West African Discoverer
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Overview
Highlights
- Visit Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary and try and spot a rare Pygmy hippo
- Go on a safari in the Pendjari National Park in the far north of Benin
- Visit the fascinating double storey mud huts in Tata Somba
- Enjoy a guided walk around Butterfly Mountain, Mont Kluto
- Visit the stunning grand mosque of Touba
- Spot exotic birds at Tendeba in Gambia
- 2 days at the coastal resort of Cap Skirring
- Overland the rough and tough roads of Guinea
- Guided 2 day trip to Fouta Djallon
What's this trip about?
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Details
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
Border information: if you are joining at Dakar, you will most likely enter Senegal at Dakar Léopold Sédar Senghor International Airport (IATA code: DKR).
Today is an arrival day with a pre departure meeting at 10:00am. Your leader will leave a note in receptio...
Today we head north through the dry Sahel region to the old colonial city of St. Louis, formerly the capital of French West Africa.
Estimated Drive Time- 5-6 hours (please note that all drive times given here are the approximate number of hours that the truck w...
Estimated Drive Time- 8-9 hours.
Today we start our journey south to the small town of Toubakouta, situated close to the Sine-Saloum Delta. On the way we will see the landscape change as we enter the greener wetland region, and we will stop to see the Grand Mos...
Estimated Drive Time- 6-9 hours (depending on the ferry crossing).
Border information: Exit Senegal at Karang, enter The Gambia at Fass.
Today we will head across the border from Senegal into the small country of The Gambia, then cross the Gambia River o...
Estimated Drive Time- 7-8 hours.
Border information: Exit The Gambia at Soma, enter Senegal at Senoba.
Today we will cross the border into the southern Casamance region of Senegal, arriving at the beautiful beaches of Cap Skirring.
We will have 2 ...
Estimated Drive Time- 7-8 hours.
Border information: Exit Senegal at Mpack, enter Guinea Bissau at São Domingos.
Today we will drive across the border into the very rarely-visited country of Guinea-Bissau, and drive to its capital of Bissau.
On th...
Estimated Drive Times- 9-10 hours each day.
Border information: Exit Guinea-Bissau at Kandika, enter Guinea at Kandika.
From Bissau we will journey through Guinea-Bissau and into the remote hilly areas of northern Guinea on our way to the town of Labé, t...
From Labé we will set off for an included 2-day excursion to the heart of the Fouta Djallon region of Guinea.
On the first day we will travel in 4x4 jeeps through very remote country roads to the small rural community of Aïnguel (approximately a 4 hour drive). ...
Estimated Drive Time- 6-7 hours.
Leaving the Fouta Djallon region behind us, we head south through central Guinea to the town of Mamou.
In Mamou we will stay in a local guesthouse.
Estimated Drive Time- 7-8 hours.
Today we will continue our drive south through Guinea, stopping to wild camp close to the border with Sierra Leone.
Estimated Drive Time- 7-8 hours.
Border information: Exit Guinea at Pamalap, enter Sierra Leone at Kindia.
Today we leave Freetown for the stunning beaches of Freetown Peninsular, where we will spend 2 nights for some well-deserved relaxation after our j...
Estimated Drive Time- 3-4 hours.
Today we will have a short drive up the western side of the Freetown Peninsular to arrive in the Aberdeen district of the city of Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone.
In Freetown we will stay in a comfortable hotel with good facilities.
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 receptio...
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, c...
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 natur...
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 c...
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 v...
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.
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...
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 ar...
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 th...
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...
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.
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 f...
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 i...
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- ...
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.
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...
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, c...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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!
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 truc...
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 ...
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 ...
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 sou...
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...
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.
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 tri...
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Dates & Availability
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
The route was planned very well
The route was planned very well
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Wonderful
While this trip did not have the scenery, antiquities, adventures of other Dragoman trips, it did expose us to a wonderful aspect of human life little witnessed by t...
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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
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