Our Great Expeditions series features journeys and itineraries offered only by TransAfrica. The points on and along these particular routes are situated in the remotest parts of the West Africa region, where the arrival of a traveler always constitutes an event.
Great Expeditions are not only for those who are in search of a more extreme itinerary to quench their thirst for adventure – they are for all of us who are looking for a taste of the unknown, the never-before-discovered: for those who fully recognize that true adventure brings along with it a margin of the unexpected.
The ultimate aims of our Great Expeditions are: to make contact with some of the most remote peoples in the world; to discover ancient caravan routes that have lain forgotten beneath the desert sands for centuries; and to explore archaeological sites which have not yet undergone formal study. The difficulty of the terrain and the technical feats, even the most extreme, are not essentially what these journeys are about – they are simply the necessary ways and means through which we are able to traverse and explore these fascinating territories. That said, they do, however, constitute an important and unforgettable part of the whole Great Expedition experience!
Great Expeditions demand completely autonomous leadership, detailed organization, a highly proficient team, well-equipped vehicles prepared for all kinds of terrain over long distances, driver-mechanic expertise, local guides, the technical and practical use of detailed maps – as well as information gathered from the people on the ground and the ability to navigate completely off-road. TransAfrica offers all of these and more.
In order to make the most of these journeys, all of our itineraries are devised with the comfort of the traveler in mind: TransAfrica provides camping equipment, with spacious tents adaptable to different weather conditions, as well as mattresses, tables and chairs.
The rather rudimentary way in which we travel by day is more than compensated for by our evenings around the campfire, sipping on aperitifs before a fine dinner prepared by professional chefs. Meals usually consist of European dishes, with some specialties of the region incorporated for good measure, and are accompanied by a choice of French, South African or Italian wines.
All of our expeditions are led by a well-experienced expert with a deep understanding of the peoples and places of note within the region.
All the programs in calendar - the travels with a single departure and those with many departures during the year - do not include the international flight from the country of origin.
Great Expeditions are directed by Alberto Nicheli.
