Where is Kong in Ivory Coast?

In the far north-east, east of Ferkessédougou and around seven hundred kilometres from Abidjan — two days of driving with an overnight stop.

What is Kong known for?

Its Sudanese-style mud mosques with protruding timbers, and its history as a Dyula centre of trade and Islamic scholarship on the caravan routes.

Are the Kong mosques UNESCO listed?

Yes, the Sudanese-style mosques of northern Ivory Coast were inscribed as a UNESCO world heritage site in 2021.

Is it safe to travel to Kong?

It lies close to regions where travel is advised against. Check the current situation, plan the route in advance and travel with a driver who knows the area.

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Kong: the caravan city and its mud mosques.

Kong was one of the great trading cities of West Africa, a Dyula centre of commerce and Islamic scholarship on the caravan routes between the forest and the Sahara. What remains is a quiet town in the savanna with Sudanese-style mud mosques, their walls pierced by protruding timbers — architecture found across the Sahel and inscribed by UNESCO. 700 kilometres from Abidjan, in the far north-east.

Sudanese-style mud mosque with conical minaret and protruding timbers

Mud mosque in the Sudanese style

Remote, and it needs planning

Kong is seven hundred kilometres from Abidjan in the north-east, well beyond Korhogo, and it is close to regions where travel is advised against. This is not a place to improvise: plan the route with us in advance, travel with a driver who knows it, and check the current situation before setting out.