Places in the countryside in Africa
Similarly to the Tamberma people in neighbouring Togo, the Somba is famed for building tata house – small mud fortresses complete with wells, granaries and tall walls – there is even room for livestock inside. Essentially, these houses were built to escape slavers from the south raiding the countryside by barricading oneself. Local eco-tourism outfit Perle de l’Atakora can arrange visits inside these houses, overnight stays and a range of other cultural activities in the area, should you find yourself this far north in Benin. Supposedly, it is possible to visit the similar villages across the border in Togo without the usual formalities, such as a visa. However, our lawyers have advised against us making such a suggestion.
If your livelihood is fishing, why bother to live on the shore? It's a lot easier to build your settlement out in the lake. This seems to be the logic a number of fishing communities have follow around Lac Nokoué. As the lake is very shallow in many places, people have simply built their houses, markets and shops on stilts mid-lake. African versions of Venice, where dug-out canoes have replaced the gondolas. The biggest village, Ganvié, is home to no less than 30.000 persons. It's also the closest of the villages to Cotonou and a favourite excursion for both locals, expats and tourists. As a result, don't expect a warm welcome once you arrive at the village, where the villagers most of all seem annoyed that their everyday life is enclosed upon. For a friendlier welcome opt for the smaller communities further afield.
Itsamia is a small village, which is famous for its beach, where sea turtles come ashore every night to lay their eggs. But since the turtle nesting is happening during night time, you will have the whole day to hang out in the village. People here are friendly and used to a small trickle of tourists, so they don't mind if you play football with the kids or take a look at the fishermen's catch. You can also do a bit hiking through fruit gardens inland from the village and even hike to a salt lake called Dziani Boundouni. There are a turtle conservation centre and a few simple bungalows right next to the beach.
A guide book once wrote of Janjanbureh town (also known by its colonial name, Georgetown) that, "backwaters don’t come much further back than this." From being the Gambia's second city during the era of colonial steamers throttling up and down the river, to a mostly forgotten place, there is some truth to the quote. Nonetheless, Janjanbureh has developed into Gambia's ecotourism centre due to the beautiful nature surrounding the town. Eco-lounges, river tours and fishing arrangements are found in abundance here due to the town's location on Janjanbureh Island. Situated in the middle of the Gambia River, the water is never far away, and nature enthusiasts will be thrilled by both the river tours on offer and walks on the shore. For the latter, nearby Tankandama Community Forest is an obvious choice.
If you get the opportunity to visit a village - or even better, stay in one - accept. It's a great experience to see how country people lives in Ghana. There will probably be electricity, at least some of the time, but don't expect running water. Houses come in every shape and materials, from mud houses to modern concrete with tin roofs. People are usually super friendly and curious about what brings you to their village. There might be a small market, but else the main place to make new friends will be at the soccer field.
Once a week, larger villages all around Guinea are invaded by the inhabitants of the surrounding hamlets. The invaders are welcomed, as they significantly enhance the local markets, which, for the rest of the week, can be somewhat absent of life. The best days to experience these markets seem to be Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. However, market days differ from village to village. Travelling around rural Guinea for a few days will almost guarantee that you run into one of these markets at some point. Not only does the invading villagers bring fresh produce to town from their farms, but it is also their chance to invest in more specialised items like clothing or accessories. Finally, these are markets social events. Old friends catch up. Clothes are compared. Family members living far apart reunite. Markets are usually most intense during the afternoons when most participants have arrived from their outlying villages.
Malealea is a small village centred around the former trading post which now is a lodge. The main activity is trekking, with or without pony, through the stunning highlands. Anything from a few hours to multiple days with village stays can be arranged. The village is used to tourists, so you can sniff around without attracting too much attention. The mountainous scenery is absolutely breathtaking. Traditional thatched mud huts are dotting the meadows while grazing stocks are herded by shepherds wrapped in traditional Basotho blankets. Malealea is definitely one of the best places to experience Lesotho's main attraction, the highlands.
As with many places in Lesotho, Morija is more a collection of houses than a real village. It's quasi-famous as the site for the first European mission in Lesotho and semi-famous for the Morija Museum and Archives. But the real attraction is its location on the slopes of the Makhoarane Plateau where there are spectacular views over the Maloti mountains. You can enjoy even more of the beautiful landscape on treks, either on foot or pony, through pine forests to mountain lakes and some dinosaur footprints.
The town of Harper is probably Liberia's most attractive tourist destination. Long term (1944 to 1971) President William Tubman's hometown, Harper is dotted with grandiose architecture, including Tubman's villa and a Masonic Lodge – Tubman a Freemason himself. Further, Harper spots a prime location on the ocean, with empty and pristine beaches. Sadly, the town would also be a strong contender in any World's "Most Inconveniently Located Tourist Site" competition. Located on Liberia's southern tip, the town is a cul-de-sac unless travelling on to Côté d'Ivoir. If the roads are dry, it's a two days journey from Monrovia and up to four days during the rainy season. Somewhat of a great adventure in itself. Any traveller who makes it here is then forced to go all the way back again. Just know it's worth every bumpy kilometre of hardship getting here.
Any traveller who enjoys challenges and hardship will find a prime location in Liberia's interior. Especially the south-east of the country, which finds itself cut off from the rest of Liberia for months at a time during the rains. Dense rainforest cover the region only broken by isolated villages and some very, very muddy roads. Here inhabitants and their strong traditional beliefs are mostly left to their own devices. With a good local guide and pair of sturdy hiking boots, it's possible to explore the rudiments of rural Africa to its fullest. Travellers with more sadomasochistic tendencies could simply have a go at the public transportation in these parts of the woods.