Three weeks in west Africa

[netllama]

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?

Storm approaching over the Bobo mosque 

birds hitching a ride

sunset at Pendjari 

the barn

smuggler's route into Nigeria

crossing the Niger at rush hour 

he waits for you 

hiding

the road of slaves

the Atlantic coast 

nowhere 

fishing on the Niger 

UN Airlines, flying to the world's hot spots 

the domes

sand fishers 

the old mosque on the river 

smiling hippo 

farm

bats at dusk 

market traffic 

they wait

monkey

its not painted 

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!