What happens when curiosity meets endurance on the open road? A Palestinian-born travel vlogger and content creator who is known for his solo travel documentaries across the globe. Waleed Maoed, the answer unfolded over eight unforgettable months traversing West Africa—without flights, private cars, or curated itineraries. Instead, he surrendered to the rhythm of public transportation: crowded minibuses, unpredictable shared taxis, and long-haul buses that blurred the line between days and nights.
What emerged was a deeply human journey—one shaped as much by chance encounters and roadside conversations as by destinations themselves.
Mauritania
- Rating: 9/10
- Experience Summary:
Mauritania didn’t just feel different—it felt elemental. The vast desert landscapes stretched endlessly, where time seemed to slow under the Saharan sun. Waleed’s days were marked by simple yet profound experiences: sharing fresh camel milk with locals, wandering through ancient towns, and standing before centuries-old mud mosques that seemed sculpted from the earth itself.
But the defining chapter was the legendary iron ore train—a 20-hour journey across the Sahara, exposed to wind, sand, and extreme temperatures. It was physically demanding, uncomfortable, and at times surreal, yet deeply humbling. In that moment, travel stripped down to its rawest form—no luxury, just endurance and awe.
Senegal
- Rating: 8/10
- Experience Summary:
In Senegal, every stop revealed a different layer of identity. Saint-Louis carried echoes of colonial history, with pastel buildings and quiet riverbanks, while Ziguinchor introduced a slower, more grounded pace of life. But it was Dakar that pulsed with energy—an urban center where tradition and modernity collided beautifully.
Waleed explored grand mosques that anchored the city’s skyline and walked through Gorée Island, where history felt heavy and personal. The African Renaissance Monument stood tall as a symbol of pride and ambition. Yet, amid the beauty, Dakar’s high cost of living stood out—making it one of the few places where travel felt financially demanding.
The Gambia
- Rating: 9/10
- Experience Summary:
The Gambia offered a gentle exhale in the journey. The pace slowed, the air softened, and the smiles came easily. Along its coastline, Waleed found golden beaches stretching into the horizon, where daily life unfolded without urgency.
Public transport here felt less chaotic, more conversational—rides often turned into shared stories with locals eager to connect. The country’s warmth wasn’t just in its climate, but in its people. For once, travel felt effortless, a rare and welcome contrast to the tougher legs of the journey.
Guinea-Bissau
- Rating: 6/10
- Experience Summary:
Traveling through Guinea-Bissau demanded patience at every turn. Roads were rugged and unreliable, often turning short distances into hours-long ordeals. Breakdowns weren’t unexpected—they were part of the experience.
Yet, amid the logistical struggles, Bissau itself revealed a different side. The capital moved at its own pace—unhurried, almost detached from the chaos outside it. Portuguese colonial influence lingered in architecture and cuisine, with pastel de nata becoming a small but comforting indulgence after long, exhausting journeys. It was a place where resilience defined the experience.
Guinea
- Rating: 7/10
- Experience Summary:
Guinea was a study in contrasts. In the north, Waleed encountered some of the most breathtaking landscapes of his entire trip—lush highlands, dramatic cliffs, and untouched natural beauty that felt almost cinematic.
But Conakry told a different story. The capital was dense, chaotic, and weighed down by political tension during election season. Traffic stretched endlessly, and filming became a challenge amid suspicion and unrest. It was overwhelming, even draining. Yet, beyond the city limits, Guinea’s beauty re-emerged, reminding him why the journey was worth it.
Sierra Leone
- Rating: 9/10
- Experience Summary:
Arriving in Sierra Leone felt like stepping into a reward after endurance. Freetown welcomed Waleed with open arms—lush green hills rolling into pristine beaches, and a vibrant food scene that quickly became a highlight.
The city carried a rhythm that was both lively and relaxed. Markets buzzed with activity, while the coastline offered moments of calm reflection. What stood out most was the genuine warmth of the people and the richness of the cuisine—meals that felt both comforting and deeply rooted in culture.
Liberia
- Rating: 7.5/10
- Experience Summary:
Getting into Liberia was an adventure in itself—strict visa requirements and multiple checkpoints made entry feel like an achievement. But once inside, the country revealed a raw, unfiltered authenticity that was hard to find elsewhere.
There were no crowds of tourists, no curated experiences—just real, everyday life unfolding. Liberia’s history as Africa’s oldest republic could be felt in its identity, its resilience, and its people. It wasn’t polished or easy, but it was deeply genuine—a place that stayed with Waleed long after he left.
Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire)
- Rating: 8.5/10
- Experience Summary:
After days of rugged travel, arriving in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, felt like crossing into a different reality. Skyscrapers rose into the sky, roads smoothed out, and the pace shifted into something more structured and modern.
Waleed found himself drawn to the city’s café culture—spaces that blended African energy with European elegance. Pastry shops, stylish streets, and a sense of safety made Abidjan feel refreshing. It was a reminder that West Africa holds many identities, each as compelling as the next.
Ghana
- Rating: 9.5/10
- Experience Summary:
Ghana was where everything seemed to click. Public transport felt manageable, interactions were smooth, and the atmosphere was welcoming from the moment he arrived.
Waleed found joy in the everyday street food that burst with flavor, conversations that turned strangers into friends, and a filming environment that felt open and relaxed. Ghana offered not just ease, but connection. It wasn’t just a stop—it felt like a place to return to, again and again.
Togo
- Rating: 8/10
- Experience Summary:
Compact yet captivating, Togo proved that size doesn’t limit experience. Lomé’s beaches were among the most accessible and beautiful Waleed encountered—just a short walk from the city’s bustle.
Life here moved with a quiet rhythm. It was less about grand attractions and more about atmosphere—sunsets by the ocean, casual conversations, and moments of stillness that balanced the intensity of the journey.
Benin
- Rating: 9/10
- Experience Summary:
Benin was the unexpected star of the trip. With little prior expectation, Waleed was surprised by its infrastructure, organization, and cultural richness.
From the towering Amazon statue to the longest graffiti wall in Africa, the country blended history with modern expression. Markets buzzed with life, traditions felt alive, and every corner seemed to hold a story. It was vibrant, dynamic, and deeply underrated—a destination that quietly stole the spotlight.
Nigeria
- Rating: 10/10
- Experience Summary:
Ending in Nigeria was like stepping into a surge of pure energy. Everything felt amplified—the sounds, the flavors, the personalities. From the moment Waleed arrived, he was pulled into a world that refused to be ignored.
The people were bold, expressive, and incredibly welcoming. Conversations came easily, laughter even easier. And then there was the food—rich, flavorful, unforgettable. Nigerian jollof rice alone became an obsession. It was chaotic in the best way possible—a country that didn’t just welcome him, but embraced him fully.
Conclusion
For Waleed Maoed, this wasn’t just a journey across borders—it was a test of patience, resilience, and openness. Fifty-hour bus rides, constant language shifts, and unpredictable conditions made West Africa one of the toughest regions he had ever explored.
Yet, it was also the most rewarding.
Because beyond the challenges lay something deeper: connection. To people, to culture, to stories that can’t be captured from a plane window. West Africa didn’t just show him the world—it changed how he saw it.
Quoted: https://www.instagram.com/waleedmaoed/
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Samuel Opoku
