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Three weeks in west Africa - Printable Version

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Three weeks in west Africa - netllama - 2021-07-28

I've recently returned from spending three weeks travelling around west Africa.  Specifically, Mali, Burina Faso, Togo & Benin.  While this wasn't my first time in the region, all four of those nations were my first visit.  Its a fascinating region that is difficult to summarize.  It encompasses the southern edges of the Sahara, all the way south to the Atlantic coast, with multiple dominant religions, languages, cultures, and ecosystems. 

Due to the pandemic, its not currently possible to travel overland between these nations (however, it used to be).  As a result, we had to fly between each country, in what were basically hour long hops.  Additionally, the north east portions of Mali and Burkina have been fighting extremists for years, and are effectively unsafe for outsides (people have been kidnapped), so we couldn't explore those areas at all.  Despite that, we visited a large chunk of these countries, and had an amazing experience.  But enough of my rambling, you're likely here for the pix, right?

[Image: 51339354007_de468424d5_b.jpg]Storm approaching over the Bobo mosque 

[Image: 51340822524_703d2e7713_b.jpg]birds hitching a ride

[Image: 51340305383_6e42f8906c_b.jpg]sunset at Pendjari 

[Image: 51340300683_df61ec5cd0_b.jpg]the barn

[Image: 51339353712_3a1bc1cffd_h.jpg]smuggler's route into Nigeria

[Image: 51340815959_c9667a3075_h.jpg]crossing the Niger at rush hour 

[Image: 51341089455_a016571ac6_h.jpg]he waits for you 

[Image: 51341091235_2c6af2903b_h.jpg]hiding

[Image: 51341085700_a5e06e5e12_h.jpg]the road of slaves

[Image: 51341086040_3bc13aff0c_h.jpg]the Atlantic coast 

[Image: 51340818759_47aa4db26f_h.jpg]nowhere 

[Image: 51339351667_fc58a93171_h.jpg]fishing on the Niger 

[Image: 51340301103_786dc163aa_h.jpg]UN Airlines, flying to the world's hot spots 

[Image: 51339359622_2fcba9903e_h.jpg]the domes

[Image: 51341086275_2d809f9667_h.jpg]sand fishers 

[Image: 51339351707_71d08ca9ab_h.jpg]the old mosque on the river 

[Image: 51341090285_e20c5ae2d6_h.jpg]smiling hippo 

[Image: 51340298428_0ac5b3dd3a_h.jpg]farm

[Image: 51341083220_68fd40bc9f_h.jpg]bats at dusk 

[Image: 51339353502_3479d6ceed_h.jpg]market traffic 

[Image: 51341089295_386e7102a1_h.jpg]they wait

[Image: 51340306018_7b6ae320dd_h.jpg]monkey

[Image: 51340081911_3ca747aecd_h.jpg]its not painted 

[Image: 51341083585_949d0d041a_h.jpg]the new mosque


For those curious, I've posted a very detailed, day by day, trip report here. You can also view many more photos here.  And if you want to follow me on future trips, I'm 'netllama' on instagram too.

thanks!

RE: Three weeks in west Africa - MojaveGeek - 2021-07-29

Wow, what an amazing trip. Africa seems to always be full of surprises and sights.

RE: Three weeks in west Africa - netllama - 2021-07-29

(2021-07-29, 06:42 AM)MojaveGeek Wrote: Wow, what an amazing trip. Africa seems to always be full of surprises and sights.

Indeed. I can never get enough. Hopefully going back in November.

RE: Three weeks in west Africa - DeathValleyDazed - 2021-07-29

(2021-07-28, 08:46 PM)netllama Wrote: I've recently returned from spending three weeks travelling around west Africa.

Outstanding and captivating!

RE: Three weeks in west Africa - MojaveGeek - 2021-07-30

(2021-07-29, 08:08 AM)netllama Wrote: Indeed. I can never get enough. Hopefully going back in November.

Wow, that's not that far away! Where would this next trip take you?

RE: Three weeks in west Africa - netllama - 2021-07-30

(2021-07-30, 05:55 AM)MojaveGeek Wrote:
(2021-07-29, 08:08 AM)netllama Wrote: Indeed. I can never get enough. Hopefully going back in November.

Wow, that's not that far away! Where would this next trip take you?

Hopefully, deep into the Sahara in Chad.

RE: Three weeks in west Africa - MojaveGeek - 2021-07-30

Wow that would be very cool. Chad, not frequently visited.