Lac de Samaya, Lake near Kindia, Guinea
Lac de Samaya is a reservoir beneath Mount Gangan cliffs with multiple water arms connecting scattered villages in the Kindia region. The lake sits within canyon walls and features varying depths across its different sections.
The dam was built in the 1980s and created a water barrier that separated many villages in the area. This division permanently changed how people traveled and traded between settlements.
Local villagers gather at the Sunday market by the water's edge to sell fruits and vegetables brought across by colorful canoes. This routine connects the scattered settlements around the lake through trade and regular social contact.
The drive takes about one hour from Friguiagbé starting at a fuel station, with four-wheel-drive vehicles recommended due to rough road conditions. Hiring a local guide can help you find the best access points and safe routes around the water.
Hidden within a canyon sits an abandoned colonial agronomic research station slowly reclaimed by nature. Two monasteries nearby, including one run by Benedictine nuns, offer overnight stays for visitors.
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