🇳🇬West Africa
- Capital
- Abuja
- Go for
- Lagos art and music, Osun-Osogbo sacred grove
- Taste
- Jollof rice and egusi with pounded yam
- Best time
- November to March, the dry season
- Say hello
- Ẹ n lẹ · Yoruba
Travel tip: Keep small naira notes for markets and okada rides, and let a local guide set the price before you get in.
🇬🇭West Africa
- Capital
- Accra
- Go for
- Accra galleries, Cape Coast castles, Kumasi kente weavers
- Taste
- Waakye and kelewele
- Best time
- November to March
- Say hello
- Maakye · Twi
Travel tip: Buy kente straight from the weaving villages around Bonwire — you will pay less and meet the maker.
🇸🇳West Africa
- Capital
- Dakar
- Go for
- Dakar music scene, Gorée Island, Lac Rose
- Taste
- Thieboudienne
- Best time
- November to May
- Say hello
- Salaam aleekum · Wolof
Travel tip: Ferries to Gorée fill up fast at weekends; go on a weekday morning for a quieter visit.
🇧🇯West Africa
- Capital
- Porto-Novo
- Go for
- Ouidah heritage route, Ganvié stilt village, Abomey palaces
- Taste
- Amiwo with grilled fish
- Best time
- November to February
- Say hello
- A doo gan · Fon
Travel tip: Ouidah's Route des Esclaves is best walked early with a local historian, before the heat.
