Republic of Congo
The simple cabins and camping ground here are a few hundred metres away from a small lake in Conkouati-Douli, in an area of savannah populated by herds of…
Must-see hotels in West Africa
Benin
Victor's Place boasts a spiffing beach frontage. Pitch your tent on the grassy plot or choose one of the three slightly threadbare bungalows. The real…
Nigeria
Over 60 years old, this hotel in the middle of colonial Old Calabar is a throwback to a different era. It's very basic with tubs of water for washing, but…
Cotonou
Don't be put off by the concrete facade; open the door and you're in another reality – a seductive garden, no-frills but spruce rooms, and a relaxing…
Bissau
The cheapest acceptable crash pad in the city is most notable for its location in atmospheric Bissau Velho and within walking distance of the port. Rooms…
Abidjan
Within spitting distance of the airport, the Onomo – a chain hotel present in several African cities – is a reliable bet regardless of whether you've an…
Guinea
From the outside this guesthouse, which is just back from the market, is a pleasant canary yellow colonial-style villa, but the rooms are grotty in the…
Republic of Congo
The Christmas decorations never come down at this collection of brick cottages in central Ouesso. The interiors are surprisingly colourful and cosy in the…
Armée du Salut Auberge Antoine Makoumbou
Brazzaville
Inside the sand-floored Salvation Army complex, a fair way from the centre of town, this place has the cheapest beds in Brazza. Rooms are clean but very…
Burkina Faso
Run by nuns, this quiet establishment in a monastery southwest of the city centre has impeccable rooms in pretty grounds. The biggest downsides are that…
Bissau
Popular with visiting NGO workers for long-term rentals, the Diarama has bright, clean rooms with 24-hour power and decent bathrooms. It's conveniently…
Conakry
The service is friendly and personable at this small, central hotel, but overall the place is starting to show its age and comes across a little…
Burkina Faso
Simple, clean rooms in round adobe huts with thatched roofs are to be found here (with shared bathrooms and basic conditions), in a beautiful, natural…
Malabo
One of the cheapest options in town, this hotel has large, quiet rooms and is in an excellent location. However, the bathrooms are rather grubby, shower…
Camping de Possotomé – Chez Préfet
Benin
How does watching the sun rise over Lake Ahémé sound? This campsite, on an idyllic spot on the sandy lakeshore, is basic (bucket showers and toilets) but…
Bissau
In the heart of the old town, the Ta Mar occupies a Portuguese colonial building. Gloomy corridors lead to small, basic rooms that are partly redeemed by…
Guinea
There are five rooms at this very basic place, which is a short way from the town centre. There's no electricity, although this is probably for the best…
Cameroon
This compound is intended for ex-soldiers, but if rooms are available they'll be happily rented out to travellers on a tight budget; expect very basic…
Côte d'Ivoire
Yamoussoukro's signature hotel, imposing but faded – the rooms are old, but still swish. There's an 18-hole golf course, as well as three restaurants …
Togo
This jolly good villa 2km south of town is a homey retreat. The eight rooms are huge and the patio is a lovely spot for relaxing, despite the fact it…
Côte d'Ivoire
On the beach in Assinie Mafia, Akwa has sleek, comfortable rooms housed in modern, whitewashed villas, and larger, luxurious suites. There's a restaurant…
Benin
This excellent budget choice is clean and bright, and set in leafy grounds with a paillote restaurant (meals CFA3000 to CFA4600). The name of the hotel…
Burkina Faso
Want to laze a few days at Tengréla Lake? Park your backpack here – it's a five-minute walk from the lake. Facilities are very basic (bucket shower, mud…
Republic of Congo
Set in a pleasant courtyard in the Pointe-Noire centre, Le Guest House has clean and perfectly decent rooms that are good value, even if the whole place…
Gabon
If you're really on a budget, then the Case de Passage, on the edge of the park and run by the National Parks Board, is the only option. Ecotours are…
Togo
As it's the only hotel in town with a generator (power cuts are all too frequent here), this is an excellent choice if you want to be assured of a cool…
Liberia
Just 5km from town on the Ganta Hwy, this spot perched on a hill offers plain but reasonably clean rooms and a small restaurant serving decent European…
Nouakchott
Well-signed on the road to Nouâdhibou. Dorms and rooms are functional, however upkeep and maintenance is spotty and shared bathrooms are oft neglected…
Côte d'Ivoire
Located over in le quartier des millionaires (yes, such a thing exists), Residence Berah isn't as swish as its address. But the rooms are clean and modern…
Guinea
Set back from a long, brown-tinged beach with safe swimming, this is the most popular day-trip destination on Île de Kassa. It also offers accommodation…
Guinea-Bissau
Bafata's most comfortable accommodation is located on the city's former airstrip. The small and basic rooms are kept clean, there's reliable electricity…
Bissau
This Corsican-owned hotel is little more than a scruffy fallback option if you're in need of a centrally located last-minute reservation. The main draw is…
Abidjan
For reasonable rooms on a budget, La Nouvelle Pergola is an OK bet. There are over 130 rooms in this complex, which includes a pool, a nightclub and wi-fi…
Burkina Faso
If you need to spend the night in Pô, this is a tidy, clean place to stay, with a decent breakfast and a small courtyard. It's in a small street off the…
Guinea
Rooms at the forestry school are really meant for seminar attendees, but evening electricity, morning birdsong, clean and very basic rooms and a whole lot…
Nouakchott
A centrally located haunt for overlanders, the laid back Menata is a basic option. Security is good, surely better than the quality of the bathrooms…
Mauritania
Not far from the airport – and that's the main selling point for this midrange option that has seen better days. A long driveway from the main road leads…
Guinea
A very simple unsigned place on the edge of town. Don't expect luxuries like running water or electricity, but there is access to a kitchen. You normally…
Mauritania
Unsophisticated (mattresses under palm-frond shelters) but welcoming. If there’s a group, the host can organise a méchoui (nomads') feast. Meals are…
Benin
Poised on the edge of the lagoon, this is an unexpected oasis: well-furnished, comfy bungalows with all mod cons, a neat garden, good views and a…
