• • Explore cosmopolitan Dakar with its excellent arts and crafts scene, live music, museums, galleries and mosques, or take a trip to the island of Ile de Gorée
  • Absorb yourself in the old colonial port city of Bissau and experience the arts and crafts scene
  • Camp on the banks of the River Gambia, take a boat trip to spot Chimpanzees and Hippos, and watch a Gambian Griot give a Kora performance (subject to availability).
  • Overnight at the beautiful Saltinho falls in Guinea Bissau
  • Soak up the nightlife, music and unique atmosphere of Freetown, the buzzing capital of ‘Sweet Salone’

On the second afternoon we will drive the short journey to Somone and the sleeping Camel hostel, a place that’s set to become an overlanding favourite. From here we’ll be able to visit Bandia wildlife reserve where you’ll have the chance to see a wide variety of African animals, many of them roaming freely in a large savanna-like habitat. These include giraffes, white rhinoceroses, warthogs, buffalo, gazelle and antelope.

Continuing southeast, we’ll cross the border near Farafenni and over the River Gambia via the new bridge, then head east to Georgetown, one of the oldest towns in The Gambia. We’ll spend two nights at a peaceful riverside camp, with time to unwind and the option to take boat trips in search of wildlife such as hippos and chimpanzees. Baboon Island is home to an extraordinary variety of birdlife, impressive enough to captivate even those who aren’t bird enthusiasts. If boat trips aren’t your thing, you can explore the historic town, soak in the atmosphere beneath the Freedom Tree, or visit the remarkable megalithic Wassu stone circles. On one of our evenings here we hope to experience a traditional drumming and dance show put on for us by our hosts.

From Georgetown we’ll drive west, following the river Gambia and stop for a night at Bintang Bolong Lodge on the Bintang Bolon river, where there’ll be options for more boat trips and wildlife watching. We’re also hoping to enjoy a live kora performance during our stay, a magical experience featuring the 21-string West African harp, played by an internationally acclaimed kora master.

The next day, we’ll head to Banjul, the capital of The Gambia. Immerse yourself in the city’s vibrant culture with a visit to the lively Albert Market, where colours, spices, and local life come together in a sensory feast. Don’t miss the Kachikally Crocodile Pool in nearby Bakau, a sacred site where you can get remarkably close to the resident crocodiles and discover its spiritual significance in Gambian tradition. Be sure to savour the extraordinary fresh seafood for which the region is famous and take some time to relax on the beautiful beaches that line the coast.

The morning we leave Banjul we’ll head for the border with southern Senegal and cross into the Casamance region.

In northern Casamance we’ll spend a couple of nights in a small village known for its music and drumming. We hope to see a traditional Koumpo dance and also a Djembe troupe performance. Drumming lessons should be available for those that want to learn from the experts. We will visit a nearby coastal town, famous for its enormous fish market and smoke houses, which makes for an incredible sight!

We will obtain visas for later on in the trip in the laid-back regional capital of Ziguinchor, before we stock up with supplies and head to Elinkine and the Cap Skirring area.

During our time here there will be a number of different options to explore, including:

• Pirogue rides along the river looking for the rich variety of birdlife
• Boat ride to l’ile de Carabane
• Walks to surrounding villages to see the fish smoking houses
• Visit markets where artisans are selling their arts and crafts
• Take a fishing trip – and maybe bring back some fish for dinner!

Or you can simply relax on the beach, watch the fishermen bringing in their catch and mending their nets, wander into nearby villages to observe artisans at work, or maybe call in at the bar for a glass of the local brew!

We’ll spend just a few days traversing the country stopping off in the capital Bissau where you’ll have a chance to explore. Bissau Velho, the old Portuguese colonial centre of Bissau, is noted for its pastel-coloured buildings and backstreet cafes. The fishing port at dawn is an incredible sight as the boats launch into the Atlantic and return with their catch at sunset, a must see! You can take the opportunity to enjoy some of the luxuries on offer before the journey ahead, and haggle for some of the wooden products on offer in the artisan’s market.

Leaving Bissau we’ll drive east towards the Guinean border, spending the night at Saltinho Waterfalls en route. Here we will stay at a campement with stunning views over the falls close by. If the water levels are high the falls make for a spectacular sight, there will be opportunities to swim and cool off in the pools that hug the banks.

For the next two nights, we’ll be relying on our truck and bush camping as we make our way towards Labé.

Once we cross the border into Guinea, the road deteriorates, the first 50 km is a rollercoaster ride before we’re rewarded with fresh tarmac. Our route winds through the Guinean highlands between Koundara and Labé, bringing us into the Fouta Djallon region, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful areas in all of West Africa. The scenery is breathtaking and you’ll get to see it all from the window of Aminah.

Week 4: Fouta Djalon & Sierra Leone

Almost all of our time in Guinea (on this particular trip) is focussed upon an area known as the Fouta Djalon. Here we’ll spend around a week traversing this stunning region in the highlands, considered the traditional lands of the Fula people. The highland climate here is cooler than the rest of the country, making it ideal for walking and hiking.

Click Here to Read More About Week 4

Basing ourselves between a number of different towns over the course of the week, we’ll have plenty of time to take in the wonders this beautiful region is famous for. Highlights include:

• Great trekking with stunning scenery: canyons, escarpments, waterfalls and mountains
• Cool off under pristine waterfalls and swim in beautiful lakes
• Visit villages and markets to watch local people ply their trades and see the Fula people in traditional dress
• 3 nights in a Fula village in the surrounding mountains, a perfect base for some awesome trekking or a relaxing time exploring the village!

With so many different options available over the week, we’ll leave it up to you to decide what you want to do. Paying entrances to waterfalls, any necessary guides, or getting a taxi to local areas of interest will be at your own expense. The exception is during our 3 night stay in a traditional Fula village, where the English-speaking guide who we stay with will take us on a variety of optional treks, while his wife cooks us great local food. This is included in the kitty price.

All trekking options are relatively easy, varying from one or two hours up to a full day, so there should be something for everybody.

From the Fouta Djalon we’ll start our descent from the highlands towards Mamou, and turn southwest towards the Sierra Leone border via Kindia and Coyah, where we’ll stay in a pretty campsite by the river.

Saying au revoir to French speaking Guinea and hello to English speaking Sierra Leone (or kusheh-o in Krio), expect a long day of travelling as we head towards Freetown.

If you’re leaving the trip here you should spend some time to look around and soak up the atmosphere in Sierra Leone’s dazzling capital city. You could take a speedboat to Banana Island with its breathtaking views of the coastline, visit the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Charlotte Falls, or simply beach hop along the peninsula. When the sun goes down Freetowners like to party – so if that’s your thing you’ll find plenty of street parades, beach bars and nightclubs to dance in until dawn.