Anyama

Introduction

Anyama is a city in south-eastern Ivory Coast, sitting about 20 kilometres north of Abidjan. It forms one of the four sub-prefectures of the Abidjan Autonomous District and is also a commune in its own right, so you'll find it tied administratively to the capital region while keeping its own civic identity.

Because of its position just outside Abidjan, Anyama works well as a base for travellers who want to be near the city without staying in its centre.

Getting around

Anyama works as part of the greater Abidjan transport system rather than as a self-contained city with its own network, so plan your movements around the capital's modes. Shared taxis, woro-woro (shared taxis) and gbaka minibuses are the established ways residents and visitors get around for everyday trips, and they are the most likely option for reaching Abidjan or the villages of the Anyama sub-prefecture, such as Akoupé-Zeudji, Attinguié and M'Bonoua. SOTRA, the Abidjan Transport Company, runs the main formal bus service in the area; buy tickets or passes through the operator's official channels rather than assuming one integrated card covers everything.

For a visitor, ride-hailing apps are generally the easiest choice when you want a fixed price and a direct trip without negotiating, and a pre-arranged taxi is the simplest way to reach your accommodation if you arrive without local knowledge. Do not plan around the metro: Anyama is the northern terminus of the planned Abidjan Metro Line 1, designed to link the city with Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport, but it is not yet open to passengers. Until it is, transfers from the airport are road-based, and given the congestion you should allow generous time and consider arranging your transfer in advance. Walking suits short local distances only; for anything longer, plan on using a vehicle.

Three days in Anyama

Day one: Start in Anyama itself, getting your bearings on foot through the town's streets and markets before heading south into Abidjan. Because Anyama sits within the Abidjan Autonomous District, it works well as a base for exploring the wider area, and shared taxis and buses run the route into the city. Once in Abidjan, use SOTRA, the Abidjan Transport Company, to move between neighbourhoods, and keep in mind that the Abidjan Metro Line is planned rather than running, so plan around road transport for now.

• Walk central Anyama
• Take a shared taxi or SOTRA bus into Abidjan

Day two: Give the day to Abidjan's districts, using SOTRA services to link them, and allow time for the city's food and street life rather than rushing between sights. If you are arriving by air, Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport is the gateway to the district, so build your transfers around it. Until the metro opens, road transport remains the practical way to get around.

• Explore Abidjan's neighbourhoods by SOTRA bus
• Plan airport transfers around road transport

Day three: Head east towards Bonoua, with stops at Akoupé, Zeudji and Attingui along the way, to see a different side of the region beyond the capital. Return to Anyama in the evening, or use the day to fill any gaps left in your Abidjan itinerary before departure. Walking remains the simplest way to cover short distances in town.

• Day trip east via Akoupé, Zeudji and Attingui towards Bonoua
• Evening back in Anyama