The capital city of Porto Novo has a rich culture, coloured by an interesting history. Local architecture and food have a distinct Brazilian flavour, as many Afro-Brazilians arrived in Porto Novo after emancipation in Brazil. The Porto Novo Museum of Ethnography showcases an impressive collection of Yoruba masks, as well as documenting the history of the city. The da Silva Museum is a museum on the history of Benin.

Abomey, once the ancient capital of the ancient Kingdom of Dahomey, is one of Benin’s chief tourist attractions. A cluster of earthen buildings serves as Royal Palaces during the 17th and 19th century, and constitute one of West Africa’s most famous and historically significant sites. Cotonou is the economic centre of Benin, and has a few notable attractions such as the Cotonou Cathedral, Cotonou Central Mosque and the Ancien Pont Bridge.

Benin is home to some of the best wildlife in Western Africa, and the best time to visit is during the dry season. Pendjari National Park and W National Park are both located in the north of Benin. Pendjari National Park is easy to access and has a good range of accommodation at the site. W National Park is located further afield and is more difficult to access.

Cotonou International Airport on the outskirts of the city provides direct connections to France, Belgium and other African countries. A wide range of accommodation is on offer in Benin, ranging from quality city centre hotels to lodges in national parks. Both the Novotel and Sheraton groups offer luxury resort accommodation in Benin, complete with swimming pools, tennis courts and nightclubs.

Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou, is a friendly and upbeat city filled with lively nightlife and fascinating activities. The Bangre-Weoogo urban park, considered a sacred forest, is filled with scenic hiking trails and contains a small zoo where visitors can see crocodiles swimming in a marsh. The unique 15- minute Moro Naaba ceremony which takes place every Friday morning at 07:15 symbolises an historic event dating back to when Ouagadougou was the centre of the once mighty Mossi empire. Village Artisanale of Ouagadougou and Gonghin Market are just two among many Ouagadougou outdoor markets filled with unique souvenirs.

Bobo-Dioulasso is Burkina Faso’s second largest city, and many believe it’s even friendlier and livelier than Ouagadougou. Some of Bobo-Dioulasso’s most recommended attractions include the Centre Culturel Française, the Place de la Nation Museum, and the Grande Mosque. The Grande Marché is just the biggest of the many markets found throughout Bobo-Dioulasso, where prices are generally cheaper than Ouagadougou. Burkina Faso’s largest attraction outside its major cities is the Parc National des Deux Balés, located near the southern town of Boromo and home to many roaming elephants.

Burkina Faso’s accommodation ranges from four-star luxury hotels to budget hostels. Most quality Burkina Faso hotels are located in Ouagadougou, while those staying in Bobo-Dioulasso may receive an invitation to spend nights at the homes of friendly locals.

Burkina Faso’s international airport, Ouagadougou Airport, receives daily flights from Paris, Brussels, Abidjan, Casablanca, and Dakar. Visas are required to enter Burkina Faso, and should be obtained well in advance. Proof of vaccination against yellow fever is also required from those entering Burkina Faso from other African countries.

Cape Verde’s capital city, Praia, lies atop a plateau on the country’s most significant island, São Tiago. Although Praia is one of the world’s smallest and most relaxed capital cities, its nightlife is very lively and it’s a mere 10kms away from some of São Tiago’s most beautiful beaches. Even more spectacular beaches await visitors to São Tiago’s second city of Tarrafal, with a lush, green valley just a short distance away in São Domingos.

However, Cape Verde’s true beach paradise is the island of Sal, home to the country’s largest international airport in the tranquil town of Espargos and a thriving network of nightclubs, bars, and beachfront resorts in Santa Maria. Mindelo, located on the island of São Vicente, is said to be Cape Verde’s most vibrant and picturesque city, filled with Portuguese colonial homes. Green Santo Antão and mountainous Brava are particularly popular hiking destinations.

Cape Verde has a wide variety of accommodation to suit all needs and budgets, ranging from four-star all inclusive beachfront resorts to fully furnished rental apartments to quiet rural hideaways where visitors can completely escape from the rest of the world. Advance booking is highly recommended during the high season of April to September.

Visas are required for all foreign visitors to Cape Verde, and must be purchased in advance by those living in countries with Cape Verde embassies. Other visitors may purchase visas upon arrival to Cape Verde. The islands of São Tiago, Sal, and Boa Vista all include international airports handling flights from throughout Europe, North America, and Africa. Boat connections to mainland Africa are infrequent and expensive.

Gambia’s capital, Banjul, is located where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Gambia River. Banjul’s market is its most recommended tourist attraction, and is filled with silver bangles, wood carvings and masks, traditional African clothing, and other unique souvenirs.

The Abuko Nature Reserve, located 25kms outside of Banjul, may be among Africa’s smallest protected areas, but it has plenty of room for crocodiles, monkeys, and 300 bird species. Even more crocodiles can be seen and touched at the Kachikally Crocodile Pool. Those familiar with Alex Haley’s Roots may wish to take the James Island tour along the Gambia River to the village of Juffureh and an old slave trading post.

Gambia’s accommodation ranges from luxury beachfront resorts along the Atlantic Ocean to eco lodges and camps further along the river which provide basic accommodation within natural surroundings, like Balaba Nature Camp close to Kartong.

Banjul International Airport is one of West Africa’s safest and most modern. The airport serves two weekly flights from Nigeria, weekly flights from Madrid and Barcelona as well as from a wide variety of other European destinations through tour operators. Four wheel drives are recommended for those planning to hire cars as many Gambian roads are unpaved and in bad condition. Visas are required for Canadian, American, and South African visitors to Gambia.

Ghana’s capital, Accra, is a vibrant and westernised city filled with fascinating markets and interesting museums. Among Accra’s most recommended attractions are Christianborg Castle, which the Danes built during the 17th century, and the lively Labadi Beach. The fishing harbour of Jamestown is Accra’s oldest and most memorable neighbourhood.

The centre of Ghana’s Ashanti Kingdom is the vibrant city of Kumasi. Although Kumasi may be hot, crowded, and confusing, it’s also proudly African and remains the home of the Ashanti king, whose residence is worth a visit. Kumasi’s huge market is an ideal place to find unique local souvenirs. Ghana’s most recommended attractions outside its major cities include the picturesque Volta region filled with impressive waterfalls, Mole National Park, towering Mount Afadjato, and the slave forts of its coastal towns.

Ghana’s accommodation ranges from lavish luxury resorts like Accra’s Golden Tulip, La Palm, and La Badi Beach hotels to rustic rural accommodation. One of Kumasi’s most recommended hotels is the centrally located Guestline Lodge, and visitors planning to remain in the country for at least a few months may rent houses at reasonable prices.

Accra’s Kotoka International Airport receives flights from New York and London many times a week, as well as from several other European and African destinations. Visas and yellow fever vaccination certificates are required for all visitors to Ghana, and it’s best to obtain them as soon as possible before entering the country. One of the most unique ways to explore Ghana is aboard a tro-tro, which is usually an old 12-passenger Volkswagen van used as a shared taxi.

The Palais de l’OUA and the National Museum are the main attractions in Guinea’s capital of Conakry. Boats behind Conakry’s Novotel Hotel take visitors to Atoll Island and the Iles de Los, where Guinea’s most beautiful and uncrowded beaches are located.

Guinea is home to some of the few dry tropical forests in the world, as well as some scenic rainforests, but perhaps the country’s most outstanding natural attraction is the breathtaking Fouta Djalon plateau, featuring several spectacular waterfalls and some of West Africa’s best hiking along rolling green hills. Other Guinea attractions worth visiting include the Soumba waterfalls, the Forêt Classée de Ziama where elephants roam, and the chimpanzees who live in the forest around the village of Bossou.

Guinea’s most impressive hotel is Conakry’s seven-floor Novotel Hotel. Other fine Conakry hotels include the Riviera Royal Hotel and the smaller Hotel Camayene. Lower budget accommodation is also widely available.

Conakry International Airport receives regular flights from Paris, Brussels, and most other neighbouring African countries. All foreign visitors require visas and vaccination cards, and bags are searched manually as the airport has no x-ray machines. Guinea has no buses or passenger rail service, so renting a taxi is the safest and most recommended way to explore the country.

The presidential palace which was bombed during the civil war, the former Portuguese colonial centre of Bissau Velho, and the Portuguese fort of Fortaleza d’Amura are among the sights worth seeing in Bissau, the country’s capital and largest city. Mercado de Bandim is the best place to find wood carvings, batik, and other unique souvenirs. Guinea-Bissau’s former capital of Bolama is also worth visiting for its impressive colonial buildings.

The small city of Cacheu is home to the swampy Tarafes de Cacheu Natural Park and a former slave fort, while laid back Varela contains the best beaches on the mainland. Each of the 10 Bijagos islands has its own unique beauty, and hippos are frequently spotted on the island of Orango.

Many Bissau hotels are overpriced, but budget alternatives are widely available. The Hotel Marazul in Quinhamel is a recommended daytrip for fishing, swimming and touring the town’s weaving factory, while the Hotel Rural de Uaque provides another relaxing escape from urban surroundings.

Bissau’s international airport (Osvaldo Vieiro International Airport), the only one in the country, offers a weekly flight to Lisbon, Portugal, as well as regular flights to and from Dakar, Senegal. Visas are required, but can be difficult to get for Americans as the American embassy in Bissau remains closed. The British embassies in Dakar and Lisbon are the most reliable places to obtain visas. Guinea-Bissau is an ideal cycling country because of its flat terrain and low traffic roads, but most bicycles sold in the country are poor quality.

Liberia’s safest destination is its capital city of Monrovia. Unfortunately, Monrovia’s Masonic Temple, once the city’s most famous landmark, was destroyed during the 1980 coup, and the city’s National Museum is now a shadow of what it used to be. An especially unique rock formation resembling a human face is located in nearby Paynesville.

Although travel outside of Monrovia is strongly discouraged at this point in time, the war hasn’t destroyed Liberia’s beautiful landscapes and stunning rainforests. The best place to find both is Sapo National Park, the only one of its kind in Liberia and home to many pygmy elephants and hippos. Beautiful beaches and dilapidated beach houses are all that remains of the past glory of the southeastern city of Harper.

Liberian hotels are among the safest places in the country as most employ guards, but hotel guests must always be vigilant of their own security. The most luxurious hotels in Liberia are located along Monrovia’s oceanfront, while basic rooms with shared bathrooms are available at St Theresa’s Convent. Accommodation is extremely hard to find outside Monrovia.

Monrovia International Airport, about 60kms outside the city, offers direct flights to and from Brussels four times a week. Flying through Accra or Dakar are also options. A yellow fever vaccination certificate, a doctor’s letter, a letter of invitation, and proof of financial support are all required to apply for a visa required to visit Liberia. The country currently has no train or bus service, and road conditions are generally poor.

Timbuktu may be Mali’s most famous city, but the country’s capital and largest city is Bamako, which has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Bamako also contains Mali’s liveliest nightlife, busiest markets, and most fascinating museums. The city of Djenné is much smaller than Bamako, but its Great Mosque is the world’s largest mudbrick building. Most of Djenné’s other mudbrick buildings are almost as impressive.

Of course, no visit to Mali would be complete without stopping at the legendary city of Timbuktu. Once a wealthy trading post whose name remains synonymous with mysterious and exotic lands, Timbuktu’s atmosphere feels more Arabic than African thanks to its streets made of sand and desert location. Timbuktu’s three mosques are closed to non-Muslim visitors, but can still be admired from the outside. The houses of the first Western explorers who visited Timbuktu are preserved with commemorative plaques.

Also highly recommended is a visit to Mali’s isolated Dogon country, filled with spectacular landscapes and people whose culture has remained unchanged for centuries.

Mali accommodation ranges from hotels comparable to Western standards to rooms with beds or mattresses accompanied by mosquito nets. Sleeping on rooftops under the bright stars is a truly unforgettable experience.

Mali’s borders with Niger and Algeria, as well as the areas north of Timbuktu, are considered dangerous for travel, but the southern part of the country, where most tourist attractions are located, is much safer.

Mauritania’s capital and largest city is the fishing port of Nouakchott, where fishermen haul their daily catches on colourful canoes. Nouakchott is also filled with markets selling traditional souvenirs like silver jewellery and camel wool rugs, and beaches where visitors may try surf-casting. Between Nouakchott and Mauritania’s other main fishing community of Nouadhibou lies the Banc d’Arguin National Park, where birds outnumber humans by the thousands along 754kms of unspoiled coastline.

Aioun’s rock formations and the ancient caravan town of Chinguetti are just two of the unique treasures buried in the rocky sand dunes of Mauritania’s Adrar Desert. Chinguetti’s 13th century buildings and spectacular desert backdrop remain much as they were during the city’s status as the capital of the Moors.

Mauritania’s accommodation ranges from luxury hotels like Nouakchott’s Novotel and Hotel Mercure, where visitors are expected to pay European rates, to invitations to spend the night at homes of friendly locals in rural areas on foam mattresses next to animals.

Nouakchott International Airport is Mauritania’s largest and receives frequent flights from Paris, as well as from several west and north African destinations. Mauritania’s only train, known as the iron ore hopper, is considered the world’s longest at two kilometres and more than 150 cars. Visitors arriving to Mauritania from countries considered yellow fever endemic zones must provide vaccination certificates.