Header Image Attribution: "Champ de riz a kindia en republique de Guinee" by Abdoulrahamane 99MDS Barry is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0This post contains affiliate links. Our Extraordinary Planet may be compensated for any purchases you make.Just 85 miles north of Conakry, Kindia is one of the largest cities in Guinea — and one of the best cities worth visiting. After you’ve arrived at the Conakry International Airport, it only takes a modest drive until you can arrive at this beautiful destination. You’ll quickly come to admire the lush and thriving wilderness and the traditional beauty of the Kindia Prefecture, which rivals other tropical destinations in its beauty.
Kindia is a diverse and comfortable city. While the Susu are the majority of the population in Kindia, the Fulani, Malinke, Kpelle, Toma, Kisi, and other ethnic groups also call the city home. And while you may rarely encounter many of the indigenous languages in Kindia, you will find that having a good command on speaking Susu (the lingua franca) will allow you to communicate with most locals.
Guinea is a primarily agricultural country, so as you travel, you’ll encounter many pastures and farms dedicated to growing crops like bananas, rice, tomatoes, citrus, and strawberries. You may also encounter domestic animals like goats and Muscovy ducks. Between the rolling fields of crops and the untouched rainforests, you’ll find the landscapes of Guinea to be captivating.
While Guinea isn’t frequently visited by tourists, the country has a lot to offer. You’ll find that visiting Kindia puts you close to the lively capital at Conakry, but as you’re further inland, you’ll be able to enjoy much more of the country’s incredible wilderness and rural landscapes. If you’re willing to take a plunge and come prepared to exercise informed caution with endemic disease and potentially encountering local government corruption, you’ll find that the country rewards a sense of curiosity.
And if you’re interested in reading about visiting other countries in Africa, please consider looking into our archives — from Cape Town to Johannesburg, we’re dedicated to providing the best information you can find on the web.
View Kindia From Above At The Peak Of Mount Gangan
It’s safe to say that most of the incredible peaks in Africa are well known, if not famous, but Mount Gangan might be one of the best exceptions to this rule. At 1,116 meters tall, you’ll be awe-stricken by the sheer size of the mountain — and even more blown away once you see the view from the intermediate summits and especially the peak.
If you’re interested in hiking Mount Gangan, it’s luckily very simple to arrange. It’s recommended to find a tour guide by reaching out at your local Kindia hotels or contacting Mohamed Camara at the Kindia Voyage Tourisme Agency. Once you’ve made the venture to Mount Gangan, you won’t regret making the climb to see the incredible picturesque views.
Learn From The Locals And Practice Your Susu
While a variety of languages are spoken across Guinea, Susu is the most common one that you’ll encounter in Kindia. It’s actually treated as a ‘lingua franca’ — essentially a middle-ground trade language — so you’ll find that most people you meet are familiar with speaking Susu.
Luckily, there are many resources online you can use to brush up on this language before you make your way to Guinea. The Polyglot Club offers a guide on some of the most essential phrases you’ll need to learn, but if you’re looking to gain a more in-depth understanding, you can also refer to this 66-page manual on the language.
Kick Back And Relax At A Comfortable Hotel
While you’re visiting Kindia, you can’t forget the most important part of any vacation — relaxing! Luckily, there’s lots of cheap places to stay in the area that will offer you a comfortable respite from the business of your typical life. Many people love staying at Les Eaux De Kilissi, noting that the service and family-friendly rooms offered are some of the best in the area.
If you prefer to stay somewhere closer to local transportation, though, the Hotel Masabi offers incredible accessibility (and a great restaurant!) And, of course, we can’t forget to mention the Hotel Marcica de Kindia. The hotel offers charming and well-lit brick rooms, and once you’ve had a night in your comfortable bed, you can enjoy a hot breakfast at the hotel’s cafe.
Admire The Voile De La Mariée
If you’ve ever visited a popular tourist destination in the busy season before, you might have encountered a big issue — it was too busy to enjoy or see anything! Luckily, this isn’t the case when you visit destinations like the Voile de la Mariée just outside of Kindia. This gorgeous waterfall is one of the most beautiful natural attractions in Kindia, offering a serene atmosphere and beautiful view.
While you’ll immediately be drawn to watching the water cascade down the rocks and lush cliff face, you’ll quickly find that there’s plenty of reasons to love the Voile de la Mariée. Kindia isn’t a particularly popular tourist destination, so when you visit the waterfall, you’ll most likely have the view all to yourself. The rugged landscape is exciting to explore, and in such a gorgeous climate, you can even view beautiful flowers and wildlife. Lastly, if tourist shops are your thing, the park also houses a shop close nearby for visitors and locals alike to enjoy.
Take A Day Trip To Conakry
Lastly, while you might want to spend most of your vacation in Kindia, no vacation to Guinea can be considered a full trip without a visit to the capital at Conakry (and you can always explore the broader landscape of Guinea, too!). Luckily, you won’t find the trip too daunting, since both cities are in the Kindia Prefecture. After you’ve spent a morning visiting the famous beaches and enjoying the comfortably cool waters of the Atlantic, it’s time to head inland and explore.
The Iles de Los house the most popular beaches you can visit, with breathtaking rocky landscapes and warm red-orange sands that contrast beautifully with the serene waters. To reach the island group, you can usually hire a local boat owner to take you across. Once you’re back on the mainland, the National Museum offers an opportunity to appreciate local art and history — all with the help of a local guide.
And once you’ve tired yourself out visiting Conakry, there’s plenty of local restaurants and hotels to accommodate your needs. Locals and travelers alike adore the elegant offerings found at the La Diversité, but if you’re looking for something different, you’ll find that Cafe Chic also proves quite popular for good reason!
