The Sacred Archipelago

Arrival in Bissau and transfer to the hotel.

Day 2: Magical Villages, (150 Km, 4 hour drive)

Full day to explore an area inhabited by the Pepel people who live in typical clay huts covered with a thatch roof Lunch in a local restaurant.

At the heart of a tiny village, we will meet a fetish priest who can consult the spirit of the deceased as we are in a deeply animistic culture.

Visit of an old local rum (called Cana) distillery dated from the colonial period: we will be wrapped in the smell of the tons of sugar cane which get crushed and refined every day in this firewood powered distillery.

Return to Bissau, stop in an open-air bar known in town for the best tropical version of mojito and dinner at a restaurant in the lively part of Bissau.

Total driving: (150 Km, 4 hour drive)

Day 3: Mankanya Tribe, (2:30 hours drive)

Morning, discover the capital. The harbor with the women selling fish just arrived from the ocean. Stroll in Bissau-Vehlo: the old Portuguese quartier, impregnated by an atmosphere that reminds us of Portugal’s days gone by. Here we can experience the mix of African and Portuguese souls. Fortaleza Amura is built in stones. Walk in main avenue with its large buildings in perfect colonial style, the palace of Justice, the Catholic Cathedral, the presidential palace, the more recent Independence Monument, and Che Guevara Square. The visit will pass through the artisan center and Bandin, the large and busy central market. Afternoon drive to the territories of the Mankanya tribe to meet the local King (Regolo) and learn directly from him about the culture of his people.

Arrival in Cacheu on the great river of the same name. Cacheu was one of the first Portuguese settlements in black Africa, dating back to 1588, chosen for the navigability of the river and becomes an important trading point. Since then, there remains a population resulting from a mixture of locals, European, outcasts and adventurers called “lancados”, Cap Verdian traders and prisoners that accepted the exile as an alternative to prison in Portugal, called the “degradados”. Interesting the tiny fort and the slave trade museum on the that will open for us.

Day 4: Tribal Art Still in its Context (4 hour drive)

Left the main road for a tiny track to discover the more remote Manjacu settlements.
Some Manjaco households within the traditional large patriarchal houses have an ancestor altar made of sculptured wooden poles called “Pecab” representing the spirits of their ancestors; they are kept in sanctuaries known as “Cab Balugun”. We visit tiny villages hidden in the forest to discover, with the permission of the elders, sacred wooden carvings that vary in age and style, from centuries-old: from abstract statues to the more recent naturalistic style influenced by contact with the Western world. It is a unique opportunity to enjoy tribal art in its original cultural context: the village, and discover the changes of stiles of an old tradition that has survived to the colonial time and maintain its vitality in the contemporary world.

Afternoon arrival in Bissau.

Day 5: The Coast Capitol of the Bijagos Archipelago

On board a speedboat, we start a 5 days sailing to discover the Bijagos Archipelago with its remote islands, isolated human settlements and unique wildlife.

The Bijagos Archipelago, the largest archipelago in Africa and located approximately 40 miles off-shore, has 88 islands of which only 21 are permanently inhabited. Thanks to its wild and pristine landscapes, its genuine tribal culture and its unique fauna, Bijagos is a “geographical jewel”.

Due to the remoteness of the destination, the lack of transportation and the deep attachment to the local traditions, the Bijagos inhabitants have been little influenced by the external world: during ceremonies women still wear the saiya – a traditional skirt made of straw – and the rhythm of life in villages is marked by initiations and secret ceremonies. In some island young men still recently followed a seven-year initiation rite during which they live in a “convent” without any contact with women.

Our first stop will be Bolama, the former capital of Portuguese Guinea from 1871 to 1941, when was displaced to Bissau due to the shortage of fresh water in the island.

When the Portuguese left Bolama, native people came to occupy the town which is now falling apart and is partly invaded by tropical vegetation. It was originally built following the plans of a «Castrum Romanum» (roman citadel). We will walk in large sunny lethargic avenues, empty squares, dry fountains, bush-like gardens, and large administrative buildings in neo-Palladian style. In the Administration Palace, we can still admire columns in classic style … where now the goats graze! Bolama is plunged in fairy-tale atmosphere of a unique ghost town still inhabited.

Arrival to Rubane Island at the comfortable lodge that will be our base for 5 days of discovering the Bijagos Archipelago.

Day 6: From ISLAND to Island (speedboat)

Following an exciting itinerary between the islands we will reach the site where, with the calm ocean, the dolphins meet. Between dozens and hundreds of dolphins turning in circles and lapping in the waves, we will be in a unique natural show.

For the departures of October 25^th, November 29^th and December 27^th, 2024, special event: Saltwater Hippos. Morning departure to Orango pristine islands that are a protected area, leaded by a Ranger we will walk to the ponds where with a bit of luck we will discover the Saltwater hippos.
From Orango we will sail to other island to discover remote villages where the cultural traditions are still practiced, and with a bit of luck our local guide will be able to know in which village mask dances or initiation rituals are happening.

Return to our comfortable base on Rubane Island.

Day 7: Between Nature and Culture, (speedboat)

For the departures of March 8^th and April 26^th, 2024, special event: VACA BRUTO CEREMONY Landing on the beach to join a remote village at Uno Island and be accepted by the Elders to Vaca Bruto ceremony. Vaca Bruto Masked dance represent an important step of young men initiation to adult warriors.
For the  departures of October 25^th, November 25^th and December 27^th, 2024, special event: TURTLE NESTING
Excursion to the most remote part of the Archipelago.
We sail in the direction of the Southern Island; stop at Meio, a pristine uninhabited island where our footprints on the sand will be the only human traces.

Arrival to Poilao uninhabited island. In the night with high tide, the turtles will emerge from the ocean to nest we must remain silent and don’t use a direct flashlight that can scare the turtles….

Day 8: Islander Life, (speedboat)

Today we enjoy the archipelago easygoing way of life: relax at the wild beach and/or around the swimming pool and visit the largest village in the archipelago, the only one connected to the continent by a ferry once a week: unpaved alleys, a tiny colorful market, local bars and traders, and the tiny ethnographic museum dedicated to Bijagos culture.

Optional: walking to explore the luxuriant vegetation of the island.
For the departures of March 8^th and April 26th, 2024, special event: Cabaro Mask Dance
Sailing to Canhabaque the most sacred island of the Bijagos to discover a remote village in the forest. Bijagos traditional villages are never on the shore but hidden in the vegetation not to be visible by potential war-raids coming from the ocean to catch slaves.

Picnic lunch and arrival to a village at the time of the CABARO MASK DANCE

Day 9: Tour Ends in Bissau, (speed boat)

Relax. Departure time will be determinate by the weather conditions.
Arrival by speedboat to Bissau.

In late evening, transfer to the airport for the flight out.