Overview
Equatorial Guinea is a country of lush vegetation and beautiful landscapes, including tropical forests and snow-capped volcanoes. The capital, Malabo, is run-down but still attractive with its wonderful Spanish colonial-style architecture and lively market. It is also surrounded by a remarkable backdrop of volcanoes. The white sandy beaches that line the islands are stunningly beautiful. No wonder the first name the country was given by the Portuguese was ‘Formosa’, meaning ‘beautiful’. The country was founded in the late 15th First colonized by the Portuguese in the 17th century and handed over to the Spanish in 1788. An independent government of the country was approved in 1959. Full independence followed in 1968. After oil and gas were discovered in the Gulf of Guinea, the economy grew rapidly, but little of the newfound wealth trickled down to the general population. According to several human rights organizations, the government of Equatorial Guinea tramples human rights the most compared to other countries in Africa. After oil and gas were discovered in the Gulf of Guinea, the economy grew rapidly, but little of the newfound wealth trickled down to the general population. According to several human rights organizations, the government of Equatorial Guinea tramples human rights the most compared to other countries in Africa.
Getting there
Arriving by plane
According to top-medical-schools, Lufthansa (LH) flies from Frankfurt/M. with feeder flights from Vienna and Zurich via Lagos (Nigeria) to Malabo. Lufthansa (LH) also fly from Frankfurt/M. and Austrian Airlines (OS) from Zurich/Vienna in cooperation with Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa to Malabo. Air France (AF) connects Zurich via Paris with Malabo and Swiss (LX) flies in cooperation with Lufthansa (LH) via Frankfurt/M. and Lagos to Malabo.
Flight times
Frankfurt/M. – Malabo: 8 hours 40 minutes; Vienna – Malabo: 10 hours 25 minutes; Zurich – Malabo: 9 hours 45 minutes
Departure fee
None.
Arrival by car
Entry by land is generally possible from both Cameroon and Gabon. However, the borders may be temporarily closed; sometimes entry is denied for a variety of reasons.
Arrival by ship
Malabo and Bata are the main port cities.
Ferry provider
Elobey Ferry connects Malabo with Bata (journey time: 10 hours). There is also a ferry connection between Malabo, Bata and Douala (Cameroon).
Transportation
Traveling by plane
The airline Ceiba Intercontinental (C1) flies regularly to the cities of Malabo, Bata, Mengomeyén and San Antonio de Palé. Cronos Airlines (C8) connects Malabo and Bata. The security standards of both airlines do not correspond to the European standard; both airlines are on the EU list of unsafe airlines.
Traveling by car/bus
The road network of Equatorial Guinea has a length of 1,400 km. Asphalt roads connect Bata to Nkue and Mongomo in the east, and Mbini in the south, among others. On the island of Bioko, a paved ring road runs in the north of the island and connects the towns of Malabo, Santiago de Baney, Riaba, Luba and Basupu.
Right-hand traffic/left-hand traffic
Right
Condition of the roads
About 80% of the entire road network is asphalted. The roads in the interior often have a slope character and are difficult or impossible to drive on during the rainy season. Inland journeys should therefore only be undertaken with four-wheel drive vehicles.
Car rental
Rental cars can only be rented with a driver.
Taxi
Taxis are available in larger towns and can also be hired cheaply for the whole day.
Coach
Minibuses run from Bata to Mbini (journey time: 1 hour), Acalayong (journey time: 6 hours) and Ebebiyin (journey time: approx. 6 hours).
Documentation
In addition to the national driver’s license, the international driver’s license must be carried.
Note on travel by road
Papers such as visas and passports are particularly strictly checked by the authorities for foreigners. Strict action is taken in the event of irregularities. Arbitrary controls and attempts at intimidation by security officials are also commonplace.
Locally on the way by train
There is no rail service in Equatorial Guinea.
Traveling by ship
The Elobey ferry connects Malabo with Bata (journey time: up to 10 hours).
