Best time to visit Ivory Coast

Get your culture fix. Dance is a key part of Ivorian culture and is used to celebrate births, marriages and harvests as well as to mourn the passing of the dead. A real highlight is watching the initiation or mask dances of the country’s different ethnic groups. The opportunity to witness artisans at work should also not be missed. Ivory Coast’s traditional art and craft scene is renowned, with jewellers, weavers, blacksmiths, potters, wood carvers and others creating beautiful works of art using ancient techniques.

It’s incredible to think that there are over 60 ethnic groups in Ivory Coast, the majority being the Akan, who live mostly in the east and central regions. The Baoulé are the single largest subgroup of the Akan people and you can learn about their heritage in and around Bouaké, their historical home. In the north, you’ll come across Fulani nomads searching for pastures; the Malinké, descendants of the mighty Mali Empire; and the Senufo, whose ancient capital Korhogo is a wonderful place to watch artisans at work.

Tourism is slowly growing in Ivory Coast, but it remains a tough place to travel thanks to poor infrastructure and limited public transport. For this reason, we recommend joining a small group tour. You’ll travel in a private vehicle and enjoy the services of tour leader and an expert local guide. This reduces the chances of anything going wrong – and ensures that if it does, there is help at hand.

Ivory Coast is not a mainstream tourist destination. That is part of its appeal, so you shouldn’t expect luxury on a trip here. Road conditions and infrastructure can be poor and accommodation, especially outside of the cities, tends to be simple. Do remember that this is all part of the cultural experience. Lodgings will be clean and comfortable with helpful staff, and will give you valuable insight into local life. 

Play it safe with 'international' dishes. Ivorian cuisine takes French traditions and West African techniques and ingredients and turns them into a fabulous culinary adventure. Common dishes include kedjenou, a spicy stew prepared with chicken or guineafowl and accompanied by foutou, a pounded cassava dumpling; and poulet braisé, chicken marinated in garlic, lemon juice, mustard, pepper and chillies, and then cooked on an open charcoal grill. You can get your foodie fix anywhere from streetside stalls to fine dining restaurants – the choice is yours.

Visiting traditional villages and rural areas may be your main objective on a trip to Ivory Coast, but don’t assume this is just a rural destination; the cities are well worth visiting. Chaotic Abidjan is the country’s main metropolis, and a city tour is a fascinating way to start your adventure. Top of your list should be the artefact-packed National Museum, the labyrinthine Marché de Cocody and the chic Galerie Cécile Fakhoury, which showcases the continent’s top contemporary artists.