Overview

Explore West Africa with adventurer “World Wide Nate.”

West Africa is a diverse and incredibly vibrant place. And though legacies of colonialism and enslavement cast a dark shadow on the continent as a whole, the people of West Africa have sought to rewrite their past and reclaim their histories. Today, Western Africa is a place ripe for exploration and ready to be celebrated for its breathtaking landscapes, delicious cuisines, colorful cultural practices, bustling businesses, resilience in the face of tremendous historical hardship, and remarkable heart. Discovering West Africa: Ghana, Senegal, Cameroon, a 10-episode video series led by the US travel show host “World Wide Nate,” explores these three West African countries in detail.

You’ll start with Ghana, sampling the dishes, touring the music scene, and getting to know businesses that give the country its distinct shape and feel. Then, you’ll turn your attention to Senegal, a French-speaking Muslim-majority country on the western-most tip of Africa, where you will spend time with boxers, motocross drivers, weavers, and other locals to paint a fuller picture of what life is like there. And you’ll bring your journey to an end in Cameroon, thoroughly immersing yourself in the country’s fascinating past by going on archaeological digs, touring the Blackitude Museum, and so much more.

Discovering West Africa: Ghana, Senegal, Cameroon brings West Africa to life, spotlighting the cultures and customs that make the region so unique, from the meaning behind the African Renaissance Monument in Ghana, to how religion operates in Senegal, to the foods that define Cameroon. Keep in mind, though, this isn’t your traditional tour. You’ll really and truly see West Africa through West African eyes, immersing yourself in everyday life there by letting Ghanians, Senegalese, and Cameroonians tell their stories and describe their customs themselves.

Course Structure

01: Made in Ghana

Kick off your tour by visiting Ghana, a vibrant coastal country in the heart of West Africa. Explore its historic monuments and museums with locals who live and work there, and talk to entrepreneurs who are designing products like chocolate and luxury clothing that highlight Ghana’s contributions to the “Made in Africa” movement.

Duration: 22 min

02: Ghanaian Botanical Gardens, Afropop, and Yoga

Continue your travels by focusing on Ghana’s natural landscape, from almond trees to cocoa wine. Then, spend some time with some of Ghana’s most creative musicians to see how they are blending new and traditional genres. And finish with some fitness, joining Nate for an African kemetic yoga session and nature hike.

Duration: 27 min

03: Ghana’s Sports, TV, and Philanthropy Champions

Keep exploring Ghana with an in-depth visit to the cities of Kokrobite and Accra. You will explore the fascinating dimensions of surfing, boxing, tennis, and skateboarding in the country. Sample some popular Ghanaian street food and get to know two particularly impressive Ghanaian women: TV host Anita Eskrine and High Commissioner Grace Jeanette Mason.

Duration: 23 min

04: Reclaiming Ghana: History and Homecoming

Wrap up your Ghanaian adventure with a trip to the W. E. B. DuBois Museum. Then, attend a West African cooking class to make some traditional garden egg stew. Next, you’ll go to the town of Elmina, where you will reckon with the brutal history of the old African slave castle and attend a traditional naming ceremony with Nate.

Duration: 32 min

05: Senegal’s African Renaissance

Turn your attention to the westernmost point of Africa: the country of Senegal. Tour the African Renaissance Monument in Dakar. Examine what Islam means to Senegalese people and their culture. Spend some time with top women boxers and race car drivers. And sample one of the country’s culinary delicacies, Yassa, a popular chicken and rice dish.

Duration: 22 min

06: Senegal Style: Surfing, Textiles, and Art

Join “World Wide Nate” as he surfs along Dakar’s Yoff Beach. Sit down with Dakar’s first female mayor, Soham El Wardini, to see how the city has secured and is preparing to host its first Youth Olympics. Connect with a weaver and artist to learn about Senegal’s culture and past through its artifacts and textiles.

Duration: 23 min

07: Senegalese Wrestling, Farming, Griot, and Dunes

Complete your Senegalese adventure by heading to Pikine where you will explore wrestling, an ancient sport in the country. Then, detour to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Saint-Louis for insight into preservation efforts there. Finish by examining how one local artist uses graffiti and spoken word to tell Senegal’s story.

Duration: 24 min

08: Cameroon’s Mountain of Greatness

Head to Cameroon, the final stop on your West African tour. Hike the country’s most impressive mountain before joining a gourmet cooking class that spotlights Cameroon’s crown agricultural jewel: Penja pepper. Conclude with a foray into Cameroon’s history and cultural life by touring the Reunification Monument and learning about the local music scene.

Duration: 23 min

09: Preserving Cameroon’s Wildlife and Heritage

Going westward, settle down in Limbe and Nkongsamba. See how wildlife, from chimps to drill monkeys, are protected and cared for at Cameroon’s Limbe Wildlife Centre. Shop for and make bouillon, a traditional Cameroonian soup. Check out ancient art and objects at the Blackitude Museum. Marvel at the beauty of the Ekom Nkam waterfalls.

Duration: 22 min

10: Deep Connections in Cameroon

Wrap up your tour of Cameroon by accompanying PhD research assistant Francois Ngouoh on a proper archaeological dig. Talk with a traditional village chief and queen. Explore film in the country, from comedy television shows to festivals. See how truly connected Nate is to Cameroon and the broader West African region.

Duration: 29 min