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Guinea - Things to Do in Guinea in December

Things to Do in Guinea in December

December weather, activities, events & insider tips

December Weather in Guinea

35.5°C (96°F) High Temp
20°C (68°F) Low Temp
51 mm (2.0 inches) Rainfall
70% Humidity

Is December Right for You?

Advantages

  • Dry season conditions make this one of the best months for traveling upcountry - roads to places like the Fouta Djalon highlands are actually passable without a 4x4 getting stuck in mud, and you can reach remote villages that are cut off during the rains from July through October
  • Harmattan winds from the Sahara start arriving late December, bringing cooler evening temperatures around 20°C (68°F) and creating spectacular hazy sunsets over Conakry - locals call this the most comfortable sleeping weather of the year
  • December marks the beginning of mango season in Guinea, and you'll find street vendors selling early varieties like Amelie and Kent for around 5,000-10,000 GNF per kilo - the quality is genuinely better than what gets exported, and it's a completely different experience from supermarket mangoes
  • Tourist crowds are minimal compared to coastal West African destinations - you'll have places like the Chutes de la Soumba waterfalls essentially to yourself, and getting reservations at better hotels in Conakry typically takes just 2-3 days notice rather than weeks

Considerations

  • Air quality in Conakry deteriorates significantly when Harmattan winds pick up, bringing fine Saharan dust that reduces visibility and can irritate respiratory systems - if you have asthma or breathing sensitivities, bring your medications and consider an N95 mask for particularly hazy days
  • December is actually peak season for business travel to Guinea as companies close their annual accounts, which means flights from Paris and Brussels fill up fast and hotel rates in Conakry business districts jump 30-40% compared to November - book international flights at least 8 weeks out
  • While it's technically dry season, those 10 rainy days can still disrupt plans - when it rains in December it tends to be intense afternoon downpours that flood streets in Conakry for 1-2 hours, and dirt roads in rural areas become temporarily impassable even in dry season

Investigate Other Months

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Best Activities in December

Fouta Djalon Highland Trekking

December is genuinely the ideal month for exploring the Fouta Djalon plateau around Dalaba and Mali - trails are dry enough for comfortable hiking but vegetation is still green from the recent rainy season. Temperatures up there hover around 18-25°C (64-77°F), which feels refreshing compared to the coastal humidity. The landscape is spectacular with waterfalls at full flow and traditional Fula villages accessible without mud issues. You'll encounter far fewer travelers than you would in Senegal or Mali, and the hiking infrastructure, while basic, has improved with several community-run guesthouses opening since 2024.

Booking Tip: Work with Conakry-based tour operators who arrange 4x4 transport, local guides, and guesthouse stays - expect to pay around 800,000-1,200,000 GNF per day for a package including vehicle, driver, guide, and basic accommodation. Book at least 2 weeks ahead as vehicles are limited. Look for operators who work directly with village associations rather than just dropping you off. See current tour options in the booking section below.

Iles de Los Island Day Trips

These three islands just 6 km (3.7 miles) off Conakry are perfect for December - the sea is calm enough for the 30-minute pirogue crossing, and you'll actually want to be on a beach with that coastal humidity. Kassa Island has decent stretches of sand and is popular with Conakry residents on weekends, while Roume is quieter. The water temperature stays around 26°C (79°F) year-round. December weekdays are your best bet for avoiding crowds - weekends see lots of local families, especially Sundays. The snorkeling isn't world-class but you'll see tropical fish around the rocky areas.

Booking Tip: Pirogues leave from Boulbinet port in Conakry - negotiate directly with boat operators at the dock or arrange through your hotel. Expect to pay 150,000-250,000 GNF for a round-trip private boat that seats 6-8 people, or join a shared boat for around 30,000-50,000 GNF per person. Go early morning around 8-9am to secure a boat and avoid the midday heat. Bring your own food and plenty of water as island facilities are minimal.

Conakry Live Music Venues

Guinea is the birthplace of artists like Mory Kante and Bembeya Jazz, and December is actually a great time to experience live music in Conakry - the cooler evening temperatures make outdoor venues comfortable, and many musicians return from touring abroad for the holidays. The scene centers around open-air clubs in Taouyah and Coléah neighborhoods, with performances typically starting around 10pm and running until 2-3am. You'll hear everything from traditional Mandinka music to modern Afrobeat fusion. The energy is completely different from recorded music - live drumming ensembles with 4-5 djembe players are common.

Booking Tip: Most venues don't require advance booking - just show up after 9pm and pay a cover charge of 20,000-50,000 GNF. Thursday through Saturday nights are busiest. Ask your hotel concierge or taxi driver for current hot spots as venues come and go. Going with a local contact is ideal for navigating neighborhoods at night. Budget another 50,000-100,000 GNF for drinks through the evening. Dress casually but avoid looking too touristy.

Conakry Grand Mosque and Market Walking Tours

December mornings before 10am are the most comfortable time for exploring Conakry on foot - temperatures are still manageable around 25-28°C (77-82°F) and the Harmattan haze creates softer light for photography. The Grand Mosque in Kaloum district is worth seeing, and the surrounding Madina Market gives you a genuine sense of daily life - expect sensory overload with fabric vendors, spice stalls, and electronics shops all crammed together. The market is busiest mid-morning around 9-11am. You'll need a local guide to navigate effectively and avoid getting completely lost in the maze of stalls.

Booking Tip: Hire a local guide through your hotel or established tour operators - expect to pay 100,000-150,000 GNF for a 3-4 hour morning walking tour. The guide helps with language barriers as most vendors speak little English or French, and provides context you'd completely miss otherwise. Bring small bills for purchases - vendors rarely have change for large notes. See current walking tour options in the booking section below.

Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve Visits

If you're serious about nature and wildlife, December offers the best conditions for visiting this UNESCO World Heritage site in Guinea's far southeast near the Liberia and Ivory Coast borders. The reserve sits at elevations from 450-1,752 m (1,476-5,748 ft) and harbors unique species including viviparous toads found nowhere else on Earth. December's dry conditions mean better wildlife spotting and accessible trails. That said, this is a serious expedition requiring multiple days - you're looking at a 12-14 hour drive from Conakry to Nzerekore, then another 2-3 hours to the reserve. Infrastructure is minimal.

Booking Tip: This requires advance planning through specialized ecotourism operators based in Conakry who can arrange permits from Guinea's environmental ministry - the process takes 3-4 weeks minimum. Total costs typically run 2,500,000-4,000,000 GNF for a 4-5 day trip including transport, permits, guides, and basic accommodation in Nzerekore. Only attempt this if you have at least a week in Guinea and genuine interest in biodiversity. See current tour options in the booking section below.

Traditional Textile and Craft Workshops

December is actually a good time to visit artisan cooperatives in Conakry and upcountry towns as craftspeople are preparing inventory for the holiday season and New Year celebrations. You can watch traditional indigo dyeing processes, see weavers working on narrow strip looms to create traditional cloth, and visit wood carvers making masks and instruments. The cooperatives around Kindia (135 km or 84 miles from Conakry) are particularly active. Many artisans are happy to explain their techniques, especially if you show genuine interest and make purchases. The indoor workshops also provide welcome relief from midday heat.

Booking Tip: Individual workshops don't typically require bookings - you can visit directly. However, arranging transport and a guide through a Conakry operator helps with language and ensures you visit legitimate cooperatives rather than tourist traps. Day trips to Kindia workshops typically cost 400,000-600,000 GNF including transport and guide. Budget 200,000-500,000 GNF if you want to purchase quality textiles or carvings. Bargaining is expected but be reasonable - these are skilled craftspeople, not mass-produced goods.

December Events & Festivals

Throughout December

Tabaski Preparations

While Tabaski (Eid al-Adha) dates shift annually based on the Islamic calendar and likely won't fall in December 2026, you'll still see preparations throughout the month as families save money and select rams for the eventual celebration. Markets become more vibrant with livestock trading, and there's a palpable energy in Muslim communities. It's interesting cultural context even if you won't see the actual festival.

December 31

New Year Celebrations in Conakry

December 31st brings significant celebrations in Conakry, particularly along the Corniche waterfront where locals gather for music, dancing, and fireworks at midnight. Hotels and restaurants in Kaloum and Taouyah districts host special dinners and parties - expect to pay 150,000-300,000 GNF for organized events. The atmosphere is festive but can get quite crowded, and traffic is chaotic. Many Guineans living abroad return home for the holidays, making this a genuinely local celebration rather than a tourist event.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight cotton or linen clothing in light colors - avoid polyester or synthetic fabrics that trap moisture in 70% humidity, you'll be miserable within an hour of wearing them
SPF 50+ broad-spectrum sunscreen and reapply every 2 hours - UV index of 8 means you can burn in under 20 minutes even with the Harmattan haze diffusing sunlight
Lightweight rain jacket or compact umbrella - those 10 rainy days typically hit as afternoon downpours lasting 30-60 minutes, and you'll want protection when caught outside
Dust mask or N95 respirator for Harmattan days - when Saharan dust is thick, visibility drops below 2 km (1.2 miles) and the fine particles irritate throats and lungs, locals wear face coverings routinely
Closed-toe walking shoes with good tread - Conakry sidewalks are uneven with open drainage channels, and rural areas have rocky trails, sandals leave you vulnerable to twisted ankles
Headlamp or small flashlight - power outages happen regularly even in Conakry hotels, and street lighting is minimal outside main roads, you'll actually need this
Oral rehydration salts and basic medications - pharmacies in Conakry are decent but selection is limited, bring any prescription medications plus backup supplies of basics like anti-diarrheal medicine and pain relievers
Cash in euros or US dollars - ATMs in Conakry are unreliable and often empty, credit cards are rarely accepted outside major hotels, bring enough cash for your entire trip and exchange gradually
Insect repellent with 25-30% DEET - while December is drier, mosquitoes are still present especially near water and in evening hours, malaria prophylaxis is essential
Modest clothing for rural areas and religious sites - long pants or skirts covering knees, shirts covering shoulders, Guinea is predominantly Muslim and conservative dress shows respect especially outside Conakry

Insider Knowledge

The Guinean franc has been unstable lately, with exchange rates fluctuating significantly - check current rates when you arrive rather than relying on pre-trip research, and exchange money at official bureaux de change in Conakry rather than informal street traders who may shortchange you or use counterfeit notes
December is when many Guinean expatriates return from Europe and North America for holidays, which means flights are packed but also means cultural events and family gatherings are more vibrant - if you've made local contacts, this is the best time to experience genuine Guinean hospitality
Traffic in Conakry becomes significantly worse in December as returning diaspora bring vehicles and holiday shopping increases - what normally takes 20 minutes can take 90 minutes during peak hours around 8-9am and 5-7pm, plan your daily schedule around these bottlenecks
The best fruit and vegetables in Conakry markets appear early morning between 6-8am - by midday in the heat and dust, produce quality deteriorates quickly, if you're buying fresh food or just want to see markets at their most vibrant, set an early alarm

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating how long everything takes in Guinea - what Google Maps shows as a 3-hour drive often takes 5-6 hours due to road conditions, checkpoints, and vehicle breakdowns, build significant buffer time into any itinerary and don't plan tight connections
Assuming French language skills are sufficient - while French is the official language, many Guineans outside Conakry speak primarily local languages like Susu, Pular, or Malinke, and their French may be limited, having a local guide or contact makes a massive difference in communication
Expecting Western-style tourism infrastructure - Guinea doesn't have the hotels, restaurants, or tour operations you'd find in Senegal or Ghana, this requires more flexibility and patience but also means more authentic experiences, adjust your expectations accordingly and embrace the adventure

Explore Activities in Guinea

Continue Planning Your Trip

November

Travel guide for November

January

Travel guide for January

Climate Guide

Weather and seasonal patterns for Guinea

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Plan Your December Trip to Guinea

Trip Itineraries → Food Culture → Where to Stay → Budget Guide → Getting Around →