Overland Travel in West Africa Across 7 Countries (Part 1) with Gunnar Garfors & Jacqui Kunz

Mar 10, 2026

Jacqui Kunz, a full‑time traveler of 100+ countries and 2023’s ‘Most Intrepid Traveler,’ and Gunnar Garfors, Norwegian author who’s visited every country twice, recount overland travel across seven West African countries. They share chaotic border crossings, broken buses and roadside camaraderie. Listen for upriver Gambia wildlife trips, tricky visa and stamp‑fee situations, and why slow, unpredictable travel reveals a different side of the region.

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INSIGHT

Slow Overland Travel Creates Deeper Local Connections

Overland travel in West Africa gives a different experience than flying, offering closer contact with locals.
Gunnar and Jacqui emphasize patience and slower timelines as central to deeper cultural connections.

ADVICE

Plan For Minibus Delays And Overcrowding

Expect minibuses (set plus) to wait until full and routinely carry far more people than seats.
Budget extra time and optionally pay for an extra seat if you value comfort or need to keep to a schedule.

ANECDOTE

Upriver Gambia Revealed Chimpanzees Not Resorts

They took a river trip upriver in The Gambia to River Gambia National Park seeking chimpanzees and hippos.
They saw chimpanzees up close, missed hippos due to season, and found upriver far less touristy than the coast.

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What happens when you try overland travel in West Africa across seven countries using only local transport?

Gunnar Garfors is a Norwegian traveler, journalist, and author who became the first person to visit every country in the world twice. He is known for seeking out unusual routes and lesser-visited destinations, often traveling far beyond typical tourist paths. Jacqui Kunz is a full-time traveler who has explored more than 100 countries and was named “World’s Most Intrepid Traveler” in 2023, recognizing her commitment to exploring challenging destinations and traveling well off the beaten path.

In this episode, co-hosts Jacqui and Gunnar share stories from the first leg of their West Africa adventure across seven countries, covering Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Guinea.

They talk about what it’s really like to travel overland in West Africa, from chaotic border crossings and broken buses to incredible landscapes, unexpected friendships, and the patience required to move through the region.

If you’ve ever wondered what travel in this part of the world actually feels like on the ground, this conversation gives you a candid look at the challenges, surprises, and rewards of exploring West Africa slowly.

What kind of travel experiences become possible when you stop rushing and embrace the unpredictability of the journey? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.

Tune In To Learn:

Why traveling overland in West Africa requires a completely different mindset about time and planning

How local minibuses work, and why you may be waiting a while to get going

What it’s like traveling upriver in The Gambia to visit River Gambia National Park and see chimpanzees

Why going inland in The Gambia offers a very different experience from the coastal resort areas

How to navigate crossings, visas, and illegal stamp fees that travelers are sometimes asked to pay

What happened when their bus broke down and the driver abandoned it on a remote road

How unexpected delays led to shared rides, new friendships, and memorable moments with local travelers

Why Guinea-Bissau ended up being the biggest surprise and favorite country of the trip

What it’s like traveling through Guinea’s highlands on roads compared to a motocross track

Why slow, overland travel creates deeper connections with people and places along the way

And so much more

Resources:

Gunnar’s website

Gunnar on Instagram

Jacqui on Instagram

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