Mountains, Nature and Wildlife
Twelve days through wild Côte d’Ivoire: the Banco forest, the N’zi savannah, the mountains of Man, the chimpanzees of Taï and the west coast.
Overview
Côte d’Ivoire is not only masks and kingdoms. It is also home to one of the last great primary forests of West Africa, savannahs with antelopes and warthogs, forest-covered mountains in the west and an almost untouched coast facing the Atlantic.
This journey explores that other side of the country on foot, by jeep and by canoe: the Banco forest in the heart of Abidjan, the N’zi reserve and its safaris, the sacred monkeys of Gbétitapéa, the mountains of Man and the liana bridges of Dan country, two nights in the heart of Taï National Park to meet the chimpanzees and, to finish, the west coast, from the fishermen of Grand-Béréby to the mangroves of Azagny.
Twelve days on the ground, arriving in and departing from Abidjan. Taï National Park can only be visited in the dry season, so the journey runs from mid-November to the end of April.
Highlights
- The chimpanzees of TaïTwo nights in Taï National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with the park’s forest guides.
- Safari in the N’ziA jeep safari, a night safari and the climb of Mount Sika Oka in a nature reserve in the centre of the country.
- The mountains of ManThe climb of the Dent de Man, Mount Tonkpi and the waterfall, in the region of the eighteen mountains.
- The sacred monkeys of GbétitapéaNear Daloa, a village that has always protected its monkeys.
- The liana bridgesWoven by hand over the rivers of Dan country, near Danané.
- The west coastThe Kroumen fishermen of Grand-Béréby, Lahou-Kpanda by canoe and the mangroves of Azagny.
Itinerary
Abidjan and the Banco forest
Arrival in Abidjan, meet and greet at the airport and transfer to the hotel to rest. In the afternoon, Banco National Park, one of the rare primary forests to survive inside a large African city. A walk among ancient trees, lianas and giant ferns, to set the tone before heading inland.
Night in Abidjan, Seen Hotel or similar · Dinner
To the N’zi reserve
An early start for the centre of the country. Arrival at the N’zi River Lodge in the early afternoon, in the heart of the N’zi Nature Reserve, on the banks of the river. A first jeep safari through the wooded savannah and, after dinner, a night safari with the reserve’s guides to discover the animals of the night.
Night at the N’zi River Lodge or similar · Breakfast and dinner
Mount Sika Oka
In the morning, a jeep safari to the foot of Mount Sika Oka and a climb on foot to the summit, with views over the savannah and the N’zi valley. A free afternoon at the lodge: reading on the terrace, a guided walk or catch-and-release fishing in the river.
Night at the N’zi River Lodge or similar · Breakfast and dinner
Yamoussoukro and the sacred monkeys of Gbétitapéa
West. A stop in Yamoussoukro to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, one of the largest churches in the world, and to see the lake of the sacred crocodiles. On to Daloa and, in the afternoon, the village of Gbétitapéa, whose people have always protected the sacred monkeys that live between the houses and the forest.
Night in Daloa, Hôtel La Grâce or similar · Breakfast and dinner
Man, the town of the eighteen mountains
In the morning, the road to Man, capital of Yacouba country, among forest-covered hills. In the afternoon, the waterfall of Man and Mount Tonkpi, with its views over the western mountains.
Night in Man, Hôtel Beau Séjour or similar · Breakfast and dinner
The Dent de Man and the liana bridges
Departure at dawn with a local guide to climb the Dent de Man, the tooth-shaped peak that overlooks the town. In the afternoon, the road to Danané, near the borders with Guinea and Liberia, to see the liana bridges, woven by hand over the rivers by the people of the Dan villages. Back in Man at nightfall.
Night in Man, Hôtel Beau Séjour or similar · Breakfast and dinner
To Taï National Park
An early start south. In the last town before the park, we swap the minibus for 4x4 vehicles to drive the track to the Ecotel Touraco, on the edge of the forest. Arrival in the afternoon and sunset over the rainforest.
Night in Taï, Ecotel Touraco or similar · Full board
The chimpanzees of Taï
Departure before dawn with the park’s forest guides, through the rainforest, to find the chimpanzees as they wake and to watch their behaviour, so close to our own. Taï is one of the last great primary tropical forests of West Africa and is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
In the afternoon, for those who wish, the climb of Mount Niénokoué, a rock that overlooks the forest. It is a demanding walk.
Night in Taï, Ecotel Touraco or similar · Full board
To the ocean
Back by 4x4 to the town where the minibus is waiting, then on to the coast. Arrival in Grand-Béréby, in Kroumen country: the fishing harbour, the fishermen’s camp and one of the most beautiful beaches in the country.
Night in Grand-Béréby, Hôtel La Flotte or similar · Breakfast and dinner
The west coast and Lahou-Kpanda
East along the coast to Grand-Lahou, land of the Avikam. In the afternoon, a canoe crossing to Lahou-Kpanda, the old town built on the strip of sand between the lagoon and the ocean, which the sea is slowly claiming.
Night in Grand-Lahou, Hôtel Les Ravins or similar · Breakfast and dinner
The mangroves of Azagny and Grand-Bassam
A morning in Azagny National Park, among mangroves, lagoons and flooded savannahs, a refuge for birds and for shy wildlife. On to Grand-Bassam, the first colonial capital, a UNESCO World Heritage site: a walk through the colonial quarter and the National Costume Museum.
Night in Grand-Bassam, La Madrague or similar · Breakfast and dinner
Grand-Bassam and departure
Free time on the beach or in town. At the agreed time, transfer to Abidjan airport, half an hour away.
Breakfast · End of our services
What’s included
- English-speaking guide from start to finish
- Air-conditioned vehicle with driver, and 4x4 vehicles for the Taï section
- 11 hotel nights in a double room
- Half board: breakfasts and dinners; full board in Taï
- Two days at the Ecotel Touraco with the forest guides of Taï National Park
- In the N’zi: jeep safari, night safari and the climb of Mount Sika Oka
- Local guides in Man, Danané and Grand-Bassam, visit to Gbétitapéa, canoe to Lahou-Kpanda
- Visits and entrance fees as listed, mineral water in the vehicle
Not included
- International flights
- Ivorian visa and yellow fever vaccination, which is compulsory
- Travel and repatriation insurance
- Lunches, except in Taï, and drinks
- Tips and personal expenses
Accommodation
| Stop | Hotel, or similar | Nights |
|---|---|---|
| Abidjan | Seen Hotel | 1 |
| N’zi reserve | N’zi River Lodge | 2 |
| Daloa | Hôtel La Grâce | 1 |
| Man | Hôtel Beau Séjour | 2 |
| Taï National Park | Ecotel Touraco | 2 |
| Grand-Béréby | Hôtel La Flotte | 1 |
| Grand-Lahou | Hôtel Les Ravins | 1 |
| Grand-Bassam | La Madrague | 1 |
Good to know
The season. Taï National Park can only be visited in the dry season. The journey runs from mid-November to the end of April.
The Taï track. The last stretch to the park is a rough track, driven in 4x4s. It is long and bumpy, and part of the adventure.
The chimpanzees. They are wild animals: the guides know where to look for them, but an encounter can never be guaranteed. In the park we follow the rules of distance and silence set by the guides.
Fitness. The climbs of the Dent de Man, Mount Sika Oka and Mount Niénokoué require good physical condition. They are optional and the guide adapts the route to the group.
Photos of Taï National Park: OIPR. Banco forest: Côte d’Ivoire Tourisme.
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