Fes to Accra (75 Days) Trans Africa
Fes to Accra (75 Days) Trans Africa
Fes to Accra (75 Days) Trans Africa
75 Days Starting in Fes, Morocco and ending in Accra, Ghana
Visiting: Morocco, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Ghana
Tour operator:
Tour code:
574
Specialist Group:
Singles Solo
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 10
Age range:
18-80
Special diets catered:
Please advise requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
Embark on an extraordinary 75-day adventure from Fes to Accra, traversing the heart of West Africa. This epic journey takes you through 11 countries, offering a unique blend of cultural immersion and natural wonders. Explore Morocco's vibrant medinas, souks, and kasbahs, and cross the vast Sahara Desert. Savor Senegalese cuisine and music, and navigate the bustling Kejetia market in Kumasi. Experience the pristine beaches of Sierra Leone, meet rescued chimps at Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, and hike through the lush Fouta Djalon plateau. Travel in a purpose-built expedition truck, camp under the stars, and discover the hidden gems of this less-traveled region.
Highlights
Itinerary
West Africa is a road less travelled and still a largely undiscovered area of Africa for tourism. Please understand that your journey will be directly through this area of the continent and although we list our intended Itinerary below, please be aware that this is a rough guide and should be treated as such.
Oasis Overland has run a Trans Africa Expedition virtually every year since 1997, and during this time, not one Trans Africa trip has run an identical itinerary through West Africa.
This is due to many reasons, including availability of visas, road conditions, embassy and border closures, political unrest, elections and instability, disease outbreaks, changing government travel advice and adverse weather conditions, just to name a few. We also hear about new, exciting places that may only now be possible to visit, and so try to include some new places on each trip for that reason too.
Please therefore consider the itinerary shown as a guide and expect there to be some changes during your trip. This is all part of the experience of travelling through West Africa and one that makes this expedition such an epic journey that only a select few are willing to undertake.
We begin our journey in Fes in the north of Morocco where our Trans Africa Crew will greet you. After an introductory meeting we take an included city tour through Fes's huge old bazaar with its narrow winding alleys crammed with craft workshops, restaurants, food stalls, mosques, dye pits and tanneries.
Our first stop after we get on the road will then be at the Roman City of Volubilis, a remarkably well-kept reminder of the Roman presence in North Africa 2000 years ago. From there we head north to visit Chefchaouen - set in a fertile valley of the surrounding Rif Mountains - where we will camp on a ridge overlooking this picturesque town with its white roofs, blue alleyways and narrow streets. You can wander around this relaxed town and even visit one of the old hammam bath houses.
We'll then head South West along the coast past the old capital of Rabat to Casablanca, and on from there to another of Morocco's Imperial Cities, Marrakech, our base for the next few days. Here you will have plenty of time to look around the city including the famou Djemâa-el-Fna. This square is alive with activity through the day - from storytellers, snake charmers, water sellers and musicians. A nightly ritual sees hundreds of food stalls transform the square into one of Africa's largest local eating areas - the aromatic smells of fresh local food is fit for locals and tourists alike.
DAY 10-18: MARRAKECH TO WESTERN SAHARA
After leaving Marrakech, the fishing port of Essaouira is our last major stop in Morocco. While in Essaouira you can take advantage of the often windy conditions to try some surfing, kite surfing or windsurfing, or explore the streets of the old town, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We then head south following the rugged Atlantic coastline towards Mauritania and the Sahara Desert. This journey will take a few days where we will be camping in the wild, and with no light pollution an abundance of stars can be seen in the night skies. Driving through Western Sahara will then be our first real time spent away from popular touristy areas and we may only see a handful of other travellers.
DAY 19-33: WESTERN SAHARA TO DAKAR
On this leg of our Africa overland trip, after crossing into Mauritania we travel east along the desert road to the town to Atar on the Adrar Plateau. From here you have the opportunity to explore the surrounding area by 4x4 vehicle.
Leaving Atar, we pass small isolated villages surrounded by the vast desert and herdsman migrating with their camels in search of water. With very infrequent traffic on the roads and no food crops being grown, one wonders how tough it is to live in such harsh desert conditions.
We reach the capital, Nouakchott, where we spend a couple of days obtaining visas and re-organising the truck and life in general after our dusty desert travels. It is quite incredible to think that slavery was only abolished here in 1980 and it is rumoured that it still continues in some outlying areas.
South of Nouakchott, we will take 1 of 2 borders crossing into Senegal, the infamous and hectic Rosso border, crossing the Senegalese river by boat, or travel through a remote border - Diama, passing along the piste through Diawling National park (weather permitting).
We enter sub-Saharan Africa by crossing the Senegal River and continue into St Louis, West Africa's first French settlement and from where French colonialists conquered the interior. Senegal has a very different feel from the west Saharan countries we have just come from. We begin to be exposed to West Africa's vibrant food and music culture, colourful fashion and markets. We will start getting used to bad roads, 'interesting' local driving styles and a mixture of modern West African cities as well as some fly blown and remote border posts and villages.
The city of St Louis is located at the mouth of the Senegal River and is an interesting place to visit. We will spend a couple of nights near town camping within the national park 'Langue de Barbarie', well known for its fauna rich with various species of birds. You can take a pirogue trip and bird watch, relax and swim on the sandy beach, try your hand at fishing and much more.
On our Overland route through Senegal, we will visit Lake Retba (or Lac Rose as it is known by locals) where you can float in the pink lake. Its salinity content compares to that of the Dead Sea and during the dry season, it exceeds it. From here you may have the opportunity to visit Dakar. Like any large city in the world, Dakar has its undesirables so compared to the laid back countryside and small towns that we are more familiar with, in large cities we learn to take care and go out and explore in pairs.
DAY 34-56: DAKAR TO TIWAI ISLAND WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Continuing south, we will visit The Gambia, the smallest country on the continent (mainland) of Africa. We will take the truck across the Gambia River by ferry and base ourselves near the capital city Banjul. Banjul sits on an island where the Gambia River meets the Atlantic Ocean. You can visit the lively, open-air street market, wander the streets passing colonial buildings, visit nearby beaches or take a riverboat trip.
Re-entering Senegal, we will cross into the southern Casamance region and will stop at the town of Ziguinchor to obtain a visa for Guinea-Bissau, before spending a day on the pristine coastal beaches of Senegal. Here you have the opportunity to swim, take a bike ride, fish or wandering through the nearby villages.
Guinea-Bissau, considered one of the world's poorest and most fragile countries, has a population of less than 2 million. In the 19th century, it was colonized as Portuguese Guinea and the official language is Portuguese. Still bearing the scars of the civil wars of 1997-8, Bissau is an interesting city to explore and as it's less frequented by tourists the people are very welcoming and intrigued by our presence.
Depending on weather and road conditions we will travel to Parque Nacional de Cantanhez where you can arrange optional trekking trips into the rainforest in search of chimpanzees and other wildlife.
Leaving Guinea-Bissau, we travel east towards the Guinean border and will start to encounter challenging roads. Guinea Conakry (as it is usually called in West Africa) is a country that very few travellers ever visit and is one of the proudest in West Africa. Its people have stood together and survived the always difficult post-colonial era of independence without resorting to tribal conflicts or civil war. The first colony to gain independence from France, they stated they preferred & freedom in poverty, then prosperity in chains.
We can appreciate Guinea’s spectacular tropical forests and waterfalls as we cross the Fouta Djallon plateau and the beautiful hilly hinterland over the next few days.
Next we enter Sierra Leone, famous for its diamonds and infamous for its disastrous civil war, which it fortunately recovered from after many years. However, its roads are still abysmal so it can be slow going on our drive to the coast. Camping on the coast south of Freetown, we can enjoy its serene palm fringed beaches and remoteness. Nearby is the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary which cares for around 100 injured or orphaned chimpanzees. The reserve has an incredible story, starting in 1988 with the first rescue of a baby chimpanzee, surviving the civil war and growing to become Sierra Leone’s primary conservation organisation. We include a tour of Tacugama where you can see the resident rescued chimps and discover their individual personalities as well as learning more about this characterful species.
It is likely we will be obtaining visas in Freetown and you may also have time to explore the city markets and museums or a boat trip out to the nearby Banana Islands.
Travelling further south towards Liberia you have the option to visit the Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary home to 11 species of primates as well as the rare and elusive pygmy hippo. You can explore the island by foot or dugout canoe, enjoying the river and forest wildlife.
DAY 57-75: TIWAI ISLAND WILDLIFE SANCTUARY TO ACCRA
The roads from the east of Sierra Leone to the border of Liberia are generally in a poor state. Passing through the jungle and continuing our journey that few other travellers get to take, we make our way to Monrovia. Despite the ravages of the past, Liberia is full of hope and energy, and the city is becoming a thriving capital and moving on. Entering Liberia we notice another change in people and culture - especially the language! For the first time in two months of our Africa overland travels, we are in a country where English is the main language. The people in Monrovia are welcoming and pleased to see tourists coming to explore their city. We may have to apply for a visa here, so will be situated in and around the area for a couple of days, including a trip out to Kpatawee waterfalls, considered one of Liberia's most beautiful spots.
Reaching the border with Ivory Coast, more commonly known in its French form we then continue our adventure towards the city of Yamoussoukro. Built by President Boigny, one of the classic ‘Big Man’ dictators it was an expensive and vane project to glorify himself with six-lane highways leading nowhere and a huge Basilica built to copy St. Peter’s in Rome.
A further day's drive away in Abidjan, one of West Africa’s modern cities with skyscrapers and flashy restaurants. However, it very much has the feel of having seen better days and as with so many cities, ostentatious wealth mixes side by side with abject poverty.
Our Africa overland adventure now heads east to the frontier with Ghana and back to English again. Making our way towards the coastline of Ghana we will spend a couple of days relaxing on palm-fringed beaches near Cape Coast. From here we will visit the castles of Elmina and Cape Coast, where thousands of slaves passed through the ‘Door of no Return’. We will also stop at Kakum National Park where you have the opportunity to embark on a canopy walk or trek through the nature trails in the forest.
Kumasi is the capital city of the Ashanti Region and our next stop. You will have the opportunity to visit one of the largest markets in West Africa, Kejetia Market. Stalls sell everything from glass beads and live chickens to Ashanti sandals. Kumasi is also known as a centre for an Ashanti culture and you can visit the National Cultural Centre offering craft workshops and dance performances.
A day's drive takes us to the capital, Accra.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Accommodation is 100% camping.
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Guided Tour of Fes
A guided tour of Fes is included.
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Guided Tour of Volubilis
A guided tour of Volubilis is included.
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Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Guided walk and entry to Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary are included.
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Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary
Entry to Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary is included.
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Notre-Dame de la Paix
Entry into Yamoussoukro's Notre-Dame de la Paix, the world’s largest basilica, is included.
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Cape Coast Castle
Entry into Cape Coast Castle is included.
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Kakum National Park
Kakum National Park canopy walk is included.
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Meals
Approximately 65% of meals are included.
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Transport
All transport on the Oasis Expedition Truck is included.
What's Not Included
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Local Payment
Local payment of USD1050 (2024) or USD1150 (2025) is payable at the start of the trip.
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Visas
Visas are not included.
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Optional Excursions
Optional excursions as listed in the Pre-Departure Information are not included.
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Flights
Flights are not included.
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Airport Taxes and Transfers
Airport taxes and transfers are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included.
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Meals
Approximately 35% of meals are not included.
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Drinks
Drinks are not included.
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Tips
Tips are not included.
More Info
This epic West African expedition takes you from the UK to Accra on an unforgettable overland journey. The adventure begins in Morocco, with it's ancient medina's, souks, through the High Atlas then following the coastline down into the deep deserts of Mauritania, onto the real West Africa with it's bustling colourful markets and amazing cultural sites, finishing the trip on the stunning beaches of Ghana. You will discover a continent most travellers only dream of and have the experience of a lifetime!
Mode of Transport
For most of your trip the Oasis expedition truck will be your new home - giving you a comfortable & secure base with which to experience your trip. We use purpose built truck's which have been converted especially for this expedition, which pass through all types of terrains from soft sand, mud, rock and potholed roads to tarseal. It is reassuring to know that these vehicles can handle the tough conditions that they are put through. The truck is equipped with all the equipment we may need en route, including a professionally compiled expedition Medical Kit, large water & fuel carrying capacities, an extensive range of spare parts and the kitchen sink, (well almost!) so all you need is your sleeping bag, a roll mat and your own personal gear! Seatbelts All Oasis Overland trucks are fitted with seatbelts. For your own safety and security we recommend that travellers wear these at all times whilst the vehicle is moving. Our overland trucks in Africa also have a ‘beach area’ which is a chill out zone to be used when the truck is not moving.
Accommodation
Oasis uses roomy three-person tents but only for two people. They are specially made for us to meet the tougher conditions of an overland trip and have mosquito netting sewn into the door and windows. Tents are shared (between two people of the same sex from your group unless you are a couple). We spend some nights bush or desert camping and the rest of the time in campsites. Facilities and standards at campsites vary, some are well equipped and managed and some are very basic. At bush camps you will be living off the truck, so there will be no showers or en-suite facilities! At certain campsites there is the opportunity to upgrade to a private room at your own expense if you are missing your bed.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation will be provided during the tour?
Accommodation will be 100% camping. Oasis uses roomy three-person tents but only for two people. These tents are specially made to meet the tougher conditions of an overland trip and have mosquito netting sewn into the door and windows. Tents are shared between two people of the same sex from your group unless you are a couple. Some nights will be spent bush or desert camping, and the rest of the time in campsites. Facilities and standards at campsites vary, with some being well equipped and managed, while others are very basic. At bush camps, you will be living off the truck, so there will be no showers or en-suite facilities. At certain campsites, there is the opportunity to upgrade to a private room at your own expense if you are missing your bed.
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What kind of transport will be used during the tour?
For most of the trip, the Oasis expedition truck will be your new home, providing a comfortable and secure base to experience your journey. These purpose-built trucks have been converted especially for this expedition and can handle all types of terrains, from soft sand, mud, rock, and potholed roads to tarseal. The truck is equipped with all the necessary equipment for the route, including a professionally compiled expedition medical kit, large water and fuel carrying capacities, an extensive range of spare parts, and even a kitchen sink. All you need to bring is your sleeping bag, a roll mat, and your personal gear. Additionally, all Oasis Overland trucks are fitted with seatbelts, and for your safety and security, it is recommended that travelers wear these at all times while the vehicle is moving. The trucks also have a 'beach area,' which is a chill-out zone to be used when the truck is not moving.
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What meals are included in the tour?
Approximately 65% of the meals are included in the tour. The remaining 35% of the meals are not included and will be at your own expense.
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What are some of the key highlights of the tour?
Some of the key highlights of the tour include exploring the many medinas, souks, and kasbahs throughout Morocco, crossing the vast Sahara Desert, enjoying Senegalese food and some of the best music in West Africa, traveling through Sahel scrubland and passing through remote villages, hiking through tropical forests and waterfalls as you cross the Fouta Djalon plateau, discovering Africa's best-kept secrets and pristine beaches in Sierra Leone, meeting rescued chimps at Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, relaxing on palm-fringed beaches along the coastline, and navigating Kejetia in Kumasi, the largest market in West Africa.
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What activities are included in the tour?
The tour includes a guided tour of Fes, a guided tour of Volubilis, a guided walk and entry to Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, a visit to Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary, entry into Yamoussoukro's Notre-Dame de la Paix, the world's largest basilica, entry into Cape Coast Castle, and a canopy walk at Kakum National Park.
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What should I bring for the camping accommodation?
You should bring your sleeping bag, a roll mat, and your personal gear for the camping accommodation.
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Are there any additional costs not included in the tour price?
Yes, there are additional costs not included in the tour price. These include a local payment of USD 1050 (2024) or USD 1150 (2025) payable at the start of the trip, visas, optional excursions as listed in the Pre-Departure Information, flights, airport taxes and transfers, travel insurance, approximately 35% of the meals, drinks, and tips.
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What should I expect in terms of itinerary changes?
The itinerary provided is a rough guide and should be treated as such. The journey will be directly through West Africa, a largely undiscovered area for tourism, and there may be changes due to various reasons such as availability of visas, road conditions, embassy and border closures, political unrest, elections and instability, disease outbreaks, changing government travel advice, and adverse weather conditions. Additionally, new and exciting places may be included in the trip as they become possible to visit. Expect there to be some changes during your trip, which is all part of the experience of traveling through West Africa.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Yes, if you are travelling solo. On our Overland Adventures and Ultimate Expeditions, we will pair you up with a tent buddy of the same sex when we camp and the same goes for twin & shared rooms in hostels, so there is no need to go it alone! If you specifically would like to request your own single room whilst on the trip, this may be requested subject to availability and additional fee.
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How many people do you take on your Trips?
On most of our Overland Adventures and Ultimate Expeditions our vehicles can carry a maximum of 24 travellers, the average however is around 16-20 on any one trip. Our Small Group Adventures have a maximum of 18 people per Tour Leader, although again the average is around 10-14 people.
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Low Deposit
Oasis Overland requires a minimum deposit of 400 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of oasis overland charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 65% of booking price.
At 39 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.