West Africa Overland: Accra to Marrakech (Self-Launched)
17 days · West Africa (Ghana, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Senegal, Morocco)
G Adventures charges £8,500
No-markup version: ~£1,760 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched overland version of G Adventures' 17-day West Africa expedition cruise, trading the M/S Expedition for public transport, shared taxis and the occasional short regional flight. You'll trace the history of the transatlantic slave trade at Cape Coast and Elmina castles in Ghana, wander the lagoon-side districts of Abidjan, explore Freetown's creole history and beaches, birdwatch the mangroves around Banjul, soak up Dakar's music and markets, then fly north to finish among the souks and rooftops of Marrakech. Fewer lectures and Zodiac landings, but far more freedom, real local food and a much smaller bill. Costs are rough budget estimates in GBP per person and exclude international flights, visas and vaccines.
Day-by-day
Arrive Accra — Osu & Jamestown
Accra, Ghana
Land at Kotoka International Airport and take a metered taxi or Bolt to a guesthouse in Osu or Kokomlemle (roughly £5-8). Settle in, then walk the colonial-era streets of Jamestown, watch the fishermen at the lighthouse and get your first bowl of waakye or jollof from a street stall. Change money at a forex bureau or ATM — Ghana uses cash for almost everything.
🚌Taxi from airport to Osu, ~£6
🛏Budget guesthouse in Osu (dorm or private room, £12-20/night)
- →Jamestown lighthouse and fishing harbour walk
- →Street food dinner in Osu
- →SIM card and cash set-up
Accra city day or Shai Hills Reserve
Accra, Ghana
Spend the morning at the W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Centre and the National Museum of Ghana, then take a tro-tro or taxi out to Shai Hills Resource Reserve (entrance ~£4) for a guided walk among baboons, antelope and caves. Alternatively swap in the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Makola Market. Evening: live highlife music at a bar in Osu.
🚌Shared taxi/tro-tro to Shai Hills, ~£5 return
🛏Budget guesthouse in Osu
- →National Museum of Ghana
- →Shai Hills Resource Reserve walk
- →Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park
- →Live highlife music
Cape Coast & Elmina castles
Cape Coast, Ghana
Take a VIP or Intercity STC bus from Accra's Tudu or Kaneshie station to Cape Coast (~3 hrs, £4-6). Spend the afternoon at Cape Coast Castle with a local guide (£4 entry plus guide tip), then head to the nearby fishing town of Elmina to see Elmina Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest European building in sub-Saharan Africa. Stay in a cheap guesthouse in Cape Coast town.
🚌Bus Accra–Cape Coast, ~£5; shared taxi to Elmina, ~£1
🛏Guesthouse in Cape Coast (£12-18)
- →Guided tour of Cape Coast Castle (UNESCO)
- →Elmina Castle visit and fishing harbour
- →Walk through Cape Coast old town
Kakum canopy walk then overnight bus toward Abidjan
Kakum / Takoradi, Ghana
Morning shared taxi to Kakum National Park for the famous canopy walkway (£8 entry incl. guide) — go early before the heat. Continue to Takoradi by tro-tro and, if your timing works, take an overnight bus or shared taxi toward the Ghana–Ivory Coast border at Elubo. Otherwise sleep in Takoradi and cross first thing.
🚌Shared taxi to Kakum ~£2; tro-tro to Takoradi ~£2
🛏Simple guesthouse in Takoradi (£14-18)
- →Kakum National Park canopy walkway
- →Takoradi harbour stroll
- →Border crossing prep
Cross into Ivory Coast — Abidjan
Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Cross at Elubo/Noé (allow 2-3 hrs for formalities; get your Ivorian e-visa in advance). Shared taxis and buses continue to Abidjan (~6 hrs, ~£10). Base yourself in Treichville or Cocody. Evening: dinner at a maquis (open-air eatery) with braised fish and attiéké.
🚌Shared taxi and bus to Abidjan, ~£12
🛏Budget guesthouse in Treichville or Cocody (£16-25)
- →Elubo/Noé border crossing
- →Arrival walk in Treichville
- →Maquis dinner
Abidjan — St Paul's Cathedral, markets and lagoon
Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Explore the economic capital: St Paul's Cathedral (a striking modernist landmark), the Plateau district's skyline, the Treichville and Adjamé markets, and the Banco National Park for a morning forest walk. Take the wooden lagoon ferry across to the Banco side for a couple of pounds. Evening live music in Cocody.
🚌Local buses and taxis, ~£6
🛏Budget guesthouse in Abidjan
- →St Paul's Cathedral
- →Adjamé market wander
- →Banco National Park walk
- →Ébrié lagoon ferry
Fly Abidjan to Freetown
Freetown, Sierra Leone
There is no comfortable overland route from Côte d'Ivoire to Sierra Leone in a fortnight — the G Adventures ship covers this leg at sea; you'll take a short regional flight instead (Air Côte d'Ivoire/ASKY via a connection, roughly £180-260 booking ahead). Land at Lungi and take the ferry or water taxi across to Freetown (~£5-12), then a keke (tuk-tuk) to a guesthouse in Aberdeen or Lumley.
🚌Regional flight ~£220; ferry/water taxi ~£8
🛏Guesthouse in Aberdeen, Freetown (£18-28)
- →Flight Abidjan–Freetown
- →Lungi ferry crossing
- →Evening on Aberdeen beach road
Freetown — history, Cotton Tree and beaches
Freetown, Sierra Leone
Walk the city's creole history: the Cotton Tree, St John's Maroon Church, the Sierra Leone National Museum and the former slave-trade sites around the old town. Afternoon keke ride out to Lumley or Tokeh beach for grilled fish and a swim. Freetown is recovering fast from its civil-war past and is one of the friendliest capitals in the region.
🚌Keke taxis around town, ~£5
🛏Guesthouse in Aberdeen
- →Sierra Leone National Museum
- →St John's Maroon Church
- →Cotton Tree
- →Lumley Beach swim and seafood
Overland toward Guinea / fly to The Gambia
Freetown / Banjul
The Banjul leg in the original itinerary is another long sea day. Overland via Guinea and Senegal is possible but realistically 3-4 hard days; most travellers fly Freetown–Banjul with a connection (~£220-300). Take the flight and arrive in The Gambia in the afternoon, then a shared taxi from the airport to Kololi or Bakau (£3).
🚌Regional flight ~£250; shared taxi from airport ~£3
🛏Budget guesthouse in Kololi or Bakau (£18-25)
- →Flight Freetown–Banjul
- →Arrival in Kololi
Banjul — markets, birdwatching and a fruit distillery
Banjul / Bakau, The Gambia
Wander Banjul's Albert Market and the arch, then take a shared gelly-gelly to Bakau for the Kachikally crocodile pool (£5) and the nearby wetlands — The Gambia is a birdwatcher's paradise with 500+ species. Visit a small local fruit or palm-wine distillery (a nod to the tour's 'foodie moment'), then sunset at the coast.
🚌Gelly-gelly and shared taxis, ~£5
🛏Budget guesthouse in Kololi or Bakau
- →Albert Market Banjul
- →Kachikally crocodile pool
- →Bakau wetlands birdwatching
- →Local fruit distillery visit
Cross into Senegal — Dakar
Dakar, Senegal
Take a shared taxi to the Amdalai/Karang border (about 30-45 min from Barra by ferry or the Trans-Gambia road), cross into Senegal and continue by sept-place (shared seven-seater) to Dakar (~5-6 hrs, ~£10). Base in the Medina or Plateau. Evening: thieboudienne (fish and rice) at a neighbourhood restaurant.
🚌Ferry/shared taxi and sept-place, ~£14
🛏Budget guesthouse in Dakar Medina (£20-30)
- →Gambia–Senegal border crossing
- →Sept-place to Dakar
- →Medina neighbourhood walk
Dakar — Gorée Island and African Renaissance
Dakar, Senegal
The essential day in Dakar: ferry to Gorée Island (£6 return) to visit the House of Slaves and the island's museums (£3), continuing the slave-trade thread from Ghana. Back on the mainland, see the African Renaissance Monument and the Marché Sandaga, then catch live mbalax music in the evening.
🚌Gorée ferry and local taxis, ~£10
🛏Budget guesthouse in Dakar
- →Gorée Island and House of Slaves
- →African Renaissance Monument
- →Marché Sandaga
- →Mbalax music night
Cap-Vert / Lac Rose and prepare for the north
Dakar outskirts, Senegal
Half-day trip east to Lac Rose (Lac Retba) — pink salt lake, salt harvesters, and the possibility of a pirogue trip through the dunes to the Atlantic (£10-15 with a local guide arranged at the lake). Alternatively a lazy beach day at Yoff or Ngor. Book your onward flight to Marrakech this evening.
🚌Shared taxi to Lac Rose ~£8 return
🛏Budget guesthouse in Dakar
- →Lac Rose salt lake visit
- →Pirogue through the dunes
- →Yoff beach afternoon
Fly Dakar to Marrakech
Marrakech, Morocco
Fly Dakar (DSS) to Marrakech (RAK) via Casablanca or direct seasonal services with Air Sénégal/Royal Air Maroc (roughly £180-280 booked in advance). Arrive, take bus 19 or a petit taxi to the medina (£1-3), and check into a riad or hostel in the medina. Evening stroll onto Jemaa el-Fna as it fills with food stalls and performers.
🚌Flight ~£230; airport bus/taxi ~£3
🛏Medina hostel or budget riad (£20-32)
- →Flight Dakar–Marrakech
- →Jemaa el-Fna at dusk
Marrakech medina and souks
Marrakech, Morocco
Full day in the medina: the Koutoubia Mosque gardens, the Bahia Palace (£6), the Saadian Tombs, and the spice, leather and metalwork souks. Lunch at a cheap medina stall (tanjia or harira for £3-4). Late afternoon on a rooftop cafe watching the light change over the Atlas Mountains — you've crossed the continent to get here.
🚌Walking plus local taxis, ~£4
🛏Medina hostel or budget riad
- →Bahia Palace
- →Saadian Tombs
- →Souk Semmarine and spice market
- →Rooftop sunset
Atlas foothills day trip (Ourika or Imlil)
Ourika Valley / Imlil, Morocco
Take a shared grand taxi or local bus to the Ourika Valley (~£5 each way) for a short hike to the Setti Fatma waterfalls with a local guide (£8-12), or head to Imlil for a half-day walk in the High Atlas foothills. Back in Marrakech for a hammam (£10-15) and a final dinner.
🚌Shared grand taxi to Ourika, ~£10 return
🛏Medina hostel or budget riad
- →Ourika Valley waterfall hike
- →Imlil village walk
- →Traditional hammam
Depart Marrakech
Marrakech, Morocco
Last morning for the Majorelle Garden or the souks before heading to Menara Airport. If your flight home is from Casablanca, the train takes about 3.5 hrs (~£10). Reconfirm onward plans and, if needed, arrange your yellow fever certificate documentation for entry checks en route.
🚌Taxi or bus to airport, ~£3
🛏—
- →Majorelle Garden or final souk shopping
- →Airport transfer
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,760 | £8,500 |
| Duration | 17 days | 17 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £6,740 per person (79%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,760
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does West Africa Overland: Accra to Marrakech (Self-Launched) cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,760 per person for 17 days in West Africa (Ghana, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Senegal, Morocco). This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £8,500 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,760 — a saving of roughly £6,740 (79%) per person.
How long is the West Africa (Ghana, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Senegal, Morocco) trip?+
This itinerary runs 17 days, covering 17 day-by-day stops through West Africa (Ghana, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Senegal, Morocco).
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, culture, backpacker trip through West Africa (Ghana, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Senegal, Morocco), self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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