Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Malabo — Introduction to Island Biodiversity
Airport reception and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon briefing at the Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program office, meeting the researchers working to protect the island’s unique wildlife — including seven species of monkey, four of which are endangered. Introduction to the week’s conservation-focused itinerary. Evening: orientation walk through Malabo, stopping at the Botanical Garden with its collection of endemic Bioko plant species. Welcome dinner. Overnight in Malabo.
Day 2: Moka Primate Tracking — Dawn to Dusk Wildlife
Pre-dawn departure to Moka — the heart of Bioko’s wildlife research. Join researchers on a morning primate survey: track troops of drill monkeys (Mandrillus leucophaeus), one of Africa’s most endangered primates, through the forest. Watch Pennant’s red colobus leap between canopy branches — this subspecies exists only on Bioko. Observe black colobus, putty-nosed monkeys, and crowned guenons. The forests around Moka hold the highest density of primates anywhere in Africa. Afternoon: guided forest walk focusing on birds — Bioko is home to numerous endemic species including the Bioko speirops and Bioko batis. Evening talk on conservation challenges and successes. Overnight at Moka eco-lodge.
Day 3: Moka → Ureka — Turtle Beaches & Coastal Rainforest
Dawn primate observation session — the forest comes alive at first light. After breakfast, descend along the spectacular southern coast to Ureka, one of the most remote settlements on Bioko. The drive itself is an adventure through primary rainforest. Arrive at Ureka’s pristine beaches — critical nesting sites for leatherback, green, and hawksbill turtles (peak nesting November-February). Afternoon: beach patrol with turtle conservation staff, learning about monitoring techniques. Evening: night beach walk to observe nesting turtles (seasonal) — witnessing a leatherback turtle, the largest reptile on Earth, emerge from the sea to lay eggs is an unforgettable experience. Overnight at Ureka beach camp.
Day 4: Ureka → Pico Basile Summit → Malabo
Morning beach exploration — swim, snorkel, and explore tide pools teeming with marine life. Ureka’s isolation means its waters are among the most pristine in the Gulf of Guinea. After an early lunch, begin the drive north, ascending the slopes of Pico Basile. Stop at the Moka Biodiversity Center for a final update on the research. Continue to the summit (3,011m) for late afternoon views — watch the shadow of the volcano stretch across the island and into the Atlantic. Descend to Malabo. Farewell dinner celebrating your contribution to Bioko’s conservation through eco-tourism. Overnight in Malabo.
Day 5: Departure
Final morning. Optional visit to the Malabo Central Market for last-minute souvenirs — Equatoguinean chocolate, Bubi crafts, and locally grown vanilla. Transfer to the airport. You leave knowing you’ve experienced one of Africa’s most extraordinary and least-visited wildlife destinations.
