Ivory Coast
Last updated: 26/10/2006 - 14:37
The Ivory Coast is a truly enchanting place to holiday. The people are warm and welcoming - just like the weather!
This beautiful country sits on the south-west coast of Africa and has vast areas of sprawling forest, giant mountains and sun-drenched sandy shores. It is the Côte d'Ivoire's cultural mix that makes it such a fantastic place to visit. If you are interested in African history, art or music, whilst still wanting to returning home with a fantastic tan to wow your friends, then this should be your destination.
Abidjan
Abidjan is a huge and vibrant town. The number one attraction of the city is the Hotel Ivoire, which houses swimming pools, ice skating facilities, casinos and a specialist art shop. The focal point is the excellent harbour created by the French building the Vridi Canal.
The four peninsulas are home to about 3 million people. Colloquially known as the 'Paris of West Africa' (harking back to colonial times), there are many French people here. Le Plateau is the central commercial area, and a very wealthy one at that, and its neighbour Cocody is the exclusive side of the residential areas. The less exclusive, and some would say more interesting, areas are Treichville, Marcory and Adjame, where you will find the cosmopolitan locals, large street markets and night clubs.
The north-west edge of the town is where you will find Parc du Banco. This is a rainforest reserve with pleasant peaceful walks. The outdoor launderette, Africa's largest, is a great spectacle where hundreds of people gather by the river to wash clothes, rubbing garments on stones to clean them.
The Man Region
The Man region is an area of sweeping hills and is renowned for fabulous markets, distinctive villages and the Yacouba stilt dancers who perform during the annual Fêtes des Masques. It is about 300 miles from Abidjan.
Apart from the daily market, the town of Man itself has little to offer, but around it there are many interesting destinations, such as the bamboo forest containing the waterfall La Cascade. North of La Cascade is Mount Tonkoui, the second highest peak in the Ivory Coast. The steep La Dent de Man (Tooth of Man) is also a favourite destination for hikers. The villages that surround - including Biankouma, Gouéssésso, Sipitou and Danané - are also interesting places to visit, if only to experience the less-developed aspects of the island.
Taï National Park
Taï National Park is a vast area of virgin rainforest, one of the few remaining in West Africa, containing trees that are up to 165 feet tall, with massive trunks and huge supporting roots. The park is home to much-studied chimpanzees that have developed unique ways of hunting and feeding.
The area is very rainy and humid, so try to time visits between December and February when it is the dry season. You must get a permit to visit from the Ministère des Eaux et Forêts and this is strictly enforced.
Yamoussoukro
Yamoussoukro is the capital of the Ivory Coast and has been since 1983. This lavish and extravagant place is the result of over-spending by the President. This was the President's home village, and it was his dream to turn it into a giant city, so what he created is really only the capital in name.
There are deserted, eight-lane highways lined with over 10,000 lights and avenues that end in the jungle. Virtually no traditional African houses are left; the President replaced them with imposing concrete structures. At the same time, there's no city like it in Africa, and the centre is a lot livelier at night than its grandiose appearance suggests. The centrepiece is the splendid Basilque de Notre Dame de la Paix, which is almost an exact replica of St Peter's in Rome.
Journey time from Abidjan to London is around 6 hours. Average summer (July-September) temperature: 25-29°C.