I'd like some advice. I'm using AA miles, which means the choices in West Africa are DKR, ACC or LOS. Award availability is slim pickings in Dec/Jan, and options in/out of ACC are dismal.

I put on hold an open jaw into DKR and out of LOS. Seems like doing a few days in Dakar could be interesting, before moving on to Ghana-Benin-Togo. My questions:

- Anything highlights in West Africa that we should see along the way, or just head from Dakar directly to Ghana/Benin/Togo? Our main interests are history and culture.

- Moving from Dakar to Ghana/Benin/Togo seems very expensive. Flights are $500+ o/w, with indirect routings. I have various Skypesos and *A points and could use an intra-Africa award, but the routings still seem difficult. Is there a better way to do this sort of trip, like stopping somewhere in between?

- Is it safe to depart out of LOS?

Thanks so much.