The Bijagós Archipelago

The Bijagós Archipelago, a scattering of some eighty islands and islets off the coast of Guinea-Bissau, is one of the most pristine and untouched island worlds in West Africa, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of extraordinary natural and cultural richness. Only a fraction of its islands are inhabited, and many are considered sacred, left wild. A labyrinth of mangroves, palm-fringed white beaches, tidal flats and rich waters, the archipelago is a haven for wildlife: sea turtles nest on its beaches, hippos have adapted to the sea, and vast numbers of migratory birds gather. Remote, unspoilt and slow-paced, reached only by boat and home to the unique Bijagó people, it is a rare and remarkable frontier for the adventurous.

What you actually see

• The pristine islands - the wild, untouched tropical islands and beaches.
• The nesting turtles - the sea turtles of the archipelago.
• The mangroves and birds - the rich waters and migratory birds.
• The sacred islands - the wild islands revered by the Bijagó.

When to go

November to May, the dry season, for the best weather and boat conditions, avoiding the heavy rains; sea-turtle nesting has its own season, and migratory birds are most abundant in the northern winter. The archipelago is reached by boat from the capital Bissau, and explored from a handful of simple, remote lodges over several unhurried days.

Honest expectations

Getting between the islands depends on infrequent boats and chartered pirogues, schedules bend to the weather, and accommodation is a handful of simple lodges with generator power. For the reward of a near-untouched island world of wild beaches, unusual wildlife and a remarkable traditional culture far from any crowd, the Bijagos are a rare West African gem.

Nearby

The island of Orango, the capital Bissau and the mainland are within reach.