Malabo

Malabo is the largest city in, and capital of, Equatorial Guinea and is located on the island of Bioko.

Malabo Halal Explorer

History of Malabo

The city was founded by the British in 1827, who leased the island from Spain during the colonial period. Named Port Clarence, it was used as a naval station in the effort to suppress the slave trade. Many newly freed slaves were also settled there, prior to the establishment of Sierra Leone as a colony for freed slaves. While many of them later relocated to Sierra Leone, some of their descendants, called Fernandinos, can still be found in Malabo and the surrounding area, where they constitute a distinct ethnic group, speaking their own Afro-Portuguese pidgin dialect.

When the island reverted to complete Spanish control, Malabo was renamed Santa Isabel. It was chosen to replace the mainland town of Bata as the capital of the nation in 1969, and was renamed Malabo in 1973 as part of President Francisco Macías Nguema's campaign to replace European place names with "authentic" African ones.

During his "reign of terror," Macías Nguema led a near-genocide of the nation's Bubi minority, which formed the majority on Bioko Island, and brought many of his own tribespeople and the Fang, to Malabo. In the final years of his rule, when Equatorial Guinea was sometimes known as the "Auschwitz of Africa," much of the city's population fled as, indeed, did about one-third of the nation's population. Malabo has yet to recover from the scars of that period.

Orientation

Despite its status as the capital of Equatorial Guinea for several decades, Malabo's street network was poorly developed. Because of money from the nation's rich natural resources, Malabo now has streets and a 6-lane motorway. Many of the street names reflect an African nationalist or anti-colonial theme, with names such as "Independence Avenue" or "Patrice Lumumba Road" being major roads. The few large roads not named for an African nationalist ideal or person are named for cities in Equatorial Guinea or other places or countries in Africa, as is the road leading to the presidential palace.

The palace and grounds consume a substantial part of the eastern side of Malabo, and are off-limits. The heart of the city is the colonial cathedral at Independence Place. Many buildings in the city from the Spanish colonial perioid are still standing. The south of Malabo is bordered by the Rio Consul. Across this lies the hospital to the southeast. To the west is the renovated airport. The coastal northern region of the city is pierced by headlands and bays. The largest headland is the crescent-shaped Tip of African Unity behind the presidential palace. Encompassing the entire eastern side of Malabo Bay, it is almost as long as Malabo is tall. Malabo is part of a wider bay that represents most of the northern coast of Bioko; it stretches from Europe Point in the west (home to the airport), to the luxury hotels and gated communities of Sipopo in the east.

Notable buildings in Malabo include Malabo Gothic Church, Malabo Government Building and the Malabo Court Building.

Travel to Malabo

What is the best way to fly to Malabo

The city is served by Malabo International Airport. International carriers include Iberia, Spanair, Air France, KLM-Airline, Kenya Airways, Aero Contractors, Royal Air Maroc and Lufthansa, and there are a few regional airlines offering service to surrounding countries and to Bata on the mainland. Travel on these internal carriers should be duly considered, as there is no capability of enforcing airworthiness standards in Equatorial Guinea and air traffic control is marginal at best. Ethiopian Airlines and the airline with the most international destinations within Africa, flies 3 times per week with connections through cities such as Douala and their main hub in Addis Ababa.Aero Contractors flies to Malabo from Lagos, Nigeria en route Libreville every Tuesday and Saturday. A Boeing 737-400 is used for this route.

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Malabo

Ferries sail from Douala and Bata to Malabo port.

How to get around in Malabo

Malabo is quite walkable. Taxis are cheap. 500 FCFA during the day should get you anywhere within the city. 3,000 FCFA should get you from the city to the Marathon Oil compound. Be prepared to pay more at night or when the police are out enforcing traffic laws.

What to see in Malabo

• Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program - Moka, Bioko Island - Visitors, including tourists and school children, are welcome to stop in for educational programs. A striking series of 4 backlit posters, designed by BBPP’s Outreach Coordinator Jessica Weinberg and funded by a grant from the International Primate Protection League illustrate the importance of controlling the bush Meat trade. Post cards featuring Bioko Island wildlife, also the work of Jessica Weinberg, are for sale.
  Research Centre staff can arrange for guides to the local attractions (the Cascades of the Ilyadi River and the Pico Biao Crater Lake). Because of its cool climate and central location, Moka is the ideal place from which to explore and study Bioko Island's rich flora and fauna.

• Universidad Nacional de Guinea Ecuatorial - Luba Road - UNGE’s campus surrounds a common grass covered area with a statue of Teodoro Obiang and the current president of Equatorial Guinea. The original buildings on the UNGE campus were built by the Spanish when the Spanish governed the island. The original buildings reflect a Spanish colonial architectural style with frequent use of arches and low sprawling buildings. The classrooms in the older part of the university are arranged in a semi-circle around the lawn. There is a new building on the south side of the university built in a more modern style. The walls are light coloured and reflective, reducing the amount of passive solar heat produced in the building. The rooms are large and have large windows, which take advantage of natural lighting. The building is square and glossy. There is a small library at the university.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Malabo

ATMs are not common. Local bank SGBGE has some machines (there is one at the Ibis Hotel) that work with international Visa cards at least.

Halal Restaurants in Malabo

• Deme's Favorite Chicken Place - Malabo, Equatorial Guinea - Get the fried plantain (sweet is better) and Chicken. Top with picante and mayonnaise.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Malabo

Malabo - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Malabo, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Malabo. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Malabo and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Malabo. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Malabo. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inMalabo: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Malabo.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Malabo: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Malabo, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Malabo.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Malabo, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Malabo, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Malabo and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Malabo, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Malabo, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Malabo without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Malabo is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Malabo.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Malabo is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Malabo, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Malabo Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly hotels in Malabo

• Ibis Malabo - Carretera del Aeropuerto On the main airport road ☎ +240 333-098965 €160
• Hilton Malabo - ☎ +240 333-096811
• Sofitel Malabo President Palace - ☎ +240 333-099940 5-star luxury and price.
• Sofitel Malabo Sipopo Le Golf - Zone Sipopo 3.75248, 8.90833 Drive some kilometers east from Malabo ☎ +240 350-091010 More 5-star luxury and price.
• Hotel Bahia 3.7588, 8.7772
• Hotel Bahia 2 3.7505, 8.7685 Gets bad reviews on various web sites.
• Hotel Ureca 3.75159, 8.77487
• Hotel de Federaciones - ☎ +240 222-760209
• Mango Suites - From Carretera Aeropuerto right into Carretera Principal de Paraiso and then the third right ☎ +240 333-096333 €179 5-star luxury, small design hotel for business travellers, close to town in a peaceful neighbourhood.

Cope in Malabo

BBC World Service broadcasts English language programms in Malabo on 92.5MHz.

Travel Next from Malabo

Many Equatorial Guinea-based airlines are blocked from operating in the EU, and thus only a few international airlines operate from Malabo, including Air France, Ethiopian, Lufthansa, Iberia, Kenya Airways and Danish air transport.

CEIBA Intercontinental may have Flights to Annobón.

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