A 44-day overland route across eight West African countries, run with Oasis Overland. It splits into three segments that can be joined separately: Benin, Togo and Ghana; Ghana through Ivory Coast and Liberia to Sierra Leone; then Sierra Leone north to Senegal.
- Duration: 44 days · 8 countries · 3 joinable segments
- Group: On request
- Difficulty: challenging
- Languages: English
Highlights
- Trip 1, 11 days: Benin, Togo and Ghana, including the Dahomey royal palaces at Abomey and the Koutammakou landscape
- Trip 2, 18 days: Ghana to Sierra Leone, including Cape Coast and Elmina Castles, Kakum, Mount Nimba and Tiwai Island
- Trip 3, 16 days: Sierra Leone to Senegal, including the Fouta Djallon, the Bijagós Archipelago and Gorée Island
- Border crossings, visas support and guides coordinated across all eight countries
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Cotonou, Benin
Trip 1 begins.
Day 2
Cotonou and Porto-Novo
The port city and the historical capital.
Day 3
Abomey
The royal palaces of the Dahomey Kingdom, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 4
Koutammakou landscape, Togo
Cross into Togo for the mud-tower houses of the Batammariba people.
Day 5
Atakpamé
A scenic drive through Togo's Plateaux Region.
Day 6
Lomé, Togo
The coastal capital, its markets and monumental squares.
Day 7
Wli Waterfalls, Ghana
Cross into Ghana toward the tallest waterfall in West Africa.
Day 8
Hike and wildlife
Trek to the Wli Waterfalls and visit a sacred monkey sanctuary.
Day 9
Akosombo Dam
The dam that created Lake Volta.
Day 10
Accra
Ghana's capital.
Day 11
Accra
Trip 1 concludes and Trip 2 begins.
Day 12
Accra city tour
The Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, Makola Market and Labadi Beach.
Day 13
Cape Coast
Cape Coast Castle.
Day 14
Elmina Castle
The first European trading post in sub-Saharan Africa.
Day 15
Kakum National Park
The rainforest canopy walkway.
Day 16
Grand-Bassam, Ivory Coast
Cross into Côte d'Ivoire to this colonial beach town.
Day 17
Abidjan
St Paul's Cathedral and the Plateau district.
Day 18
Yamoussoukro
The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace.
Day 19
Man
The 18 Mountains region and its waterfalls.
Day 20
Cross into Liberia
Arrive in the border city of Ganta.
Day 21
Mount Nimba
The UNESCO-listed mountain range.
Day 22
Monrovia
A guided tour of Liberia's capital.
Day 23
Robertsport
Surfing and a historic WWII submarine base.
Day 24
Tiwai Island, Sierra Leone
Cross into Sierra Leone and travel to the wildlife sanctuary.
Day 25
Tiwai Island
Guided walks in search of the pygmy hippopotamus and other rainforest wildlife.
Day 26
Banana Island
A boat trip to the island community and its Krio heritage.
Day 27
Freetown and Tacugama
A Freetown city tour followed by Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
Day 28
Freetown
Trip 2 concludes.
Day 29
Freetown
Trip 3 begins.
Day 30
Cross into Guinea
Arrive in Conakry.
Day 31
Kindia and Voile de la Mariée
The Bridal Veil waterfalls.
Day 32
Labé
Into the Fouta Djallon highlands.
Day 34
Cross into Guinea-Bissau
Through the countryside to Gabu.
Day 35
Bissau
A guided tour of the capital.
Day 36
Bijagós Archipelago
A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, subject to boat schedules.
Day 37
Cross into The Gambia
Over the Senegambia Bridge, with local markets.
Day 38
Janjanbureh and Baboon Islands
A boat safari on the River Gambia for chimpanzees, hippos and baboons.
Day 39
Serekunda
The Kachikally Crocodile Pool and local markets.
Day 40
Cross into Senegal and Shell Island
Toubacouta and the shell-covered Fadiouth Island.
Day 41
Dakar
Senegal's capital.
Day 42
Gorée Island
The House of Slaves.
Day 43
Pink Lake
Lac Rose.
Day 44
Dakar
Trip 3 and the full itinerary conclude.
Inclusions
- English-speaking tour guides throughout
- All entry and site fees for activities listed in the itinerary
- Accommodation for every night of the tour
- Daily breakfast
- Ground and water transport (private air-conditioned vehicle and boat transfers)
- Security fees, airport transfers and border arrangements
Exclusions
- Visas (visa support and guidance are provided, but visa cost is not included)
Practicalities
Meeting point: Cotonou, Benin for the full route. Trip 2 begins in Accra, Ghana and Trip 3 begins in Freetown.
Requirements: Visa requirements vary by nationality and change over time. The desk provides guidance and support through the application process for each country on the route.
Destination: Freetown
Map centres on Freetown for orientation. Exact pickup is on the voucher.
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FAQs
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