The Bijagós Archipelago, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site
On July 13, 2025, UNESCO confirmed what discerning travelers already knew: the Bijagós Archipelago is one of the planet’s last great natural sanctuaries.
A remote territory in the African Atlantic where saltwater hippos emerge among mangroves, hundreds of green turtles nest every night on pristine beaches, and a millennia-old matrilineal culture remains alive. And where you can be.
The Tchon Bijagó Circuit is an 8-day journey organized by Orango Parque Hotel — the only accommodation within Orango National Park — designed for those seeking authentic nature, real impact, and experiences impossible to find anywhere else in the world. Available only from October to December, with limited places.
UNESCO has put the Bijagós Islands back on the map. You can discover them before everyone else.
Guinea-Bissau’s first inscription on the Natural World Heritage List is not just institutional recognition. It signals that this marine and coastal ecosystem — previously designated a Biosphere Reserve — is irreplaceable and must be protected.
What this means for the conscious traveler:
- Access now, in its purest state.
- With an ecotourism project working in the territory for over 16 years.
- With local guides trained within the park itself.
- With active social and environmental cooperation projects.
- With just enough infrastructure to preserve what you came to see.
What this journey offers that no other can guarantee
Saltwater-adapted hippos: a unique case worldwide
The Anor lagoons, on the island of Orango Grande, are home to the only known population of hippos adapted to saltwater. Between October and December, after the rains, they return to the inland lagoons. Outside this period, sightings become far less likely.
Green turtle nesting on Poilão
Poilão Island is one of the most important places in the world for green turtle reproduction. Uninhabited, covered with baobabs and ceibas. Each night, accompanied by local guides, you will witness up to 200 turtles digging their nests in the white sand under a sky free of light pollution.
Dolphins, manatees, and migratory birds
The journey between national parks takes place in waters where dolphins appear without warning, manatees cross mangrove channels, and migratory birds turn each morning into a different spectacle.
Immersion in Bijagó culture
Bijagó culture is matrilineal — a notable exception in West Africa. Its rituals, artistic richness, and sustainable way of life are not a tourist attraction: they are everyday reality, which this circuit allows you to experience respectfully and with time. You will visit the tabanka of Eticoga, the mausoleum of the last queen Okimka-Pampa, and cooperation projects developed with the CBD-Habitat Foundation.
8 days in the heart of a Natural World Heritage Site
From Saturday to Saturday, between October and December. Groups of 6 to 15 travelers. Full board at Orango Parque Hotel. Local guide from day one.
The journey begins in Bissau and takes you by boat to Orango National Park, where you will spend most of the trip. From there, you will sail to the João Vieira–Poilão Marine National Park for the turtle night, cross mangroves and inland channels, visit Bijagó communities, and explore Canogo Island before returning to the mainland.
The price includes all internal transport, full-board accommodation at Orango Parque Hotel, entrance fees to national parks, a local guide, and a direct contribution to the hotel’s community cooperation projects in health and education.
It does not include international flights, visa, or drinks. Full details are in the guide.
Responsible tourism is not a promise: it’s what we’ve been proving for over 16 years
Orango Parque Hotel is the only accommodation within Orango National Park. It is not a franchise or hotel chain: it is a non-profit project managed by the Guinea-Bissau Orango Association.
All hotel profits are fully reinvested into community-designed micro-cooperation projects: healthcare infrastructure, nurseries, schools, and clean water wells on the islands of the National Park. When you book this circuit, you can see exactly where your money goes, speak with those involved, and witness the impact firsthand.
No intermediaries. 16 years of tangible projects to prove it.
Limited places. October to December window. Nature doesn’t wait
Limited places. October to December window. Nature doesn’t wait
Turtle nesting on Poilão only happens at this time of year. Hippos return to inland lagoons only after the rains. There is no second chance within the same year.
Groups are limited to 6–15 people to ensure a high-quality experience and minimize impact. That means places fill up quickly.
If you’re reading this, now is the time to book.
Request the full travel guide and reserve your place
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