44 days in Africa Itinerary

Situated on the western edge of mainland Africa, the crowded and dynamic city of Dakar offers visitors booming shopping, dining, and entertainment scenes.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Dakar: Paroisse Saint Charles Borromee (in Goree Island), Lagune de la Somone (in Somone) and Reserve De Bandia (in Saly). The adventure continues: pause for some photo ops at Le Monument de la Renaissance Africaine, don't miss a visit to Lago Rosa, identify plant and animal life at Wildlife Areas, and take in the exciting artwork at La Galerie Antenna.

For traveler tips, reviews, where to stay, and other tourist information, read Dakar tour itinerary planner.

Newark, USA to Dakar is an approximately 20-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 5 hours traveling from Newark to Dakar. When traveling from Newark in October, plan for somewhat warmer days and much warmer nights in Dakar: temperatures range from 88°F by day to 78°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Thu) to allow enough time to fly to Banjul.

Banjul, officially the City of Banjul and formerly known as Bathurst, is the capital of The Gambia and is in a division of the same name. On the 6th (Thu), contemplate the long history of Fort James Island, enjoy the sand and surf at Kotu Beach, explore the striking landscape of River Gambia National Park, then explore the wealth of natural beauty at Kiang West National Park, then stroll through Abuko Nature Reserve, and finally hunt for treasures at Albert Market. On the 7th (Fri), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: don't miss a visit to Arch 22, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Bijilo Forest Park, and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Katchikally Crocodile Pool.

To see traveler tips, reviews, more things to do, and more tourist information, read Banjul planning app.

You can fly from Dakar to Banjul in 3 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. October in Banjul sees daily highs of 92°F and lows of 74°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 7th (Fri) early enough to catch the flight to Bissau.

Looking out from the Geba River across the Atlantic Ocean, the little-known capital of Bissau offers the authentic experience of a West African fishing port.

On the 8th (Sat), admire all the interesting features of Presidential Palace, then contemplate the long history of Fortaleza de Sao Jose da Amura, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Igreja Catolica da Bissau, and finally browse the eclectic array of goods at Mercado Central.

To see reviews and other tourist information, read our Bissau trip itinerary site.

Traveling by flight from Banjul to Bissau takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. October in Bissau sees daily highs of 90°F and lows of 76°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 8th (Sat) early enough to catch the flight to Conakry.

Guinea's capital and largest city, Conakry acts as the nation's economic and cultural center, containing nearly a quarter of the population.

Step out of Conakry with an excursion to Les Cascades De La Soumba in Dubreka--about 46 minutes away. And it doesn't end there: head off the coast to Iles de Los, pause for some serene contemplation at Sante Marie Cathedral, take in the spiritual surroundings of Conakry Grand Mosque, and enjoy some diversion at CanalOlympia Kaloum.

To find ratings, photos, and more tourist information, use the Conakry tour itinerary maker site.

Traveling by flight from Bissau to Conakry takes 10 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or drive. In October, daily temperatures in Conakry can reach 87°F, while at night they dip to 74°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 11th (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Freetown.

Straddling an undulating coastline, Freetown serves as the capital and largest city of Sierra Leone.

Kick off your visit on the 12th (Wed): enjoy the sand and surf at Bureh Beach, then see some colorful creatures with Banana Divers Sierra Leone, and then enjoy the sand and surf at River Number Two Beach. On your second day here, identify plant and animal life at Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, kick back and relax at Lumley Beach, and then stroll through Lakka Beach.

For other places to visit, ratings, traveler tips, and more tourist information, you can read our Freetown road trip planning site.

You can drive from Conakry to Freetown in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and car. In October, daily temperatures in Freetown can reach 86°F, while at night they dip to 77°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 13th (Thu) early enough to travel to Monrovia.

The capital of Liberia and its most populous city, Monrovia lies on the Atlantic Coast of Cape Mesurado.

Start off your visit on the 14th (Fri): contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Sacred Heart Cathedral, admire the landmark architecture of Matadi Central Mosque, contemplate the long history of Providence Island, then browse the exhibits of Liberian National Museum, and finally contemplate the long history of Centennial Pavilion.

To find more things to do, other places to visit, where to stay, and more tourist information, refer to the Monrovia online tour itinerary planner.

You can do a combination of car and flight from Freetown to Monrovia in 7.5 hours. Another option is to drive. October in Monrovia sees daily highs of 86°F and lows of 75°F at night. On the 15th (Sat), you're off to Yamoussoukro.

Unlike many of the world's cities with infrastructure trying to keep up with population, Yamoussoukro has no such problem--many of the city's sprawling six-lane highways and hotels were built before anybody lived here.

Kick off your visit on the 16th (Sun): get a sense of history and politics at Palais Presidentiel, then pause for some serene contemplation at The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, and then take in the spiritual surroundings of Grande Mosquee. Here are some ideas for day two: look for all kinds of wild species at Abokouamekro Game Reserve.

For traveler tips, more things to do, where to stay, and other tourist information, use the Yamoussoukro tour itinerary planner.

Do a combination of flight and bus from Monrovia to Yamoussoukro in 11 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. October in Yamoussoukro sees daily highs of 89°F and lows of 71°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 17th (Mon) to allow time for the car ride to Abidjan.

As Cote d'Ivoire's largest city and economic hub, Abidjan boasts the reputation of West Africa's party capital, while its rich culture remains evident in its numerous film festivals and a booming music scene.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Abidjan: Assagny National Park (in Grand-Lahou) and Pont De La Victoire (in Grand Bassam). The adventure continues: take in the architecture and atmosphere at St. Paul's Cathedral, take a stroll through The Plateau, relax and rejuvenate at some of the top local wellness centers, and learn more about the world around you at Musee des Civilisations de Cote d’Ivoire.

For reviews, ratings, more things to do, and more tourist information, use the Abidjan route planning website.

Drive from Yamoussoukro to Abidjan in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train. In October in Abidjan, expect temperatures between 85°F during the day and 76°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Thu) early enough to fly to Accra.

On a tour of Accra, you can experience the vivacious and dynamic atmosphere of Ghana's sprawling capital city, a commercial and tourist hub of the region.

Step out of Accra with an excursion to Aburi Botanical Gardens in Aburi--about 52 minutes away. Next up on the itinerary: take an in-depth tour of Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, visit a coastal fixture at James Town Lighthouse, contemplate the long history of Black Star Gate, and explore the world behind art at Gallery 1957.

To see photos, other places to visit, maps, and tourist information, use the Accra trip itinerary planner.

You can fly from Abidjan to Accra in 3 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. In October, daily temperatures in Accra can reach 87°F, while at night they dip to 76°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Sun) so you can drive to Lome.

Sometimes called the Pearl of West Africa, Lome contains a cheerful spirit shown through its bustling street markets where both locals and visitors meet on a regular basis.

Kick off your visit on the 24th (Mon): take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Mount Agou, contemplate the waterfront views at Lac Togo, pause for some serene contemplation at Lome Cathedral, see the interesting displays at Musee International du Golfe de Guinee, then get a taste of the local shopping with La Civette, and finally contemplate the long history of Tamberma Villages. On your second day here, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Grande Mosquee, then hunt for treasures at Grand Marche, then appreciate the history behind Monument de l'Independance, and finally take an in-depth tour of National Museum.

For ratings, other places to visit, reviews, and more tourist information, read Lome trip itinerary builder app.

Traveling by car from Accra to Lome takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 87°F in October, and nighttime lows around 76°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Tue) to allow enough time to fly to Porto-Novo.

Porto-Novo is the capital of Benin, and was the capital of French Dahomey. Start off your visit on the 26th (Wed): make a trip to Jardin Place Jean Bayol, get engrossed in the history at Ethnographique Museum of Porto Novo, then pause for some serene contemplation at Cathedrale Notre Dame de l'Immaculee Conception, and finally step into the grandiose world of Musee Honme (Palais Royal).

For photos, other places to visit, where to stay, and tourist information, refer to the Porto-Novo trip planner.

You can drive from Lome to Porto-Novo in 3.5 hours. Other options are to fly; or drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi. The time zone changes from Greenwich Mean Time to West Africa Standard Time, which is usually a 1 hour difference. October in Porto-Novo sees daily highs of 86°F and lows of 76°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 26th (Wed) early enough to go by car to Lagos.

Protected from the Atlantic by sand spits and barrier islands, Lagos quickly grew into a mega city due to its location, and currently operates one of the continent's largest and busiest ports.

Change things up with a short trip to Olumo Rock in Abeokuta (about 1h 40 min away). There's lots more to do: explore the galleries of Nike Art Gallery, browse the eclectic array of goods at Lekki Market, see the interesting displays at The National Museum, and look for all kinds of wild species at Lekki Conservation Centre.

To find reviews, maps, and tourist information, go to the Lagos tour planner.

Traveling by car from Porto-Novo to Lagos takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of taxi and bus. In October, plan for daily highs up to 87°F, and evening lows to 75°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 29th (Sat) early enough to catch the flight to Douala.

Cameroon's largest city and capital, Douala prides itself on its busy, commercial, and business-centric way of life.

Venture out of the city with trips to Mount Cameroon (in Buea) and Limbe Wildlife Centre (in Limbe). And it doesn't end there: engage your brain at Musee Maritime de Douala, admire the striking features of Cathedrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, view the masterpieces at Marche des Fleurs, and make a trip to La Nouvelle Liberte.

Before you visit Douala, use our trip planner to discover what you can do and see there.

Traveling by flight from Lagos to Douala takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. In October, daytime highs in Douala are 87°F, while nighttime lows are 74°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 1st (Tue) early enough to catch the flight to Malabo.

The oldest city in Equatorial Guinea, regional capital Malabo represents a monument to Spanish colonial architecture, mingled with modern buildings commissioned since decolonization.

On the 2nd (Wed), pause for some serene contemplation at Iglesia de San Fernando, get your bearings at Centro Cultural de Espana en Malabo, don't miss a visit to La Casa Verde, then tour the pleasant surroundings at The Malabo National Park, and finally take in the architecture and atmosphere at Catedral de Santa Isabel. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 3rd (Thu): take in the awesome beauty at Pico Basile and then enjoy the sand and surf at Arena Blanca.

Ask Klarna Trips to suggest an itinerary and make planning a trip to Malabo fast, fun, and easy.

Fly from Douala to Malabo in 2.5 hours. In November, daily temperatures in Malabo can reach 86°F, while at night they dip to 74°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 3rd (Thu) to allow time for travel to Yaounde.

Taking a central place in the country of Cameroon, the capital of Yaounde represents a hub for expats, foreign embassies, and trading.

On the 4th (Fri), take in the spiritual surroundings of Lamido Grand Mosque, then watch a film at CanalOlympia Yaounde 1, then look for all kinds of wild species at Mefou National Park, and finally pause for some serene contemplation at Basilique Marie-Reine-des-Apotres. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 5th (Sat): admire the masterpieces at Benedictine Museum of Mont-Febe, then admire the masterpieces at National Museum of Yaounde (Le Musee National de Yaounde), then get engrossed in the history at Musee Ethnographique des Peuples de la Foret, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Mosquee Centrale.

To find photos, reviews, more things to do, and other tourist information, you can read our Yaounde trip itinerary maker.

Getting from Malabo to Yaounde by combination of flight and train takes about 8 hours. Other options: fly. Traveling from Malabo in November, plan for a bit cooler nights in Yaounde, with lows around 68°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 5th (Sat) so you can drive to Bata.

Bata is a port city in the Litoral Province of Equatorial Guinea. Start off your visit on the 6th (Sun): pause for some serene contemplation at Bata Cathedral.

Ask Klarna Trips to suggest an itinerary and make planning a trip to Bata fast, fun, and easy.

Getting from Yaounde to Bata by car takes about 7 hours. Other options: do a combination of car and flight; or do a combination of train and flight. Traveling from Yaounde in November, plan for a bit warmer nights in Bata, with lows around 75°F. You will leave for Libreville on the 7th (Mon).

The capital of Gabon and home to almost half of the country's residents, Libreville differs from many African cities, with paved roads, clean streets, and luxurious residences.

Start off your visit on the 8th (Tue): try your luck at Casino Croisette, kick back and relax at Pointe-Denis Beach, and then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at St Marie Cathedral. On the 9th (Wed), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: take in the architecture and atmosphere at Notre-dame de Lourdes, then admire the landmark architecture of L'Eglise St-Michel Libreville, then browse the eclectic array of goods at Marche du Mont-Bouet, and finally admire the landmark architecture of Cour Constitutionnelle.

To see reviews, traveler tips, where to stay, and tourist information, read Libreville trip itinerary website.

Drive from Bata to Libreville in 11 hours. In November, daily temperatures in Libreville can reach 84°F, while at night they dip to 75°F. You'll have a few hours on the 10th (Thu) to wrap things up before traveling to Sao Tome.

São Tomé is the capital city of São Tomé and Príncipe and is by far the nation's largest town. On the 10th (Thu), enjoy the sand and surf at Praia Micondo, then enjoy the sand and surf at Praia dos Tamarindos, then kick back and relax at Lagoa Azul, and finally step off the mainland to explore Ilheu das Rolas. Here are some ideas for day two: examine the collection at National Museum, steep yourself in history at Forte De Sao Sebastiao, and then admire the sheer force of Cascata de Sao Nicolau.

To see where to stay, maps, traveler tips, and more tourist information, you can read our Sao Tome day trip website.

Traveling by flight from Libreville to Sao Tome takes 5.5 hours. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 1 hour traveling from Libreville to Sao Tome. In November, plan for daily highs up to 85°F, and evening lows to 75°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 12th (Sat) so you can catch the flight to Principe.

Life slows down in Principe, and visitors appreciate the laid-back vibe.

On the 13th (Sun), cast your line with Makaira Adventure and then kick back and relax at Banana Beach.

To see traveler tips, where to stay, reviews, and other tourist information, read our Principe trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Sao Tome to Principe takes 3 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Sun) to allow enough time to travel back home.