Equatorial Guinea

Book excerpt: Unexplored Equatorial Guinea finally gets a guidebook! This one-time Spanish colony is one of the smallest countries in continental Africa, both in terms of size and population, and is ranked by the United Nations among the ten least visited countries in the world. From the oil-rich capital of Malabo on the volcanic island of Bioko, set out to explore the jungle interior via the Spanish colonial outpost of Bata, where you'll find pristine national parks teeming with wildlife, incredible white-sand beaches and a wealth of small, traditional communities. Travel here may not always be straightforward, but the rewards are worth it for such a unique experience in the heart of tropical Africa's only Spanish-speaking nation.This is the only in-depth English language guide to Equatorial Guinea, one of the last truly unexplored corners of sub-Saharan Africa. With first-hand descriptions of all seven provinces (including the islands and the mainland), accommodation, maps and itineraries, plus practical details, guides to security and getting a visa, this is all the information you need whether visiting Bioko on business or trekking Río Muni in search of gorillas.