There's not much to see in Luba, the second-largest city on Bioko. Not far away, however, are some isolated, beautiful beaches (but take plenty of insect repellent to ward off the biting gnats). Luba is also a good base for drives into the interior and the mountains. If you like lush vegetation, scenery and birdlife, as well as getting a feel for life in a rural African setting (and you want to escape the heat), follow the road behind Luba into the mountains. There, you'll find a peaceful, temperate valley lying in a saddle between Bioko's two volcanic peaks—it's fascinating to see how the vegetation and wildlife change as you ascend the slopes. You can also drive across the center of the island from Luba and return to the town along the eastern coast. The vegetation there is intriguing and includes giant trees with exposed roots and thorny bark. A good road makes driving there from Malabo relatively easy. 20 mi/30 km southwest of Malabo.
