Liberia
Settled by former African American slaves in the 19th Century, this country has been through murderous conflicts, and it is too dangerous to visit outside Monrovia City, which is a completely underdeveloped city anyway.
Guinea-Bissau
A former Portuguese colony which has been through lots of struggle since independence, has little change since colonial times and is hardly visited by travelers.
Guinea
Some great hill scenery (the Switzerland of Africa), major rain forests and Atlantic beaches, ravaged by decades of political turmoil and lawlessness, now striving to develop.
Cameroon
Cameroon is in
Ghana
So-called "Africa for Beginners"—West Africa's richest, most-English speaking country, with highly varied landscapes, a few off-the-beaten-path beach getaways, and the solemn, imposing slave castles of the coast west of Accra.
Gambia
Tiny coastal nation popular with European beach package tourists and birdwatchers.
Côte d'Ivoire
Formerly something of a jewel in the West African crown, this nation has taken huge steps backwards due to recent political driven conflict.
Cape Verde
Tiny Atlantic Island group off the coast of Senegal with wonderful beaches.
Burkina Faso
Landlocked country that is very off the beaten path for visitors.
Benin
A safe and relatively easy country for travelers to visit, birthplace of the Voodoo religion and former home of the Kingdom of Dahomey.