Bissau, the capital

Arrival in Bissau and transfer to the hotel. 

Meals         Own arrangements
Overnight     Hotel Azalai or similar (all rooms en-suite and with air conditioning)
 

Ancestors’ cult

Living Bissau, we will visit Bandin the largest market in the country. Full day dedicated to exploring the region inhabited by the Manjaco. This ethnic group calls their traditions “Gendiman” and keeps them still very much alive. We visit tiny villages hidden in the forest to discover sculptured wooden poles called “Pecab” representing the spirits of their ancestors; they are kept in sanctuaries known as “Cab Balugun”. With the permission of the elders, we will have the opportunity to admire sacred wooden sculptures varying in age and styles. It is indeed a unique opportunity to enjoy tribal art in its original cultural context: the village. 

Meals         Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight     Hotel Banagam (all rooms en-suite and with air-conditioned, basic comfort)

Villages of the flooded forest

By car and by foot we reach some remote villages inhabited by the Felupes and Baiotes, both tribes part of the Diola ethnic group. They live in an isolated ecosystem where, thanks to their complex “tribal technology”, they manage to desalinate the land and farm rice.  We will walk in a unique landscape made up of streams, salt swamps, flat lands, clay dams and rice farms. In this remote environment, some huge isolated Kapok and Baobab trees provide the shade to the tiny human settlements. Local people live in adobe huts built in a distinctive African architectural style: clay “buildings” supported by a complex structure of palm tree poles, surrounded by a shady veranda and covered with high wide thatched roofs, with garrets for aeration. The Felupes practice different ceremonies and the initiated groups include a powerful cast of female priestesses; rituals are generally announced by large sacred drums called “Bombolon”.  
In the afternoon we will assist to ritual dances of the Diola sacred mask; rarely shown to the foreigners, this mask belongs to a secret society and the identity of the dancers is not revealed, it is said that the mask is animated by the spirits. Drums, dances and a colourful crowd will enliven the tiny village in the shade of larges kapok trees. 

Meals         Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight     Aparthotel Avo Anisa, simple in Varela NO TWN

Carnival!

Bissau, the capital, is a small but intriguing city with its old Portuguese architecture and its huge fort dating back to the Slave Trade period. It is in the afternoon that the carnival goes wild - along the main avenue  colorful masks from different areas and different “barrio” (neighborhoods) start their parade: sacred traditional masks, warriors armed with arrows and dressed in a crocodile skin, contemporaneous masks made of papier-mâché, all surrounded by initiated girls only wearing strings of pearls around their waist… Hours of lively parade, turning this carnival into an unforgettable experience, a real “fiesta popular” combining the Portuguese influence with the cheerful African spirit.

 

Meals         Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight     Hotel Azalai or similar (air conditioned rooms with en-suite facilities) 

Reminiscent of colonial time

Morning spent discovering the magical and animistic traditions of the intriguing Pepel people. In this region the forest hides a fetish endowed with feared powers: only the initiated young men can carry it on their shoulders… 

We drive to Quinhamel to visit of a traditional healer specialized in the treatment of bone injures. He will show us the herbals and traditional medicaments and explain us his way of proceeding and how he became a “healer”.
Visit of an old-style local rum distillery (Cana) dating back to the old colonial days and walk across a cashew nuts plantation, the main export product of the country. 

Finally, we are back to Bissau to enjoy the last vibes of the carnival. We will stroll around Bissau-Vehlo: the lively old quarter with its sleepy streets and alleys. Here we will be amazed by the interesting Portuguese architecture which gives Bissau an atmosphere that reminds us of Portugal back in the days. Old wooden café where to drink Portuguese wine and watch Portuguese news. Or an open-air restaurant where to drink the best mojito in town.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Azalai hotel (all rooms en-suite and with aircon)

The ghost capital

Aboard a speedboat, we start our sailing to discover the Bijagos Archipelago with its remote islands and isolated human settlements. The Bijagos Archipelago is located approximately 40 miles off-shore and, with its 88 islands (of which only 21 are permanently inhabited), is the largest archipelago in Africa. With its wild and pristine landscapes, its genuine tribal culture and its unique fauna, Bijagos is a “geographical jewel”. 
Due to the remoteness of the destination, the lack of transportation and the deep attachment to the local traditions, the Bijagos inhabitants have been little influenced by the external world: during ceremonies women still wear the saiya - a traditional skirt made of straw - and the rhythm of life in villages is given by initiations and secret ceremonies – for example young men have to go through a seven-year initiation rite during which they live in a “convent” without any contact with women..

Our first stop will be Bolama Island, the former capital of Portuguese Guinea from 1871 to 1941, before it was moved to Bissau. When the Portuguese left, native people came to live in the town which is now falling apart and is partly invaded by tropical vegetation. It was originally built following the plans of a «Castrum Romanum» (roman citadel) so today we can witness its large sunny lethargic avenues, its empty squares, its dry fountains, its bush-like gardens and its charming administrative buildings in neo Palladian style. In the Governor’s Palace we can still admire columns in the classic style … where now goats graze! Bolama, although inhabited, is plunged in the fairy-tale atmosphere of a ghost town.

Meals       Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight     Hotel Ponta Anchaca or similar (ocean front comfortable bungalows en-suite with air conditioning, private wild beach, sea water swimming pool, spectacular bar and gastronomic restaurant on stilts).  

Bijagos Islands

Morning boat excursion on Soga bay where we will walk to the villages on the island. 

We continue to Bubaque.
Visit of the village, the largest one in the archipelago and the only one connected to the continent by a ferry once a week: unpaved alleys, a tiny colorful market, local bars and traders; quite interesting also the ethnographic museum dedicated to the Bijagos culture.

We will take the time to wonder around and see if there are any traditional celebrations.
All in all, the discovery of the Bijagos islands will give you a great opportunity to have an insight into the remote life on the islands. Having the chance to see how people still live making little use of the modern technology and at the same time be part of the lay-back atmosphere that characterizes the islands and the entire country, a beautiful mix between Portuguese and African style.
Return to our comfortable base in Rubane Island. 

Meals             Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight     Hotel Ponta Anchaca or similar 

Beach and relax

Time to relax on the beach or to discover the lush vegetation and villages of the island.

On request excursion to Orango island to watch hippos (the vision is not guaranteed) and the village of Okina Pamapa.

Optional: game fishing

Meals         B – L - D
Overnight     Hotel Ponta Anchaca or similar 
 

Тransfer to the airport

Relax on the beach

Arrival by speedboat in Bissau, the actual capital of the country. Here a vehicle will be waiting to take us to the hotel for the last shower.

In the evening transfer to the airport for the flight out.

Meals         B – L 
Day-use     Rooms in day-use till 18.00 (all rooms en-suite and with air conditioning)