canyon-edge-doucki-fouta-djallon-guinea

Hiking Doucki – Guinea’s Grand Canyon

Fouta Djallon Highlands

A huge gap rips through this mass of green mountains.

This is the “Grand Canyon of Guinea” – a 70+ km valley tearing thru the Fouta Djallon Highlands.

And for a few days, I stayed above this canyon in the village of Doucki.

The 'Grand Canyon' of Guinea in the Fouta Djallon Highlands
The ‘Grand Canyon’ of Guinea in the Fouta Djallon Highlands.

Hassan Bah – Doucki hiking guide


Hassan Bah – guide, good-time guy and guesthouse owner.

Despite it being Ramadan (the Muslim holy month) and the fact that he was fasting during the day, Hassan insisted on taking me hiking.

Every day.

In the heat.

And exploring for hours, without any food or water until dusk!

Contact Hassan: + 224622457553 or on his Facebook page “hassan doucki hiking guide and host”

More about Hassan (read it here).

panorama at doucki above canyon in fouta djallon highlands of guinea
Panorama of the ‘Grand Canyon’ of Guinea in the Fouta Djallon Highlands.
A typical traditional house.

How to get to Doucki in the Fouta Djallon


Not that easy if you’re relying on public transport (as I was). I stayed the night in Pita, and from there the next morning made my way to Doucki, via another town.

Cloud and mist over the canyon edge in the Fouta Djallon Highlands of Guinea.

NOTE: Waiting for the bush-taxi to fill-up with enough passengers often means waiting for hours.

Ask to be dropped at “Hassan- Doucki”.

From the picture-sign on the left side of the road, it’s a km down a trail to Hassan’s place.

Muslim people of doucki in guinea
The people of this region are all Muslim and culturally known as the Fulani, or Fula. CENTER: Hassan’s wife, Maimouna.

Accommodation + meals


You stay with Hassan and family in your own traditional hut and include simple, tasty meals.

PRICES: Well, I was there in 2007, so assume costs have increased, but still a fair value.

vulture's rock waterfalls doucki guinea
Vulture’s Rock waterfalls. Look in the center of the pic to see a small figure sitting – this is Hassan Bah.

What to do in Doucki


Go hiking – off course. Explore rock formations and slot canyons.

Swim in waterfall pools.

Check-out how the locals live by wandering around the village.

slot canyon at doucki in fouta djallon guinea
Slot canyon in Fouta Djallon highlands of Guinea. (Lots of giant millipedes in here).

OR chill with a book on a hammock … and watch the world.

misty crags near doucki fouta djallon highlands in guinea
Misty over crags of canyon – Doucki.

Or photograph the world.

man above canyon amid fouta djallon highlands in guinea
The village iman returns from working in his fields in the canyon.

Travels in Guinea – 2006

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