The ECOWAS Travel Handbook

RIDE
WEST AFRICA

A practical guide for everyone travelling through the ECOWAS / CEDEAO space — riders, overlanders, adventurers and visitors. Country guides, visas, borders, fuel, health, connectivity and safety advice for the 15 member states.

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CEDEAO
/ ECOWAS
15 Member States · Free Movement Zone

🇧🇯 Benin · 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso · 🇨🇻 Cape Verde · 🇨🇮 Côte d'Ivoire · 🇬🇲 Gambia · 🇬🇭 Ghana · 🇬🇳 Guinea · 🇬🇼 Guinea-Bissau · 🇱🇷 Liberia · 🇲🇱 Mali · 🇳🇪 Niger · 🇳🇬 Nigeria · 🇸🇳 Senegal · 🇸🇱 Sierra Leone · 🇹🇬 Togo

Need Help? WhatsApp
+221 77 500 91 91
Country Guides

KNOW YOUR
TERRAIN

Open to all travellers crossing the ECOWAS space — these guides cover visas, borders, fuel, currency, connectivity, health and riding conditions across the 15 member states.

🇸🇳
Senegal
Founding ATT Country
Visa
Visa-free for ECOWAS nationals. Others: visa on arrival or e-visa available. €30–50.
Best Riding Season
Nov – May (dry season). Jun – Oct: wet, trails flooded.
Riding Conditions
Varied: tarmac corridors, laterite piste, sandy tracks. Kédougou offers excellent technical off-road.
Currency
CFA Franc (XOF). ATMs available in Dakar, Ziguinchor, Tambacounda. Limited in Kédougou.
Fuel Availability
Good in major towns. Carry 20L reserve for Kédougou region. Petrol stations thin after Tambacounda.
Health
Malaria prophylaxis essential. Yellow fever certificate required. Hepatitis A & B recommended.
Connectivity
Orange, Free and Expresso have good coverage in cities. Rural 3G patchy. Starlink available in some areas.
Riding Culture
Active moto scene in Dakar. Teranga hospitality means villages along trails welcome riders warmly.

Border Tips: When entering from Mauritania or Mali, ensure motorcycle documents include a Carnet de Passage or equivalent. Police checks are frequent — carry photocopies of all documents separately.

🇬🇳
Guinea
ATT 2026 Host Country
Visa
Visa required for most nationalities. ECOWAS nationals: free movement. Apply at embassy. €40–80.
Best Riding Season
Nov – Apr. Highlands can be cool. Avoid Jun–Oct heavy rains which make tracks impassable.
Riding Conditions
Spectacular mountain trails in Fouta Djallon. Technical rocky terrain. River crossings common.
Currency
Guinean Franc (GNF). USD and Euro accepted in Conakry. Limited ATM access in Guinean highlands — carry cash.
Fuel Availability
Petrol in Conakry and Kindia. In interior regions: limited. ATT fuel logistics will be pre-arranged for 2026 edition.
Health
Yellow fever certificate mandatory. Malaria: high risk — chemoprophylaxis essential. Cholera precautions in rural areas.
Connectivity
Orange Guinea and MTN have 3G/4G in cities. Guinean highlands: very limited. Satellite comms recommended.
Riding Culture
Growing adventure riding scene. Locals fascinated by motorcycle groups. Village hospitality is exceptional.

Border Tips: Senegal–Guinea border at Pamelap is the main crossing. Expect queues. Have all documents in French. Police checkpoints frequent — patience required. ATT will provide a specific 2026 border briefing for all registered riders.

🇨🇮
Côte d'Ivoire
Future ATT Destination
Visa
E-visa available online. ECOWAS nationals: free. Most others: €40–60. Processing time 3–5 days.
Best Riding Season
Dec – Apr. Two rainy seasons. Northern Côte d'Ivoire drier and more trail-friendly year-round.
Riding Conditions
Excellent tarmac network between cities. North: red laterite trails, savannah piste. Forest south: technical and green.
Currency
CFA Franc (XOF). Good ATM network in Abidjan, Yamoussoukro, Bouaké.
Fuel Availability
Very good. Total and Shell stations throughout the country, including many smaller towns.
Health
Yellow fever required. Malaria prophylaxis essential. Medical facilities good in Abidjan, limited in rural north.
Connectivity
MTN and Orange CI: strong 4G. Rural coverage improving. Abidjan is very well connected.
Riding Culture
Strong urban moto culture. Growing adventure/enduro community, particularly in northern regions.
🇲🇱
Mali
Future Edition
Visa
Required for most. ECOWAS: free.
Season
Nov – Feb optimal. Sahel riding.
Terrain
Sand piste, rocky plateau, Sahara edge.
Currency
CFA Franc (XOF).

Full guide published when Mali edition is confirmed. Monitor ATT channels for updates.

🇧🇫
Burkina Faso
Future Edition
Visa
Required. ECOWAS: free.
Season
Nov – Mar. Harmattan winds.
Terrain
Sahel scrub, laterite, flat savannah.
Currency
CFA Franc (XOF).

Security situation monitored continuously. ATT will confirm Burkina edition when conditions permit.

🇬🇭
Ghana
Future Edition
Visa
E-visa available. ECOWAS: free.
Season
Nov – Mar and Jul – Aug.
Terrain
Diverse: coast, forest, northern savannah.
Currency
Ghanaian Cedi (GHS). Good ATM network.

English-speaking, stable, excellent infrastructure. Strong candidate for early ATT expansion.

Preparation

READY
TO RIDE

Arriving prepared is not optional — it is part of the ATT charter. Use these checklists before every edition.

🏍️
Rider Equipment
✓Full face or open face helmet (ECE 22.06)
✓Adventure riding jacket with armour
✓Riding trousers with knee/hip protection
✓Motorcycle boots (ankle protection)
✓Gloves (trail-rated)
✓High-visibility vest (required at checkpoints)
✓Hydration pack (min. 2L capacity)
✓Personal first aid kit
🔧
Motorcycle Setup
✓Full service before departure
✓Trail-rated tyres (min. 50% off-road profile)
✓Engine and air filter clean
✓Crash bars / engine guard recommended
✓Hand guards for trail riding
✓Extended fuel range or reserve can (20L+)
✓Tool kit and puncture repair kit
✓Spare brake/clutch levers
📄
Documentation
✓Valid passport (min. 6 months remaining)
✓Motorcycle registration document
✓International driving licence
✓ECOWAS Brown Card (insurance)
✓Yellow fever vaccination certificate
✓Travel insurance with medical repatriation
✓ATT rider registration confirmation
✓Photocopies of all documents (separate bag)
Navigation

GPS &
NAVIGATION

ATT provides pre-loaded GPX route files for all registered riders before each edition. The recommended devices and apps for West African adventure riding:

Garmin Montana / Oregon Series

Best-in-class for Africa. Offline maps, rugged build, long battery life. Recommended for all ATT riders.

OsmAnd (Android/iOS)

Free app with excellent offline OpenStreetMap data. Download full West Africa maps before departure.

Maps.me

Lightweight offline navigation. Good for road sections and town navigation.

⚠️ Important

Never rely solely on smartphone GPS. Carry a dedicated device with offline maps and ensure your mount is vibration-resistant. ATT waypoint files provided in GPX format.

Bivouac Prep

CAMP
ESSENTIALS

ATT provides tent structures and camp furniture. Riders are responsible for personal comfort items:

Sleeping
Lightweight sleeping bag (15°C+), inflatable pillow
Clothing
Lightweight layers, sandals, warm layer for highlands
Hygiene
Biodegradable soap, microfibre towel, wet wipes
Hydration
Water purification tablets as backup, 3L bladder
Electronics
Solar charger, power bank (20000mAh+), EU/US adapters
Medical
Personal prescription meds, antihistamines, blister treatment
Lighting
Headlamp + spare batteries. Camp lighting provided by ATT.
Protection
SPF 50+ sunscreen, insect repellent (DEET 50%)

PLANNING A
WEST AFRICA
JOURNEY?

Whether you're a rider, an overlander or a traveller crossing the ECOWAS space, our team is here to help — borders, visas, routes, fuel logistics, local contacts.

Reach us directly on WhatsApp — fastest reply guaranteed.

💬 WhatsApp +221 77 500 91 91 Contact Form Country Contacts