National park · Guinea-Bissau
Lagoas de Cufada Natural ParkParque Natural das Lagoas de Cufada
Go in the dry season (November–May) with a boat arranged through the biodiversity institute in Bissau or a lodge in Buba; there is no official entry fee (check), but you pay for a guide and boat (2026 estimate 50,000–100,000 CFA per group — confirm before travel). The main activity is a boat tour of the lakes and wetlands; there are no marked hiking trails. Stay in Buba or at a basic camp inside the park.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
890 km² (344 sq mi)344 sq mi (890 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
Nov–May
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- West Africa ↗Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on any West African trip: several countries on the coast road demand it of every arrival, and the rest demand it after you have passed through a neighbour.
- West Africa ↗Cross land borders and drive between cities in daylight only; plan each crossing as a full travel day with cash for fees and passport copies for checkpoints.
- Guinea-Bissau ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Guinea-Bissau government sources before booking.
- Guinea-Bissau ↗Political instability occurs; avoid gatherings and check your government's advice before and during the trip.
- Guinea-Bissau ↗A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required of all arriving travellers; carry the original with your passport.
At a glance
- Country
- Guinea-Bissau
- Area
- 890 km² (344 sq mi)344 sq mi (890 km²)
- Ramsar site; the largest freshwater reserve in Guinea-Bissau.
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- Nov–May
- Permits
- For some areas
Lagoas de Cufada, established in 2000 as the first protected area in Guinea-Bissau, covers 890 km² of freshwater lakes, flooded forests and savannah. It is a Ramsar Site and holds hippos, chimpanzees, African dwarf crocodiles and over 250 bird species. Visitor infrastructure is minimal: you need a boat and a guide, arranged through the Instituto da Biodiversidade e das Áreas Protegidas in Bissau or a lodge in Buba. The park is not set up for independent hiking; the experience is a boat tour on the lakes.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Ramsar wetland · 2005Wetland of World Importance.
Size and age
890 km² (344 sq mi)344 sq mi (890 km²) · national park since 2000
Ramsar site; the largest freshwater reserve in Guinea-Bissau.
Why go
- The largest freshwater wetlands in Guinea-Bissau, with lakes, flooded forest and savannah.
- Hippos, chimpanzees, African dwarf crocodiles and over 250 bird species.
- A genuine off-the-grid experience: no crowds, no marked trails, just you and a boat.
- The park is the first protected area in the country (2000) and a Ramsar site.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry season; good wildlife viewing.
- FebDry season; good wildlife viewing.
- MarDry season; animals gather at water.
- AprDry season; animals gather at water.
- MayEnd of dry season; last chance before rains.
- JunRains start; roads may be muddy.
- JulHeavy rain; boat access may be possible.
- AugPeak rain; some roads impassable.
- SepRains continue; high water levels.
- OctRains easing; green landscape.
- NovDry season starts; best conditions.
- DecDry and pleasant; peak wildlife.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HippopotamusAll year · Common in the lakes; seen from boats. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| ChimpanzeeAll year · Reported in the park; nests in oil palms. Sightings are rare and not guaranteed. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| African dwarf crocodileAll year · Present in the wetlands. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds (over 250 species)Nov–May · Best in the dry season when water levels are lower. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Bissau
Road to Buba (about 3 hours by car, check road conditions), then find a guide or lodge to arrange a boat.
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Buba
The nearest town; signs around town point to the park. Ask at your hotel or the market for a guide.
30 min by road to the lake
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Lakes and wetlands | The main area: freshwater lakes, flooded forest and savannah. Accessed by boat. | Boat only; guide required. |
| Forest and savannah | Dry forest and savannah around the lakes; chimpanzees and other mammals. | On foot only with a guide; no marked trails. |
Sketch map
- 1Buba · Town≈11.583, -15.000Nearest town; base for arranging visits.Map ↗
- 2Lagoa de Cufada · Viewpoint≈11.710, -15.079Main lake; approximate centre of the park.Map ↗
- 3IBAP office (Bissau) · Headquarters≈11.860, -15.588Instituto da Biodiversidade e das Áreas Protegidas; contact to arrange a visit.Map ↗
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate; the park covers a large area.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (official) | Free | person | No official entry fee on record (check). |
| Boat and guide (per group) | XOF 50,000–100,000 | group | 2026 estimate; confirm before travel. Arrange through IBAP or a lodge. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park visit permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for any visit; the park has no marked trails and no visitor centre.
- Boats
- You must use a boat to access the lakes; arrange through IBAP or a lodge.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; there is no waste collection in the park.
- Wildlife
- Do not feed or approach animals; keep a safe distance from hippos and crocodiles.
Where to stay
Near the park
Buba town
Basic guesthouses and hotels; ask at your accommodation to arrange a guide.
In the park
Camp inside the park
Basic camping possible with a guide; no facilities. Check.
Safety
Hippos and crocodiles high
Road conditions medium
Malaria high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The park is accessed by boat; no wheelchair-accessible infrastructure.
- The nearest town Buba has basic services; the park itself has no facilities.
Visiting lightly
- Hire a local guide and boat operator to support the community.
- Do not feed or disturb wildlife; keep a safe distance.
- Carry out all waste; there is no waste management in the park.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Lagoas de Cufada Natural Park?
There is no official entry fee on record (check). You will need to pay for a guide and boat, estimated at 50,000–100,000 CFA per group (2026 estimate; confirm before travel).
What are the best hikes in Lagoas de Cufada Natural Park?
There are no marked hiking trails. The main activity is a boat tour of the lakes. You can walk with a guide in the forest and savannah, but there are no established paths.
When is the best time to visit Lagoas de Cufada Natural Park?
The dry season from November to May. Wildlife viewing is best then, and roads are passable. The rainy season (June–October) makes access difficult.
Can I see chimpanzees in the park?
Chimpanzees are reported to live in the park, making nests in oil palms. Sightings are not guaranteed and require a guide.
How do I arrange a visit?
Contact the Instituto da Biodiversidade e das Áreas Protegidas (IBAP) in Bissau, or ask at a lodge in Buba. You will need a guide and a boat.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Lagoas de Cufada Natural Park
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