The most beautiful natural sites to discover Guinea

It is difficult to dissociate the cliffs of Doucky from Hassan Bah, intimately linked since 1962, date of birth of the latter in Doucky. He grew up in Sierra Leone. While attending high school, he was also trained as a mechanic. At the age of 19, he left Sierra Leone to work at the Zairean embassy in Mauritania for a year. He then embarked for the Canary Islands, where he spent seven years as a mechanic on boats, before moving to Norway and then Morocco. It was not until 1992 that he decided to return to Guinea and resettle in Doucky. He then became a community health worker, teaching himself plant medicine and malaria prevention. In 1998, he met an American Peace Corps volunteer with whom they built the first hut in the camp that has since housed visitors.

Hassan may not be tall or imposing, but he has become a must for anyone who wants to experience the local natural riches! With him, no time is wasted: thematic walks in the style of a grand canyon, trekking, discovery of the caves at the foot of the cliffs, swimming in the natural pools in an Indiana Jones style setting, searching for chimpanzees, climbing bamboo ladders... Sensations guaranteed!

To recover from his emotions and accumulated fatigue, Hassan offers hospitality in the huts and rooms that he has set up little by little in his family concession. In April 2022, he has 3 huts with a mezzanine (yes, yes, it's true!) and several rooms in an annex of his house. His family now actively participates in the warm welcome reserved for visitors, as well as in the kitchen. He offers an all-inclusive package for 450,000 FG per person, including accommodation with borehole water and electricity (solar panel), three meals, and a guide for excursions. Hassan's greatest pleasure is to make his visitors feel at home and to share with them the incredible surrounding nature.

Doucky is located on the track connecting Pita to Télimélé. At the exit of Pita on the left (coming from Dalaba), take the track to go to Kinkon, cross Timbi Touni, pass near Wansan and then Gaya: here you are in Doucky. About 35 km of delicate track. Count between 2 and 3 hours by car. Don't forget to call Hassan to plan your stay (see numbers above).

In the urban commune, not far from the old bridge over the Niger, this pretty sandy beach, discovered only in the dry season (approximately from February to June), is an ideal place for swimming enthusiasts. It offers the opportunity to observe scenes of local life but above all to take a refreshing break to better withstand the ambient heat of the dry season; temperatures can approach 40°C at this time. To your bathing suits!

A beach as far as the eye can see! On weekends, it is often a little more frequented but during the week it is completely deserted. With the beaches of the islands of Loos, it is one of the most beautiful in Guinea and probably the largest, with its coconut trees, its golden sand and its clear waters. Be careful, however, because at low tide, the water withdraws quite far and swimming becomes complicated. The access to the beach at the hotel of the same name is not free, but it is totally free if you go further west, especially towards the village of Koukoudé.

Located 70 km from the peninsula of Kaloum, this site is a pleasant day trip (leaving Conakry early to avoid traffic jams) or a stopover on the road to Bel-Air. From a wall of rocks a few dozen meters wide and about 15 meters high, the river flows by bouncing on the natural steps below. A dazzling spectacle when the sun illuminates it in the middle of the day. For a few months, swimming in the natural pools and invigorating showers are guaranteed. Be careful not to be surprised by the power of the water, which you should take the time to gauge before jumping in. At the end of the rainy season (September/October), the water covers all the rocks; it is then impossible or in any case difficult to access the river. It is better to enjoy the show from the terrace. From March/April onwards, the water becomes scarce. Often there is only a climbing wall left instead of the cataracts. The swimming possibilities are then limited to a few pools of water..

A large covered terrace overlooks the river and offers a panoramic view of the waterfalls. The access to the terrace is not free for the external customers and costs 20 000 FG. It is free for people staying at the hotel and costs 5,000 FG for people wishing to eat there. Before going to the site, it is advisable to make inquiries by calling the manager in advance.

A small wild island with beautiful sandy beaches. If you are staying at the Auberge du Lac, this is an excursion that you absolutely must make, taking into account the tides. The crossing can only be done at high tide. We embark at the port of Taboriah located at 5 km from Koba, one of the important fishing ports of the area. The crossing lasts only 5 minutes. Plan to take with you what you will need, especially to eat because you will not find anything on the spot. Information at the port or at the hostel, which can organize your excursion.

The "Chien qui fume", this famous mountain which dominates Dubréka can be climbed from the inn of the same name. It takes about 3h30 for the round trip, the ascent being relatively easy. At the top, the panorama on the plains and the Southern Rivers is simply exceptional with a view on the bay of Sangareya and the islands of Loos. The departure for the ascent can be done from the Chien-qui-fume inn, which offers guides (50 000 FG per person). Be careful not to leave your vehicles unattended!

Located on the edge of Upper Guinea, the Maléah waterfall is impressive for its flow in the rainy season. But as is often the case in the region, it offers little interest in the dry season except for a climbing wall. As for the Lady, she is sculpted in the cliff. According to oral tradition, the Lady in possession of néré met a great marabout one day. She refused to give it to him, which would have helped him to cure a sick person. The marabout then decided to turn her into stone. This is just one version of the story of this lady.

On the road to Taboriah, a youth association has built this lovely beach to play the percussion. There is also a wild camping around a campfire.

It offers a few beautiful beaches and is accessible on foot at low tide.

Located in the north of the island of Kassa, this beautiful white sand beach offers a privileged place for lazing around and swimming. Here, the sea is calm because the beach is located towards the interior of the archipelago and thus no danger to enjoy it. It is on this beach that is located the tourist village Le Bamana, also called Chez Abou. You will be able to take advantage of the facilities of Le Bamana or simply of the beach by moving away from the hotel. Beware, the place is well known, it is often very busy, especially on weekends. Atmosphere guaranteed.

In Sansandé, close to Kérouané, this sacred mare is the meeting place for young people in the surrounding villages.

At 7 km from the city, this waterfall of about 30 m high was built to supply the city with water. A bit of a pity for the beauty of the site, but necessary for the population. Coming from Kankan, you have to take the first track on the left, 1 km after the entrance arch of the city. The path winds through the forest before reaching the water treatment plant 5 km further on. You then follow the path that leads, after 30 minutes of walking, to the waterfall. You may hear the howling of chimpanzees that live around the Going Mountain. Always impressive!

The springs themselves offer no interest, except to think of yourself as Mungo Park, the Scottish explorer who discovered which way the river flowed at the end of the 18th century. But the area is beautiful. Granite sugarloafs emerge from the earth and forests of green giants rustle with bird and insect calls. The expedition takes about 2 days. The ideal is to be in a 4x4 car, the state of the tracks in this region changing very quickly according to the season and the years. The track starts on the Kissidougou-Faranah section, halfway through, in the village of Nianfourando.

Normally, it is necessary to ask the prefecture of this village for the authorization to visit the sources. We leave the car after 20 km of bad track in Forokonia. There, you have to look for a guide to show you the path to the springs. Count about 3 hours of walk to arrive on the site, where you will see only some not very impressive streams of water. But the walk is worthwhile especially for the symbolism and the imagination associated with the source of a great river like the Niger. Remember that the latter flows into the Atlantic Ocean 4184 km further after crossing Guinea, Mali, Niger, bordering northern Benin and finally Nigeria.

It is possible to get to Forokonia from Kissidougou or Faranah by bush cab, especially on the village market day which is Thursday. However, one must be motivated and patient as this remains a real expedition of uncertain duration.

It is protected by the Koïra who sacralisent it. It is just two steps from another sacred source: .

From the top of the cliff, it is possible to go to the precise point where the water of the Ténée flows into the void to continue its course 100 m below. To reach this place, it is necessary to deviate from the track leading to Ditinn, at the level of a fork indicating Kaala on the right (approximately 5 km since the beginning of the track). We then go to the village of Kaala that we cross to reach the last village before the cliff. From there, it is necessary to continue on foot during approximately 1 hour. When the horizon finally clears up, the view is breathtaking! You have in front of you a 180 degrees panorama on the whole valley and at your feet the water which rushes towards this same valley, from the edge of the cliff. Be careful, because there are no facilities at this place! To be avoided during the rainy season because the water flows everywhere and the rocks are very slippery. Note that from the village of Kaala, it is also possible to walk to the bottom of the waterfall during a very nice hike passing in the middle of the cliffs. Beautiful views on the waterfall and some majestic trees decorate this descent towards the valley. Count on 4 to 5 hours of walking round trip for good walkers, excluding breaks and swimming. For the most courageous, you can, once arrived in the valley, continue your way in direction of the village of Ditinn and beyond towards the fall of Bomboli and the mount Maci. You will then need an extra day of walking.

An unpolluted white sand beach, accessible without taking a boat, in Conakry? Yes, it still exists on the peninsula, and this beach is called Tayaki. No, no, it is not an island in the Pacific. Located about 4 km from Kobaya in the commune of Ratoma, access to this beach is only on foot and it takes about 1h30 walk in the middle of rice fields and swamps to reach the sand and the village of the same name. Ideal for a day trip and take a breath of sea air at the gates of the capital. From now on, on the beach, places to eat or drink welcome you (restaurant Le Syli, the Blanco Beach Club). In addition, a supervised parking lot allows you to leave your vehicle in complete serenity, before walking to the beach.

Small precision: to take full advantage of the beach in the shade of the palm trees, it is necessary to walk a little while following the sand tongue and to move away from the village. It is also an opportunity to discover the village and to meet its inhabitants. Here, the villagers are fishermen and/or farmers. They also produce and sell salt. They live in great poverty while Conakry is so close, but at the same time so far. No water, no electricity, no roads, no health services... in short, not much, except for this population that manages to survive with its own means. This is also Tayaki, and it deserves to be seen.

This large beach of red sand (probably linked to the important presence of red bauxite in the area) is suitable for swimming because it is located towards the interior of the archipelago, where the sea is less agitated. It is maintained by young people from Kassa. Refreshment stands and small huts allow you to have a drink and to eat in a relaxed and local atmosphere, and for a rather reasonable budget (considering the prices in force elsewhere on the islands). Be careful, especially on weekends, the crowd is sometimes very big on this place appreciated by young people.