Nzérékoré
Visited in January 2019
At a glance
- Country
- Guinea
- Region
- Nzérékoré
- Population
- 316,065
- Best time to go
- November to February
- Main airport
- Nzérékoré Airport (NZE), with few flights; Conakry (CKY) for international
- Coordinates
- 7.75°N, 8.82°W
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Overview
Nzérékoré is the largest town in Guinée forestière, the green, hilly south-east of Guinea near the borders with Liberia and Côte d'Ivoire. It is a market town first and foremost, drawing traders from across the forest region.
Few travellers make it this far, and facilities are basic. The reason to come is the surrounding landscape: the forested slopes of Mount Nimba and the chimpanzees of Bossou, both near the town of Lola.
Things to see
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Nzérékoré market
A large regional market selling forest produce, palm oil, kola nuts and cloth from neighbouring countries.
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Photo: Yakoo1986, CC BY-SA 4.0 Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve
A UNESCO-listed mountain range of forest and grassland, home to rare species found almost nowhere else.
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Photo: Aboubacarkhoraa, CC BY-SA 4.0 Bossou
A village near Lola where a small group of wild chimpanzees has been studied by scientists for decades.
Things to do
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Photo: Aboubacarkhoraa, CC BY-SA 4.0 Chimpanzee visit at Bossou
Arrange a guided walk in the forest around Bossou, with local guides who know the chimpanzees' habits.
Find tours -
Explore the forest hills
Hire a driver and guide to explore the green hills and villages between Nzérékoré and Lola.
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Photo: Uzabiaga, CC BY-SA 4.0 Craft shopping
Look out for carved wood and woven goods from the forest region's many ethnic groups in the market.
Where to stay
Town centre
Basic hotels near the market and the main road, convenient for arranging transport.
Hotels in Town centreLola
A smaller town closer to Bossou and Mount Nimba, with very simple lodging.
Hotels in Lola
Getting around
Motorbike taxis are the norm in town. To reach Bossou or Mount Nimba you will need to hire a car and driver.
Flights from Conakry are infrequent; by road the journey takes a long day or two on variable roads.
When to go
November to February is the driest period and the best for roads and hiking. The rainy season, roughly from April to October, makes travel slow and some routes difficult.
Plan your trip to Nzérékoré
- HotelsBooking.com
- Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
- FlightsKiwi.com
- Attraction ticketsTiqets
- Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
- Car hireAuto Europe
- Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
- GuidebooksAmazon
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Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.