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's there

• 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.

Good to know

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.