55 Day Grand Expedition: from Cotonou to Marrakech

55 Days Grand Expedition: from Cotonou to Marrakech
“A once-in-a-lifetime experience”

Benin, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea Conakry, Guinea Bissau and the Bijagos Archipelago, The Gambia, Senegal and Casamance, Mauritania, Morocco and the Western Sahara Province.

Departure Dates:

- 2024: Start in Cotonou on March 7th, 2024. End in Marrakech on April 30th, 2024.
- 2024: Reverse Itinerary: Start in Marrakech on November 11th, 2024. End in Cotonou on January 4th, 2025.

Or Join us for one of the 25 possible legs of the expedition: View Rates & Options

55 Day Grand Expedition: from Cotonou to Marrakech in 2024 - Map

Trip Summary

EXPERIENCE Be at the forefront of a "Great Expedition" that starts from the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, crosses forests and savannahs to reach and cross the Sahara from south to north. The itinerary traverses the main natural, cultural and religious environments of the African continent.

In Benin and Togo, the itinerary focuses on the African origins of Voodoo to witness ceremonies, drums, dances and trance states. In Ghana we discover the Ashanti ethnic group at the time of traditional rituals, enjoy wild beaches and ancient slave trade castles.

Ashanti ethnic group

Along the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, we travel between pristine coastlines and wild islands. We will cross remote forests and mountains where the arrival of foreigners is a rare event. In the lesser-known corners of Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, we will walk on liana bridges to isolated villages, discover sacred forests, be greeted by traditional chiefs, sit in council with notables and elders, and meet diamond seekers in action.

BUNDO: FEMALE MASKS - Liberia - Sierra Leone

In Guinea Bissau, we will attend a "tribal concert" performed by the Griot: descendants of musicians and storytellers dating back to the 12th century. We will enjoy three days of sailing exploring the Bijagos Archipelago. Driving north, the landscape will change from forest to savannah. After the sacred dancing masks of Casamance, the silhouette of the mosques will be a sign that as the natural environment has changed, so has the cultural and religious environment, from traditional animism to a peaceful and local version of Islam.

In Senegal, Cap d'Almadine is the westernmost point on the African continent. In Mauritania, the landscape and environment will change again, moving from savannah to desert. While crossing the Sahara, we discover the oases of Chinguetti and Ouadane, dating back to the 13th century.

Adrar

Driving north toward the Tropic of Cancer we reach Western Sahara (now Morocco's Saharan Provinces) and its virgin sands. A region forbidden to travellers for decades, where we are proud to be the first. Several references will enrich the expedition that follows the routes of birds migrating to Europe after wintering in Africa. Crossing the Sahara, we will partly retrace an ancient caravan route to rediscover the same stone architecture thousands of miles north, on the other side of the desert. Graffiti will also be a reference, from present-day urban graffiti to prehistoric rock art.

Sahara Exploration

A once-in-a-lifetime experience: during this multifaceted expedition we will also interact with "contemporary Africa." Walking through the intense city life of Accra, Abidjan, Freetown or Dakar. Feel the exciting mix of urban culture, live music, meet young and urban artists, experience fusion cuisine.

The right terminal to end this expedition from the Gulf of Guinea to North Africa will be Marrakech, an ancient crossroads and caravanserai and now a modern, traditional cosmopolitan city.

CLIMATE. The departure dates have been chosen to enjoy the best climate. Late autumn (and spring) are the perfect seasons to travel through the Sahara: temperatures are mild and pleasant; nights are cool but not cold and the days are warm but not hot. Winter (and early spring) are the coolest times of the dry season in Sub-Saharan West Africa.

Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary

COMFORT is a must to fully enjoy a long travel experience off the beaten path.

Transports: modern, air-conditioned 4x4 vehicles will be the main means of transport on rugged routes, while on main roads, modern, comfortable air-conditioned minibuses will be used.

Overnights: in comfortable hotels, four stars (****) in the capitals. Recent hotels with air-conditioned rooms and private facilities in the rest of the itinerary. The accommodations have been chosen prioritizing comfort, quality of food, friendly service, typical architectural style, and scenic locations. In the remote areas of the Sahara, we will enjoy two nights at our mobile camp with large Bedouin tents, carpets, mattresses and chairs. In case of sand wind, a comfortable restaurant-tent will be set for dinner. A well-organized camp experience under the stars of the desert is a must for the “Sahara experience”.

SAFETY is our main concern. The expedition is based on our long experience of the area and is led by knowledgeable expedition leaders. The itinerary is safe, our local network constantly monitors it thanks to a permanent presence in the field providing updated information.

Sahara desert

Day 1 Cotonou - Benin
Day 2 The Stilts Village - Benin
Day 3 Ouidah, Afro-Brasilian Culture - Benin
Day 4 Voodo - Benin - Togo
Day 5 Lome: Cosmopolitan and Stylish Capital - Togo - Ghana
Day 6 Accra “The Capital” - Ghana
Day 7 ASHANTI - Ghana
Day 8 Elmina Unique Atmosphere - Ghana
Day 9 From Gold to Ivory - Ghana - Ivory Coast
Day 10 Grand Bassam - Ivory Coast
Day 11 Abidjan, Skyscrapers and Lagoons - Ivory Coast
Day 12 Cathedral in The Savannah - Ivory Coast
Day 13 Magic Traditions - Ivory Coast
Day 14 Masks of Beauty - Ivory Coast
Day 15 Liana Bridges - Ivory Coast - Liberia
Day 16 Liberia: The Land of Freemen - Liberia
Day 17 Bundo: Female Masks - Liberia - Sierra Leone
Day 18 Diamonds - Sierra Leone
Day 19 Banana Island - Sierra Leone
Day 20 Freetown Peninsula - Sierra Leone
Day 21 The National Ballet - Sierra Leone - Guinea
Day 22 African Bas-Relief - Guinea
Day 23 Fouta Djalon - Guinea
Day 24 A Remote Core of Africa - Guinea - Guinea Bissau
Day 25 Griot: The African Trobadors - Guinea Bissau
Day 26 Bijagos Sacred Archipelago: The Ghost Capital - Guinea Bissau
Day 27 Vaca Bruto Dancing Ceremony - Guinea Bissau
Day 28 Islander Life - Guinea Bissau
Day 29 Between Water and Land - Guinea Bissau - Senegal
Day 30 Casamance: Kings and Masks - Senegal
Day 31 Gambian Birds - Senegal - Gambia
Day 32 Stone Circles - Gambia - Senegal
Day 33 Goree Island - Senegal
Day 34 Dakar Metropolis: World Cuisine - Senegal
Day 35 The Largest Fishing Village - Senegal
Day 36 Saint Louis - Senegal
Day 37 Djoudj Ornitological Sanctuary - Senegal - Mauritania
Day 38 Nouakchott - Mauritania
Day 39 Dunes and Mountains Mauritania
Day 40 Chinguetti, The Oasis - Mauritania
Day 41 Ouadane: The Remotest - Mauritania
Day 42 & 43 Lush Oasis - Mauritania
Day 44 Tropic of Cancer - Mauritania - Morocco
Day 45 Rio de Oro - Morocco
Day 46 & 47 Western Sahara: The Forbidden Track - Morocco
Day 48 From the Desert to The Ocean - Morocco
Day 49 Dunes and Lagoons - Morocco
Day 50 Estuaries and Fishermen - Morocco
Day 51 Camel Market and Caravan Terminal - Morocco
Day 52 The Oasis Trail - Morocco
Day 53 Dunes and Fossils - Morocco
Day 54 Rock Art - Morocco
Day 55 Marrakech – Morocco

Download Detailed Itinerary

DATES & PRICES

FULL WEST AFRICA & TRANS-SAHARA EXPEDITION
55 DAYS COTONOU – MARRAKECH
Benin, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, The Gambia, Senegal, Mauritania, Morocco and the Western Sahara Province.

DATES:
2024: Start in Cotonou on March 7th, 2024. End in Marrakech on April 30th, 2024. Itinerary
2024: Start in Marrakech on November 11th, 2024. End in Cotonou on January 4th 2025. (Reverse Itinerary)

PRICES per person in a shared double room:
- In a group of 6 or more participants: Rack rates € 16,984
- In a group of 4 to 5 participants: Rack rates € 20,330
- In a group of 2 to 3 participants: Rack rates € 27,078
- Single room supplement Rack rates € 2,125

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Or Join us for one of the 25 possible legs of the expedition:

1) WEST AFRICA: 16 options, from 6 to 34 days itineraries. Savannahs and forests, unknown rituals, tribes and cultures in the most intriguing Sub-Saharan regions.

2) WEST AFRICA & SAHARA: 6 options, from 14 to 51 days itineraries. From the forests to savannahs and to the Sahara crossing. Experiencing a great variety of landscapes, peoples and tribal cultures from animistic villages and masks to desert nomads, oasis and camel caravans.

3) THE SAHARA: 3 options, from 12 to 19 days itineraries crossing the largest desert on earth, experiencing wild ranges of dunes, oasis, nomadic herders, and camel caravans.

View all possible legs of the expedition

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Prices include:

  • Transfer airport/ hotel and hotel/ airport at arrival and departure, EXCEPT on day 1, from the airport to the hotel In Marrakech. The fixed price for a Taxi from the airport to the hotel in Marrakech is 200 Dirhams or 20 Euro.
  • Transfers and itinerary in 4WD vehicles, minibus and boats.
  • Tours and visits as per the programme
  • The equivalent of a bottle of water a day during the visits.
  • Accommodation in standard rooms, as per itinerary
  • All meals, from breakfast of day 2 to breakfast of the last day of the expedition.
  • Entrance fees to parks, concessions, protected areas and cultural sites
  • First Aid box
  • All service charges and taxes

Prices do not include:

  • International flights
  • Earlier (prior) and/or later (after last day) transfers from and to airport
  • Visa fees
  • Any meal or sightseeing other than those specified
  • Mineral water and drinks at restaurants and hotels.
  • Portage
  • Fees for personal photos and videos
  • Personal and holiday insurance (compulsory)
  • Tips for drivers, guides and hotel staff
  • Costs related to delayed program or lost luggage
  • Any item of personal nature such as phone calls, laundry, etc.
  • Whatever is not mentioned as included