Overlanding between Dakar to Accra (including Togo and Benin)

Visiting: Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Senegal, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Togo

Overlanding between Dakar to Accra (including Togo and Benin)

This epic and challenging trip takes you right the way through some truly off the beaten track destinations. As well as including the highlights of Senegal and Gambia you also delve into the lesser visited countries of Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Cote d'Ivoire. Unlike their more visited neighbours these countries are 'hidden gems' and are still unspoilt by tourism; they boast a huge arts and craft scene, are packed with colourful and vibrant markets and provide the adventurer with a rare opportunity to experience a more traditional way of life. In Ghana you take in the beaches of the Atlantic coast and the stunning Kakum National Park before heading through the Voodoo lands of Togo and Benin before finishing our epic journey in the hustle and bustle of Ghana's capital city Accra.

 

Border information: If you are starting in Accra, then you will enter Ghana at Accra Airport.

Today is an arrival day with a pre departure meeting at 10:00hrs. There are no activities planned so you can arrive at any time. Your leader will leave a note in reception telling you where this important meeting will take place. Your leader will collect your kitty and check your passport and insurance details at this meeting.

The afternoon will be free to explore the city of Accra.

Tonight we stay in a comfortable hotel with good facilities 

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Leaving Accra after breakfast we head north to Akosombo by Lake Volta where we stay in a campsite.

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Border information: Enter Togo at Klouto.

Today is a full days drive bringing us to the spectacular Mt Klouto, crossing the border into Togo.

We stay here for 2 nights camping but there is also the option to stay in dorm accommodation.

During our stay we enjoy an evening of drumming and voodoo!

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Border information: Enter Togo at Klouto.

Today is a full days drive bringing us to the spectacular Mt Klouto, crossing the border into Togo.

We stay here for 2 nights camping but there is also the option to stay in dorm accommodation.

During our stay we enjoy an evening of drumming and voodoo!

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We have a full days journey today as we head further north through Togo to the border with Benin. We will aim to wild camp this evening.Due to the nature of this itinerary there has been a "flexible day" added here to be used at the discretion of the leader.

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We have a full days journey today as we head further north through Togo to the border with Benin. We will aim to wild camp this evening.Due to the nature of this itinerary there has been a "flexible day" added here to be used at the discretion of the leader.

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Border information: Enter Benin at Natchamba

Our journey brings us to Tata Somba region close to the town of Tanguieta where we will stay for 2 nights in an eco lodge.

During our stay we will tour the fascinating local two storey mud Somba houses.

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Border information: Enter Benin at Natchamba

Our journey brings us to Tata Somba region close to the town of Tanguieta where we will stay for 2 nights in an eco lodge.

During our stay we will tour the fascinating local two storey mud Somba houses.

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From the Tata Somba region we have a short journey north to the stunning Pendjari National Park.

We will stay for 2 nights camping in the park where we will have freedom to explore the park taking our game drives in the truck.

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From the Tata Somba region we have a short journey north to the stunning Pendjari National Park.

We will stay for 2 nights camping in the park where we will have freedom to explore the park taking our game drives in the truck.

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Today is a full journey day heading south through Benin.
Tonight we aim to wild camp between Pendjari and Abomey.

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The journey today continues to Abomey, the ancient capital of the Dan Homey kingdom.

Overnight you stay in a campsite.

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In the morning you will have a guided tour of the palace and museum at Abomey.

In the afternoon it's a short drive before jumping aboard pirogues to Ganvie, a town built entirely on stilts in the middle of a lagoon.

Tonight you will stay in the stilt village.

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Travelling on pirogues back to the truck the journey continues with a short drive to Ouidah.

Whilst in Ouidah you will have free time to explore the sites, such as the Temple of the Python; where the serpent deity Dangbé has been revered for years, The Slave Route or "Route des Escalves", La Maison Bresil and the Ouidah Museum of History.

Tonight you will camp at an auberge.

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A short drive from Ouidah brings you to Grand Popo where you have 2 nights of well deserved relaxation on the beaches and camping for 2 nights at an auberge.

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A short drive from Ouidah brings you to Grand Popo where you have 2 nights of well deserved relaxation on the beaches and camping for 2 nights at an auberge.

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Border information: Enter Togo at Hilla-Condji

Leaving the beach behind, the journey continues over the border from Benin to cross to Togo. Heading to the small quiet town of Agbodrafo on the shores of Lake Togo and camping for 2 nights at an auberge.

During the stay in Agbodrafo you will take a pirogue trip to Togoville, the centre of the Voodoo culture, where you will have a guided city tour and church visit.

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Border information: Enter Togo at Hilla-Condji

Leaving the beach behind, the journey continues over the border from Benin to cross to Togo. Heading to the small quiet town of Agbodrafo on the shores of Lake Togo and camping for 2 nights at an auberge.

During the stay in Agbodrafo you will take a pirogue trip to Togoville, the centre of the Voodoo culture, where you will have a guided city tour and church visit.

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Border information: Enter Ghana at Denu

Crossing back into Ghana today for a night stop at the beach in Keta. If perhaps you don't fancy the beach you could check out the remains of Fort-Prinzenstein, the slave den, built by Danes 300 years ago as a transit point for transporting slaves to the Americas.

Tonight's accommodation will be a small local hotel.

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The final drive of this trip arrives the capital of Ghana, Accra.  Tonight you will probably head out for a final group meal together.

Overnight you stay in a comfortable hotel with good facilities.

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Border information: If you are starting in Accra, then you will enter Ghana at Accra Airport.

Today is an arrival day with a pre departure meeting at 10:00hrs.
There are no activities planned so you can arrive at any time.

Your leader will leave a note in reception telling you where this important meeting will take place. Your leader will collect your kitty and check your passport and insurance details at this meeting.

The afternoon will be free to explore the city of Accra.

Tonight we stay in a comfortable hotel with good facilities

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Leaving Accra behind us we journey north for 2 nights in Kumasi. Along the way we make a visit to Kakum National Park. The park has a long series of hanging bridges at the forest canopy level known as the canopy walkway giving us a close up experience of the park.

We will stay in a local guesthouse in Kumasi for 2 nights giving you free time to explore the sites. 

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Leaving Accra behind us we journey north for 2 nights in Kumasi. Along the way we make a visit to Kakum National Park. The park has a long series of hanging bridges at the forest canopy level known as the canopy walkway giving us a close up experience of the park.

We will stay in a local guesthouse in Kumasi for 2 nights giving you free time to explore the sites. 

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We head back South to the Atlantic Coast to camp for 2 nights at a stunning beach resort in Brenu Akynin, nr. Elmina, allowing to time to visit Elmina castle and also to get involved with a local community project.

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We head back South to the Atlantic Coast to camp for 2 nights at a stunning beach resort in Brenu Akynin, nr. Elmina, allowing to time to visit Elmina castle and also to get involved with a local community project.

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Border information: Enter Cote d'Ivoire at Elubo

Leaving Ghana behind us we head west into Cote d'Ivoire to the old French colonial capital city of Grand Bassam situated east of Abidjan.

We stay here for 2 nights in a local hotel allowing time for you to explore the old colonial town.

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Border information: Enter Cote d'Ivoire at Elubo

Leaving Ghana behind us we head west into Cote d'Ivoire to the old French colonial capital city of Grand Bassam situated east of Abidjan.

We stay here for 2 nights in a local hotel allowing time for you to explore the old colonial town.

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After a fairly long drive we arrive into the capital of the Cote d'Ivoire.

We stay here for 2 nights in a local hotel allowing time for you to explore the sites on offer.

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After a fairly long drive we arrive into the capital of the Cote d'Ivoire.

We stay here for 2 nights in a local hotel allowing time for you to explore the sites on offer.

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Heading directly North to the central-north region of Cote d'Ivoire, a cotton producing region. We travel to the town of Korhogo famed for its cloth weaving.

Tonight we stay in a small local hotel.

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Border information: Enter Guinea at Sirana

The next couple of days are spent driving from the Central region of Cote d'Ivoire crossing over the border into Guinea as we head towards Guineas forested region.

We aim to either camp or stay in a small local hotel in Odienne (depending on the facilities available) for one night and the other we aim to wild camp.

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Border information: Enter Guinea at Sirana

The next couple of days are spent driving from the Central region of Cote d'Ivoire crossing over the border into Guinea as we head towards Guineas forested region.

We aim to either camp or stay in a small local hotel in Odienne (depending on the facilities available) for one night and the other we aim to wild camp.

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Reaching the Forested mountainous region in south-eastern Guinea we base ourselves for 2 nights in the surrounding area.

We aim to camp here, however we may stay in a local guesthouse depending on the facilities in the area.

During our time here you have the option of visiting nearby villages to see their famous vine bridges or exploring the surrounding area.

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Reaching the Forested mountainous region in south-eastern Guinea we base ourselves for 2 nights in the surrounding area.

We aim to camp here, however we may stay in a local guesthouse depending on the facilities in the area.

During our time here you have the option of visiting nearby villages to see their famous vine bridges or exploring the surrounding area.

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Reaching the Forested mountainous region in south-eastern Guinea we base ourselves for 2 nights in the surrounding area.

We aim to camp here, however we may stay in a local guesthouse depending on the facilities in the area.

During our time here you have the option of visiting nearby villages to see their famous vine bridges or exploring the surrounding area.

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The next couple of days are spent travelling from Guineas Forested region, through the mid region of Guinea making a stop in the town of Macenta and the town of Faranah.

Both these nights we will aim to stay in small locally run hotels or guesthouses.

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The next couple of days are spent travelling from Guineas Forested region, through the mid region of Guinea making a stop in the town of Macenta and the town of Faranah.

Both these nights we will aim to stay in small locally run hotels or guesthouses.

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Border information: Enter Guinea Sierra Leone at Gberia-Fotombu

The next couple of days are spent travelling from Guinea over to Sierra Leone wild camping along the way.

We have allocated a couple of days here as even though the distances are short the road conditions in this area can be pretty tough going and unpredictable.

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Border information: Enter Guinea Sierra Leone at Gberia-Fotombu

The next couple of days are spent travelling from Guinea over to Sierra Leone wild camping along the way.

We have allocated a couple of days here as even though the distances are short the road conditions in this area can be pretty tough going and unpredictable.

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Today we hit our first big town in Sierra Leone where we will spend the night in a small locally run hotel. 

Kabala is famous for Ronko dyeing - A shirt or gown made of strips of country cloth, typically dyed a rusty reddish brown using local pigments. 

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The next couple of days are spent travelling from Kabala south through Sierra Leone.  We will aim to wild camp both nights.   

 

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The next couple of days are spent travelling from Kabala south through Sierra Leone.  We will aim to wild camp both nights.   

 

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Our journey through Sierra Leone brings us to the Tiwai Island Sanctuary, one of Sierra Leones largest inland islands.

During our stay we will talk a nature walk through webs of trails that weave through the Tiwai Forest in search of rare and colourful primates.

We will stay here for 2-3 nights, sleeping in tents perched on covered platforms.

Due to the nature of this itinerary there has been a "flexible day" added here to be used at the discretion of the leader.

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Our journey through Sierra Leone brings us to the Tiwai Island Sanctuary, one of Sierra Leones largest inland islands.

During our stay we will talk a nature walk through webs of trails that weave through the Tiwai Forest in search of rare and colourful primates.

We will stay here for 2-3 nights, sleeping in tents perched on covered platforms.

Due to the nature of this itinerary there has been a "flexible day" added here to be used at the discretion of the leader.

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Our journey through Sierra Leone brings us to the Tiwai Island Sanctuary, one of Sierra Leones largest inland islands.

During our stay we will talk a nature walk through webs of trails that weave through the Tiwai Forest in search of rare and colourful primates.

We will stay here for 2-3 nights, sleeping in tents perched on covered platforms.

Due to the nature of this itinerary there has been a "flexible day" added here to be used at the discretion of the leader.

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After a long drive this final section of the journey brings us to the capital of Sierra Leone, Freetown.

You have plenty of time to head out and explore the sites in and around Freetown or go to one of the many nearby beaches for some well earned relaxation.

We will most likely head out for a final group meal together tonight in Freetown.

We stay in a comfortable hotel with good facilities.

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After a long drive this final section of the journey brings us to the capital of Sierra Leone, Freetown.

You have plenty of time to head out and explore the sites in and around Freetown or go to one of the many nearby beaches for some well earned relaxation.

We will most likely head out for a final group meal together tonight in Freetown.

We stay in a comfortable hotel with good facilities.

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Border information: If you are starting in Freetown, then you will enter Freetown at Freetown Airport.

Today is an arrival day with a pre departure meeting at 10:00hrs. There are no activities planned so you can arrive at any time. Your leader will leave a note in reception telling you where this important meeting will take place. Your leader will collect your kitty and check your passport and insurance details at this meeting. The afternoon will be free to explore the city of Freetown.

Tonight we stay in a comfortable hotel with good facilities

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Leaving Freetown behind us we head to one of the beaches on the Freetown peninsular for 2 nights of relaxation on the beach.

We will aim to camp for both nights whilst at the beach.

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Leaving Freetown behind us we head to one of the beaches on the Freetown peninsular for 2 nights of relaxation on the beach.

We will aim to camp for both nights whilst at the beach.

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Border information:  Enter Guinea at Kindia

The next couple of days are spent driving from the Freetown Peninsular in Sierra Leone before crossing over the border into Guinea. 

We aim to stay one of these nights in a local guesthouse and one wild camping.

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Border information:  Enter Guinea at Kindia

The next couple of days are spent driving from the Freetown Peninsular in Sierra Leone before crossing over the border into Guinea. 

We aim to stay one of these nights in a local guesthouse and one wild camping.

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Our journey takes us into the highland region of Fouta Djallon in the centre of Guinea.

We base ourselves for 3 nights in a small local run hotel in one of the small towns in this region. From here you have time to use as you wish for optional guided walks, visits to beautiful waterfalls or maybe hire bicycles to explore this stunning part of Guinea.

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Our journey takes us into the highland region of Fouta Djallon in the centre of Guinea.

We base ourselves for 3 nights in a small local run hotel in one of the small towns in this region. From here you have time to use as you wish for optional guided walks, visits to beautiful waterfalls or maybe hire bicycles to explore this stunning part of Guinea.

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Our journey takes us into the highland region of Fouta Djallon in the centre of Guinea.

We base ourselves for 3 nights in a small local run hotel in one of the small towns in this region. From here you have time to use as you wish for optional guided walks, visits to beautiful waterfalls or maybe hire bicycles to explore this stunning part of Guinea.

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Border information: Enter Guinea Bissau at Kandika

From Fouta Djallon we journey through Northern Guinea to Guinea Bissau, stopping en route for wild camps at Koundara a town located in north-western Guinea and near Mampata, the Bafata region of central Guinea Bissau

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Border information: Enter Guinea Bissau at Kandika

From Fouta Djallon we journey through Northern Guinea to Guinea Bissau, stopping en route for wild camps at Koundara a town located in north-western Guinea and near Mampata, the Bafata region of central Guinea Bissau

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Leaving our wild camp early we set off early to reach our destination, Bissau.

During our stay in Bissau you have time to explore Bissau Velho the old Portuguese centre of Bissau.

We stay in Bissau for 2 nights in a small locally run hotel.

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Leaving our wild camp early we set off early to reach our destination, Bissau.

During our stay in Bissau you have time to explore Bissau Velho the old Portuguese centre of Bissau.

We stay in Bissau for 2 nights in a small locally run hotel.

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Border information: Enter Senegal at Sao Domingo

Today is a full days drive, as we journey from Guinea Bissau to Senegal.

We will aim to wild camp this night.

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Leaving our wild camp early we journey to the Atlantic coastal town and village of Cap Skirring where you will have a free afternoon to explore.

Whilst in Cap Skirring we aim to stay in rooms in a local Campement.

Due to the nature of this itinerary there has been a "flexible day" added here to be used at the discretion of the leader.

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Leaving our wild camp early we journey to the Atlantic coastal town and village of Cap Skirring where you will have a free afternoon to explore.

Whilst in Cap Skirring we aim to stay in rooms in a local Campement.

Due to the nature of this itinerary there has been a "flexible day" added here to be used at the discretion of the leader.

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Leaving the coast we head east to the town of Ziguinchor where we base ourselves for 2 nights in a small local run hotel.

Whilst in Ziguinchor you will obtain your visas for Guinea Bissau, if you have not already done so.

The rest of your time here is free for you to explore.

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Leaving the coast we head east to the town of Ziguinchor where we base ourselves for 2 nights in a small local run hotel.

Whilst in Ziguinchor you will obtain your visas for Guinea Bissau, if you have not already done so.

The rest of your time here is free for you to explore.

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Border information: Enter Gambia at Senobo.

Leaving the Casamance region of Senegal we cross into The Gambia and make our way to the Tendaba Camp on the Gambia River.

Tendaba camp is located opposite the Baobolong Wetlands and The Kiang West National Park. The accommodation at the Camp is in simple round huts- in an African rondavel style and completely made out of natural materials from the bush. 

We will stay here for 2 nights where we will take an included pirogue trip into Kiang West National Park.

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Border information: Enter Gambia at Senobo.

Leaving the Casamance region of Senegal we cross into The Gambia and make our way to the Tendaba Camp on the Gambia River.

Tendaba camp is located opposite the Baobolong Wetlands and The Kiang West National Park. The accommodation at the Camp is in simple round huts- in an African rondavel style and completely made out of natural materials from the bush. 

We will stay here for 2 nights where we will take an included pirogue trip into Kiang West National Park.

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Border information: Enter Senegal at Farafenni

Today we cross back into Senegal and head to the town of Toubakouta situated close to the Sine-Saloum Delta.

Tonight we will stay in a small local run hotel or campsite in Toubakouta.

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We head out today to the Sine-Saloum Delta for a pirogue trip in search of the stunning array of birdlife that the Delta area hosts.

Tonight we will stay again in the small local run hotel or campsite in Toubakouta.

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Today our overland journey takes us north towards our final destination of Dakar.

On our journey today we will stop to see the Medina Baay Mosque in Kaolack and the Great Mosque at Touba.

Upon reaching Dakar we will most likely head out for a final group meal together tonight in Dakar.

Tonight we stay in a comfortable hotel with good facilities in Dakar

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Today is your final day and there are no activities planned.

No accommodation is provided for tonight, however we are able to book you additional accommodation in Dakar. Please ask at time of booking.

Border information: If you are leaving at Dakar. You will exit Senegal at Dakar Airport. 

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Key: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner