WEST AFRICA
Côte d’Ivoire – Cocoa, Culture and Coastal Life
On the Gulf of Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire shines with golden beaches, bustling cities and a rich cultural heart. In Abidjan, glossy towers rise above lagoons, while the nearby UNESCO town of Grand-Bassam recalls colonial-era elegance in its faded mansions.
Inland, the sacred masks and dances of the Guro and Baoulé carry stories across generations, while the Basilica of Yamoussoukro rises unexpectedly from the savannah. In the west, Taï National Park shelters some of Africa’s last primary rainforests.
Togo – Small Country, Rich Spirit
Tucked between Ghana and Benin, Togo is a narrow country full of vivid contrasts. In Lomé, markets overflow with colour – fabrics, crafts, the sound of drums. Along the coast, palm-lined beaches invite unhurried days by the Atlantic.
In the hills of Kpalimé, waterfalls tumble through lush, butterfly-filled forests, while northern villages preserve ancient rituals. Though small, Togo brims with energy, tradition and charm.
Benin – Kingdoms, Spirits and Atlantic Shores
In Benin, history and tradition run deep. Along the coast, Ouidah tells haunting stories of the slave trade, while also serving as a centre of Vodun, where rituals and sacred forests keep ancient spirituality alive.
In Abomey, the palaces of the Dahomey kings reveal the legacy of one of West Africa’s great empires. To the north, Pendjari National Park stretches out, where elephants and lions roam freely beneath open skies. Benin is a land of memory and mystery.
Ghana – Gold, Rhythm and Coastal Memory
On West Africa’s Atlantic coast, Ghana welcomes with warmth and colour. In Cape Coast and Elmina, whitewashed forts stand as haunting reminders of a history of trade and resilience.
Accra hums with energy – markets, street food, the beat of highlife and Afrobeats. Inland, Kumasi celebrates royal Ashanti tradition, while Kakum National Park invites you to walk high above the rainforest canopy. Ghana is a land of heritage and heart.
Nigeria – Rhythms of a Giant
Africa’s most populous nation is a country full of energy, colour and contrast. In Lagos, music pulses through busy streets and beach clubs, while lively markets showcase the country’s creative spirit.
In the north, the ancient walls of Kano recall centuries of trade; in the south, the Cross River rainforest shelters gorillas and rare birds. From bustling cities to wild landscapes, Nigeria is bold and vibrant.
Senegal – Teranga, the Land of Hospitality
Senegal welcomes its guests with “Teranga” – hospitality considered a national virtue. In Dakar, pulsing sabar rhythms, a vibrant art scene and the quiet dignity of Île de Gorée, starting point of centuries of the slave trade, all meet.
In the Saloum Delta, boats glide through mangrove channels alive with birds, while the pink-hued Lac Rose offers one of West Africa’s most unusual photo subjects. Inland, the Casamance region preserves a greener, slower Senegal.
The Gambia – Africa’s Smallest Big Adventure
Following the river of the same name, The Gambia winds like a narrow green ribbon through West Africa – the continent’s smallest country, yet rich in experience. Boat trips along the Gambia River pass mangroves home to hippos and hundreds of bird species.
On the Atlantic coast, relaxed beaches invite you to linger, while Kunta Kinteh Island (UNESCO) recalls the turbulent history of the slave trade made famous by Alex Haley’s “Roots”. The Gambia is West Africa in miniature.
Guinea-Bissau – the Forgotten Bijagós Islands
Off the coast lies an archipelago few travellers know: the Bijagós Islands, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of over 80 islands where sea turtles nest. Traditional Bijagó communities still largely live by their own rules here, far from any tourist infrastructure.
On the mainland, Bissau tells a turbulent history through crumbling Portuguese colonial buildings. Guinea-Bissau isn’t a first taste of Africa – but an unforgettable destination for those seeking to go truly off the beaten path.
Guinea – West Africa’s Water Tower
Guinea is often called West Africa’s “water tower” – the great Niger, Senegal and Gambia rivers all rise in the misty forests of the Fouta Djallon highlands. Waterfalls tumble from green plateaus, terraced villages cling to steep slopes.
In the south, Mount Nimba National Park (UNESCO) shelters chimpanzees and one of West Africa’s most biodiverse rainforest regions. Guinea is source and summit in one – a green highland offering travellers genuine solitude.
Sierra Leone – Diamonds, Beaches and Rebirth
Sierra Leone has a turbulent history behind it – and today shows one of West Africa’s warmest welcomes. On the peninsula near Freetown, palm-lined beaches like River Number Two rival the Caribbean’s finest, yet remain nearly empty.
In Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary, rare pygmy hippos and eleven primate species live in dense rainforest. Sierra Leone is a country on the rise – raw beauty, genuine hospitality and beaches you won’t yet have to share with anyone.
Liberia – Rainforest and Return
Liberia, founded by freed slaves from America, carries a unique history. Sapo National Park protects one of West Africa’s last great stretches of primary rainforest – home to forest elephants, chimpanzees and the rare pygmy hippo.
On the Atlantic coast, surf beaches near Robertsport offer largely undiscovered waves, while Monrovia surprises with its blend of American-influenced history and West African energy. Liberia is a country of rediscovery.