Most Equatorial Guineans live in grinding poverty and, on the whole, have little money to be festive. Equatorial Guinea is thick with vegetation. Being an extinct volcano, Bioko has extremely rich soil, encouraging the rapid growth of trees and vines. Farmers spend much of their time keeping the ever-encroaching vines from overwhelming their cocoa plantations. Rio Muni, having been largely bypassed by the 20th century, is equally thick with vegetation and boasts an abundance of wildlife, including elephants, lions and gazelle.
Equatorial Guinea is a rainy, tropical country.
On Bioko Island the rainy season is from July through to January, while on the mainland, rainfall is lighter and peaks from April to May and from October to December. Away One flight a week from Madrid, Spain, takes you to the capital, Malabo. This is the best route if travelling direct from the US to Equatorial Guinea. Regular flights to Douala in Cameroon also run, and these link up with direct flights to various European cities including London, Paris and Rome. There are also flights from several west and central African capitals.