Things to Do in Guinea in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
November Weather in Guinea
Is November Right for You?
Advantages
- End of rainy season transition means you get increasingly clear days as November progresses, with only 10 rain days spread across the month (and most showers are brief afternoon bursts that actually cool things down)
- Tourism infrastructure is fully operational but crowds haven't arrived yet - you'll have Conakry's markets and Fouta Djallon hiking trails largely to yourself, with guides readily available and accommodations negotiable
- Agricultural harvest season means markets overflow with fresh mangoes, papayas, and cashews at rock-bottom prices, plus rural festivals celebrating the harvest create authentic cultural experiences tourists rarely see
- Cooler mornings (21.5°C/71°F) are perfect for hiking in Fouta Djallon or exploring Conakry before the midday heat builds - locals actually call this the most comfortable walking weather of the year
Considerations
- Humidity stays stubbornly high at 70% throughout November, which means your clothes take forever to dry and that sticky feeling persists even when temperatures drop - cotton becomes your best friend and quick-dry fabrics are essential
- Road conditions from October rains are still recovering, particularly in rural areas where laterite roads turn into rutted obstacle courses - expect travel times between cities to run 30-50% longer than dry season estimates
- November sits in the awkward transition period where some tour operators haven't fully ramped up for peak season yet, so certain remote areas like Îles de Los might have limited boat schedules (typically 2-3 departures daily instead of hourly)
Best Activities in November
Fouta Djallon Highland Hiking
November is genuinely the sweet spot for trekking Guinea's mountainous interior. The landscape is still lush and green from rainy season but trails have dried out enough to be manageable. Morning temperatures around 21.5°C (71°F) at elevation mean you can actually hike comfortably before 10am, and waterfalls like Chutes de Kinkon are running at impressive volumes without being dangerously swollen. Locals are harvesting fonio and tending cattle, so you'll see authentic rural life rather than staged tourism. The variable weather means you might get afternoon clouds rolling in, which creates dramatic photography conditions over the plateaus.
Conakry Market and Street Food Exploration
November brings the harvest, which means Marché Madina and Marché Niger are absolutely bursting with produce. You'll find mangoes for 5,000 GNF per kilo that would cost triple in January. The morning market hours (6am-10am) are comfortable temperature-wise, and this is when locals do their shopping, so you're seeing real Conakry life. Street food vendors set up by 11am serving poulet yassa, riz gras, and grilled fish that's caught that morning. The 70% humidity actually works in your favor here - it keeps the dust down compared to dry season when Conakry gets hazy. Just know that afternoon rain (happens maybe 3-4 times during the month) sends everyone scrambling for covered areas, which creates a chaotic but memorable experience.
Îles de Los Island Day Trips
These islands off Conakry's coast are accessible year-round, but November offers calmer seas as the rainy season winds down. The water visibility improves throughout the month, making it decent for snorkeling around Île Roume and Île Tamara. Beach temperatures hit 35.5°C (96°F) by midday, but the ocean breeze keeps it bearable. You'll find the beaches nearly empty compared to December-February when expat families crowd them on weekends. Local fishermen still dominate the scene, and you can buy fresh-caught barracuda or grouper right off the boats. That said, boat schedules are lighter in November - typically 2-3 departures from Boulbinet port rather than the hourly service you get in peak season.
Bossou Chimpanzee Observation
November weather in Guinea's forested southeast is still humid but trails are passable after the heavy rains end in October. The chimps at Bossou are habituated to human observers, and November sees fewer visitors, which means more intimate viewing experiences. Morning observation sessions (7am-10am) catch chimps at their most active before the heat builds. The forest is incredibly green right now, and you'll see fruiting trees that draw the chimps into open areas. The 8-hour drive from Conakry is rough in November - roads are still recovering from rainy season damage - but if you're serious about primate observation, this is one of West Africa's most accessible wild chimp populations.
Mount Nimba Biosphere Reserve Exploration
This UNESCO World Heritage site on Guinea's border with Côte d'Ivoire and Liberia is genuinely spectacular in November. The vegetation is lush from recent rains, endemic viviparous toads are visible near streams, and the cooler morning temperatures make the steep climbs manageable. You're looking at serious hiking here - the main peak reaches 1,752 m (5,748 ft) - but November offers the best visibility for summit views before December's Harmattan haze arrives. The reserve sees maybe a dozen international visitors per month right now, so you'll have trails virtually to yourself. Worth noting that access requires permits and registered guides, and the nearest town (Lola) has very basic accommodation.
Traditional Music and Dance Performances
November harvest season brings out Guinea's legendary musical traditions. Djembe drumming circles happen spontaneously in villages, and Conakry's cultural centers host performances most weekends. The National Ballet rehearses at Palais du Peuple, and if you time it right, you can watch rehearsals for a small fee. The cooler evening temperatures (down to 21.5°C/71°F by midnight) make outdoor performances actually comfortable. Guinea is the birthplace of djembe and kora traditions, and November's post-harvest celebrations mean you're seeing music in its authentic cultural context rather than tourist-focused shows. Local bars in Conakry neighborhoods like Dixinn and Taouyah feature live bands Thursday-Saturday nights playing everything from traditional Mandingue to modern Afrobeat fusion.
November Events & Festivals
Harvest Celebrations in Fouta Djallon Villages
November marks the end of agricultural cycles in Guinea's highlands, and Fulani communities celebrate with multi-day festivals featuring traditional wrestling, cattle parades, and communal feasts. These aren't organized tourist events - they're genuine cultural celebrations where entire villages gather. You'll see elaborate traditional dress, hear ceremonial drumming, and if you're invited (which happens if you're traveling with a local guide), you'll share meals of rice and grilled meat. The timing varies by village depending on when their specific harvest finishes, but mid to late November is peak period.