Scoot West Africa

What the company does

Scoot West Africa is a small-group adventure tour operator working across West Africa. It runs two main lines of trips: multi-country scooter tours and "classic" (non-riding) tours, the latter using vehicles, drivers, guides and local hosts. The company describes its approach as travel for independent-minded people, with itineraries that can change on the ground for reasons of group dynamics, riding ability or safety.

Scooter trips

The scooter format is the company's signature: small, easy-to-ride bikes ridden at a slow pace, allowing stops for photographs or conversations along the route. Rides range from three days to ten weeks. Listed itineraries include a 3-day trip from Dakar, Senegal, The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau (8 days), Dakar to Bissau (14 days), The Fulani Trail (4 countries in 2 weeks), The Highlands of Guinea (17 days) and a Coast to Coast route from Dakar to Victoria Falls, with an optional Zanzibar extension.

Classic tours

• Cabo Verde, 11 days (the company reports visiting four islands)
• Mauritania, 10 days
• The Vodun Coast: Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria, 11 days
• Guinea-Bissau, 7 days
• Custom trips built to request

The site also mentions new or planned routes, including an expedition to Sierra Leone and Liberia and a non-riding trip from Cameroon to Angola.

Accommodation base

The founders also operate hostels under the name The Sleeping Camel: one in Bamako, Mali, and a newer one in the beach town of La Somone, on the Petite-Côte of Senegal, which now serves as a base for the trips and a meeting point for overlanders, locals, expats and travellers.

Background

The project is run by Matt and Phil, who have been based in West Africa for years; the company states the project is nearly ten years old and that it has been operating for around seven years. Matt grew up in Dalby, Queensland, Australia, moved to Africa in the early 2000s and has led expeditions through 28 African countries, having been permanently based in West Africa since 2009.

Planning resources

The site publishes a free West Africa travel guide with country guides, practical basics, a visa guide and blog posts, and offers an email list for new itineraries and trip dates. Booking and payment information is available through the site.

Details of dates, availability and conditions should be confirmed directly with the company.