Great that it's her idea, but wise to allow for changes of heart between now and then. A year is a long time in a 9 year old's life, as well as in her relationship with you. What's more, the average 9 year old attention span and tolerance of uncertainty varies greatly.
I'll add that the run through Western Sahara and Mauritania is long, sometimes brutally hot, and rather boring in a lot of respects. If I was planning a cross-cultural adventure with a 9 year old, that probably wouldn't be at the top of my list. Morocco, yes; Senegal/The Gambia maybe/depending; the full 3,500 mile trip probably not.
If possible, I'd prepare for an alternative in which she flies down and meets you there. Charter flights from England to The Gambia are--or at least were--so cheap you could easily abandon her return ticket if she really wanted to ride back with you.
Hope that's helpful.
Mark
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