Hear about travel to West Africa (Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau) as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jenna Fletcher from LifeKineticTravel.com about her quest to see baby sea turtles in Guinea-Bissau.
This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less —…Hear about travel to West Africa (Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau) as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jenna Fletcher from LifeKineticTravel.com about her quest to see baby sea turtles in Guinea-Bissau.
This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel here.
Why should you go to West Africa?
Jenna says, "It is absolutely breathtakingly beautiful: green, flowers, animals. It is one of those spots that is definitely less explored by Western tourists. I think it gives you a different perspective on some of the history that you've learned about throughout school. And so I really enjoyed learning about the horrors of slavery while in Western Africa, and also a different perspective on colonialism."
Itinerary
Jenna’s recommended route is a two-week itinerary starting in The Gambia, continuing into Senegal, and ending in Guinea-Bissau, arranged partly around the fixed dates she could get for Orango National Park.
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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-west-africa/
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What happens when you try overland travel in West Africa across seven countries using only local transport?
Gunnar Garfors is a Norwegian traveler, journalist, and author who became the first person to visit every country in the world twice. He is known for seeking out unusual routes and lesser-vi…What happens when you try overland travel in West Africa across seven countries using only local transport?
Gunnar Garfors is a Norwegian traveler, journalist, and author who became the first person to visit every country in the world twice. He is known for seeking out unusual routes and lesser-visited destinations, often traveling far beyond typical tourist paths. Jacqui Kunz is a full-time traveler who has explored more than 100 countries and was named “World’s Most Intrepid Traveler” in 2023, recognizing her commitment to exploring challenging destinations and traveling well off the beaten path.
In this episode, co-hosts Jacqui and Gunnar share stories from the first leg of their West Africa adventure across seven countries, covering Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Guinea.
They talk about what it’s really like to travel overland in West Africa, from chaotic border crossings and broken buses to incredible landscapes, unexpected friendships, and the patience required to move through the region.
If you’ve ever wondered what travel in this part of the world actually feels like on the ground, this conversation gives you a candid look at the challenges, surprises, and rewards of exploring West Africa slowly.
What kind of travel experiences become possible when you stop rushing and embrace the unpredictability of the journey? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.
Tune In To Learn:
Why traveling overland in West Africa requires a completely different mindset about time and planning
How local minibuses work, and why you may be waiting a while to get going
What it’s like traveling upriver in The Gambia to visit River Gambia National Park and see chimpanzees
Why going inland in The Gambia offers a very different experience from the coastal resort areas
How to navigate crossings, visas, and illegal stamp fees that travelers are sometimes asked to pay
What happened when their bus broke down and the driver abandoned it on a remote road
How unexpected delays led to shared rides, new friendships, and memorable moments with local travelers
Why Guinea-Bissau ended up being the biggest surprise and favorite country of the trip
What it’s like traveling through Guinea’s highlands on roads compared to a motocross track
Why slow, overland travel creates deeper connections with people and places along the way
And so much more
Resources:
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Gunnar’s website
Gunnar on Instagram
Jacqui on Instagram
Want More?
9 Ways Travel Will Change You + Lessons from Cycling Africa and Visiting 95 Countries with Alex Hennock
5 Surprising Experiences in Africa, How to Transition to a New Career After Travel, and Exploring the African Diaspora With Jay Cameron
Adventure and Conservation - A 6,000 km Tuk-Tuk Journey Through Africa
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