Overlanding West Africa

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Overlanding West Africa

The West Africa overland adventure travel experts, visiting more countries and places than any other

Founded in 2010, Overlanding West Africa is the brainchild of David Oades (Dave The Hat) and Jimmy Corrigan. After a hugely successful 2012 season, including being the first overland truck based company to ever run trips through Guinea Bissau and Sierra Leone, Al Goodridge joined Overlanding West Africa as director. Dave The Hat (Commander-In-Chief) previously worked as a trip leader/driver/ mecha

nic for Dragoman for best part of 7 years, running trips throughout South America, Africa, The Middle East and Asia.

“In all those years, nowhere captured my imagination the way West Africa did…it is by far my favourite region in the world… from the music, to the culture, to the dramatic landscapes, to the larger than life characters, to the chaos of the big cities – West Africa has it all. I remember watching Sahara with Michael Palin and becoming totally mesmerised by the region back in 2002. I then went on a trip from London to Accra as a passenger with Dragoman in 2003, and had such a great time I knew I had to go back there one day. In 2007 to 2008, I led the trip from London to Douala and back with Ben Butler, and then with James Appleby, and though it was seriously challenging, had a wonderful time full of happy memories. Fast forward to April 2009, and I was driving a Dragoman truck with Jamie Kay from the UK to Helsinki to begin a trip through Russia and Mongolia. Jay asked me if I had thought about buying and building a truck and setting up a company focusing on the region. From that moment on the idea was firmly placed in my mind, and the long thought process began on how to set up Overlanding West Africa”

Through independent travel and working for Dragoman, Dave has spent nearly two years in West and Central Africa and has a true passion for the region. Jimmy (Co-Driver/Right-Hand-Man) has been involved in the overland industry since 2004, working his way up from Tea Boy to Assistant Ops Manager at Dragoman HQ and leading trips between Cairo and Cape Town for 2 years. He has also taken off on a few solo trips without the aid of a truck, taking part in the gruelling Marathon Des Sables in The Sahara and Gobi March in the remote Xinjiang region of China but, for the time being at least, is sticking to helping out with the logistics of these events in the UK and overseas – rather than racing. He has a nose for adventure and when the opportunity came up to work with Hatter running Overlanding West Africa it was a no-brainer. In early 2013, Al Goodridge agreed to come on board as a director of Overlanding West Africa. We are both very pleased to be working with Al, a fellow West Africa lover and a man experienced in running overland expeditions through challenging parts of the world. Al previously worked for 3 years with Dragoman Overland as a tour leader, driver and mechanic throughout Africa and Asia. He has had a varied and adventurous career, including working as an outdoor instructor, leading overseas expeditions and working on Australian cattle stations. He can rarely resist an adventure, from alpine climbing, to cycle touring across South America.

“I keep finding myself drawn back to West Africa, more than all the other places I have worked and travelled. The vibrant colours, the warmth and exuberant friendliness of the people, the energetic nightlife and music, the comic encounters with curious police, the madness and chaos all around; a truly off the beaten track destination that has so much to offer the adventurous traveller. I have greatly enjoyed leading previous overland trips in West Africa, challenging trips which have been hugely rewarding. I’m delighted to be joining Overlanding West Africa and delivering trips that really do justice to my favourite part of the world.”‘

Between us we have the knowledge, expertise and passion to run some truly exciting and unique overland expeditions.

19/09/2024

⚡Newsflash⚡

Bookings now open 🎉🥳

Trip dates and prices for November 2025 are now available on our website.

https://www.overlandingwestafrica.com/trip-overview-availability/

11/09/2024

⚡Flashback⚡ A collection of photos of our founders Jimmy and David on our very first trip to West Africa.

In 2012 we were the first ever truck based overlanding company to operate trips in Guinea Bissau and Sierra Leone; the first to return to Ivory Coast since 2004; and the first to market and sell trips operating in Senegal’s Casamance region and Guinea!

12 years later and we are still the only truck based overlanding company specialising solely on trips to West Africa.

Dates for our November 2025 trips available soon.

05/09/2024

👋 Meet Our New Director

Sam started his journey through the overlanding world in the same place as our founders, Dragoman. He's excited to embark on a 7-month trip around West Africa, developing his knowledge and deepen his experience of the area. Sam has always had a love of West Africa, as its region that has captured his imagination and spirit of adventure for years.

“I’ve always believed that overlanding is about more than just a tick box exercise. It’s about the journey, the people you meet, and the slower pace that allows you to truly connect with the places you’re traveling through,” says Sam. "West Africa is that next adventure for me".

Dates for our 2025 trips available soon and we're excited to welcoming you on the journey.

21/07/2024

14 years ago Dave the Hat took the plunge and set up Overlanding West Africa with Jimmy C. Joined by Al Goodridge some 3 years later, and ably assisted by numerous other leaders and drivers over the years, we're immensely proud to have run some incredible overland trips across the West Africa region.

Despite all the numerous challenges along the way, including the truly awful Ebola outbreak and the COVID pandemic, we managed to bounce back and start running trips again.

Alas, life has changed as time has progressed and it's time to pass the company on to fellow overlander Sam Thompson (see picture with Hatter from last week). We're happy to say Sam shares the same passion and ethos for overlanding that we do, and we're convinced Sam will take OWA forward with some great trips at a time when many other overland companies have stopped operating.

To all the passengers who had the confidence to book with us over the years we're very grateful indeed, thank you, and please do spread the word that OWA will be back in 2025 with Sam for another season of trips through the West Africa region.

21/04/2024

Last call! Anybody fancy joining us on our Dakar to Marrakech trip starting in 2 weeks time? For many nationalities you don't require any visas in advance so there's still a chance to book a spot. You'll get to enjoy some amazing views along the Western Sahara coastline like this! www.overlandingwestafrica.com/dakar-to-marrakech

31/03/2024

Anybody fancy joining us on our Dakar to Marrakech trip starting in May? We have 4 places available as of today. You'll get to enjoy some amazing views along the Western Sahara coastline like this (photo via trip leader Annabel)! www.overlandingwestafrica.com/dakar-to-marrakech

10/03/2024

We still have a few places left on our Dakar to Marrakech trip starting in May 2024 - come join us for the adventure to experience incredible sunsets like this! www.overlandingwestafrica.com/dakar-to-marrakech

06/02/2024

What makes the West Africa region so special? The people. You will always find the most fascinating and friendly people along the way, like this guy in his colourful scout uniform in Togo (picture from trip leader Annabel). We still have a few places left on our Dakar to Marrakech trip starting in May 2024 - come join us for the adventure! www.overlandingwestafrica.com/dakar-to-marrakech

14/01/2024

Great shot of Aminah taken outside the imposing basilica in Yamoussoukro a few weeks ago as our group travelled through Ivory Coast. Note we have 1 space left on our Freetown to Dakar trip this April, why not come join us for the adventure as we travel through Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Senegal and Gambia https://www.overlandingwestafrica.com/freetown-to-dakar/

17/12/2023

You've got to be happy with that for a bush camp! - great photo taken by trip leader Annabel a few weeks ago in Guinea. Note we have a few places available on our Accra to Accra trip starting in just 3 weeks time, and there's still enough time to get the required visas. Come travel with us as we visit the unique Tata Somba villages in northern Togo, the voodoo culture in Benin, and the spectacular landscapes of the Volta region in Ghana. Full details here: www.overlandingwestafrica.com/accra-to-accra

10/12/2023

It's good to be back on the road! Here's Aminah the other day as she made her way through the forest to Tiwai Island in the east of Sierra Leone. Note we have a few places available on our Accra to Accra trip starting in just 4 weeks time, and there's still enough time to get the required visas. Come travel with us as we visit the unique Tata Somba villages in northern Togo, the voodoo culture in Benin, and the spectacular landscapes of the Volta region in Ghana. Full details here: www.overlandingwestafrica.com/accra-to-accra

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Our Story

Overlanding West Africa was founded in 2010 by David Oades (Dave The Hat) & Jimmy Corrigan. After a hugely successful 2012 season, including being the first overland truck based company to ever run trips through Guinea Bissau and Sierra Leone, Al Goodridge joined Overlanding West Africa as Director. David Oades (Hatter) previously worked as a trip leader/driver/ mechanic for Dragoman for best part of 7 years, running trips throughout South America, Africa, The Middle East and Asia. “In all those years, nowhere captured my imagination the way West Africa did…it is by far my favourite region in the world… from the music, to the culture, to the dramatic landscapes, to the larger than life characters, to the chaos of the big cities – West Africa has it all. I remember watching Sahara with Michael Palin and becoming totally mesmerised by the region back in 2002. I then went on a trip from London to Accra as a passenger with Dragoman in 2003, and had such a great time I knew I had to go back there one day. In 2007 to 2008, I led the trip from London to Douala and back with Ben Butler, and then with James Appleby, and though it was seriously challenging, had a wonderful time full of happy memories. Fast forward to April 2009, and I was driving a Dragoman truck with Jamie Kay from the UK to Helsinki to begin a trip through Russia and Mongolia. Jay asked me if I had thought about buying and building a truck and setting up a company focusing on the region. From that moment on the idea was firmly placed in my mind, and the long thought process began on how to set up Overlanding West Africa” Through independent travel and working for Dragoman, Dave has spent nearly two years in West and Central Africa and has a true passion for the region. Jimmy (Co-Driver/Right-Hand-Man) has been involved in the overland industry since 2004, working his way up from Tea Boy to Assistant Ops Manager at Dragoman HQ and leading trips between Cairo and Cape Town for 2 years. He has also taken off on a few solo trips without the aid of a truck, taking part in the gruelling Marathon Des Sables in The Sahara and Gobi March in the remote Xinjiang region of China but, for the time being at least, is sticking to helping out with the logistics of these events in the UK and overseas – rather than racing. He has a nose for adventure and when the opportunity came up to work with Hatter running Overlanding West Africa it was a no-brainer. In early 2013, Al Goodridge agreed to come on board as a director of Overlanding West Africa. We are both very pleased to be working with Al, a fellow West Africa lover and a man experienced in running overland expeditions through challenging parts of the world. Al previously worked for 3 years with Dragoman Overland as a tour leader, driver and mechanic throughout Africa and Asia. He has had a varied and adventurous career, including working as an outdoor instructor, leading overseas expeditions and working on Australian cattle stations. He can rarely resist an adventure, from alpine climbing, to cycle touring across South America. “I keep finding myself drawn back to West Africa, more than all the other places I have worked and travelled. The vibrant colours, the warmth and exuberant friendliness of the people, the energetic nightlife and music, the comic encounters with curious police, the madness and chaos all around; a truly off the beaten track destination that has so much to offer the adventurous traveller. I have greatly enjoyed leading previous overland trips in West Africa, challenging trips which have been hugely rewarding. I’m delighted to be joining Overlanding West Africa and delivering trips that really do justice to my favourite part of the world.”‘ Between us we have the knowledge, expertise and passion to run some truly exciting and unique overland expeditions.