleasant views that abounds in the region.

Gabu – Guinea Bissau

Gabu is the largest town in the eastern part of Guinea Bissau. The town known for its predominant Fula population and a dominant Muslim population is also great source of delight for all tourists who seek this beautiful landscape. Gabu, Guinea Bissau is adequately equipped with tourist facilities including the panoramic view of the coastal area. It is encompassed by a thick network of valleys which are drowned and are known as rias. The northeastern part of the Guinea Bissau is constituted by the Gabu plain. Facts about Gabu also suggest that the place is drained by the Cacheu and the Geba rivers along with their territories. The southern edge of the Senegal River basin forms part of the interior plains of Gabu.

Gabu Tours will inform the tourist that the place is mainly known as a market town. It caters too much of the trade interests with the surrounding countries of Guinea and Senegal. There was a kingdom of Kaabu or Gabu which was a Mandinka Kingdom in Guinea Bissau rose became important in this region during 1537-1867. This was largely because of its prominence as a province of the Mali Empire. With the decline of the Mali Empire, Gabu became an independent region in its own right. One of the major tourist attractions in Guinea Bissau, Gabu is also renowned for its nightclubs. Gabu, Guinea Bissau also has a tiny colonial center with a catholic church as a major landmark.

Cacheu – Guinea Bissau

This Guinea-Bissau Tourist Destination is located on the Cacheu River. The city was an important ferry port. Presently no ferries ply between Cacheu, Guinea Bissau and São Domingos. The roads in the town are paved with oil palm kernels. One of the Tourist Attractions in Cacheu, Guinea Bissau is a sixteenth century fort. This fort was built during the Portuguese colonial rule when the city was a centre for the Portuguese slave trade. Another attraction you can see the town is the Tarafes de Cacheu Natural Park mangrove swamp.

The city of Cacheu, Guinea Bissau is well connected with all major cities and towns of the country. While taking the Guinea Bissau Tours you can visit this city and known more about its history. One turning point in the History of Cacheu, Guinea Bissau was in 1588. During this time it was made an official Portuguese captaincy. During the 17th and 18th century it became an important economic center because of the slave trade. But during the early 19th century the importance of Cacheu, Guinea Bissau declined with the declining of the West African slave trade.

Bissau – Guinea Bissau

Bissau in Guinea Bissau was founded in the year 1687 by Portugal. The city was originally a fortified port as well as a trading center. The place later became the capital of Portuguese Guinea. Facts about Bissau also informs the tourist that after the guerrillas declared their independence in the year 1973, the capital of the newly independent region came to be known as the Madina do Boe but Bissau continued to serve as the capital of the Portuguese territory of Guinea Bissau.

Bissau also speaks of the astounding charm of this colonial city which has a number of a number of tourist attractions in Guinea Bissau besides its fantastic beaches. The Museum of African Artifacts is one of the primary ethnographic centers in the capital. It will give the tourist a fascinating insight into traditional pottery, sculpture, weaving and basketware. The Fortaleza d'Amura barracks is another tourist site containing the Amílcar Cabral's mausoleum and the Pidjiguiti Memorial.

Bubaque – Guinea Bissau

Bubaque, Guinea Bissau features the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Thus reserve is known for its variety of animals like monkeys and marine turtles. The islands covered under the reserve are Rubane, Soga, Bolama, Bubaque, Enu, Formosa, Galinhas, Carache, Caravela, Orango, Orangozinho, Ponta, Roxa, Unhacomo, João Viera, Maio, Meneque, Uno and Uracane.

While taking the Guinea Bissau Tours you can visit the islands of Bubaque, Guinea Bissau easily. Presently twenty islands are inhabited. The other islands have a minor population of Bijagós people. While Traveling around Bubaque, Guinea Bissau, visit the southern islands. These islands are now a dedicated natural reserve. Other than Bubaque the islands of Bolama and Caravela have a sizeable population. All these islands are popular tourist destinations in the country.

Gabu – Guinea Bissau

The place is mainly known as a market town. It caters to much of the trade interests with the surrounding countries of Guinea and Senegal. There was a kingdom of Kaabu or Gabu which was a Mandinka Kingdom in Guinea Bissau rose became important in this region during 1537-1867. This was largely because of its prominence as a province of the Mali Empire. With the decline of the Mali Empire, Gabu became an independent region in its own right.

As mentioned earlier, Gabu travel also proves that the majority of the Gabu population consists of the Fulas. The Fulani or the Fulas are an ethnic community which is widely dispersed in many countries of Central Africa, West Africa, Mauritania, Guinea, Senegal, Mali, Gambia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau, Niger, Cameroon and others in the African continent.

Another significant fact about the topography of Gabu is that the south is bordered by the Corubal River which flows along it. Gabu is divided into five major sectors with the Boe, Piche, Gabu, Pirada and the Soncao. The place can be reached in three hours from Bissau and just about one hour from Bafata. There are good road conditions besides a wide variety of transportation.

One of the major tourist attractions in Guinea Bissau, Gabu is also renowned for its night clubs. Gabu, Guinea Bissau also has a tiny colonial center with a catholic church as a major landmark.

Climate of Guinea:

The best time to go is November-March, when day temperatures are mild and nights are a few degrees cooler. The Harmattan winds spread Saharan sand through much of the country from December-February, but at least it's dry. Never go to Guinea in July-August, as it's the height of the rainy season and many roads are closed. (Conakry alone gets more than 160 in/406 cm of rain a year.) May-June and September-October are marginal (go then only if you can't travel during the preferred season). Mountain temperatures can dip to 40 F/5 C. Take along a sweater if you're going into the mountains, and take along an umbrella, poncho and waterproof shoes if you go during the rainy season.