The Best of Ghana and Mali

25 Nights - from $1269

We'll be travelling through some of West Africa's most diverse landscapes on this adventurous trip. From Ghana's Gold Coast and the Ashanti Kingdom we'll be travelling north and crossing into the seldom-visited country of Burkina Faso to stay in Ouagadougou. Entering Mali we will head for Djenne, famed for its mud mosque and the colourful market before embarking on a remarkable trek through Dogon country. We then head towards towards the Niger River and the laid back city of Segou. Returning to Burkina Faso we will experience West African nightlife in the city of Bobo Dioulasso and then return to Ghana. After gameviewing in Mole National Park, we will head back into Ghana's stunning rain forest and Kakum National Park and then to the coast with time to relax and unwind on the beautiful beaches.

Ghana and Mali are arguably the two most interesting countries in West Africa for travellers. Whether it is the rich history, intense culture or the riotous music, these countries represent the best of West Africa. Sandwiched in between is Burkina Faso, one of West Africa's most friendly destinations. In Mali we trek through the tribal lands and villages of the Dogon, visit Segou and the amazing market and mud mosque of Djenne. Ghana has beautiful beaches, rainforest and voodoo. We'll experience the wildlife in Mole and Kakum National Parks, then head to the coast for time to unwind on beautiful Elmina beach.

Itinerary:

Nights 1 - 3: Ghana - the Gold Coast & Ahanti Kingdom Visit to Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti kingdom and culture Overnight stay and afternoon to explore and swim at stunning crater lake, Lake Botsumtwe Explore the capital city of Accra Nights 4 - 5: Central Ghana Journey through central Ghana Overnight stay and swim at the lovely Fuller Falls - community run Swim and visit to the beautiful Kintampo Falls Visit the Baobeng-Fiema community run Monkey Sanctuary Nights 6 - 8: Northern Ghana & Burkina Faso Overland and 2 night stay at Ouagadougou. Overland from Ouagadougou via Ouahiguya through increasingly Sahelian scenery to the border with Mali Visit the amazing sacred Crocodile pond at Paga Nights 9 - 13: Djenne & Mali's Dogon Region Excellent evening of wild Malian music in Bandiagara Witness the masked dance and hear the rhythms of Dogon music Overnight stay at Sevare to rejoin the Dragoman truck Day and night to explore stunning Djenne, its vast mud mosque and then the colourful Monday market 2 nights / 3 day trek through the Dogon tribal region on the Bandiagara Escarpment staying in homestays in small Dogon villages Nights 14 - 16: Niger River Region Dugout trips up the Niger to ancient Bambara capital from Segou Bush camp in the wilds of Mali between Segou & the Burkina Faso border Nights 17 - 19: Return to Burkina Faso & N. Ghana Overland and 2 night stay at Bobo Dioulasso, with its amazing nightclubs and music Overland drive through the savannah scenery of southern Burkina Faso into Northern Ghana Nights 20- 25: Ghana's Wildlife & Beaches Return to the cosmopolitan capital, Accra 2 nights camping at a lovely boutique game lodge in Mole National Park (an elephant paradise) with game walks in the park Drive through increasingly forested landscapes back to Ghana's second city, Kumasi Visit to the stunning jungles of Kakum Nat. Park including an amazing canopy trek Visit to Brenu School and community to see what Sabre Trust have achieved Relax and unwind on the stunning Brenu Beach on Ghana's Gold Coast

Optional Extras

• Experience the music and nightclubs of Ouagadougou
• Optional Fulani village tours near Djenne
• Visit the sacred fish pond or the hilltop village of Kori near Bobo

Accommodation: Small hotels, campsite, village stays and wildcamps(75% camping, 25% hotels)
Meals: All food is covered by the kitty while camping.
Vehicles: 4 wheel drive overland expedition vehicle.
Crew and Guides: 2 crew, local guides as necessary
Notes: Because of the nature of this tour, the itinerary WILL vary from that published. This trip will involve crossing remote areas and there will be an element of discomfort. This is a tough but very rewarding trip.Kitty does not cover food while staying in hotels and hostels. All of our kitties are quoted in USDs, however in North and West Africa, Euros are much easier to use. Please ensure you bring Euros and not USDs for the kitty and for personal spending. The exchange of USD to Euro for the kitty will be decided by the tour leader on Day 1 of the trip.
Reverse Itinerary: trips that run in reverse are specified with an 'R' in the dates and prices table below.