The Gold Coast & Beyond
48 days
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Group Tour
This 48 day overland tour journeys from Freetown to Accra through Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Togo
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Overview
Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Camping
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule
Highlights
- Visit the emotional 'Point of no return' in Ouidah
- Jungle visit at Kakum National Park
- Swim in the clean water of the Volta River
- Try out the famous vine bridges of Guinea
- Enjoy a guided walk around Butterfly Mountain, Mont Kluto
- Visit the fascinating double storey mud huts in Tata Somba
- Visit a Dragoman supported community project in Elmina, Ghana
What's this trip about?
This 48 day overland tour journeys from Freetown to Accra through Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Togo
Compare to similar trips
Details
Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityFreetown
End CityAccra
Travel Themes
Destinations
Activities
Trip includes
- Accommodation
- Transport
- Use of the truck and its camping equipment, library, etc.,
- Camping meals
- All activities that are listed as included
Itinerary
Day 1: Freetown
Border information: if you are joining in Freetown, you will most likely enter Sierra Leone at Freetown Lungi International Airport (IATA code: FNA).
There will be an important group meeting at 10:00am at the joining hotel - please look out at the hotel reception for a...
Day 2-4: Freetown Peninsula ( 4th Dec 2019 to 6th Dec 2019 )
Estimated Drive Time - 2-3 hours (please note that all drive times given here are the approximate number of hours that the truck will be in motion only, and does not include any time taken for coffee or lunch stops, border crossings, photo stops, activities en route, com...
Day 5-6: Tiwai Island Sanctuary
Estimated Drive Time - 9-10 hours.
Leaving the Freetown Peninsular behind, today we have a full day's drive through Sierra Leone to the Tiwai Island Sanctuary, one of Sierra Leone's largest inland islands.
On the following day, we will enjoy various nature walks thro...
Daily Activities
Included Activities: (Included in Kitty)
Visit the Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary, home to one of the densest populations of primates and pygmy hippos in Africa, and enjoy several included walks around the web of trails on the island
Day 7-8: Kabala
Estimated Drive Times - 6-8 hours each day.
Over the next 2 days we will travel north up through Sierra Leone to the small town of Kabala. Kabala is famous for being an oasis of cool air in the hills of northern Sierra Leone, and for its traditional Ronko-dyed clothes ...
Day 9-10: Faranah, Gberia Fotombu
Estimated Drive Times - 5-8 hours each day.
Border information: Exit Sierra Leone and enter Guinea at Gberia-Fotombu.
The next 2 days we will spend travelling through the remote border region between Sierra Leone and Guinea, driving through scenic areas very rarely v...
Day 11: Guéckédou, Macenta
Estimated Drive Time - 7-9 hours.
Today we will travel through the central region of Guinea, stopping for a night in one of the towns en route (depending on how the drive goes, this may be Macenta or Guéckédou).
In Macenta or Guéckédou we will stay in a small locally-run hotel.
Day 12-13: Nzerekoré, Forested Guinea
Estimated Drive Time - 8-10 hours.
Today we will continue through the forested region of Guinea, visiting one of the famous vine bridges (Pont de Liana) en route. We will arrive at the small town of Nzerekoré in the heart of Guinea's Forest Region.
On the following d...
Daily Activities
Included Activities: (Included in Kitty)
Trek to the Pont de Liana, one of the phenomenal old vine bridges in the forested region of Guinea
Day 14-15: Western Côte d'Ivoire
Estimated Drive Times - 7-9 hours each day.
Border information: Exit Guinea at Gbakoré, enter Côte d'Ivoire at Gbapleu.
The next 2 days are spent crossing the border and driving through central Côte d'Ivoire. These days take us through some very remote areas and some...
Day 16-17: Korhogo
Estimated Drive Time - 7-8 hours.
Today we will drive through the lush countryside to the northern Ivorian town of Korhogo, famed for the multitude of crafts that are made there.
On the following day, we will head out on an included tour around many of the handicraft...
Day 18: Yamoussoukro
Estimated Drive Time - 6-7 hours.
Today we will drive to Yamoussoukro, the tiny and bizarre capital of Côte d'Ivoire. Yamoussoukro was the birthplace of Felix Houphouët-Boigny, the first president of independent Côte d'Ivoire, and is also the unusual location of the co...
Daily Activities
Included Activities: (Included in Kitty)
Visit the opulent Basilique de Notre Dame de la Paix, the largest Christian place of worship in the world
Day 19-21: Grand Bassam
Estimated Drive Time - 7-8 hours.
Today we will drive to the Atlantic coast, arriving at the old French colonial capital of Grand Bassam situated east of Abidjan.
On the following two days, we will have free time to explore the old colonial town and to relax on the beautiful beaches around our hotel.
In Grand Bassam we will stay in a local hotel on the beach.
Day 22-23: Elmina
Estimated Drive Time - 7-8 hours.
Border information: Exit Côte d'Ivoire at Elubo, enter Ghana at Elubo.
Today we cross into Ghana and then head east along the Atlantic coast to the beaches of Beru Akyinim near the historic town of Elmina.
On the following day, we ...
Day 24: Kakum National Park, Cape Coast
Estimated Drive Time - 2-4 hours.
Today we will head into the nearby town of Cape Coast for a fascinating and moving tour of the old slave fort there.
We will then drive inland to the rainforests of Kakum National Park. On arrival we will head out on an included even...
Daily Activities
Included Activities: (Included in Kitty)
Explore the incredible rainforest canopy from the unique suspended bridges in Kakum National Park
Day 25-26: Kumasi, Kakum National Park
Estimated Drive Time - 5-6 hours.
Today we have an early start with an included morning visit to the Kakum National Park canopy walkways. These are a long series of hanging bridges at the forest canopy level that gives us a unique perspective of the rainforest - and at...
Day 27: Accra
Estimated Drive Time - 6-7 hours.
Today we will drive to Accra, the chaotic capital of Ghana! We will have free time on arrival to explore the city.
In Accra we will stay in a comfortable hotel with good facilities.
Day 28: Accra
Border information: if you are joining in Accra, then you will most likely enter Ghana at Accra Kotoka International Airport (IATA code: ACC).
There will be an important group meeting at 10:00am at the joining hotel - please look out at the hotel reception for a note f...
Day 29: Akosombo
Estimated Drive Time - 3-4 hours (please note that all drive times given here are the approximate number of hours that the truck will be in motion only, and does not include any time taken for coffee or lunch stops, border crossings, photo stops, activities en route, com...
Day 30: Lake Volta, Akosombo
Today we will have an included visit to the nearby Akosombo Dam, a major project built in the 1960s to provide almost all of Ghana's energy needs. The rest of the day will be free to relax at our campsite in Akosombo.
Daily Activities
Included Activities: (Included in Kitty)
Visit Akosombo Dam, the colossal 1960s project that provides almost all of Ghana's energy needs and created Lake Volta, one of the world's largest man-made lakes
Day 31: Mont Klouto
Estimated Drive Time - 5-6 hours.
Border information: Exit Ghana at Klouto, enter Togo at Klouto.
Today we will have a full day's drive to the spectacular Mont Klouto, crossing the border into Togo.
In Mont Klouto we will stay in a campsite, with the option to upgrade to dorm accommodation.
Day 32: Mont Klouto
Today we will have a free day around the beautiful Mont Klouto region, with the opportunity to head out on optional forest walks or to visit Kpalimé town nearby.
In the evening, we will head to the village centre to see a spectacular show of drumming and dancing from the local villagers.
Daily Activities
Included Activities: (Included in Kitty)
An evening of energetic drumming and dancing from the local villagers in Mont Klouto
Day 33: Central Togo
Estimated Drive Times - 6-7 hours each day.
Over the next 2 days we will drive up the length of Togo, all the way through the remote northern border with Benin. We will wild camp for 1 night en route.
Day 34: Tata Somba region
Estimated Drive Time - 6-7 hours.
Border information: Exit Togo at Ketao, enter Benin at Ouaké.
Today we will cross the border into Benin, before continuing our journey to the Tata Somba region close to the town of Tanguiéta.
In Tanguiéta we will stay in a basic local eco-lodge.
Day 35: Tata Somba region
This morning we will go on an included walking tour of the nearby Tata Somba villages with some of the local villagers. This is a fascinating visit to an area rarely visited by tourists, where we will learn a lot about the local traditional way of life and explore the famous two-storey mud huts of the area.
In the afternoon, there is the option to walk through the stunning area to some nearby waterfalls.
Daily Activities
Included Activities: (Included in Kitty)
Go on a guided tour of the Tata Somba villages of northern Benin, learning about the traditional culture and way of life and visiting their incredible 2-storey 'mud castle' homes
Day 36-37: Pendjari National Park
Estimated Drive Time - 4-5 hours to the park, then as much time as required on game drives.
From the Tata Somba region we have a short journey north to the beautiful Pendjari National Park.
We will stay for two nights wild camping in the National Park, where we will have freedom to explore and head out on game drives in the truck in search of wildlife.
Daily Activities
Included Activities: (Included in Kitty)
Visit the stunning landscapes of Pendjari National Park, famous for being one of the best wildlife reserves in West Africa
Day 38: Central Benin
Estimated Drive Time - 8-10 hours.
Today we have a full day's drive heading south through Benin. We will wild camp somewhere en route between the towns of Natitingou and Abomey.
Day 39-40: Abomey
Estimated Drive Time - 6-7 hours.
Our journey today continues to Abomey, the ancient capital of the Dahomey kingdom. On arrival we will take an included tour of the Dahomey Palace and Museum. We will then have a free day to explore the local area.
In Abomey we will stay in a campsite, with the possibility to upgrade to rooms for 2 nights.
Day 41: Ganvie
Estimated Drive Time - 6-8 hours.
This morning we will drive to Abomey-Calavi (a port on the outskirts of Cotonou), where we say goodbye to the truck for the night and jump aboard motorised pirogues to Ganvie, a fascinating town built entirely on stilts in the middle of Lake Nokoué.
In Ganvie we will stay in a basic hotel in the stilt village itself!
Day 42: Ouidah, Ganvie
Estimated Drive Time - 1-3 hours.
Today we will start with an included tour of the stilt town of Ganvie, exploring deeper on our pirogues and soaking up the unique way of life in the floating village. Following this, we will head back to land to re-join the truck and d...
Daily Activities
Included Activities: (Included in Kitty)
Visit to the incredible stilt village of Ganvie, where an entire community of fisherman live in a town entirely built on stilts in the middle of Lake Noukoe near Cotonou
Day 43: Grand Popo, Ouidah
Estimated Drive Time - 1-2 hours.
Today we will take a very interesting half-day tour of the sites in Ouidah, including the Voodoo Python Temple, the "Route des Esclaves" (Slave Route), La Maison du Brésil art gallery and the Ouidah Museum of History in the old Portugu...
Daily Activities
Included Activities: (Included in Kitty)
See the Vodun Temple of Pythons in Ouidah, dedicated to the voodoo snake diety Dangbe and home to hundreds of revered pythons!
Half-day tour of Ouidah, including the museums and exhibitions at La Maison Bresil, learning about the history of slavery on the 'Route des Esclaves' and the Point of No Return, and a visit to the voodoo Snake Temple.
Day 44: Grand Popo
Today we will have a free day at Grand Popo for relaxing on the beach or taking a pirogue trip around the nearby ocean and mangroves.
There is also an option this evening to visit an incredible local vodun (voodoo) ceremony in the nearby village, complete with very ene...
Day 45: Agbodrafo
Estimated Drive Time - 2-3 hours.
Border information: Exit Benin and re-enter Togo at Hilla-Condji.
Leaving the beach behind, our journey continues over the border from Benin and back into Togo. We will head to the small quiet town of Agbodrafo on the southern shores...
Daily Activities
Included Activities: (Included in Kitty)
Trip in a local non-motorised pirogue across Lac Togo to Togoville, where you can explore the town and learn all about it's history and culture
Day 46: Keta
Estimated Drive Time - 4-5 hours.
Border information: exit Togo at Lomé, enter Ghana at Aflao.
Today we will cross back into Ghana and head for Keta, where we will visit the very atmospheric and evocative ruins of the abondoned Fort Prinzenstein, built by the Danes 300 years ago as a transit point for transporting slaves to the Americas.
In Keta we will stay in a small local hotel.
Daily Activities
Included Activities: (Included in Kitty)
Visit the ruins of the small Danish slave fort of Fort Prinzenstein, and take in its haunting and moving atmosphere
Day 47: Accra
Estimated Drive Time - 4-5 hours.
The final drive of this trip takes us back to Accra, the chaotic capital of Ghana!
In Accra we will stay in a comfortable hotel with good facilities.
Day 48: Accra
Border information: if you are leaving in Accra, you will most likely exit Ghana at Accra Kotoka International Airport (IATA code: ACC).
Today is the end day for passengers finishing their trip in Accra. Please note there is no accommodation included on the trip tonigh...
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Dates & Availability
Price From $4,385
Price per day$91
Last Updated: 1/7/2022
Pricing details includes
The Trip Price, which is payable to Dragoman or your travel agent before departure.
The Kitty Payment, which is payable to your tour leader in cash when you join your trip, or in advance via bank transfer.
The Trip Price covers the cost of all our operations, including the running of our trucks ,our staff, and the provision of local guides around the world where needed, plus local transport, if for some reason we can’t use our trucks.
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Dragoman.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Dragoman Reviews & Ratings
Basically its a great trip
Basically its a great trip for meeting local people. Most interesting countries were Togo, Benin and Guinea. I really enjoyed the Voodoo ceremony and watching local ...
I really enjoyed my trip
I really enjoyed my trip around west Africa. It was well organised and the crew were incredibly hard-working. Enjoyed the bumpy roads through Guinea and Sierra Leone...
I overall had a fantastic experience
I overall had a fantastic experience with Dragoman ...
I enjoyed the diversity of places
I enjoyed the diversity of places that we visited... fro...
The trip was very much as I expected
The trip was very much as I expected and as described in ...
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Logistics
What's excluded
- Our trip price and kitty do not include optional activities
- Travel insurance
- Connecting flights
- Airport transfers
- Border taxes or charges
- Transportation while not on the trip or while exploring a city
- Passports and visas
- Vaccinations and first aid kits or medicines
- Extra accommodation
- Contingency route expenses in case of emergency or natural disaster
- Meals at restaurants or cafes or whilst staying in hotels, drinks, tips, or personal spending money
Accommodation
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against
unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies.
It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before
or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination.
It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements.
For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements,
please visit this link
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Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Optional Activities
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Additional Information
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Trip ID
dragom-AFA
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