West Africa in summer
 

I think about travel in my car to West Africa (Guinea, Sierra Leone, Ghana) in July and August. I was several times in that area in winter and I know what I can epect there.
But I don't know if rainfall can blocked my travel, I know also that humidity and high tempearture also can be unpleasant.
I can say again that I was many times in places with high tempearture and humidity and it was ok.

I don't need answer: don't go there it will kill you, but I need answers from all of you experienced travelers.

I think that temperature is not a big issue, but rainfall and many mudd roads can be a problem.

I need your help

Regards

Hi Bartosz,

July and August will be an issue in terms of rainfall. It can be constant during those 2 months and very heavy at times. Some roads become a muddy mess - but there's usually a way through!

We time our overland group trips to avoid the rainy season, simply because the roads deteriorate (esp Sierra Leone into Liberia and Liberia into Guinea) - and because people hate camping when everything gets wet all the time.

Bartosz, I posted a similar question about the rainy seasons in West Africa here in case that helps you.

Mud is not a problem but a chalenge. The corrupt police will be a problem. They charge you for money for what ever "reason" they make of. Robbing travelers is the second oldest way to "earn" money on earth :(


http://afrikamotorrad.de/small/westkueste_042.jpg

http://afrikamotorrad.de/index.php?report=en_westkueste

To add feedback:

The rainy season extends to September and October in Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana, just so you know. Although the main roads in both countries are mainly paved.

As per Dave's feedback, the rain can make the roads in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea a challenge. The crossing from SL to Liberia is particularly difficult in the mud. However, if you are determined enough, you will always find a way through. Also, when the rain does stop, you generally dry out fairly quickly owing to the heat

Certainly don't listen to all the haters who are saying you are going to die. I've been robbed/mugged/stolen from more in London than I ever was in West Africa. Moreover, the people in this part of the world are amazingly friendly and generous. I can't count the number of times a local kept us on the road/let us stay/feed us/helped us when we had problems.

Also, don't worry too much about the corruption. We honestly didn't encounter it that much and most of the time if your friendly and polite, you won't end up paying anything.

In conclusion, my advice is DO IT! You'll have an amazing time, see some unique sights, learn about some fascinating history and experience some fantastic hospitality.

Thank you anydavenow, this is very usefull info
I also have Michelin 741 and this can help also.

rory_gibson, ta-rider, anydavenow, Dave The Hat, thank you for your words.
I know that everythink is possible and even if some roads will be unpassable I can choose different or turn back. Everything what we do is adventure and we do it for that.
West Africa is much more better and easier in summer than East Siberia in winter, so I will go there and want to spend great time.
Thank you Friends

I refer to July/August in Cote d'Ivoire & Ghana as the 'cold season' there's very little rain (falls in late September/October/November), there's a cold breeze to the air at night and the sea is downright COLD!!!

You shouldn't have too many problems at all, a good friend drove from Accra through to Freetown via CI & Guinea in mid-August, biggest problem were the roads from the CI/Guinea border pretty much through to SL ...