Best for explorers looking for vibrant landscapes and richly unique cultures.
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West Africa has long been overlooked when travellers talk about heading to Africa. But, the breadth of experience it offers is incredible and worth the look. The countries of West Africa each have rich cultures on display to fascinate visitors. You can find untouched landscapes little visited by tourists, full of wonderful cultures intertwined with the heart of the region. This includes ancient kingdoms, post-slavery creations and the ancient practise of voodoo.
A combination of these three culturally rich countries reveals a world of kingdoms, festivals and ceremonies, ruled by traditional chiefs and ancient spirits. In the heart of the regions where voodoo originated you can encounter practitioners, witness trance-dances and learn about the influence of this culture on modern life. You can discover all ranges of life here, from the forest to the savanna.
Intense and adventurous, this region offers remote villages and miles of untouched forests spilling onto sandy beaches. You can learn about Liberia, or the “Land of Free Men”, the modern country founded by slaves returning from the Americas. Combine this with the large waterfalls and remote cultures of Guinea and you have an amazing combination.
A part of Africa that offers an incredible variety of natural and human environments. From the Bijagos Archipelago to the streets of Dakar, from the savanna to the mangrove swamps, this area has something to offer any visitor. Birders will love the importance of the region to migratory birds and artists for the captivating landscapes of Sine Saloum.
A combination of these three culturally rich countries reveals a world of kingdoms, festivals and ceremonies, ruled by traditional chiefs and ancient spirits. In the heart of the regions where voodoo originated you can encounter practitioners, witness trance-dances and learn about the influence of this culture on modern life. You can discover all ranges of life here, from the forest to the savanna.
Intense and adventurous, this region offers remote villages and miles of untouched forests spilling onto sandy beaches. You can learn about Liberia, or the “Land of Free Men”, the modern country founded by slaves returning from the Americas. Combine this with the large waterfalls and remote cultures of Guinea and you have an amazing combination.
A part of Africa that offers an incredible variety of natural and human environments. From the Bijagos Archipelago to the streets of Dakar, from the savanna to the mangrove swamps, this area has something to offer any visitor. Birders will love the importance of the region to migratory birds and artists for the captivating landscapes of Sine Saloum.
Different to the Carnival you may picture elsewhere, this festival is a wonderful mix of African and Portuguese tradition. It features sacred traditional masks, warriors in crocodile skin and arrows, hours of lively parades and the indisputable soul of Africa.
This remarkable event is a rare glimpse into one of the last great African kingdoms upholding its ancient rituals. The King is visited by storytellers, recounting the deeds of past monarchs, whilst musicians and sword bearers fill the palace grounds.
At The Explorer Society, we are always discovering new pockets of wonder on our own adventures and through chats with our local logistics team. Get in touch with us to find out what hidden gems you might discover on your trip.
At The Explorer Society we firmly believe that there is no right or wrong time to go anywhere.
Instead, we think that each time of the year offers different experiences that better suit different travellers.
After all, high and low season often refers to the amount of travellers present, not whether something is ‘good’ or ‘bad’.
Situated close to the equator, West Africa countries typically experience little variation in temperature throughout the year. The seasons are typically wet, dry or windy.
If you are looking to explore West Africa, then you’ll need a minimum of a 10 days to offer an insight to what this incredible region has to offer. Although, with more time on the ground allows journeys combining more than just one or two countries. And, if you’re really after a once-in-a-lifetime experience then you can experience expeditions up to 55 days in length that cross the Sahara from north to south, exploring savannah, forests, coasts and islands in the Gulf of Guinea.
The team at The Explorer Society believe that slowing down to appreciate the destination is best, provided you aren’t sacrificing the trip quality to prolong its length.
Everyone is different, so please note that these guidelines are general in nature.
Ultimately it will depend on your own expedition’s requirements.
Planning travel should be exciting, but it can be exhausting. There is so much information and so little clarity, you often end up more confused than when you began.
Sometimes it’s simple and easy to figure out. Sometimes it means asking you more questions and diving deep into your motivations.
We’ll walk you through the whole planning and booking process. We want to make sure you are travelling on the trip that best suits you, not anyone else.
We will be there from the first moment you get in touch until after you come back home with countless memories to share.
