https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/western-africa/guineaGuineahttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/western-africa/guinea/guinea-etiquette-and-local-lawsTraveling to Guinea in West Africa? Find out about dress codes, etiquette and local laws and customs before you go.2019-10-21T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/western-africa/guinea/guinea-etiquette-and-local-lawshttps://www.worldnomads.com<h2>Carry identification at all times</h2> <p>In the Republic of Guinea, citizens&nbsp;and travelers are required to carry original identity documents at all times. Police or other law enforcement agencies can request to see identification at any time. Carry your identification discreetly, and keep it out of sight at all times <a href="/travel-safety/western-africa/guinea/guinea-entry-and-internal-travel" target="_blank" title="How to get around Guinea safely">while traveling around</a>.</p> <h2>Religion in Guinea</h2> <p>Islam is the majority religion of Guinea. Approximately 85% of the population is Muslim, 8% Christian and 7% follow traditional African animist beliefs. There is a small Baha'i community. A small number of Hindus, Buddhists and Traditional Chinese religious practitioners are found in the expatriate community.</p> <p>Dress modestly when you travel around Guinea. Women should cover their arms and legs, and pack a headscarf in case you are required to wear one. Men should be aware it's not common for locals to wear shorts, and should pack a long pair of lightweight trousers.</p> <p>Here are a few other etiquette tips for travelers in Guinea:</p> <ul> <li>Greetings are very important to Guineans, and it is rude to ask a question or make a request without first asking about the person's health and wellbeing of their family</li> <li>These questions are formulaic and may be repeated several times. Following the questions and responses, a firm handshake or, among the upper class, a brief kiss on the cheek</li> <li>It is impolite to use the left hand in any social interaction, whether to shake hands, point, pay, or hand an item to someone.</li> </ul> <h2>Importing and exporting laws in Guinea</h2> <p>Guinea has strict currency import and export regulations. To&nbsp;<a href="/travel-safety/western-africa/guinea/crime-in-guinea" target="_blank" title="How to avoid crime in Guinea">avoid inconvenience</a> and embarrassment, visitors should study the regulations in detail before entering or leaving the country.</p> <p>Guinea's rather quaint import and export regulations are strictly enforced. On arrival, visitors are entitled to bring in 1000 cigarettes or 250 cigars or 1000 grams of tobacco, one (opened) bottle of alcoholic beverage and a quantity of perfume arguably for personal use.</p> <p>On departure, they are prohibited from taking weapons and firearms, explosives, radioactive materials, plants and animals, food, obscene literature or religious literature.6</p> <p>Throughout sub-Saharan Africa, trading scams involving diamonds, gold export and gold certification are common. In Guinea, a license is required to export precious gems. Penalties are heavy for those involved in attempted gem smuggling.</p> <h2>Is Guinea safe for LGBTQ+ travelers?</h2> <p>In most of Sub-Saharan Africa, homosexuality is a taboo subject, rarely discussed and in some countries, illegal. Homosexuality is illegal in Guinea, and there are no discrimination laws in place. To be on the safe side, keep public displays of affection to a minimum to avoid any unwanted attention.</p> <h2>Drug laws in Guinea</h2> <p>In 2008 the regional representative of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime said, "Guinea has become a major drug-trafficking hub, and the trade there is now <a href="/travel-safety/western-africa/guinea-bissau/guinea-bissau" target="_blank" title="How safe is Guinea-Bissau?">potentially more dangerous than in Guinea-Bissau</a>."</p> <p>An official from the Guinean government's anti-narcotics bureau (OCAD) said, "Corruption at the highest levels of the military and police and a lack of personnel and equipment are impeding OCAD's ability to crack down on drug trafficking."</p> <p>Despite a concerted drive to stamp out corruption and illegal drugs, much of the corruption remains in Guinea.</p> <p>Anyone found carrying or using illicit drugs faces stiff penalties, including imprisonment.</p> <h2>Local laws to know before you go</h2> <p>In any case, all foreigners in Guinea are <a href="/travel-safety/western-africa/guinea/guinea-the-political-situation" target="_blank" title="Political situation in Guinea, West Africa">subject to local laws</a>.</p> <ul> <li>Photographing or filming military establishments and government buildings is prohibited</li> <li>Criminal offenses, including attempted gem smuggling can lead to imprisonment</li> <li>Serious offenses, such as murder and armed robbery, may attract the death penalty</li> <li>Living conditions in Guinea's overcrowded prisons are unhygienic with no washing facilities and no medical care. Food and water is strictly rationed. The legal process is slow and pre-trial detention can last for months</li> <li>Exchanging foreign currency on the street or using unofficial money changers is illegal. Anyone caught &ndash; even when trifling amounts of money were involved &ndash; will be arrested and detained in military custody.</li> </ul> <p>Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Guinea to protect Australian travelers. The Canadian Embassy in Dakar, Senegal, can provide consular assistance to Australians. US and UK citizens have consulates in Conarky, the capital of Guinea.</p>Getty Images/Maarten Van De Biezen / EyeEm 1923721578 Getty Images A man riding a bike on a dirt road in Kindia, Guinea, West Africahttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/western-africa/guinea/guinea-healthDiseases, health issues and hygiene problems may ruin your trip to Guinea. Find out how to be prepared and stay healthy on your trip.2019-12-17T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/western-africa/guinea/guinea-healthhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>The Bamako Initiative of 1987 promoted community-based methods of increasing accessibility to drugs and health care services for all citizens, partly by implementing user fees1. Despite this well intended initiative, years of autocratic rule, entrenched corruption and poor governance have ensured that health care remains at best rudimentary.</p> <p>Medical facilities are poor, equipment is basic and rarely maintained under sterile conditions. Common drugs readily available in the first world are often in short supply. There are no central contact numbers for hospitals in Guinea. Only private clinics e.g. the Clinique Pasteur in Conakry - can be contacted. There are minimal facilities for dealing with heart problems and major trauma. For serious medical treatment, medical evacuation to Europe is necessary.</p> <p>With such conditions on the ground, it's no wonder governments suggest that if their citizens travel to Guinea, they take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before they depart.3 The Australian Government warns that each year it handles over 25,000 cases involving Australian citizens in difficulty overseas. This includes over 1,200 hospitalisations, 900 deaths and 50 evacuations for medical purposes.</p> <p>A prerequisite for entry to Guinea5 is a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate. This highlights the fact that Yellow Fever outbreaks occur regularly in Guinea6 and the government is doing its utmost to prevent the spread of the disease.</p> <p>In the interest of personal safety, all travellers to Guinea should be vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid Fever, Miningococcus, Polio, Rabies, Measles-Mumps- Rubella (MMR) Tetanus-diptheria and, of course, Yellow Fever.</p> <p>Hepatitis A, C and E are widespread in Guinea. Hepatitis B is hyperendemic.</p> <p>Cholera outbreaks have occured throughout the last decade:&nbsp;there were 4,000 cases during the first 8 months of 2007, including 135 deaths. Most outbreaks are related to contaminated drinking water, and typically arose in situations of extreme poverty. Most travellers who observe the basic food and water precautions, are at extremely low risk for infection.</p> <p>Diarrhoeal diseases, including giardiasis, and typhoid fevers are common. Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia) is also present.</p> <p>Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by several species of trematodes (platyhelminth infection, or "flukes"), a parasitic worm of the genus Schistosoma. Although rarely fatal schistosomiasis may become chronic. This can damage internal organs and, in children, impair growth and cognitive development. The urinary form of Schistosomiasis is associated with increased risks for bladder cancer in adults. It is the second most socioeconomically devastating parasitic disease after malaria.</p> <p>Schistosomiasis is contracted through bathing, swimming, paddling or engaging in water sports, especially in bodies of still fresh water such as sluggish streams or lakes. The risk is reduced when bathing in flowing water Well maintained swimming pools, adequately chlorinated are quite safe.</p> <p>Onchocerciasis (river blindness) is the world's second leading cause of blindness. It is a parasitic disease caused by a parasitic worm (Onchocerca volvulus) that can live in the human body for up to 14 years. The larval forms of these parasitic worms are introduced in the human body, as well as transmitted from a sick person to a healthy one, via the bite of infected blackflies (Simulium). Aside from being a leading cause of blindness, those infected experience severe and continuous itching due to nodules that develop under the skin, causing them to scratch repeatedly. As a result, the damaged skin areas suffer loss of pigmentation and, over the time, the skin becomes spotty, with de-pigmented spots more susceptible to skin cancer.</p> <p>A possible precautionary measure is chemioprophylaxy. In 1987, ivermectine was launched under the name of mectizan. Well tolerated by patients, a single tablet taken once every six months destroys the microfilaria and inhibits the egg-laying of adult filaria.</p> <p>Trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), a serious neurological disease spread through the bite of the tsetse fly, is also present. First mentioned from the upper Niger in the 14th century by the North African historiographer Ibn Khaldoun, the next report came from Guinea in 1734. Although only an average of 100 cases are reported annually, anyone intending to travel to the savanna regions of Guinea should wear appropriate clothing and use insect repellant. No is no vaccination against Trypanosomiasis.</p> <p>Dengue Fever and TB are present in Guinea and the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 70,000 adults aged 15 or over in Guinea were living with HIV; the prevalence percentage was estimated at around 1.3% of the adult population. 13 Travellers should exercise the normal precautions to safeguard themselves against exposure to HIV/AIDS.</p> <p>Against these many and varied diseases in a country with rudimentary medical facilities, comprehensive travel insurance that covers overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation is the best option. If you intend to spend time in Guinea's rural areas, it is recommended that you carry a comprehensive First Aid Kit.</p>Getty Images/Maarten Van De Biezen / EyeEm 11084660428 Getty Images A man riding a bicycle along a dusty road in Guineahttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/western-africa/guinea/guinea-entry-and-internal-travelAll foreigners require a visa and vaccination card to enter Guinea, but that's not the only challenge. Here's what you need to know.2019-10-08T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/western-africa/guinea/guinea-entry-and-internal-travelhttps://www.worldnomads.com<h2>Getting into Guinea, West Africa</h2> <p>All foreigners require a visa and vaccination card in order to be granted entry to Guinea. Obtaining foreign currency in Guinea is extremely difficult.</p> <p>The most common way to get into the counry is by road or by air. There are road links with Danan (Cote d'Ivoire), Bamako (Mali) and Tambacounda (Senegal).</p> <p>However, due to the condition of most roads and the political instability in the border regions, intending travelers are advised not to seek entry by road.</p> <p>Despite the existence of railways still shown on most maps, trains no longer run anywhere in the country.</p> <p>Strangely enough, this inconvenience is a boon to travelers who will often find cheap rooms in what were once the hotel-buffets at old stations.</p> <p>Air France runs direct flights from London to Conakry. A number of airlines offer flights from South Africa, all requiring one or two stops.</p> <p>The airport is situated just 9mi (15km) from Conakry.</p> <p>For the adventurous, an option is entry by boat from Bissau (Guinea-Bissau), Bamako (Mali) or Freetown (Sierra Leone). However, there are no set schedules. The trip upriver from Mali only takes place during the rainy season.</p> <h2>Etiquette in Guinea</h2> <p>Since approximately 85% of the population is Muslim, travelers are advised to dress conservatively.</p> <p>Before attempting to photograph strangers, show respect by seeking permission from people.</p> <p>Since Guinea has known 52 years of autocratic rule and is still controlled by relatively undisciplined military and militia, photographing anything that might be construed as of strategic value (even bridges) is not a good idea.</p> <h2>Boat travel in Guinea</h2> <p>There have been reports of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Guinean territorial waters.</p> <p>In December 2010 a group of armed men dressed in military uniforms boarded a foreign boat in waters around Kamsar and robbed the vessel of its cargo, cash and mobile telephones. The vessel was detained overnight.</p> <p>This news is unlikely to bother you if you're entering or traveling around Guinea by boat. As for the ferries that ply their trade around Conakry or the beautiful Loos Islands, this form of travel is common and safe.</p> <h2>Road safety in Guinea</h2> <p>In the capital and in the larger cities, many roads are paved and in reasonable order. In the rest of the country, even major roadways remain in poor repair and are generally unsafe. Road signage is inadequate or non-existent. Road lighting is poor.</p> <p>The latter is exacerbated by the frequent power failures experienced throughout the country.</p> <p>Pedestrians and livestock use the roads with very little attention to vehicles. Driving at night, particularly in the countryside is not a good idea.</p> <p>Since many inter-city roads are unsurfaced, they are are in bad shape during the dry season, and in no shape during the rainy season.</p> <p>During the rainy season (July to September) flash floods make some roads impassable.</p> <p>Throughout the year, especially in remote or border regions, banditry is rife especially during the hours of darkness. This is an added incentive to keep off the roads at night.</p> <h2>Roadblocks</h2> <p>Frequent police, military or local militia roadblocks between 10pm and 6am are another inconvenience for travelers who are traveling out of or inside the city.</p> <p>Although Police and local militia checkpoints have reduced in number since February 2011, they often appear at short notice and especially after dark throughout the country. Vehicles and passengers are submitted to checks on documentation and baggage. Corruption and extortion are common at roadblocks.</p> <h2>What to expect from&nbsp;transport in Guinea</h2> <p>In general, Guinean vehicles are poorly maintained. Many lack functioning lights. Drivers are poorly trained and routinely ignore safety regulations.</p> <p>There is no reliable public transportation in Guinea. For road travel, vehicles and drivers may be hired from agencies at major hotels in Conakry. Domestic air services are intermittent.</p> <p>Most locals who don't own private vehicles rely on shared taxis that charge per seat. Alternatively, they rely on mini buses. Few buses operate on long journeys across the country.</p> <p>Travelers should not dismiss these warnings as the exaggerations of a traveler who is accustomed to good roads, well-maintained vehicles and road rules that are (relatively speaking) well observed by licensed drivers.</p> <p>On 10 Mar 2011, Guinean Afrik TV reporter, Aboubacar Camara, made the following comments:</p> <p>Accident scenes are commonplace on Guinean roads. The victims of road traffic accidents are numbering in the thousands. From hospital data, more than 4000 cases have been recorded every year.</p> <p>The figures are the highest in the deep countryside. Kindia, located 90 miles from the capital Conakry, is in the red area when we look at statistics.</p> <p>When a native Guinean, well-acquainted with local conditions despairs on considering the carnage on his nation's roads, a casual visitor would be well-advised to take note and beware.</p>Getty Images/john images 1946081852 Getty Images/ The very busy port of Boulbinet in Conakry, Guinea, West Africahttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/western-africa/guinea/crime-in-guineaGuinea can be a scary place to travel in West Africa. From crime to scams, be aware of the risks before you go.2019-11-01T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/western-africa/guinea/crime-in-guineahttps://www.worldnomads.com<h2>Politics in Guinea</h2> <p>On 16 November 2010, nine days after completion of the second round of presidential elections &ndash; the first free and fair elections in Guinea since independence from France in 1958 &ndash; Alpha Cond&eacute; was declared the president of Guinea. Cond&eacute;, who is a former political science professor at the University of Paris, spent many years in opposition to a succession of corrupt regimes in Guinea.</p> <p>Critics accuse him of failing to live up to his pre-election promises to uproot corruption, in part because he kept officials of the former regime close to him.</p> <p>Cond&eacute; inherited a country with profound human rights and governance problems, including a culture of impunity, <a href="/travel-safety/western-africa/guinea/guinea-etiquette-and-local-laws" target="_blank" title="Local laws in Guinea">weak rule of law</a>, endemic corruption, and crushing poverty. It is unreasonable to expect that in a short period, Cond&eacute; might remedy&nbsp;so many years of abuse.</p> <h2>Is Guinea safe?</h2> <p>Travelers need to know that Guinea remains an unsafe place to travel. Corruption is rife and crime flourishes here. Although the law protects the rights of citizens, its administration is still in the hands of a weak judiciary and corrupt security forces.</p> <h2>Theft in Guinea</h2> <p>Many of the people robbing travelers of valuables or cash may be wearing police or military uniforms &ndash; both imitation and genuine. Corruption is rife throughout Guinea and few visitors escape the demands for a fine or bribe. We don't encourage paying bribes to officials.</p> <p>After the brutal civil wars in Sierrra Leone and Liberia in the 1990s, the capital, Conakry, witnessed a huge influx of refugees. Added to existing population pressures, this influx has resulted in unemployment and poverty. Assaults, muggings, armed robbery and break-ins, as well as minor theft, are common.</p> <p>Petty criminals are particularly active in the Madina, Niger and Taouyah markets. Often, children are used by criminals to conduct these crimes.</p> <h2>Where you need to be most alert</h2> <p>Criminals particularly target travelers at the airport, in traditional markets, and near hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners.</p> <p>To avoid trouble, never accept unsolicited offers of assistance at the airport and hotels. These offers may be an intention to steal from you.</p> <p>You should arrange for hotel staff, family members, or business contacts to meet you at the airport to reduce vulnerability to these crimes of opportunity.</p> <h2>Power failures in Guinea</h2> <p>Power failures are frequent throughout the country. They affect water supply and transportation as well as the power supply. In large urban centers, power failures may affect security conditions.</p> <p>Due to widespread corruption, commercial scams and disputes with local business partners can create legal difficulties for travelers in Guinea. Foreign Embassies have extremely limited resources in assisting their citizens if they become unwitting victims of illegal business deals. So, don't do business in Guinea.</p> <p>In 2010, trading scams involving diamonds, gold export and gold certification were reported to the U.K Embassy many times. Those accused of criminal offences, including gem smuggling, are subject to local law. Heavy penalties apply for anyone convicted.</p> <p>Local prison conditions are harsh, and food and water is not supplied on a regular basis. Conakry Central Prison, built in 1958 to receive a maximum of 400 people, today has more than 3,000 prisoners.</p> <p>Don't&nbsp;<a href="/travel-safety/western-africa/guinea/guinea-etiquette-and-local-laws" target="_blank" title="Local laws in Guinea">break any laws</a> in Guinea, and this won't be a problem for you.</p>Getty Images/Maarten Van De Biezen / EyeEm 1894117064 Getty Images Dry mountainous landscape in Guinea, West Africahttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/western-africa/guinea/guinea-the-political-situationWhat's the political situation in Guinea? Find out about politics and turmoil before you start planning your trip to this West African country.2019-11-19T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/western-africa/guinea/guinea-the-political-situationhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Guinea, officially known as the&nbsp;<a href="/travel-safety/western-africa/guinea/crime-in-guinea" target="_blank" title="Crime in Guinea: What Travelers Need to Know">Republic of Guinea</a> is a country in West Africa formerly known as French Guinea (Guin&eacute;e fran&ccedil;aise). It is sometimes called Guinea-Conakry to distinguish it from its neighbor Guinea Bissau.</p> <p>Conakry is the largest city and national capital, with a population of 1.66 million.</p> <p>Guinea covers an area of 94,925mi&sup2; (245,857km&sup2;), forming a rough crescent from its western border on the Atlantic Ocean curving towards the east and south. It shares its northern border with Guinea-Bissau, Senegal and Mali, and a southern border with Sierra Leone, Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire.</p> <h2>Occupation and independence</h2> <p>Until France colonized it in the 1890s, the land that is now Guinea belonged to a series of African empires. After gaining independence from France on the 2nd October 1958, Guinea experienced autocratic rule until October 2008, when a military junta seized control. In January 2010, the junta appointed a Prime Minister to head a six-month transitional government leading up to elections.</p> <p>The first round of the presidential election held in June 2010 was billed as the first free and fair election since independence in 1958. Due to allegations of electoral fraud, the second round was postponed until September 2010, followed by a further two delays.</p> <p>Finally, on the 7th November 2010, the second round of the presidential election was held. The election ran smoothly, voter turnout was high and when counting was completed on the 16th November 2010, Alpha Cond&eacute; was declared the victor.</p> <h2>Ethnic diversity in Guinea</h2> <p>The 50 odd years of political turmoil and civil unrest in Guinea since independence in 1958 are compounded by Guinea's ethnic diversity.</p> <p>There are about 24 distinct ethnic groups in Guinea of which the largest, alternately known as Fulas, Fulani or Peulh comprise 40% of the population. They are mainly found in the Futa Jallon region.</p> <p>The second largest ethnic group, the Mandika, Mandingo or Malinke, comprise 25% of the population and are mostly found in the Kankan and Kissidougou prefectures of eastern Guinea.</p> <p>The third largest ethnic group, the Soussou, comprise 10% of the population and are mainly found in the western regions in and around the capital, Conakry. The remaining 10% of the population includes the Kpelle, Kissi, Ziako, Toma and others, while the 10,000 odd non-Africans include Lebanese, French and other European nationals.</p> <p>Immediately after the&nbsp;2010 presidential elections, the nation was plagued by ethnic violence between supporters &ndash; often unemployed, disaffected youths &ndash; of the two major contenders. Shops were looted, houses and buildings damaged or destroyed and people seriously injured and killed. Many women were raped.</p> <p>As a result of civil wars in Sierra Leone and Liberia in the early years of the new millennium, Guinea is hosting nearly one million refugees from Sierra Leone and Liberia alone. Another influx followed the 2002 conflict in Cote d'Ivoire. Such numbers of displaced persons is a tremendous burden on the host population. Gradually, they are spreading throughout the country.</p> <p>On first entering Guinea, many refugees were concentrated in Nz&eacute;r&eacute;kor&eacute;, capital of the Nz&eacute;r&eacute;kor&eacute; Prefecture and the largest city in the Guin&eacute;e Foresti&egrave;re region of south- eastern Guinea. The population of 107,329 according to the 1996 census rose to nearly 300,000 after the civil wars in Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire.</p> <p>Government travel advisories say travelers should exercise increased caution throughout the country due to civil unrest, and specifically advise tourists to stay away from the southeastern border regions. It's worth noting issues in the south are the result of inter-ethnic rivalries, and rarely involve tourists.</p> <p>Theft is rife in these forested border regions,&nbsp;so travelers should avoid remote locations where Guinean civil authorities exert little or no influence.</p> <p>The large military presence in Conakry is both an inconvenience and a hidden blessing. On the one hand, one might resent the inconvenience of frequent roadblocks. On the other hand, the large military presence ensures that inter-ethnic tensions are held in check and foreign tourists are relatively undisturbed.</p> <p>To avoid getting caught up in the crossfire resulting from inter-ethnic or political violence, keep away from large crowds at political rallies and street demonstrations.</p>Getty Images/john images 1947272226 Getty Images On the street in Guinean suburb district in the city of Damou