Sierra Leone to Benin Exploratory Overland Trip
Click here to enquire about or book this trip!
Location: Sierra Leone, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin
Dates: Southbound [FTN-CTN] 31st Oct – 10th Dec 2012; Northbound [CTN-FTN] 8th Mar – 17th Apr 2013
Duration: 41 days
Group size: 20
Price: From £1700 with a €500 'kitty' which will include all food whilst camping, accommodation and entrances to the major parks, activities and fun things you will experience along the way. For more information on what the 'Kitty' will include, you can click here.
Dates: Southbound [FTN-CTN] 31st Oct – 10th Dec 2012; Northbound [CTN-FTN] 8th Mar – 17th Apr 2013
Duration: 41 days
Group size: 20
Price: From £1700 with a €500 'kitty' which will include all food whilst camping, accommodation and entrances to the major parks, activities and fun things you will experience along the way. For more information on what the 'Kitty' will include, you can click here.
The truck...
The truck is a 4×2 Mercedes-Benz 1617 NG, OM366a straight-6 turbo-charged engine, with a 7 speed gearbox and rear reduction axle with differential lock (try saying that after a few beers!). This model of Mercedes Benz is particularly popular in West Africa, proven for its strength, reliability, and ease of repair.
There are 22 comfortable coach seats with plenty of leg room, most are forward facing with some grouped around tables towards the rear. | 
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There is roof net storage, a large library, with forward facing windows at the front for a good view ahead, and drop-down windows along the side to take in the sights- if you’re thinking “what about the air-con?” – then this is probably not your style of trip!
The trip...
This is the first leg of an epic journey which covers almost the whole of West Africa. From Senegal, known as the 'Pays de la Teranga', to Cameroon dubbed 'Africa in Miniature', this trip is not for the faint-hearted. A truly rewarding experiential adventure off the 'tourist roads'. To learn more about the first leg, click here.
This unique trip is perhaps the most challenging of the amazing holiday ideas we list on the portal. This is the first truck-based overland company to attempt this route so expect the unexpected! This is truly off the beaten track – overlanding through a remote but stunning part of West Africa few get to see.
Poor road conditions will inevitably slow us down so we have built extra time into the itinerary to account for this. It will be tough going at times. We’ll be driving through remote areas where there simply is no tourist infrastructure – so we’ll be bush camping off the truck for a few days at a time. Team work is the key to keeping the truck moving and group morale high!
This unique trip is perhaps the most challenging of the amazing holiday ideas we list on the portal. This is the first truck-based overland company to attempt this route so expect the unexpected! This is truly off the beaten track – overlanding through a remote but stunning part of West Africa few get to see.
Poor road conditions will inevitably slow us down so we have built extra time into the itinerary to account for this. It will be tough going at times. We’ll be driving through remote areas where there simply is no tourist infrastructure – so we’ll be bush camping off the truck for a few days at a time. Team work is the key to keeping the truck moving and group morale high!
The highlights...
- Soak up the nightlife, music and unique atmosphere of Freetown, the buzzing capital of ‘Salone
- Spend 2 nights at Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary - this unique reserve will be a challenge to reach but once there we’ll get the chance to see some of the best wildlife Sierra Leone has to offer including the rare Pygmy Hippo.
- Set out on the hiking trails of The Gola Forest Reserve to take in the natural beauty and wildlife of this unique ecosystem
- Trek in the Guinee Forestiere to find the vine bridges the area is famed for – walking on them is at your own discretion!
- Visit the weird and wonderful capital of Ivory Coast – Yamoussoukro
- Help out at the Centre de Réinsertion et Education des Enfants de la Rue en Cote D’Ivoire (C.R.E.E.R) community project
- Chill out on the Atlantic shores of Ghana’s Gold Coast
- Visit St George’s Castle at Elmina
- Wander around Kejetia Market – one of the biggest in West Africa
- Take a guided safari walk in Ghana’s Mole National Park
- Bush camp on the shores of picturesque Lake Volta
- Kick back in the grounds of an old colonial mansion at L’Auberge Grand Popo, Benin
- Explore Ouidah on Benin’s Slave Coast, famed for its voodoo traditions and the Routes Des Esclaves (Road of Slaves)
The difference...
The operator is fully aware that travel and tourism in developing countries can throw up a lot of complex issues and ethical questions and that there are some negative consequences which are sometimes unavoidable – but they also know that there are many opportunities to use tourism and cultural exchange as a tool for development and positive change.
To this end they are establishing ongoing relationships with a few projects along their route that focus on grassroots community development. You’ll be visiting the projects on our trips and helping out where we can, bringing supplies out from the UK and providing financial support.
In Sierra Leone you will spend some time at John Obey Beach to visit the Tribewanted project which is now over a year into an innovative sustainable tourism initiative working alongside the local community.
In Ivory Coast they are supporting the Centre de Reinsertion et Education pour les Enfants de la Rue (CREER), which is an organisation recently set up to provide a safe house and rehabilitation centre for street children and child soldiers. Supplies will be brought over from the UK and you can also lend a hand when you visit and provide some financial help. Please visit the CREER website to find out more.
To this end they are establishing ongoing relationships with a few projects along their route that focus on grassroots community development. You’ll be visiting the projects on our trips and helping out where we can, bringing supplies out from the UK and providing financial support.
In Sierra Leone you will spend some time at John Obey Beach to visit the Tribewanted project which is now over a year into an innovative sustainable tourism initiative working alongside the local community.
In Ivory Coast they are supporting the Centre de Reinsertion et Education pour les Enfants de la Rue (CREER), which is an organisation recently set up to provide a safe house and rehabilitation centre for street children and child soldiers. Supplies will be brought over from the UK and you can also lend a hand when you visit and provide some financial help. Please visit the CREER website to find out more.
The Itinerary...
Click here to enquire about or book this holiday!
To discover other Responsible Tourism projects, click here.
To discover more about West Africa, click here.
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