Upon arrival at the Osvaldo Vieira International Airport, you are welcome by our representative who will lend you airport assistance if need be, usher you to your private car for the 30 min transfer to the Dunia Hotel transfer. A member of Azalai Hotel Group, the Dunia Hotel is ideally centrally located – about 10 km away from the airport. Depending on the traffic level which in turn depends on your time of arrival, the ride to hotel last in between half an hour to one hour. After a quick hotel check-in, we have a briefing so as to fine-tune the program of the trip. Dinner and night.

This morning we leave the city of Bissau and drive northward to the pier from where we board our boat for a day tour to the Island of Baloma. As the closest of the 88 islands that form the Bissagos Islands, Baloma boasts a port and a town that link the mainland to the Bijagos Islands.  Famous for its mangrove and cashew trees, the colonial British Island of Baloma served as the capital of Portuguese Guinea until 1941, when it was replaced by Bissau. With a population of approximately 7’000 souls, Baloma is a Unesco World Heritage full of history portrayed by numerous colonial relics in the form of architecture, forts, landmarks, and other infrastructures. In the late morning, we return to the hotel for lunch after which, we embark on a comprehensive city tour of Bissau.

Bissau is a small city that reflects its Portugal colonial past through ancient architecture and the small National Museum. Highlights in the city includes the small cathedral built in 1945, the central market with its colourful and vibrant ambiance, the beautiful mosque that is in full swing on Fridays, the handicraft centre where you can witness artists on duty. The tour wouldn’t be complete without a glance at the bright presidential palace and the Sao Jose da Amura fort, the National Heroes Memorial, the Amilcar Cabral Mausoleum, the Fortress Canon …. Much of which can see on our way back to the hotel for dinner and night.

Early in the morning, we drive to the pier and embark on a breath-taking voyage to Orango Island. Sailing past Baloma and many other Islands, we expect to attain Orango in the early afternoon after approximately 4 – 5 hours over a total distance of 60 km. Being the largest Island of the archipelago, Orango boasts long stretch of sandy pristine beaches with crystal waters, ideal for beach walk and relaxation; while it is a paradise for birdwatchers the adjacent mangrove forest is a safe niche for salt water hippopotamus.  A cultural encounter with the Tabanca or the Etigoga royal family brings us through an ancestral tradition of a matriarchal family, one of the rarest exceptions in Africa where women are in command. After an audience with Queen Okinka Pampa, we may opt for a kayak or simply relax on the beach of our small lodge before dinner and night.

In the early afternoon, we board our boat and sail southward to Poilao Island, a voyage that offers a stunning spectacle of dolphin race. Poilao Island is dubbed Turtle Island because of the huge numbers of Green Sea Turtles that instinctively congregate there between July and October on a yearly basis. 5 species of Turtles from all over the African West Coast visit the Island including the Green Turtle, the Hawksbill Turtle, Olive, Loggerhead and Leather. Heavily forested, the Island is the most southern tip of the country and includes the Poilao Marine National Park.  The Island is also considered a sacred Island protected by the spirit according to Bijago myths. Because of its sacred nature the Island is uninhabited and thus serves as a ritual site for the locals. It is in this island that comes the consecration of the Régulos and the entrance is forbidden to strangers. Night in camping

We leave Poilao Isand early this day for Rubane which we attain in the early afternoon in time for lunch. Later on, we sail upstream past the bay of Soga where we watch a large flock of Pink Falmingo among other sea birds as we embark on the pm voyage to Bubaque Island. As the largest village of the archipelago, the Island is linked to the mainland via a ferry the operated once a week. The Island has many to offer including its small vibrant local market, the Bijagos museum, friendly people hanging out of small local bars & restaurants and much more. In the afternoon, we sail back to Bubane Island for dinner and night.

The next days, we visit the Island of Canhabaque, one of the most authentic Islands of the archipelago. Also known as Roxa, the Island of Cabhabaque is part of the Bubaque Island. It includes series of authentic village clusters like Ambuduco, Bine, Maneque and many others which we may visit depending on the tide.  With a land mass of 111 km², the islands people here are still devoted to their culture and traditions that can easily be portrayed through their way of living, musical instruments, costumes, architecture and much more.

The next day, we sail back to Bubane where we spend the night at Rubane Resort.

We spend the morning relaxing on the Rubane Island. We may go for a beach walk or a fishing trip or simply chill out in the resort as we wait for the departure time to Bissau. Depending on your onward flight time, we drive for the airport a couple of hours prior the scheduled flight in readiness for exit formalities, after which we wave a farewell hand. End of the visit.