West Africa
West Africa is a region of immense geographical and cultural diversity. From the Saharan sand dunes to dense unexplored rainforests to bustling pulsating cities, this side of Africa has an energy and beauty like no other. Strong tribal identities with literally hundreds of local languages and dialects, plus french, endure today. Ancient ceremonies with bewildering masks, colourful costumes and energetic dances are still performed. West Africa is also a musical hothouse with a powerful drum beat the engine of many different local musical traditions from Senegal’s mbalax, the home grown hip-hop of Mali, Ghana’s highlife to Nigeria’s fuji and juju. While West Africa is not as well know for its wildlife as East Africa is, it is still possible to see a vast array of animals, from teaming bird and water life, monkeys, chimpanzees and gorillas and even elephants amongst many unique animals to the region. Travel in West Africa can sometimes be challenging with often little infrastructure, dodgy roads and basic accommodation. However the rewards of travel in this region is true adventure that is getting so much more difficult to find elsewhere
Tours in West Africa
Freetown to Dakar Overland
An awesome overland adventure between Freetown, Sierra Leone and Dakar, Senegal through Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea Bassau, Senegal (Casamance) Gambia and Senegal. This amazing trip offers incredible trekking, waterfalls, music, beaches and wildlife mixed with West African traditions and culture on this off the beaten track adventure! Overlanding West Africa were the first ever truck-based overland company to successfully take an overland truck-based trip through Guinea Bissau and Sierra Leone in 2012. The first few days of the trip will be spent in the more developed parts of Sierra Leone and Guinea as we journey close to the Atlantic coastline between Freetown and Conakry and stop en route to take in the sights. You’ll get to experience the ‘assault on the senses’ that West Africa is so famous for. As we start heading upcountry in Guinea there will be some challenging drives for short stretches but you’ll be rewarded with some
Mali Rediscovered
Mali has long been a destination for travellers and after years off limits is slowly coming back onto the modern travellers radar. Explore the harsh desert landscape, discover mud built mosques and crumbling mud villages clinging to cliffs unchanged from ancient times. Embrace the warmth of the local people, so rich in ethnicity and beliefs, and the modern pulsating energy of young Mali. Explore the Niger River on a traditional pinasse as the donkey caravans still plod their way through dusty scrubland. Rediscover Mali, home to Africa's ancient civilisations.
Liberia Revealed
Liberia has an unusual history. It is the only country on the continent, apart from Ethiopia, not to have been colonized by Europeans in the ‘Scramble for Africa’. Once a home for freed Afro-American slaves, it has a very different feel from its neighbors. It was off limits for some time, but is now accessible to the adventurous Africa enthusiast.
Festivals of Ghana
An incredible unique journey concentrating on two of Ghana’s most colourful festivals. In the Ashanti capital of Kumasi, we are privileged to witness the Akwasidae festival. Centred around the traditional concept of the chief, Akwasidae is an opportunity to call upon the protective spirits of the Ashanti and ask for blessings for the forthcoming year, and gives us a superb opportunity to see West Africa’s ‘kingdom of gold’in all its splendour, with dancers and drummers adding to the intoxicating atmosphere. Each year the Krobo hold the amazing Dipo ceremony, a process of initiation for young girls on their journey to womanhood, accompanied by elaborate rituals and distinctive traditional jewellery; we spend three days observing these fascinating customs and learning about the culture of the Krobo. Discover the colours, festivals and traditions of one of the region’s friendliest countries.
Gold and Magic: Ghana, Togo and Benin
Ghana, Togo and Benin are home to an amazing diversity of traditional cultures. Experience voodoo ceremony deep within the swamps, explore stilt villages and ancient kingdoms, and visit the fiercely traditional Tamberma people, with extraordinary fortress style houses designed to protect them from invaders. Search for sacred monkeys in the forest and travel through the lands of the Krobo, as well as visiting the fishing village of Elmina, home to an imposing slave castle dating back more than five hundred years. Depending on the departure date, you will have the opportunity to witness the astonishing Egun mask dances of Benin, or the Akwasidae festival of the Ashanti, a glittering showcase of traditional culture honouring the Ashanti king.
Freetown to Accra Overland
An exciting adventure between Freetown, Sierra Leone and Accra, Ghana. Experience incredible West African culture, dance ceremonies, vine bridges, wildlife, beaches, traditional architecture and great music on this off the beaten track adventure! Overlanding West Africa were the first ever truck-based overland company to successfully take an overland truck-based trip through Guinea Bissau and Sierra Leone in 2012. A year later they were the the first ever truck-based overland company to go through Liberia. The trip was another huge success with everybody glowing about how wonderful Liberia is. Road conditions will inevitably slow us down so we have built extra time into the itinerary to account for this. It will be tough going for short stretches as we journey between Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, and Ivory Coast. We’ll be driving through remote areas where there simply is no tourist infrastructure – so we’ll be bush camping off the truck for a few
Dakar to Freetown Overland
An amazing overland adventure between Dakar, Senegal and Freetown, Sierra Leone, through Senegal, Gambia, Senegal (Casamance), Guinea Bissau, Guinea & Sierra Leone. This amazing trip offers incredible trekking, waterfalls, music, beaches and wildlife mixed with West African traditions and culture on this off the beaten track adventure! The first two weeks of the trip will be pretty easy-going, with relatively short drive days on reasonable roads – but once we cross the border from Guinea Bissau into Guinea, the tarmac ends and we go off road for some fun driving in the Guinean highlands! Though the Chinese have begun to grade and pave some of this road, they are still some way from completion and driving through the Guinean highlands could get pretty interesting i.e. muddy if the rainy season is still in swing or bumpy if the road has dried out! It will be a challenging drive for short stretches
Dakar to Marrakesh Overland
A fascinating overland adventure between between Dakar, Senegal and Marrakech, Morocco. A true overland adventure along a route rarely travelled dominated by stunning landscapes and scenery! The first week of the trip will be pretty easy-going, with relatively short drive days on reasonable roads visiting a number of fantastic highlights. The time this trip spends in Mauritania will be limited, we would love to explore more of this little visited and truly fascinating country, security is of the utmost importance, so the trip will be limited to a direct south to north transit through the country over the course of 2 or 3 days. Once over the border into Western Sahara you will be rewarded with some spectacular landscapes and a true sense of remoteness as we drive along this stunning and remote stretch of the Atlantic coastline. The last week of the trip in the deep south of Morocco will be pretty easy going,
Accra to Freetown Overland
This epic trip between Accra, Ghana and Freetown, Sierra Leone is perhaps Overlanding West Africa's most exciting. Experience incredible West African culture, dance ceremonies, trekking, vine bridges, wildlife, beaches, traditional architecture and great music on this off the beaten track adventure! Overlanding West Africa were the first ever truck-based overland company to successfully take an overland truck-based trip through Guinea Bissau and Sierra Leone in 2012. A year later they were the the first ever truck-based overland company to go through Liberia. The trip was another huge success with everybody glowing about how wonderful Liberia is. Road conditions will inevitably slow us down so we have built extra time into the itinerary to account for this. It will be tough going for short stretches as we journey between Ivory Coast, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. We’ll be driving through remote areas where, in places, there simply is no tourist infrastructure. We’ll be
Lost Kingdoms of Nigeria
Discover Nigeria, one of Africa’s most vibrant and exciting countries. A much maligned nation, Nigeria suffers from a bad reputation that discourages most travellers, but this trip shows you that there’s another much more appealing side to the country, showing off Nigeria's unique history, varied people and fascinating cultures. This trip offers unparalleled opportunities to not just get off the beaten track but redefine the very concept, and you’re unlikely to see any other tourists in the whole time you’re here – a truly authentic experience that is often lacking in other parts of the world.
Mauritania – From the Atlantic to Chinguetti
Mauritania is a wild land of spectacular deserts and sand blown historic towns, picturesque oases and nomads living in goat hair tents, eking out an existence in the way of their forefathers and adhering strongly to the traditions of the Sahara of old. This unique trip takes you to a country full of hidden gems that has been little visited by travellers in recent years. An exciting, unique and surprising trip through an utterly captivating land.
Ivory Coast – Ancient Gods of West Africa
Ivory Coast (Cote d’Ivoire) has been off the travelers radar for a while but is now back and beckoning intrepid travellers. It is a fascinating land, like most of the region firmly embedded in the culture of the ancestors while making steps towards the future. Few people make it this far and this trip is not for everyone, but for those looking for a country almost completely unused to tourism and far from the beaten track then this trip is for you.
West Africa Explorer
Travel through an incredible corner of Africa in Senegal and Guinea-Bissau. Explore colonial French architecture, amazing national parks teaming with life and discover ancient peoples still practicing ancient beliefs. From the Sahel to the tropics, this is a remarkable journey taking you through lands where few western travellers have visited, going well off the beaten track to show you the hidden delights of an often forgotten region.
Ouidah Voodoo Festival
Discover the voodoo traditions of a magical land. On this three country tour of Ghana, Togo and Benin we take you right to the heart of the magic of Africa. We cross the spectrum from the tragic history of the slave trade, traditional villages to royal palaces. From fetish markets to the highlights of the annual voodoo festival in Ouidah, this is a diverse and exciting trip that is both a great introduction to the region and of equal appeal to first time and seasoned travellers to Africa.
Accra to Accra Overland
This epic and challenging trip takes you to off the beaten track destinations in the fascinating countries of Ghana, Togo and Benin. West Africa boasts a huge arts and craft scene with colourful vibrant markets, incredible traditional music, fascinating cultures and wonderful people with warm friendly smiles that greet you every day makes a trip here so very special. Join us for this incredible adventure to find out why West Africa is one of our favourite regions!