Must-see hotels in West Africa
Mali
This charming hotel out by the Hippodrome is easily our favourite in Bamako. The rooms have character, the staff are among Bamako's friendliest and most…
Mali
This sprawling, centrally located place is Djenné's tourism central with dozens of rooms across a wide price range, a large and pleasant open-air…
Mali
Mopti has been crying out for a mid-range hotel like this. A delightful French- and Dogon-run place, Ya Pas de Probleme has beautifully decorated rooms,…
Mali
We like this place. The building may not appear to be Bamako's most promising from the outside but inside is another, completely renovated and altogether…
Mali
Styled like a Dogon village just off the road between Mopti and Sévaré, this charming Spanish-run place has expansive gardens, a rock pool for swimming…
Mali
Although not as good as its Gao equivalent, Sahara Passion, close to the Flamme de la Paix monument on Timbuktu's northern outskirts, has rooms with high…
Mali
As far as Bamako cheapies go, the simple, bare and generally clean rooms here are pretty good value, although they can get very hot if the fan isn't…
Mali
This is our choice for the best hotel in town, combining a great location just back from the riverbank, large and pleasant rooms, and great service. There…
Mali
Tucked away in the quiet streets of Niaréla, the Sarama is an excellent choice that's all the more attractive because it sees far fewer tourists than it…
Niger
This peaceful haven near the Wadata Autogare has everything in spades. Behind the shady garden veranda are spotless rooms, a small stash of books (albeit…
Sierra Leone
Community and sustainable tourism gurus Tribe Wanted have pulled out of their project in Sierra Leone, but when we visited the locals said they were keen…
Cameroon
A basic but friendly resthouse a short walk from the Catholic cathedral, the Pousada Style is divided into two wings. The one around the back is a little…
Cameroon
The cheapest rooms here will get you fairly dark and forlorn cells at the back of this otherwise impressive property, but they're still decent value and…
Niger
While Hôtel Gaweye's socks fall down and its prices rise, Grand Hôtel continues to provide attentive service, value for money and top-notch rooms that…
Nigeria
Professionally understated with a posh restaurant and bar, 24-hour power, wi-fi and a swimming pool, the Prince is a classy operation in a quiet part of…
Cameroon
This pleasant enough spot in a N'Gaoundéré backstreet offers easy access to bus agencies and the train station. Rooms are tidy and simple, some with hot…
Cameroon
Perched on a hill amid smooth boulders are these boukarous, with views that stretch out to the scrub plains and some lizards thrown in for gratis. The…
Nigeria
This bungalow B&B is a delightfully unexpected find with a couple of chalets amid pleasant gardens. The French-Nigerian hosts are a good source of…
Cameroon
By far the best budget choice in town: sleep in spacious, whitewashed boukarous in the shade of willowy neem trees and shower in the alfresco but walled…
Nigeria
This Christian mission guesthouse is a great budget option. The cheapest rooms are in the old block, are fan only, and some have shared facilities; the…
Cameroon
With spacious rooms, a peaceful, leafy setting, long cool corridors and TV in all rooms, the Nice is just that, and about as good as midrange options get…
Nigeria
One of two church missions on this street. Accommodations are clean, yet spartan, and bathroom facilities are shared, but it's hard to beat the price…
Niger
A large section of this place was being gutted by renovations during our visit, so hopefully the shabby rooms with ripe carpets and dog-eared bathrooms…
Niger
Just south of town centre, clean comfy bungalows here host large sunny rooms, with TVs and gargantuan bathrooms. There's a pleasant restaurant and…
Niger
This dusty site in western Niamey is the only option for campers. While it's a long walk to town, it may be a very short walk to take a dip - during our…
Cameroon
This simple place at the park entrance has accommodation in no-frills two-person boukarous with shared bathroom facilities. Meals can be arranged (CFA2000…
Cameroon
This recently opened guesthouse in a pristine courtyard off a sandy side street offers excellent, bright and clean rooms. There's no hot water, but it's…
Mali
Since we were in Gao, we've learned of this new and super-clean campement-style place, where English is spoken. It's winning good reviews from travellers.
