My First Road Trip from Lagos to Ghana: A Memorable Adventure

The time spent at border posts, dealing with customs and immigration, plus the road conditions between Lagos and Cotonou, oh my goodness, the road is an absolute eyesore. Prepare to see a lot of immigration officials at almost every stop from the Nigerian border to the Cotonou border, and trust me, this will definitely affect your travel time. Expect the trip to last about 10 hours on average, but don’t be shocked if it stretches to 15 hours or even more. It’s a long ride, but it's all part of the adventure.

Choosing My Transport: The Journey Begins

Since this was my first time taking a road trip to Ghana, I didn’t want to deal with the stress of crossing multiple borders on my own. After reading reviews online, I decided to go with a transport company that could handle all the logistics for me. This decision saved me so much trouble.

I boarded the bus at the Cross Country Transport office in Yaba, Lagos. Our bus was supposed to leave at 10 PM, but typical Nigerian time got the best of us, we didn’t actually depart until around 12:00 AM. I didn’t mind much because I was excited about the journey, but it did mean we were starting our long ride later than expected.

One of the major reasons I chose Cross Country was because they take care of all the border processes. This is a huge relief because dealing with immigration officials can be extremely frustrating. The trip wasn’t just about getting from one place to another; it was about having a more comfortable and stress-free journey.

Getting Ready: What You Need for the Trip

Before you head out on a trip like this, it’s important to know what documents you’ll need. For this journey, you'll need either a valid international passport or a National ID card along with a Yellow Fever card. This is a must when traveling to Ghana by road, as they are required at the borders.

The Road Trip Experience

The bus ride itself was comfortable and had its perks. Since it was a night trip, I ended up sleeping most of the time. One thing that made the ride fun, though, was the presence of a Cross Country staff member on board. Along with the driver, they kept things lively with jokes, making the long ride more interesting. I’m not going to lie, the road was bumpy, and the conditions were far from perfect, but the humor and the occasional entertainment kept the mood light.

The Border Experience

As expected, the journey took longer than anticipated because of the numerous stops at the border posts. We had to cross through three main borders:

• Lagos to Cotonou Border
• Cotonou to Togo Border
• Togo to Ghana Border

The border crossings were definitely time-consuming, but the team at Cross Country made the process manageable. At each stop, customs and immigration officials conducted checks. In fact, there were immigration officials at nearly every stop, making sure everything was in order. It’s something to keep in mind because it does affect the travel time significantly.

At the Togo border, we had to get down from the bus to cross on foot, which was a bit of a hassle. The border between Togo and Ghana also required another round of checks, but by then, I was getting used to the routine. Still, it felt like the trip was taking forever.

The Road Conditions

Now, let me be honest about the road conditions. Between Lagos and Cotonou, the road is pretty rough. It’s not the kind of smooth ride you might expect, so brace yourself for some bumpy patches. In addition, the long stretches without good rest stops can test your patience.

But even with all the delays and the rough patches, there were a few positives. For one, we were provided with food during the ride (which was a nice surprise). There were also drinks and snacks like juice boxes and biscuits to keep us going. We even had TVs on the bus, showing some Nigerian movies that made the journey a little less dull.

How Long Did It Take?

As I mentioned earlier, I thought the trip would take 8 hours, but it ended up being much longer. By the time we crossed all the borders, dealt with the delays, and made our way through the rough roads, it took almost 10 hours in total. It was one of the longest trips I’ve ever taken, but it was definitely a memorable one. Would I do it again? Honestly, I’m not sure. If I had the budget, I’d probably opt for a flight. But if I’m up for an adventure and don’t mind the long journey, a road trip could be fun once again.

Final Thoughts

This trip was an eye-opener in many ways. Not only did I get to experience a different country, but I also learned the importance of planning ahead and being prepared for the unexpected. The journey may be long, and the road conditions may not always be ideal, but if you’re ready for a true adventure, traveling from Lagos to Ghana by road is something you won’t forget.