West Africa Overland Tour: Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone & Liberia

Monday 15th February – Arrival in Dakar (Senegal)

• Arrive at Dakar International Airport at your convenience. The airport is well connected to major cities across Africa and Europe.
• If you’re arriving a few days early, we recommend visiting the Gorée Island (be aware that the museum is closed on Monday), the Musée des Civilisations Noires, or heading to Lake Retba, the “pink lake”.
•  Self-transfer to our hotel. Our pre-tour meeting will take place at 6:30pm at the hotel, where you’ll meet your local guide, YPT tour leader, and fellow travellers.
•  We’ll go out for dinner together at a local restaurant.
• If you’re up for it, you’re welcome to join us for a low-key introduction to Dakar’s live music and nightlife scene, known for its mix of mbalax, reggae, and Afrobeat.
• Overnight in Hotel Nina

Tuesday 16th February – Dakar (Senegal)

• After breakfast, we’ll begin exploring Dakar, a dynamic coastal capital famous for its colonial heritage and contemporary culture.
• Highlights of our city tour this morning include:
  – Independence Square, a symbolic heart of post-colonial Senegal.
  – A photo stop outside the Presidential Palace, guarded by ceremonial soldiers.
  – The Grande Mosquée de Dakar, one of West Africa’s largest mosques.
  – The Cathédrale Notre Dame des Victoires
  – The beautiful colonial-style Central Station, recently renovated
• We’ll also explore the Musée Théodore Monod, known for its exceptional collection of West African art and cultural artifacts, followed by a visit to the Village des Arts, a studio and gallery space supporting local artists.
• A visit of Dakar wouldn’t be complete without a stop at the African Renaissance Monument, a 52-metre (171 ft) tall bronze statue, the tallest in Africa, built by North Korea.

Afternoon

• After lunch in a local restaurant, we’ll head north by wooden boat to the Île de N’Gor, a peaceful offshore islet with quiet beaches and small eateries, perfect for swimming or simply relaxing. We’ll have dinner there before heading back to our hotel. Depending on the tide, you may have to wade through the water to get on the boat – we recommend wearing flipflops.
• • Dinner and overnight at Hotel Nina

Wednesday 17th February – Dakar – Banjul (Gambia)

• Early departure (7am) after breakfast for the journey south to Gambia.
• On the way, we’ll stop at Fathala Wildlife Reserve for the optional lion walk experience. NB: the lion walk is an optional 40 euros per person, to be paid directly to the reserve. You’ll need to sign a responsibility waiver to participate.
• We’ll have a quick lunch at the reserve before crossing the border.

Afternoon

• After crossing the border at Amdallai, we’ll visit the Buré Slave Port and taking a boat to Kunta Kinteh Island, a UNESCO site where we’ll learn about West Africa’s role in the transatlantic slave trade.
• We’ll then take the ferry from Barra to Banjul, arriving in time for hotel check-in and dinner.
• Overnight at Kairaba Beach Resort

Thursday 18th February – Banjul City Tour (Gambia)

• After breakfast, we’ll explore Gambia’s compact capital.
• Our first stop is the St. Joseph’s Skills Centre, a community initiative empowering young women with vocational training in tailoring, catering, and other trades. Next, we visit the Albert Market, where locals sell everything from fresh produce and textiles to handcrafted souvenirs. It’s a great place to observe daily life and practice your bargaining skills.
• We then drive to the sacred Crocodile Pond in Bakau, where locals believe the resident crocodiles possess spiritual powers linked to fertility. You’ll even have the chance to safely touch one under the guidance of a local caretaker.

Afternoon

• After lunch, we’ll continue our walking tour of Banjul’s old town, revealing colonial-era buildings coming from the city’s British colonial past and strategic importance as a trading post.
• We’ll stop at Arch 22, a striking 36-metre high monument built to commemorate the 1994 military coup that brought Yahya Jammeh to power. The arch offers panoramic views of the city from its upper deck.
• After dinner at a local restaurant, we will experience Gambian nightlife by attending a few musical performances.
• Overnight at Kairaba Beach Resort

Friday 19^th February – Banjul – Bissau (Guinea Bissau)

• After breakfast, we will depart early, as today we need to cross back into Senegal, before heading to the Guinea-Bissau border.
• We’ll drive to Ziguinchor, a few kilometres away from the border, where we’ll get our visas on arrival from the Guinea-Bissau consulate.

Afternoon

• After collecting our visas and having lunch, we’ll visit the city of Ziguinchor, stopping at the Alliance Française cultural center, the Saint-Maur market, the Artisanal Market, and the fishing port.
• Overnight in Hôtel Kadiandoumagne or Hotel Le Flamboyant

Saturday 20th February – Bissau (Guinea-Bissau)

• After breakfast, we’ll head to the border and start our drive to Bissau. The border crossing to Guinea-Bissau can take a couple of hours.
• The drive will be 6 or 7 hours in total, with several stops for refreshments, lunch, as well as photo opportunities.
• Upon arrival in Bissau, we will notice its unique charm, particularly its fleet of identical Mercedes taxis, all the same colour and model.
• We will head to the oldest part of the city, where our hotel and key administrative offices are located, and depending on our arrival time, we’ll either go for a walk in the area or straight to dinner.
• Overnight at Hotel Dunia

Sunday 21st February – Bissau (Guinea-Bissau)

• After breakfast, our city tour begins at 8am with a visit to the Port de Pêche, Bissau’s fishing port. This site is not only the heart of the local seafood trade, but also a unique cultural scene: women ensure that visitors find all their cooking necessities right there, displaying everything needed for meal preparation on their market tables.
• After visiting the port, we will explore the colonial quarter of the city (Bissau Velho, or Old Bissau), which was once the administrative centre during the colonial era.
• Key landmarks that we will see include the catholic cathedral, the former Presidential Palace, and the new Presidential Palace, the Assembleia Nacional (Parliament) and Ministério da Justiça. These landmarks reflect the country’s political history and post-independence architecture.

Afternoon

• After lunch, we’ll visit Fortaleza d’Amura, a 17th-century Portuguese fort that now houses military functions and mausoleums of national heroes like Amílcar Cabral.
• We’ll continue to the Arts and Souvenirs Market, ideal for those seeking authentic local crafts including wood carvings, textiles, and jewellery.
• We’ll also stroll through the general market, which offers a glimpse into daily life in Bissau,a colourful, sometimes chaotic, but engaging experience.
• Overnight at Hotel Dunia.

Monday 22nd February – Bijagos Islands

• In the morning, we’ll drive to the port and board a speedboat bound for Bolama, the former colonial capital of Portuguese Guinea, now slowly being reclaimed by time and vegetation.
• We’ll explore the remnants of Portuguese administration, including the decaying government buildings, abandoned cinema, police station, and former military barracks, each offering a glimpse into a once-ambitious colonial outpost.
• We’ll continue by boat through the Bijagós archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to Bubaque, the most populated island and the administrative centre of the region.
• On arrival, we’ll take local “toktoks” (kekeh) for a circuit of the island, which stretches roughly 20 km in length, passing through small settlements and coastal scenery.
• We’ll visit the island’s modest airstrip and the former barracks used by French colonial Senegalese troops, then pause at one of the beachfront lodges for a drink, with time to take in the slower pace of island life.
• We’ll return by boat to Bissau in the late afternoon.
• Overnight at Hotel Dunia.

Tuesday 23rd February – Bissau – Gabu (Guinea-Bissau)

• After breakfast, we’ll depart Bissau and travel inland to Gabu, once part of the ancient Kaabu Empire.
• En route, we’ll stop at Bafatá, the birthplace of revolutionary leader Amílcar Cabral. You will see where the Portuguese first docked in Bissau and the old town they created. With crumbling Portuguese architecture and a slow pace of life, it’s like stepping into the past during the conquest of the Portuguese settlers.

Afternoon

• We’ll continue to Tabatô, a village renowned for its musical heritage. Here, we’ll experience a traditional Malinké concert, which has deep roots in the ancient Mandé ways of life. At that time, men and women will make their way to the square to enjoy the festive moment.
• Arrival in Gabu in the evening, followed by check-in and dinner at the hotel.
• Overnight at Hotel Karsa

Wednesday 24th February – Gabu – Boké (Guinea-Conakry)

Important: This is expected to be the most demanding days of the expedition. There is no suitable accommodation between Gabu and Boké, and road conditions in this region are extremely poor. Breakdowns, delays at checkpoints and unofficial payments are to be expected. Arrival should be expected late in the evening, and very late arrivals are possible.

• Early morning departure (7am) as we make our way to Guinea-Conakry, our fourth country on this journey. We’ll cross the border aboard a hand-operated ferry.
• While our passports and visas are being processed, we’ll have a picnic lunch by the border post.

Afternoon

• After a 300-km drive (7-10 hours), we’ll arrive in the late evening in Boké, once a centre of French colonial commerce and now a mining town.
• Overnight at Hotel Sapin

Thursday 25^th February – Boké – Conakry (Guinea-Conakry)

• After breakfast, we’ll travel through the Boffa region, historically significant for its role in the transatlantic slave trade.
• In Boffa, we’ll visit the old port and church, both relics of French colonialism and important markers of Guinea’s coastal heritage.

Afternoon

• We’ll stop at the Soumba Waterfalls, a scenic spot popular with locals. It’s a refreshing natural site ideal for a brief rest and photos.
• Upon arrival in Conakry, we’ll check into our hotel and, time permitting, visit the Grande Mosquée and souvenir market, a good opportunity to shop for locally made items.
• Dinner at a nearby restaurant.
• Overnight at Hotel Onomo.

Friday 26^th February – Conakry – Los Islands (Guinea Conakry)

Conakry is a complex capital where infrastructure limitations, heavy traffic and administrative decisions can affect site access at short notice. Museums, official buildings, ports and islands may close without warning, and authorisations are confirmed only shortly before visits. This means that the Conakry programme is indicative. We will aim to cover the key historical and political landmarks outlined; however, the order, timing and selection of visits may change depending on access conditions at the time.

• After breakfast, we’ll begin our Conakry city tour. We’ll start with a drive past the Palais des Nations, a prominent government complex and official presidential residence, symbolising Guinea’s post-independence sovereignty and Pan-African ideals.
• Next, we’ll see the Grand Mosque of Conakry, one of West Africa’s largest mosques, built with Saudi funding in the 1980s. Its vast prayer halls and an adjoining mausoleum, where President Sékou Touré is buried, reflect Guinea’s Islamic heritage and revolutionary history.
• We’ll walk through the Marché Madina, one of the largest markets in West Africa, and depending on time, we may also visit the Sandervalia National Museum, home to a modest but intriguing collection of traditional masks, musical instruments, and colonial artefacts.

Afternoon

• After lunch, we’ll head to the port and board a small motorboat for a short cruise to the Îles de Los, an archipelago rich in both natural beauty and history. These islands, once used by European powers as a slave trading station, now offer a peaceful retreat with palm-fringed beaches, tropical vegetation, and laid-back fishing villages.
• We’ll spend the afternoon on one of the main islands, such as Kassa or Room, where you can swim in warm Atlantic waters, snorkel over volcanic rock reefs, hike through forested paths, or simply relax beneath the palms with a cool drink in hand.
• Dinner and overnight at Hotel Onomo.

Saturday 27th February – Conakry – Conakry – Freetown (Sierra Leone)

• After breakfast, we’ll set off on the long drive from Conakry to Freetown, crossing the border into Sierra Leone. The journey takes approximately 7 hours by road, depending on road conditions and border crossing procedures.

Afternoon

• Upon arrival in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, we’ll check into our hotel and then take a leisurely walk along Lumley Beach, the city’s coastal strip. This area is popular with locals and visitors alike for its relaxed atmosphere, beachfront bars, and freshly prepared seafood served in open-air restaurants.
• Overnight at Sierra Palm Hotel.

Sunday 28th February – Freetown (Sierra Leone)

• After breakfast, we’ll travel by boat to Bunce Island, located in the Sierra Leone River. Once a key British slave trading post, the island holds the haunting ruins of a fort where enslaved Africans were detained before being shipped to the Americas. A local guide will walk us through the site’s sombre history and its transatlantic connections.
• Back in town, we’ll explore Freetown with a visit to the Cotton Tree, a centuries-old kapok tree that has become a national symbol. According to tradition, freed African-American slaves gathered here upon arriving in the city in the late 18th century. While the tree collapsed during a storm in 2022, it remains a symbolic site in Freetown.
• We’ll then have lunch at the traditional WayLi restaurant.

Afternoon

• We’ll then visit the National Museum, which houses a collection of traditional artefacts, photographs, and exhibits that provide an overview of Sierra Leone’s complex and compelling history.
• Next, we’ll see St. George’s Cathedral, built in 1828 and one of the oldest Anglican churches in West Africa. Nearby, we’ll view Fort Thornton, the site of the current State House, and stop at the Maroon Church, founded by the Jamaican Maroons who were resettled here in the early 1800s.
• After our visit, we’ll head to River No. 2 Beach for a refreshing swim. With its white sands, palm trees and clear waters, the beach is considered among the finest in the country, and was once used as the backdrop for a Bounty chocolate advert.
• Return to Freetown for dinner.
• Overnight at Sierra Palm Hotel.

Monday 1st March – Freetown – Bo (Sierra Leone)

• After breakfast, we’ll drive to the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, located in the Western Area Forest Reserve. Established to protect and rehabilitate orphaned chimpanzees, the sanctuary also plays an important role in forest conservation and community education.
• We’ll then continue our journey inland to the city of Bo, Sierra Leone’s second largest urban centre, stopping en route for lunch. The drive will take around five hours.

Afternoon

• After lunch, upon arrival in Bo, we’ll take a brief tour to see the city’s key landmarks, including the Bo Market, the iconic Clock Tower, and the central mosque.
• Overnight at Dohas Hotel.

Tuesday 2nd March – Bo – Monrovia (Liberia)

• Today’s journey will take us across the border from Bo to Monrovia, the capital of Liberia. The drive will take approximately five hours, with several meaningful stops along the way.
• En route, we’ll visit a small mining village to witness artisanal diamond mining. This stop provides insight into both the economic importance and environmental impact of diamond extraction in the region.
• After border formalities, we’ll continue our drive and stop in Tiwai village, where we will witness a traditional cultural mask dance, an important expression of local identity and community storytelling.
• Overnight at Embassy Suites Hotel in Monrovia.

Wednesday 3^rd March – Monrovia (Liberia)

• After breakfast, we begin our exploration of Monrovia with a visit to the abandoned Ducor Palace Hotel. Perched on a hilltop with sweeping views of the city and ocean, this former luxury hotel reflects the grandeur and subsequent decline of Liberia’s pre-war era.
• Nearby is the monument to Liberia’s first president, Joseph Jenkins Roberts, followed by a visit to the lighthouse, an important colonial landmark overlooking the Atlantic.
• We’ll continue to the National Museum, which houses exhibits on Liberia’s founding, indigenous cultures, and civil conflict. Then we’ll visit the Centennial Pavilion, used for state ceremonies, and the First Baptist Church, where Liberia’s Declaration of Independence was signed in 1847.

Afternoon

• After lunch, we’ll explore Providence Island, where formerly enslaved African Americans first landed in the early 19th century, laying the foundations of what would become Liberia.
• We’ll also explore the ruins of Hotel Africa. Once a grand five-star hotel built to host the 1979 Organisation of African Unity summit, it was later damaged during Liberia’s civil war and now stands as a reminder of the country’s turbulent history.
•  We’ll then take a drive through Waterside Market, one of Monrovia’s oldest commercial areas, followed by a drive past West Point, the country’s largest informal settlement with an estimated population of over 80,000.
• We return to the hotel for a relaxed evening and our farewell dinner
• Overnight at Embassy Suites Hotel in Monrovia.

Thursday 4th March – Monrovia (Liberia)

• After breakfast, tour concludes with airport transfers.