Togo
This is an excellent example of a typical Tamberma compound, called a tata. There's a variety of traditional, inhabited tatas here, so typically a visit…
Must-see attractions in West Africa
Brazzaville
These wide and powerful rapids on the Congo River can be viewed on the outskirts of Brazzaville. Most people observe the rapids from the nearby bar Site…
Côte d'Ivoire
The presidential palace, where Houphouët-Boigny is now buried, can only be seen from afar, but visitors come to see the sacred crocodiles that live in the…
São Sebastião & Museu Nacional
São Tomé
São Sebastião is a small fort that houses the national museum, a few rooms of artifacts simply presented. The eclectic, somewhat decaying collection, in…
Republic of Congo
This lovely stretch of sandy beach 19km north of Pointe-Noire is a great place for a day trip out of the city. It's popular with locals at weekends, and…
Guinea
One of the most enjoyable excursions from Labé is to the impressive Chutes de Saala, where water cascades down a series of step-like falls in a pretty…
Republic of Congo
Half an hour north of Pointe-Noire, just outside the dusty village of Diosso, is the remarkable scenery of Diosso Gorge, which tears through the otherwise…
Mauritania
As you arrive across the sands or plateau from Atâr or Chinguetti, the stone houses of Le Ksar al Kiali seem to tumble down the cliff. The top of the hill…
Guinea
The old French governor's residence, Villa Sili (1936), which was for many years almost on the verge of collapse, has been recently renovated and is a fun…
Sierra Leone
Freetown's most famous landmark is the fat Cotton Tree, which looms large over the buildings of central Freetown. Rumoured to be hundreds of years old, it…
Burkina Faso
The Karfiguéla Waterfalls, where you can take a dip in the lovely natural pools on the upper section, are at their best during and just after the rainy…
Liberia
This lighthouse can be climbed for an outstanding panoramic view of the cape. Although no longer functional, it's on a UN base, so get permission first,…
Gabon
Madame Bichet, mother of the first priest at this mission, certainly had connections in Paris. In 1889 she asked Gustav Eiffel to ship the plans and…
Republic of Congo
Some way north of Pointe-Noire in the village of Diosso is this rather surprisingly located history museum, which covers the history of Congo and its…
Nossa Senhora da Graça Cathedral
São Tomé
While fairly humble as cathedrals go, the Nossa Senhora da Graça is one of Africa's oldest, and a testimony to persistence, as it has been destroyed and…
Lagos
The museum has some amazing artefacts, though the presentation is a little dishevelled. The Cycle of Life exhibit explores traditional Nigerian life, from…
Guinea
An interesting place to both buy and watch locally made crafts such as indigo cloth and leather sandals is at the Maison des Artisans. The staff will…
Burkina Faso
The 115-hectare Forêt de Kou is an unexpected gem: the reserve includes three completely different ecosystems – tropical rainforest, teak plantation and…
Guinea
The Case à Palabres is an impressively large meeting hall that was once used by village elders. It has been recently renovated and its beautiful Fula bas…
Conakry
The Musée National has a modest collection of masks, statues and musical instruments, many of which are used in religious or mystical ceremonies.
Brazzaville
This modernist 1949 building was the crowning achievement of French architect Roger Erell, who was known for fusing Western architectural ideas with local…
Togo
This is one of the biggest and most colourful markets in Togo, with produce and bric-a-brac and a fun atmosphere. It's great for embracing local culture…
Benin
This museum is housed in the walled palace of King Toffa, who signed the first treaty with the French in 1863. It focuses on the alounloun musical…
Liberia
This is the world's largest rubber plantation, which is leased from the government on a controversial 99-year plan. You can view how rubber is processed …
Benin
Housed in a colonial building built by slaves at the beginning of the 20th century, this museum gives an overview of life in Somba communities. The…
Banjul
Well-presented, if slightly dusty, displays of historical and cultural artefacts, including musical instruments, agricultural tools and ethnographic items…
Boa Vista
An eerie sight is the wreck of the Santa Maria, a rusting hulk laid out on a stormy stretch of beach to the north of Sal Rei along Costa de Boa Esperança…
Musée Préfectoral de Kissidougou
Guinea
The town's small museum, which is opposite the police station, has some wonderful, if dusty, masks and other spiritual and magical objects related to the…
Malabo
A bright yellow building on the main street, this centre is a lovely colonial building with large windows. It has a central atrium that serves as a…
Dakar
Surrounded by sumptuous gardens and guards in colonial-style uniforms, the presidential palace was originally built for the colonial governors but now…
Guinea-Bissau
An inspiring community project that introduces visitors to the traditions of the Papel people. Pano de pente, symbolic weavings made by Papel men on large…
Benin
Fancy a refreshing dip? Consider heading to the Kota Falls, 15km southeast of Natitingou, off the main highway. You can hike around in the hills, swim in…
Tubman Center of African Culture
Liberia
Destroyed during Liberia's war, the shambles of this former museum and current ruin yields a few onlookers. Its draw is often to see how the overgrowth…
Musée Nationale des Arts et Traditions du Gabon
Libreville
The National Museum of Art and Tradition has exhibitions on tribal crafts and culture, and a great collection of masks and stone carvings. A guided tour …
Guinea
Pita's major attraction, the tall, narrow Chutes du Kinkon, is close to a large hydroelectric plant but this doesn't detract from its beauty. To get to…
Guinea
The Petit Musée du Fouta Djallon is a quiet spot, where you learn about the region's unique Fula culture. Many of the items are displayed in small…
Dakar
The impressive Grande Mosquée, built in 1964, sits in the heart of Médina, a lively neighbourhood where tiny tailor shops fight for space with improvised…
Republic of Congo
The Lésio Louna Gorilla Reserve, 140km north of Brazzaville, is a home for orphaned and confiscated gorillas. During a visit you can see the babies in the…
São Tomé
The much-advertised 'Mouth of Hell' blowhole on the seaward side of the EN-2, just after the Km17 marker, has lost its spark. Those on Ilhėu das Rolas are…
Lagos
Named for Nigeria's first prime minister, this is Lagos' commercial heart and has some remarkable monuments. They include statues of gargantuan horses,…
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