Step beyond a town and the noise falls away. The land opens into wide, flat horizons and big skies, where the loudest sound is wind in the grass. Then the road brings you back to markets, shared meals and long greetings, and the quiet makes the company feel richer.
The climate is tropical, turning semi-arid in the Sahel north. A dry season gives way to rains from about May or June to September, and the south stays wetter than the north. Plan around them and you find clear skies and calm evenings. A Local Friend tells you when to set out early and when to linger over one more conversation.