West Africa Overland, March 14-27, 2027
Fourteen days, four countries, and a stretch of West Africa most travelers never get close to. From the beaches and rainforests of Sierra Leone, across the Liberian bush, deep into Ivorian cocoa country, and out to the slave-trade castles of Ghana's coast — this is the part of the world that asks for patience and rewards it tenfold. Welcome to our long requested West Africa Overland Adventure!
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What will you experience?
1: Sierra Leone — Beaches, Bunce Island, and the Rainforest of Tiwai
You'll land in Freetown and barely have time to set your bags down before the first boat leaves — out to Bunce Island, one of the most significant and least-visited slave trade sites on the continent, sitting quiet and overgrown in the river. From there, the coastline takes over: a ferry to explore the capital's museum, then on to the white sand and palm-lined stretch of Tokeh Beach, the kind of beach that makes you wonder why you've never heard of it before.
The pace shifts inland from here. A long drive — cars to Bo, Bo to Kambama, then a boat for the final stretch — gets you to Tiwai Island, a community-run rainforest reserve in the middle of a river, home to some of the highest primate diversity anywhere in Africa. Wake up to a naturalist-led walk through the forest before crossing into the next country, and you'll understand why this island is protected the way it is.
2: Liberia — Crossing the Bay to Robertsport, and the Ruins of Monrovia
The border crossing into Liberia is part of the adventure itself — moto taxis to the water's edge, canoes across the bay, and a landing in Robertsport, a laid-back surf town that feels worlds away from anywhere you've been. If there's time, the walk to the shipwreck along the beach is one of the most photographed (and least crowded) spots on this entire route.
From there, the road leads to Monrovia, where the bullet-scarred shell of the Ducor Hotel still stands above the city — once Liberia's grandest address, now a monument to everything the country has survived. You'll also get the chance to see, on the ground, the work local organizations are doing to support their own communities, before heading to the Liberian National Museum and Libassa Wildlife Sanctuary, where rescued chimpanzees and pygmy hippos have found a second chance.
3: Ivory Coast — Cocoa Farms, a Basilica in the Middle of Nowhere, and Abidjan's Energy
Crossing into Ivory Coast is a long day on the road, and the guides will tell you that upfront — this isn't a country you breeze through, it's one you earn. The reward is Man: waterfalls, a hike, and a working cocoa farm where you'll see, hands-on, exactly where chocolate actually comes from.
The drive continues to Yamoussoukro, home to the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace — improbably, the largest church in the world, rising out of a relatively small city like something out of a dream. From there it's on to Plateau, the beating heart of Abidjan, with a free day to choose your own adventure: Assinie Beach, abandoned colonial-era houses, or the city's art galleries, before this stretch of the journey wraps up.
4: Ghana — Castles, Canopy Walks, and a Farewell in Accra
Ghana closes the trip out in style. The Gold Coast's history is impossible to look away from here — Elmina Castle and Cape Coast Castle, two of the most important and sobering sites tied to the transatlantic slave trade, sit right on the water, and walking through them changes how you see the rest of the coastline. Kakum National Park balances the weight of that history with one of West Africa's best canopy walks, swaying above the rainforest canopy.
The final stretch brings you to Accra: the Pan African Culture Museum, Ghana's famously imaginative fantasy coffins (yes — coffins shaped like everything from airplanes to cocoa pods), and a farewell celebration to close out two weeks that very few travelers will ever experience the way you just did.
✈️ What flights should I look for?
Arrival into Freetown Airport, Sierra Leone (FNA) on Sunday March 14th, before 11:00am, with direct flights from from Casablanca on Royal Air Maroc on Sundays, and direct flights from Brussels Sunday through Friday on Brussels Airlines, as well as London Gatwick every Sunday and Thursday with Euroairlines. If you arrive early, we are more than happy to help arrange accommodation and early airport pickup.
Departure out of Accra airport, Ghana (ACC) on Saturday March 27th, anytime.
! END EXTENSION OPTION: We can arrange an adventure to Togo and Benin for a different side of West Africa: the heart of Voudoun.
Airport pickup and drop off is included 24h on the days of the adventure. If flight schedules should not align and you want us to arrange an extra hotel night, I'm happy to help!
What will I get?
| What's included | and what's not? |
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✔️ Airport pickup and drop-off on the days of the adventure |
International flights
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| ✔️ Experienced, knowledgeable and fun local guides |
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✔️ All transportation on ground as per the plan |
Personal expenses (souvenirs, tips) |
| ✔️ Flight from São Tomé to Gabon as per the plan |
Visa cost (we will assist with the process) |
| ✔️ All breakfasts | Most meals (these will be between US$5-20 per meal, but gives us more flexibility to choose where and what you want to indulge in that day) |
| ✔️ Permits |
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| ✔️ All accommodation on a shared basis (we believe this is an essential part for people to connect throughout the trip) | |
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Why this trip? I don't need to tell you what my travels are about - if you're here, you probably know, and you also know that it will attract exactly the kind of people that are interested in the same things: human connections, adventure, and a love for authentic travel.
Any questions?
Reach out to me any time, either through Instagram, or e-mail at hello@destinationchaser.com!
Andi