The countries of West Africa are some of the least visited on the continent but those who choose to make a trip will be rewarded in abundance by incredible scenery, rich welcoming cultures, stunning beaches, untamed wild jungles, magical music and bright colourful fashion. West Africa is a true gem of a destination.

By Larissa Clark, Founder Another World Adventures

I lived in Liberia, West Africa between 2012 and 2015 with stints in Sierra Leone and Ghana. It was the early days of setting up Another World Adventures and I feel really passionate about helping others discover this incredible part of the world.

Over the years I’ve written quite a few articles on travel in West Africa for magazines and today wanted to share a guest post by one of my favourite operators in the region – an overlanding company who take this region on with nothing short of wild enthusiasm.

Travelling overland in West Africa is the right way to go. I journeyed from Monrovia to Dakar with my husband in our 25 year old Nissan Patrol in 2013 so I know the route well!

I caught up with Al Goodridge in 2016 who leads their overland trips to get the lowdown on their first trip of the season which started in Dakar.

Enjoy his guest blog below and if you’re inspired to explore Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Benin, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, Togo, Gambia, Morocco, Mauritania, & Western Sahara then get in touch and I’ll send you their next route itinerary.

Diary from the Road: West Africa 2016

Our first trip of the season started in Dakar a few weeks ago after the long drive down from the UK. It’s great to be back in the region we know and love so well and running trips again after so long away due to the sad events of the past year!

A warm welcome to Janet, Wendy, Kathy, John, Theo, Tim, Mehmet, Baz, Sam, Martin, Steve, Ray, Roy and Adrian, it’s great to have you with us! Above are shots taken on Ile Goree, which many of our passengers visited as a day trip from Dakar.

Not far from Dakar we passed this truck being towed along. It looks like it’s seen better days and the truck towing him didn’t look to have been having a much easier time of it either! Fortunately the driver didn’t appear to have been hurt in the crash.

The first truck lunch of many to come! An easy drive day bought us to our first bush camp, and the first night of torrential overnight rain. It ought to have finished raining a few weeks ago, but the rains this year have come late and are lasting longer than normal. We’re hoping the dry season we plan our trips around comes soon. C’est l’Afrique!

Gambia is split in half by the River Gambia, and with no bridges over it, a lengthy wait for a ferry is an inevitable part of overland travel here.

Tendaba Camp is a real highlight of the time we spend in The Gambia, with a great selection of birds viewed from the camp and on the numerous boat trips our passengers took. A comfortable spot to settle into the relaxed pace of life!

Konteh Kunda School of Music have only just opened, and we were delighted to be one of their first groups to visit. Established to celebrate and promote the Griot tradition and musical talent, and to provide a school for foreign students, we were overwhelmed by the warmth of the welcome we received and the energy of the music and dancing we witnessed. Above and below are shots of a Kora and Balafon performance soon after our arrival.

We danced for much of the evening to Djembe drumming, before witnessing an indoor performance from the family. Several of us also took part in Kora lessons.

A short drive down to the Casamance region saw us back with Simon and Khady in Abene. It was great to be back after so long and to see everybody again, and the Koumpo dance we witnessed on the first evening was as stunning as it has ever been!

The Koumpo is a forest spirit, particularly feared by local children, and often used to warn those in a village who may have digressed, such as children picking mangoes too early. A spike comes out of the Koumpo’s head, which he plants into the ground and spins around on – a truly stunning sight to witness!

Kafountine is a busy fishing port that attracts workers from far and wide. Dozens of boats come in on a good day, and the men unloading the fish are paid per crate, which explains their frenzied pace of work!

Some of the catch is sent to market by refrigerated truck, but the vast majority is smoked, or salted and air dried. Dried fish provides a main protein source for many of the countries which make up West Africa.

The beach in Abene gave a great afternoon’s relaxing, and Jase and Baz managed a quick surf!

Another night in Abene and another night of great music and dancing! We were joined by the same stilt dancer who’d given our previous groups such a great performance 18 months ago, but this time with a new costume he’d just finished making!

After a short stop in the main city of Casamance, Ziguinchor, we were back to the coast, visiting local villages by boat, looking for wildlife, and enjoying stunning sunsets.

We’re now in Bissau city, as relaxed and friendly as ever, enjoying some rest and western luxuries before the rough road east into Guinea begins. The heavy rains won’t have helped the roads, but should make for some stunning waterfalls!

Many thanks to Tim, Theo, Baz and Wendy for letting us share some of their photos!

Have your own adventure in West Africa with one of these trips to join Al and the team –

Freetown To Dakar : Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Senegal (Casamance), Gambia, Senegal

Dakar To Marrakech : Senegal, Mauritania, Western Sahara, Morocco

Marrakech To Tangier : Morocco

Trips In Late 2016: From Senegal To Burkina Faso

The southbound journey is usually split into 3 trips, starting in Dakar, Senegal and finishing in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso 

Dakar To Freetown : Senegal, Gambia, Senegal (Casamance), Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone

Freetown To Accra : Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, Ivory Coast, and Ghana

Accra To Ouagadougou : Ghana, Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso
19th December 2016 to 16th January 2017
£1,150 pp
+ 400 euro kitty
Available

Trips From Ghana To Morocco

The northbound journey is usually split into 3 trips, starting in Accra, Ghana and finishing in Marrakech, Morocco 

Accra To Freetown : Ghana, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone

Freetown To Dakar : Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Senegal (Casamance), Gambia, Senegal

Dakar To Marrakech : Senegal, Mauritania, Western Sahara, Morocco

Get in touch if you’re thinking about a West Africa Road Trip!!