Safety in Equatorial Guinea

Photography: This is the single biggest trap for a visitor. Photographing government buildings, ports and airports is absolutely forbidden, and even an ordinary promenade may be watched by plain-clothes officers ready to confiscate a camera.

Document checks: Police and military patrols stop foreigners in the street and at checkpoints outside the cities. Stay polite and calm and hand over your passport, which is normally enough to end the matter.

Health: Medical care is poor and state hospitals are badly equipped. Malaria remains a real threat, so use repellent and bring a supply of your own medicines.

Crime: Violent crime is not common, but pickpocketing in the Malabo markets happens regularly. Do not display large sums or expensive jewellery, particularly after dark.

Politics: Avoid discussing the government or making critical remarks in public. Society here is fairly closed and a careless comment can create problems with the authorities. Read your own government's travel advisory carefully before booking.

Walking alone: Women should not walk alone through empty areas after sunset. The country is broadly stable, but stick to transport you have arranged and decline offers from strangers.

Equatorial Guinea is a small oil state and one of Africa's most closed countries. Tourists are almost absent, as is tourism infrastructure.

How entry works. Most nationalities need a visa, which is difficult to obtain and often requires an invitation. Refusals occur without explanation.

Malabo and Bata. Street crime is moderate but control is heavy. Nobody walks at night.

Prices. Among Africa's most expensive countries: oil money and everything imported.

Taxis. Shared taxis; agree the price. A foreigner is better off with a hotel car.

Currency exchange. The CFA franc is pegged to the euro. Change at banks.

Cash. Cards work in hotels; elsewhere you need cash.

Photography is the main danger for a foreigner. Taking pictures in Equatorial Guinea is risky almost everywhere: military installations, police, the presidential palace, the airport, the port, government buildings, bridges, and in practice ordinary streets too. Foreigners have been detained over images that would interest nobody in any other country. A photography permit is required, and even with one problems occur. Practical advice: keep the camera in your bag.

Movement permits. Travel inland and to the mainland region may require documents.

Politics. Criticism of the government is unacceptable. Foreigners have been expelled and detained.

Drones. Prohibited entirely.

Drugs. The law is strict.

Same-sex relations are not formally criminalised, but society is conservative and the authorities hostile.

Checkpoints. Numerous, with constant document checks.

Yellow fever is compulsory. A certificate is required on entry.

Malaria. Very high risk year-round, Bioko island included. Prophylaxis is unconditionally essential.

Vaccinations. Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, rabies, polio and cholera.

Water. Bottled only.

Healthcare. Despite the oil revenues, the health system is weak. Malabo has clinics serving oil expatriates. Anything serious means evacuation to Europe or South Africa. Insurance with evacuation cover is essential.

The sea. Currents off Bioko are strong and there are no lifeguards.

Climate. Equatorial and humid, with a rainy season covering most of the year.

Pico Basilé. The volcano on Bioko at 3,011 metres; the ascent requires a permit and a guide.

Emergency numbers: 114 police.

Equatorial Guinea sits at the very bottom of the Corruption Perceptions Index, and the level of control is very high.

Checkpoints. Numerous on all roads, inside cities included. Document checks are constant and requests for "help" are possible.

Photography and the police. The defining problem of a trip. Detention over a photograph is the commonest story involving foreigners.

Reporting theft. Reports are taken, but the process is complicated. The languages are Spanish and French.

Consular assistance. Diplomatic presence is limited.

What actually matters. In Equatorial Guinea the danger comes not from criminals but from the control regime: photography, documents and permits. Street crime, meanwhile, is moderate. This is a country where following the rules literally beats looking for ways around them.

Emergency number is 114.