Day 1 - Bissau
Arrive in Bissau and transfer to your hotel. Overnight Hotel Azalai or similar.
Days 2-3 - Bijagos Islands
Sail to the Bijagos Islands, a magical and unique world of authentic tribal traditions and unusual wildlife. First 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. Two nights tourist class hotels. (BLD)
Day 4 - Bissau
Leaving the islands behind we return to the mainland. In Bissau we have time for a quick look around the city with its colonial Portuguese architecture. Overnight Hotel Azalai or similar. (BLD)
Day 5 - Malinke region
Morning drive to a small village in the Malinke region. The Malinke are descendants of the ancient empire of Mali and we 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. Overnight simple hotel. (BLD)
Days 6-7 - Fouta Djalon
A small track takes us 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. Overnight simple hotel (Day 6) and tourist class hotel (Day 7). (BLD)
Days 9-10 - En route to Freetown
Drive to the border with Sierra Leone, where we stop at the village of Kamakwie to see traditional mask dances. From here continue to Freetown, Sierra Leone’s capital. Overnight White House Hotel (Day 9) and Swiss Hotel (Day 10) or similar. (BLD)
Days 11-12 - Freetown - Banana Islands
Explore Freetown visiting its lively markets and seeing examples of old colonial architecture, and heading out to its beaches. From here travel to the archipelago of the Banana Islands, with its stunning beaches and fishing villages. Overnight Bafa Lodge or similar. (BLD)
Day 13 - Bo
Head back to the mainland and from here 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. Overnight Hotel Dohas or similar. (BLD)
Day 14 - 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. Overnight Cape Hotel or similar. (BLD)
Day 15 - Monrovia - Gbarnga
Spend the morning exploring Monrovia. We visit the National Museum and the impressive Masonic Temple of Liberia, that has played an important part in Liberian history over the years. From here drive to Gbarnga for the night. Overnight Passion Hotel or similar. (BLD)
Days 16-17 - Macenta – Nzerekore
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. Overnight Hotel Macenta (Day 16) and Hotel Bethanie (Day 17) or similar. (BLD)
Day 18 - Man
Leave Nzerekore and head to the border with Ivory Coast, driving past small villages in a remote part of Guinea, where we hope to be able to see some traditional customs and ceremonies, where possible. From here we cross the border and then drive to the small town of Man, surrounded by picturesque mountain scenery and our base for the next come for nights. Overnight Amoitrin or similar. (BLD)
Day 19 - 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. Overnight Hotel Amoitrin or similar. (BLD)
Day 20 - Daloa
Venture into 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! Continue to Daloa for the night. Overnight Hotel La Grace or similar. (BLD)
Day 21 - Yamoussoukro
This morning we see a ceremony of the Zaouli dancing masks, a tradition of the Guro people. From here 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. Overnight Hotel Royal or similar. (BLD)
Day 22 - Abidjan
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. Overnight Hotel Afrikland or similar. (BLD)
Day 23 - Grand Bassam
Drive to the city of Grand Bassam with its old colonial buildings and atmosphere of yesteryear, to explore and learn about the history of the country. Overnight Hotel La Roche or similar. (BLD)
Day 24 - Axim - Anomabu
Cross into Ghana and drive to Axim. Here we stop at the 16th century Portuguese fort, one of many early European fortifications dotted along this coast. After exploring the fort, drive east to Anomabu. Overnight Anomabu Beach Resort or similar. (BLD)
Day 25 - Elmina
We 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. Overnight Anomabu Beach Resort or similar. (BLD)
Day 26 - Kumasi
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. Overnight Miklin Hotel or similar. (BLD)
Day 27 - Accra
Drive to Accra, visiting the the old quarter of Jamestown, as well as the quarter where craftsmen design flamboyant coffins for the deceased – a uniquely Ghanaian experience. Overnight Hotel Villa Boutique or similar. (BLD)
Day 28 - Lome
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 – if rather gruesome – fetish market, where animal parts are sold for use in traditional medicines. Overnight Hotel Onomo or similar. (BLD)
Day 29 - Grand Popo
This morning travel 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. Overnight Auberge de Grand Popo or similar. (BLD)
Day 30 - Ouidah
This morning we see a 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. Overnight Hotel Casa del Papa or similar. (BLD)
Day 31 - Ganvie - Cotonou
Our final day sees us heading out onto Lake Nokwe to visit Ganvie, the largest stilt village in Africa situated in the middle of the water. From here, we drive to Cotonou where our West African adventure ends, and transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (BL)
This tour can be done in shorter sections, i.e Bissau to Monrovia, Monrovia to Cotonou and so on. If you would like to take part in a shorter version of this trip, please contact us for prices.
What's included:
Airport transfers - We include arrival and departure transfers regardless of whether you book flights yourself, or we book them for you. If you're booking them yourself, then please let us know the details so that we can arrange the transfers. Please note though that if you arrive earlier than Day 1 of the tour, and leave after the final day, we may need to make an additional charge for an airport transfer.
Accommodation - Accommodation as listed in the dossier. The nature of the destinations that we operate may sometimes mean that we need to change hotels, but we'll always endeavour to keep the same standards. Please be aware that as we operate in many countries where tourism is in its infancy, hotel standards may not be the same as you're used to elsewhere.
Guides - You will be accompanied by an English speaking guide.
Meals - As listed within the itinerary / dossier (B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner). These will vary from trip to trip - in some areas it makes sense to include all meals while in others there is a good choice of restaurants and we feel people might like to 'do their own thing' now and again.
Entrance fees - Entrance fees are listed for those sites that we mention within the itinerary. If there are any other sites that you'd like to see, these would be at your own expense.
Not included:
- Visas
- Airport taxes
- International flights
- Travel Insurance
