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 note from your leader with more details about this important meeting. Your leader will collect your kitty and check your passport, visas, and insurance details at this meeting.
The afternoon will be free to explore Freetown and it's surroundings.
Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Freetown before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Freetown.
In Freetown we will stay in a comfortable hotel with good facilities.
The fastest and most reliable way to Freetown from the airport is by water-taxi, as Lungi is across a bay from the city. The departure times for the water-taxis are linked to each flight in and out of the airport, so there will be transport available for you when you land. Exit the airport and walk to the right, and you'll see the water-taxi office at the end - you'll have to buy your ticket there for USD40 or EUR35, and check in your large bags. You'll take a minibus for 15 minutes, then the water-taxi for 30 minutes. The boat lands at the jetty, where you hand in your luggage ticket to get your large bags back.
The jetty is in the Aberdeen district of Freetown, only a 200m walk from our hotel. Just walk up the hill to the main road - the Raza Guesthouse is slightly further down and on the other side of the road.
Activities(Optional)
See the Freetown Cotton Tree, the city's most famous landmark and home to hundreds of bats that fly out at dusk
- Cost: USD
See the King's Yard Gate, where the ancestors of all modern Creole people will have passed through on their way to a free life after their rescue from illegal slaving ships
- Cost: USD
Learn about Sierra Leone's traditional history and cultures at the National Museum
- Cost: USD
Visit the Sierra Leone National Railway Museum, a remarkable collection of old trains that was hidden from destruction for 30 years
- Cost: USD 5
Take a boat to the overgrown ruins of the old slaving fort of Bunce Island, from where the ancestors of most modern African-Americans were shipped to the New World
- Cost: USD 150
Today we leave Freetown for the stunning beaches of Freetown Peninsular, where we will spend 3 nights.
There are a few different options for which beaches we could choose to visit, our favourites being Bureh Beach at the south of the peninsular and River Number 2 Beach in the western part.
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, comfort breaks, shopping stops, toilet stops, etc. The times given are approximate estimates only and whilst given with the best of intentions, the drive times are heavily dependent on traffic, road conditions, weather, police roadblocks, and many other factors - flexibility is essential on any overland trip!).
We will have 2 full days for optional activities on the wonderful beaches - we could go fishing, take a boat to explore the Banana Islands, get to know the local communities, and of course relax on the beautiful beaches!
On Freetown Peninsular we will camp on the beach, with some options to upgrade to basic guesthouses.
Activities(Optional)
Visit the orphan chimpanzees at Tacaguma Chimpanzee Sanctuary outside of Freetown, a wonderful organisation that rehabilitates rescued chimpanzees for their return to the wild
- Cost: USD 15
Relax on some of the best beaches in the world dotted along the Freetown Peninsula
- Cost: USD
Take a boat trip to explore the beautiful and overgrown Banana Islands off the coast of the Freetown Peninsula
- Cost: USD 25
Head out with the locals in their traditional wooden boats to try your hand at fishing
- Cost: USD 10
Hire surfboards to take out onto the waves of Bureh Beach, one of West Africa's best surfing spots
- Cost: USD 10
Head out on a diving trip around the reefs and shipwrecks off the Banana Islands
- Cost: USD 180
Snorkel through the idyllic waters off the Banana Islands near Freetown Peninsula
- Cost: USD 120
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.
Estimated Drive Time - 9-10 hours.
On the following day, we will enjoy various nature walks through the web of trails that weave through the Tiwai forest. We'll be in search of the rare and colourful primates that inhabit the sanctuary, and if we're very lucky we may spot a very rare pygmy hippo!
In Tiwai we will stay for 2 nights sleeping in tents perched on covered platforms.
Activities(Included)
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
Activities(Optional)
Take an optional canoe or motor boat tour through the Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary (if available)
- Cost: USD 10
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 - shirts or gowns made of strips of cloth, typically dyed a rusty reddish-brown using local pigments.
We aim to wild camp near the town of Makeni en route, or we may stay in a local guesthouse depending on the size and wishes of the group. In Kabala we will stay in a basic local guesthouse.
Estimated Drive Times - 6-8 hours each day.
Activities(Optional)
Freely explore the markets of Kabala or walk to the top of the nearby Gbawuria Hill
- Cost: USD
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 visited by tourists and wild camping for a night en route. We will arrive at the small Guinean town of Faranah on the second day.
The road conditions in this area can be pretty tough going and unpredictable, and progress can be greatly affected by the weather conditions, so flexibility is very important over these days.
We will wild camp en route for the first night, and stay in a local guesthouse in Faranah on the second night.
Estimated Drive Times - 5-8 hours each day.
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 - 7-9 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.
Estimated Drive Time - 8-10 hours.
On the following day, we will have free time to explore the town, the nearby villages and the surrounding forests.
In Nzerekoré we will stay in a small locally-run guesthouse.
Activities(Included)
Trek to the Pont de Liana, one of the phenomenal old vine bridges in the forested region of Guinea
Activities(Optional)
Freely explore the forested region of Guinea and the market town of Nzerekoré on foot
- Cost: USD
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 very poor quality dirt roads, so a great deal of flexibility is needed as our progress will largely be determined by the state of the roads.
Both nights will be spent wild camping en route.
Estimated Drive Times - 7-9 hours each day.
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.
Estimated Drive Time - 7-8 hours.
On the following day, we will head out on an included tour around many of the handicraft workshops in the area, visiting painters, bead makers, wood carvers and cloth weavers. We will also have time to freely explore the town and its surroundings.
In Korhogo we will stay in a small local hotel.
Activities(Optional)
See a performance of drumming and acrobatic dancing in the villages near Korhogo
- Cost: USD 5
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 colossal and breathtaking Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, the largest Christian church in the world.
In the afternoon will have an included visit to the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, and then have free time to further explore the small city.
Estimated Drive Time - 6-7 hours.
In Yamoussoukro we will stay in a local hotel.
Activities(Included)
Visit the opulent Basilique de Notre Dame de la Paix, the largest Christian place of worship in the world
Today we will drive to the Atlantic coast, arriving at the old French colonial capital of Grand Bassam situated east of Abidjan.
Estimated Drive Time - 7-8 hours.
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.
Activities(Optional)
Discover the stunning beaches and old colonial buildings of Grand Bassam, the original French capital of Côte d'Ivoire
- Cost: USD
Visit the National Museum of Costume, which showcases the cultural dresses of the different tribes of Côte d’Ivoire
- Cost: XOF 2000
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.
Estimated Drive Time - 7-8 hours.
On the following day, we will get involved with community projects currently being run in the Elmina area by the SABRE Charitable Trust. The Trust does very valuable work in developing educational projects across Ghana, with a focus on providing early-years education - we have been visiting their projects and providing a day of help and a donation for many years, allowing us to give a little back and to experience a wonderful bit of community interaction. The exact experience will depend on what the Trust has a need for at the time, but we could be asked to help to paint a classroom, do a bit of gardening in one of the schools, or simply come and play some games with the children!
We will also have time for an optional visit to Elmina Castle and to relax on the beautiful beaches on Ghana's Atlantic Coast.
In Elmina we will camp at a stunning beach resort.
Activities(Optional)
Visit and explore the historic Elmina Castle
- Cost: GHC 20
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 evening walk through the forests in search of wildlife, bugs and snakes! We may also have the chance to visit a small animal sancutary or stingless bee centre en route.
In Kakum National Park we will camp in the grounds of the Park HQ.
Estimated Drive Time - 2-4 hours.
Activities(Included)
Explore the incredible rainforest canopy from the unique suspended bridges in Kakum National Park
Visit the amazing work of Global Mamas. They teach local ladies new skills, help them to set up businesses and teach them how to reinvest and develop the business. Take an educational tour and also visit a local batik business producing the patterns.
Activities(Optional)
Visit to the stunning jungles of Kakum National Park and walk through the rainforests at night
- Cost: USD
Learn all about the area's stingless bees and their importance to the local ecology at the International Stingless Bee Centre near Kakum National Park (if time allows)
- Cost: GHC 10
Visit the Monkey Forest Resort Animal Sanctuary near Kakum NP, a sanctuary for animals rescued from poachers (if time allows)
- Cost: GHC 15
Learn all about the appalling history of the Atlantic slave trade with a tour of the historic Cape Coast Castle
- Cost: USD
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 that time of the morning we will have the place to ourselves!
We will then journey north through Ghana's interior to the historic town of Kumasi.
Estimated Drive Time - 5-6 hours.
On the following day, we will have lots of time for free exploration of the fascinating town and its museums. Kumasi is the home of West Africa's largest market and was the centre of the Ashanti Kingdom.
In Kumasi we will stay in a local guesthouse.
Activities(Optional)
Visit to Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti kingdom and culture
- Cost: GHC 10
Freely explore the bustling and colossal centre of Kejetia, the largest market in West Africa
- Cost: USD
Visit the National Cultural Centre and the Prempeh II Jubilee Museum to learn all about the history and culture of the Ashanti civilisation, of which Kumasi is still the capital
- Cost: GHC 5
Find out all about the British-Ashanti Wars of the 19th century on a guided tour of the Ghana Armed Forces Museum in Kumasi
- Cost: GHC 8
Escape the city and explore the shore of Lake Bosumtwe, a circular lake formed by a meteorite crash 100 million years ago
- Cost: GHC 30
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.
Estimated Drive Time - 6-7 hours.
Activities(Optional)
Explore the fascinating and chaotic Ghanaian capital city of Accra
- Cost: GHC 5
Learn all about the history and culture of Ghana in the National Museum
- Cost: GHC 40
Visit the famous Labadi Beach situated on the outskirts of Accra
- Cost: GHC 5
Freely explore the huge Independence Square and Black Star Arch in Accra, where independence was celebrated in 1957
- Cost: USD
Freely explore the area of Jamestown, Accra's oldest district and a vibrant fishing area
- Cost: GHC
Visit the outside of the famous Osu Castle, the seat of power in Ghana since the 1600s
- Cost: GHC
Border information: If you are leaving at 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 tonight - please contact the Sales Team if you are interested in booking extra nights of accommodation in order to fully explore and take part in some of the optional activities listed below.
Activities(Optional)
Explore the fascinating and chaotic Ghanaian capital city of Accra
- Cost: GHC 5
Learn all about the history and culture of Ghana in the National Museum
- Cost: GHC 40
Visit the famous Labadi Beach situated on the outskirts of Accra
- Cost: GHC 5
Freely explore the huge Independence Square and Black Star Arch in Accra, where independence was celebrated in 1957
- Cost: USD
Freely explore the area of Jamestown, Accra's oldest district and a vibrant fishing area
- Cost: GHC
Visit the outside of the famous Osu Castle, the seat of power in Ghana since the 1600s
- Cost: GHC
