Fifty Eight Days West Africa Adventure

Day One: Arrival in Marrakech

When you arrive in Marrakech, the guide from Afrikan Wildlife Safaris will welcome you and then transfer you to the hotel.

Day Two: Ait Ben Haddou

Today you will cross the High Atlas via the stunning Tizi n Tichka pass, with superb views of the mountains along the way. Driving through the Berber heartlands we continue to the stunning collection of kasbahs at Ait Ben Haddou, then drive to nearby Ouarzazate for the night.

Day Three: Draa Valley

We will explore this landscape of arid mountains and meet isolated communities and some of the most traditional people in Morocco. Some of whom still live in caves. Make our way towards the lush Draa Valley where we spend the night.

Days Four and Five: Erg Chegaga to Iriqui

On this day, you will enter the Sahara and drive to the dunes of Erg Chegaga, much less known than the famous Erg Chebbi but equally impressive, then continue to the dry salt lake of Iriqui. Overnight tented camp.

Days Six and Seven: Guelmime to Ksar Tafnidilt

You will continue to Guelmime, the last major town of Morocco proper and a former trading centre for the Saharan camel caravans. From here we head off on rough tracks along the beach, sandwiched between the dunes. Explore the remote region surrounding the Draa estuary, with tiny settlements and abandoned military posts. Overnights at Ksar Tafnidilt, a traditional style kasbah close to Tan.

Day Eight: Tarfaya

You will drive south, our route taking us between the desert and the Atlantic Ocean, passing small caves inhabited by fishermen as well as the impressive Naila lagoon, an inland sea separated from the ocean by rows of dunes. In the afternoon we arrive at the small town of Tarfaya. Overnight Hotel Casamar or similar.

Days Nine, Ten and Eleven: Laayoune to Western Sahara

This morning, drive to Laayoune, the main town of Western Sahara. We venture into an untamed landscape of dunes and desert, stopping at wells to meet the Reguibat nomads and their herds of camels that eke a living from this unforgiving habitat. We camp for two nights, then on Day 11 reach Dakhla.

Day Twelve: Dakhla

After breakfast, you will explore Dakhla and surrounds, with its superb beaches and opportunities to fish in the Atlantic. Overnight in Buena Vista Hotel or similar.

Day Thirteen: Nouadhibou

On this day, we will head south to the border with Mauritania, following a remote road between the desert and the ocean. After completing border formalities, continue to Nouadhibou, Mauritania’s second city. Dinner and overnight Hotel Medina or similar.

Days Fourteen, Fifteen and Sixteen: Desert crossing to Chinguetti

You will drive to Chinguetti, one of Islam’s holiest cities and a real gem of Mauritania. With its collection of historic buildings this is one of the Sahara’s most interesting towns, with a sense of history that is almost tangible. We travel south first to the small town of Chami, then accompanied by an expert guide we drive through a remote part of the desert, where we hope to encounter local nomads and see the traces of prehistoric man such as ancient pottery. We arrive in Chinguetti on Day sixteen.

Day Seventeen: Chinguetti

You will spend this day exploring Chinguetti, visiting its historic quarter and seeing one of the collections of ancient manuscripts for which it is famous. Overnight local guesthouse.

Day Eighteen: Ouadane

Today you will drive to Ouadane which was founded in the 12^th century. Ouadane is a fascinating collection of old houses and mosques and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We have plenty of time to explore the historic quarter. Return to Chinguetti in the evening. Overnight La Gueila guesthouse or similar.

Day Nineteen: Amogjar Pass to Terjit

You will continue to explore Mauritania by driving along the Amogjar Pass with its prehistoric petroglyphs, as well as the visiting the ruins of the ancient Almoravid capital of Azougui. Proceed to the pretty oasis of Terjit for the night. Overnight Hotel Sahara or similar.

Day Twenty: Nouakchott

Today we arrive in the capital Nouakchott, the first major city we will have encountered for a few days.

Day Twenty One: Djoudj National Park to Saint Louis

On this day, we will head south to Senegal, and then drive to Djoudj National Park with its incredible bird life. We take boats on the lagoon to discover vast flocks of pelicans, flamingos and more, then continue to the town of St Louis, once the capital of French West Africa. Overnight Hotel de la Poste or similar.

Day Twenty Two: Saint Louis to Lampoul

You will make a city tour in Saint Louis, exploring its streets by traditional caleche (horse and carriage). Then head to Lampoul and our fixed camp amongst the dunes.

Day Twenty Three: Lac Rose to Dakar and Goree Island

Today we Ddrive to Lac Rose, along the beach to visit the largest fishermen’s village in Senegal. Lac Rose is a shallow saltwater lake surrounded by dunes and known for its striking pink colour. From here head to the capital, Dakar, and visit nearby Goree Island, once a centre of the slave trade. Dinner and overnight Hotel Municipal or similar.

Day Twenty Four:  Dakar

After exploring Goree, return to Dakar and explore this bustling modern city. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Ganale or similar.

Days Twenty Five and Twenty Six: Kaolack to Sine Ngayene and Banjul

For this morning, you will drive to Kaolack and then to Sine Ngayene, an astonishing megalithic site of over a thousand carved stones arranged into fifty two circles which were named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From here we cross the border into the Gambia and take a ferry across the river, and transfer to Banjul. We then visit the National Museum with its exhibits on local archaeology and history, as well as the city center. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Kabacoto Safari or similar and Atlantic Hotel or similar respectively.

Day Twenty Seven: Banjul to Casamance

You will spend this morning in the company of an ornithological guide, looking for birds in the large park by the hotel. This is home to over 70% of the species that live in the country. We then cross into Casamance, the southern region of Senegal, head out into the surrounding villages to learn about the animistic customs that hold sway here, seeing a striking mask dance.

Day Twenty Eight: Bissau

On this day. You will drive to the border with Guinea-Bissau and continue to Cachungo. Visit the villages of the local Manjaco people, known for their ancestor worship and unique wooden sculptures. Continue to Bissau for the night. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Azalai or similar.

Days Twenty Nine and Thirty: Bijagos Islands

For this morning, you will sail to the Bijagos Islands, a magical and unique world of authentic tribal traditions and unusual wildlife. Visit the island of Bolama, once a colonial capital but now largely abandoned, its Portuguese buildings slowly being taken over by vegetation and goats. We then spend two days exploring the archipelago, looking for rare saltwater hippos and learning about the customs of the local people.

Day Thirty One: Bissau

Depart the islands and eturn to the mainland. In Bissau we have time for a quick look around the city with its colonial Portuguese architecture. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Azalai or similar.

Day Thirty Two: Malinke region

You will drive to a small village in the Malinke region. The Malinke are descendants of the ancient empire of Mali. Visit a community of ‘griots’ – traditional musicians and story tellers who play an important part in conserving the traditions of West Africa. We learn about their history and customs, and witness a traditional griot performance.

Days Thirty Three and Thirty Four: Fouta Djalon

We will drive to the border of Guinea, through an area inhabited by Malinke and Fulani tribes, and we stop in villages where the arrival of western visitors is a rare event. From here we drive into the Fouta Djalon, a stunning area of mountains, waterfalls, plateau and savannah, where we explore the charming Fulani villages with their typical architecture. Dinner and overnight simple hotel (Day 33) and tourist class hotel (Day 34).

Day Thirty Five: Dalaba to Mamou

Today you will explore the small town of Dalaba, with its interesting ‘casa a palabra’, a finely decorated building used for local chiefs. We also visit the villa of Guinea’s first president, Sekou Toure. Then continue to the market town of Mamou. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Balys or similar.

Days Thirty Six and Thirty Seven: En route to Freetown

We will drive to the border with Sierra Leone, where we stop at the village of Kamakwie to see traditional mask dances. Then continue to Freetown, Sierra Leone’s capital. Overnight White House Hotel (Day 36) and Swiss Hotel (Day 37) or similar.

Days Thirty Eight and Thirty Nine: Freetown to Banana Islands

We will explore Freetown visiting its lively markets and seeing old colonial architecture, and its beaches. Then drive to the archipelago of the Banana Islands, with its stunning beaches and fishing villages. Dinner and overnight Bafa Lodge or similar.

Day Forty: Bo

This morning, you will head back to the mainland and then drive into the lands of the Mende people. Here we see a rare performance of the female Bundo masks – normally mask societies are for men only. Continue to Bo for the night. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Dohas or similar.

Day Forty One: Monrovia

We spend the morning learning about the process of diamond mining, as we join some villagers who show us their craft. From here we continue to the border with Liberia, and from here drive to Monrovia. Dinner and overnight at Cape Hotel or similar.

Day Forty Two: Monrovia to Gbarnga

Today, you will explore Monrovia. Visit the National Museum and the impressive Masonic Temple of Liberia, that has played an important part in Liberian history over the years. Then drive to Gbarnga for the night. Dinner and overnight Passion Hotel or similar.

Days Forty Three and Forty Four: Macenta to Nzerekore

You will drive through northern Liberia and back into Guinea, to a lush region of thick forests and remote villages. We see mask dances while here, including one of the ‘bird men’, dressed in feathers  and with their faces painted white with kaolin. This is a secret society, and its members are believed to have powers that make them invisible. We also see the impressive bridges made of living vines, believed to be built by spirits during the course of just one night. Dinner and overnight Hotel Macenta (Day 43) and Hotel Bethanie (Day 44) or similar.

Day Forty Five: Bossou to Man

You will head to the small village of Bossou and explore the forest, home to a group of chimpanzees. Constantly monitored by researchers, they are relatively easy to approach. From here we cross into Ivory Coast and drive to the town of Man. Dinner and overnight Hotel Les Cascades or similar.

Day Forty Six: Man

Today we visit a village belonging to the Dan people, known for their amazing mask dancers who perform on stilts. Explore the area to learn more about their local customs, before returning to Man for the night. Dinner and overnight Hotel Les Cascades or similar.

Day Forty Seven: Daloa

This morning, go out in the forest to reach some of the more isolated settlements of the Guere people. Here we will see their mask dances and if lucky, a dance of the ‘jongleurs’, a rare performance involving initiated women with white painted faces, and considerable acrobatic prowess. Then continue to Daloa for the night. Dinner and overnight Hotel La Grace or similar.

Day Forty Eight: Yamoussoukro

This morning we see a ceremony of the Zaouli dancing masks, a tradition of the Guro people. Then drive to Yamoussoukro, once just a village but now Cote d’Ivoire’s bizarre administrative capital. Yamoussoukro is dominated by the gigantic Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, reputedly the largest Christian place of worship on earth, and we spend time exploring this vast complex. Dinner and overnight Hotel Royal or similar.

Day Forty Nine: Abidjan

After breakfast, drive to the capital of Ivory Coast. Spend the rest of the day exploring Abidjan, with a ferry trip through the lagoon, a visit to its lively market and the elegant residential district of Cocody. Dinner and overnight Hotel Azalai or similar.

Day Fifty: Grand Bassam

Today you will drive to the city of Grand Bassam with its old colonial buildings.  Explore and learn about the history of the country. Dinner and overnight Hotel La Roche or similar.

Day Fifty One: Axim to Anomabu

You will cross into Ghana and drive to Axim. Here we stop at the 16^th century Portuguese fort, one of many early European fortifications dotted along this coast. After exploring the fort, drive east to Anomabu. Dinner and overnight Anomabu Beach Resort or similar.

Day Fifty Two: Elmina

You will visit the fishing town of Elmina, best known for St George’s Castle, the oldest European building in Africa and once used as holding centre for slaves. In the town itself we explore the old quarter with its unique Posuban shrines, made by the traditional ‘asafo’ societies which were once responsible for local defence. Dinner and overnight Anomabu Beach Resort or similar.

Day Fifty Three: Kumasi

Have breakfast and then drive to Kumasi, Ghana’s second city and home of the old Ashanti Kingdom. Explore the city including the Ashanti Cultural Centre, which gives a great insight into what once was one of the most powerful kingdoms in the region. If possible, we will be able to see a traditional Ashanti funeral, quite a spectacle at which visitors are welcome. Dinner and overnight Miklin Hotel or similar.

Day Fifty Four: Accra

Today, we will drive to Accra, visiting the old quarter of Jamestown, as well as the quarter where craftsmen design flamboyant coffins for the deceased – a uniquely Ghanaian experience. Dinner and overnight Hotel Villa Boutique or similar.

Day Fifty Five: Lome

This morning, we will cross the border into Togo, and head to its capital Lome, the only African city to have been colonised by the French, British and Germans. Explore the city including its central markets and the fascinating  fetish market, where animal parts are sold for use in traditional medicines. Dinner and overnight Hotel Onomo or similar.

Day Fifty Six: Grand Popo

Today, we will drive to a remote and hidden village, where we witness a voodoo ceremony – unique to this part of the world, and sure to be one of the highlights of your trip. We then cross into Benin and head to the small town of Grand Popo, on the coast. Dinner and overnight at Auberge de Grand Popo or similar.

Day Fifty Seven: Ouidah

Attend the performance of the Zangbeto dancing masks, another of the region’s secret societies. From here we continue to the coastal town of Ouidah, a stronghold of voodoo and once an important slave port. We visit the python temple, where snakes are venerated as representations of gods, the old Portuguese fort and finally head to the beach and the sombre ‘Gate of No Return’, the point from which slaves left Africa for the New World. Dinner and overnight Hotel Casa del Papa or similar.

Day Fifty Eight: Ganvie to Cotonou

For this day, we will drive to Lake Nokwe to visit Ganvie, the largest stilt village in Africa situated in the middle of the water. Then drive to Cotonou and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.