West Africa Travel Guide

This blog is a free resource filled with information that we have gathered from living and traveling in West Africa. We’d love to have you on one of our trips but from one traveler to another, we are just happy to see people visiting the region.

The blog is also a reflection of our travel philosophy. It’s possible to have quite the adventure in West Africa, but we are a bit tired of reading travelogues that make it seem like walking down the street in your average West African city is a death defying experience. We’d like to think that the advice provided in these pages will help you discover West Africa on its own terms, with an eye to the simple things that make this such a great place to visit. 

If you would like to contribute, please get in touch with us on the contact page. For more stories from the road, follow us on Instagram, Youtube and Patreon.

Join our Patreon and Get Unlimited Travel Assistance

If you join our Scoot West Africa Patreon and sign up for the Chauffeur or Grand Chef membership options, you will get unlimited West Africa travel planning assistance from us for as long as you are a member. The Patreon is also where we share a number of stories and adventures that can’t be found on our other channels.

Crossing the Border Between Mauritania and Senegal

Crossing the Border Between Mauritania and Senegal

Few borders have more notoriety amongst overlanders in Africa than the crossing between Senegal and Mauritania. While the Rosso crossing shows up in more horror stories, the Diama crossing is not exactly adored by travelers either. But hey, borders must be crossed,...

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10 Things You Must Do in Benin

10 Things You Must Do in Benin

There has never been a better time to visit Benin. Here is what you should not miss. Can't do all ten? Make sure you do number seven. Ok, that was an obnoxious headline and introduction. I'm not even sure what number seven recommends. But it is a fantastic time to...

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Sim Cards and Data in West Africa

Sim Cards and Data in West Africa

Some years ago it was a piece of cake to snap up a sim card right on the border, load it with credit and be on your way. Many countries have since required telecom operators to register sim cards with the purchaser. You typically need to present your passport and an...

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Visiting The Lagoon in Somone, Senegal

Visiting The Lagoon in Somone, Senegal

South of Dakar and north of The Gambia, the Sine-Saloum is the big ticket estuary that draws visitors from around the world for fishing, bird-watching, and indulging in sundowners next to one of the many waterways. But slightly further north, and much closer to the...

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