Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea is a poor country with few attractions aside from the beach and the many local bars. But it is precisely the underdeveloped, backwater feel - combined with the opportunity to party with the locals - that appears to attract adventurous visitors.

While most of its two regions are densely covered with the type of forest that made Tarzan swing, the recent discovery and subsequent exploitation of underwater oil resources looks set to boost the fortunes of the country. See it while it's still as is.