According to Expert Flyer, you can transit via Cotonou, Benin if you have an onward connection within 24 hours. Does anyone know if you can leave the airport? Anyone have experience?

If you are in this game then my advice is to go everywhere with an open mind. I visited Nigeria last year on business and surprisingly really enjoyed it. Food was fantastic and people I met were great.

I have only been to 65 countries. But at least a third of these are places I would not have chosen to go myself. Having been to 65 I can't think of a single country where I wish I had not gone.

Similar experience. I have been to both the Congo (DRC) and Nigeria. Many times. Always on business. I would never have thought to go there on holiday. But I thoroughly enjoyed it and made many friends that I remain in contact with.

I have been discouraged many times to go to DRC. If I have my hotel pick me up on arrival, is it still considered safe?

Sure. Just make sure that you got good term life insurance before you go.

Pitcairn Island, St. Helena and Tristan da Cunha are distinct entities but not independent countries. All very hard to get to if you lack spare time.

Quite a few countries lack good trauma care so if you suffer a head injury, you might die.

Saw a travel show where the host flew to South Africa and then boarded a ship heading west to some island. May have been St. Helena.

They were building an airstrip but for most of its life, it depended on once a month ship to bring supplies to the island.

The voyage took like 5 days so the captain would organize a special dinner once or twice where they dressed up.

Even with the air strip, I didn't see much on the show that made me want to visit.

That was St. Helena. Nice place. Some beautiful scenery. I'll post a few photos when I get a chance.

I know this is an old thread, but there is a lot of valuable info here that I wouldn't want to get lost. Im trying to find a very short cruise that goes to Bissagos and Benin...does anyone have any suggestions without investing more than a week at a time?

I’d suggest this is pretty off topic for FT and you’d probably do better in other groups. Hit me up with a DM if I can suggest some. I’m a “196er” but haven’t does Bissagos myself

Hurtigruten expeditions has cruises to Bissagos. But much longer as they depart from Lisbon. Can't think of other options...

Swan Hellenic also does cruises that stop there but they are 13 days long and start in Accra and end in Dakar I think.

Swan Hellenic is the one I’m looking at, thanks everyone!!

Please give your feedback post cruise.

​​​​​​​Have a nice trip! :)

Looks like this thread was bumped from 2016 to now

I am going to throw Myanmar in to the mix.

Not the best place to visit now for the majority of the country - but its here (I live here - let me know if you are in the neighbourhood)