Whenever I research an article, one of the first sites I go to for information is Mark Moxon's travel site. He's informative, honest, enthusiastic and very funny. He's been to several countries in Africa including Burkina Faso, Mali, Morocco, Gambia, Ghana and Senegal. So if your trip includes a country on that list I'd highly recommend you read some of his travelogues before you go. Even if you're not going anywhere near Accra or Marrakech, the travel tales are still a good read.

My favourites include:

• Ghana: Drink in a Bag
• Burkina Faso: Ouagadougou
• Morocco: The Sahara by Camel
• Senegal: Ile de Goree (Goree Island).