Ivory Coast Tours & Holidays
At this stage we don't have any organised trips to Ivory Coast.
That said, Intrepid can create tailor-made tours to many destinations, including Ivory Coast. Our fully customised trips still offer the same small group experiences with local leaders, but made just the way you want it. Simply fill out your details on our Tailor-Made page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch.
Africa tours and holidays
Ivory Coast at a glance
CAPITAL CITY
Yamoussoukro (population 245,000)
POPULATION
30 million
CURRENCY
XOF
LANGUAGE
French, Dioula, Baoule, Dan, Anyin, Mande
TIME ZONE
(GMT) Casablanca
CALLING CODE
+225
ELECTRICITY
Type C (European 2-pin) Type E (French 2-pin, female earth)
Learn more about Ivory Coast
Best time to visit Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast’s tropical climate has two wet and two dry seasons.
December to April (dry season) is an ideal time to travel, as is August and September.
If you're on holiday in Côte d'Ivoire from May to July, expect a lot of rain, especially in the north of the country.
Geography and environment
Ivory Coast’s undulating countryside rises to savannah in the north, mountains in the west and a long, languid coast along the Gulf of Guinea. The coastal plains are dotted with rivers and lagoons, which attract thousands of birds. Ivory Coast shares borders with Ghana, Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso and Liberia.
Top 5 souvenirs from Ivory Coast
1. Senufo masks
Pick up a hand-crafted ceremonial mask or sculpture from the artisans in Korhogo. These intricate designs are made using techniques handed down over centuries.
2. Traditional cloth
Remember your adventure by taking home some hand-woven cloth. Each design represents a different cultural group or event.
3. Jewellery
Be sure to pick up some beautifully handcrafted piece of jewellery at one of the many local markets – they make wonderful gifts.
4. Antiques
If vintage is your thing, there’s plenty to choose from at the crazy Korhogo markets.
5. Music
The beat of the drum resounds throughout Ivory Coast, and there's a thriving local music scene here. From traditional through to hip hop, be sure to check some out.
Health and safety
Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travellers seriously, and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone.
We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure.
From Australia?
Go to: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/
From Canada?
Go to: https://travel.gc.ca/
From UK?
Go to: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/
From New Zealand?
Go to: http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/
From US?
Go to: http://travel.state.gov/
The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information. Go to: http://www.who.int/en/
Further reading
Title | Author |
|---|---|
Nine Hills to Nambonkaha: Two Years in the Heart of an African Village | Sarah Erdman |
Tarnished Ivory: Reflections on Peace Corps and Beyond | Peter Bourque |
In the Shadow of the Sacred Grove | Carol Spindel |
Ivory Coast travel FAQs
COTE D'IVOIRE:
- Australia: Yes - in advance
- Belgium: Yes - in advance
- Canada: Yes - in advance
- Germany: Yes - in advance
- Ireland: Yes - in advance
- Netherlands: Yes - in advance
- New Zealand: Yes - in advance
- South Africa: Yes - in advance
- Switzerland: Yes - in advance
- United Kingdom: Yes - in advance
- USA: Yes - in advance
British citizens must apply directly to the embassy for this visa rather than through a visa agency. Australians can apply for this visa through their visa agency. All other nationalities must check with their respective embassies/consulates and visas agencies for the application procedure. Please check early and allow plenty of time.
Visas for Cote d’Ivoire require quite a lot of documentation, generally including 2 visa application forms, 2 passport photos, employment letter, proof of departure showing round trip travel and onward flight, plus a copy of confirmed hotel reservations is required.
Dragoman will be applying for the hotel reservation letter for you approximately 3 months in advance of the trip and once received, we will forward this to you. In order for us to be able to do this you must provide us with your passport details in advance. The application for this letter can only be made once we have received passport details from everyone in the group so any delay in us receiving these details will delay when this letter is received. Please note that this letter can take some time to issue and we cannot guarantee a specific date for receiving this letter. We therefore recommend that you wait until you have received this letter before making any appointments at the Cote d'voire Embassy or consulate.
A 10% to 15% service charge is usually included in the bill. However it’s customary to tip taxi drivers and hotel staff.
Internet is available in major towns but scarce elsewhere.
Mobile phone coverage is fairly good in major towns. Ensure you have global roaming activated with your carrier if you wish to use your phone.
Ivory Coast’s toilets may be basic. Be prepared for squat toilets, even in major centres.
Tap water isn’t safe to drink in Ivory Coast. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Instead, bring water purification tablets or ask your leader where filtered water can be found.
Credit cards are widely accepted in major towns.
ATMs are available in the larger towns and cities.
- 1 Jan: New Year's Day
- 17 Apr: Easter Monday
- 1 May: Labour Day
- 25 May: Ascension Day
- 5 Jun: Whit Monday
- 23 Jun: Day after Quran Revelation
- 25 Jun: Korité / Aid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
- 26 Jun: Korité / Aid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
- 7 Aug: Independence Day
- 15 Aug: Assumption Day
- 1 Sep: Tabaski / Aid al-Kabir (Feast of Sacrifice)
- 1 Nov: All Saints' Day
- 15 Nov: National Peace Day
- 1 Dec: The Day after the Prophet's Birthday
- 25 Dec: Christmas Day
Please note, Ivory Coast public holidays may vary.
Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. It's important to understand that each country you visit may have its own specific entry requirements, and some destinations mandate travel health insurance for all foreign travellers, regardless of their nationality.
We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation, but minimum coverage may differ from trip to trip, so make sure you check the Travel Insurance section in your Essential Trip Information. You will not be permitted to join the group until your leader has sighted your insurance policy number and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number, and these details will be recorded on the first day of your trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is an essential part of every journey.
For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or the USA, the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However, the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form, recognising personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.