18 Days West African Treasures Expedition

About the destination: It is located on a peninsula between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mesurado River. Monrovia is the largest city in Liberia and its most important administrative, economic, commercial and financial center. The economy of the city revolves around its port, which during the Second World War was substantially expanded by the US Army.

About the destination: Freetown is the capital city of Sierra Leone and is the heart of the Western region. It is on a peninsula on the south bank of the estuary of the Sierra Leone River. The city lies at the foot of the Peninsula Mountains and faces one of the best natural harbors on the west coast of Africa. The peninsula is home to some of the finest beaches in Africa - Lumley beach, Lakka beach, No. 2 river beach and Toke beach are some examples. The city has some hidden gems that are well worth finding. The Colonial houses on stilts at Hill Station offer insight into how people lived in the past, the National Rail museum and the Sierra Leone Museum. From Cape Sierra Leone Lighthouse here are some stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean.

About the destination: Banjul, officially the City of Banjul and formerly known as Bathurst, is the capital of the Gambia and is in a division of the same name. The Greater Banjul Area includes the City of Banjul and the Kanifing Municipal Council. Banjul is on St Mary's Island (Banjul Island), where the Gambia River enters the Atlantic Ocean. The island is connected to the mainland to the west and the rest of Greater Banjul Area via bridges. There are also ferries linking Banjul to the mainland at the other side of the river. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • Arch 22 • The Gambia National Museum. • Albert Market. • Banjul State House. • Banjul Court House. • The African Heritage Museum or African Heritage Centre is a museum and art gallery in Banjul, The Gambia. It holds a large collection of African art and statues.

About the destination: Dakar, Senegal's capital, is located in the most western point of the African continent. Dakar is a lively, growing and changing capital with modern buildings and working-class neighbourhoods and bustling and crowded markets in the Medina area. Dakar, like many cities in the developing world, is strongly influenced by its colonial history, which can still be seen in some of its architecture. But don’t be fooled, Dakar is proudly African, colorful and authentic. The Plateau, historically the French area of the city, still has a very European character. Many parts of the urban landscape are indistinguishable from a street in a French city. This is where the city's major banks and businesses are located. European style cafés and shops are also found throughout the area. Historical buildings such as the Chamber of Commerce, the Presidential Mansion and the railroad station are also located here. Other important attractions in Dakar are the African Renaissance Monument, Ile de Goree, the Place de l'independence, Dakar Grand Mosque and Dakar Cathedral. Dakar is a bustling, charming and sometimes chaotic city of typical West African character.

About the destination: Bamako is the capital and largest city of Mali. It is located on the Niger River, near the rapids that divide the upper and middle Niger valleys in the southwestern part of the country. Bamako is the nation's administrative center. Bamako's river port is located in nearby Koulikoro, along with a major regional trade and conference center. Bamako is the seventh-largest West African urban center after Lagos, Abidjan, Kano, Ibadan, Dakar, and Accra. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • Tour BCEAO. • Bamako Grand Mosque. • Pont du Roi Fahd • Muso Kunda Museum. • Bamako Regional Museum. • Bamako Zoo. • Bamako Botanical Gardens. • Point G Hill. • Mali National Museum.

About the destination: Ouagadougou is the largest city in Burkina Faso. Located in the center of the country, the city is not just the capital, but also the hub of just about anything in Burkina Faso. The city has wide tree-lined boulevards and several interesting sights. The National Museum is located in a fenced area with buildings in African style. The museum has an interesting display of ancestral statues and traditional costumes of Burkina Faso’s major ethnic groups. Other interesting sites to visit are the Nouveau Grand Marche , the National Museum of Music, the Musée de Manega, the Jardin de l'amitié Ouaga-Loudun and the Moro Naba Palace. Ouagadougou is a fairly modern city with hotels, restaurants, bars, small markets, mosques and churches. The atmosphere is relaxed and its inhabitants are known to be very hospitable and friendly. The city a lively nightclub and live music scene.

About the destination: Accra is the capital of Ghana and is situated at the very south of the country, at the Atlantic Coast. The city was originally built around the port. Its architecture ranges from large and elegant 19th Century colonial buildings to skyscrapers and apartment blocks made of concrete, glass and steel. The center of Accra contains the main banks, embassies, the large department stores, museums, the government administration, restaurants and hotels. The residential areas are to the north and west of Accra. The highlights of Accra are the National Museum, the Centre for National Culture, Independence Square, the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, the fishing port at James Town and Makola Market, the university of Ghana at Legon is just 14km north of Accra, and its distinctive buildings are set amongst elegant tree-lined gardens that are popular with students and visitors.. Accra is vibrant and accessible and everything Ghana has to offer.