AUD 4883 / pp
Benin
Ghana
Togo
Dates:
8 - 20 January 2021
Duration:
13 days
Group:
12 ppl
This exciting two-week tour will take you across Ghana, Togo and Benin, where you’ll get the chance to witness Ouidah’s incredible voodoo festival. You’ll travel with a small group of likeminded travellers and experienced local guides on an adventure that will please Africa newbies and old hands alike.
Lome → Ouidah → Ganvie → Abomey → Savalou → Naititingou → Tamberma Villages → Defale → Defale → Sokode → Kloto → Koforidua → Kumasi → Anomabu → Elmina → Accra
Day 2: Lome – Ouidah
Explore the city including its central markets and the fascinating – if rather gruesome – fetish market, where animal parts are sold for use in traditional medicines. We also meet a traditional healer who can cast more light on the traditional customs found here. Later, we cross into Benin and head to Ouidah for the night. Overnight Hotel Casa del Papa or similar.
Day 3: Ouidah Voodoo Festival
On the 10th January each year Benin holds a national celebration day in honour of its traditional religion and of the cults associated with it. Ouidah in particular is a focus for these ceremonies, and thousands of adepts, traditional chiefs and fetish priests gather here to perform fascinating rites and rituals. This isan amazing opportunity to witness the traditional culture of the region, where devotees assume the identity of gods and spirits and the realm of the magical is close at hand. Time permitting, we will visit the python temple, where snakes are venerated as representations of gods, the old Portuguese fort and finally head to the beach and the sombre ‘Gate of No Return’, the point from which slaves left Africa for the New World. Overnight Hotel Casa del Papa or similar.
Day 4: Ganvie – Abomey
Today we head out onto Lake Nokwe to visit Ganvie, the largest stilt village in Africa situated in the middle of the water. The ‘village’ is home to around 25,000 people, most of whom go about their daily lives without setting foot on dry land. From here we continue to Abomey, once the centre of the powerful kingdom of Dahomey, and home to an impressive Royal Palace. The palace is now a museum displaying various artefacts from that time. Overnight Hotel Jeko or similar.
Day 5: Savalou – Naititingou
Stop at the Dankoli fetish, the most important voodoo shrine in Benin, where we may be able to witness rituals taking place. From here head north to visit the villages of the Taneka people, a small but very traditional ethnic group, and meet their ‘feticheurs’ (traditional priests). Overnight Hotel Tata Somba or similar.
Day 6: Tamberma Villages - Defale
Drive into the lands of the Tamberma, one of the region’s most traditional groups who live in fortified houses known as ‘tatas’ – quite a spectacular sight. We spend time learning about their culture and customs, crossing into Togo and heading to the town of Defale for the night. Overnight Hotel Defale or similar.
Day 7: Defale – Sokode
Spend the morning exploring the villages of the Kabye and Moba people, in the Defale Mountains. We then head to the town of Sokode. This evening we witness a fire dance, where the participants use burning coals in their performance – another fascinating demonstration of local beliefs and customs. Overnight Hotel Central or similar.
Day 8: Kloto
Drive south to the tropical forests, stopping first in Atakpame to see traditional crafts and then continuing to Kpalime. Explore its markets and continue to nearby Kloto, where we take a walk in the forest. Accompanied by a local entomologist we learn about the butterflies and other insects that live here. Overnight Hotel Gess or similar.
Day 9: Koforidua
We cross into Ghana and drive to the Volta region. This is a centre for the Krobo people, and we see how they create exquisite beads using traditional methods. Overnight Hotel New Capital View or similar.
Day 10: Kumasi
Continue to Kumasi, Ghana’s second city and home of the old Ashanti Kingdom. Explore the city including the Ashanti Cultural Centre, which gives a great insight into what once was one of the most powerful kingdoms in the region. If possible, we will be able to see a traditional Ashanti funeral, quite a spectacle at which visitors are welcome. Overnight Miklin Hotel or similar.
Day 11: Kumasi – Anomabu
Continue our exploration of Kumasi by visiting the Royal Palace Museum, with its unique collection of golden jewellery. From here we drive to Anomabu on the coast. Overnight Anomabu Beach Resort or similar.
Day 12: Elmina – Accra
We visit the fishing town of Elmina, best known for St George’s Castle, the oldest European building in Africa and once used as holding centre for slaves. In the town itself, we explore the old quarter with its unique Posuban shrines, made by the traditional ‘asafo’ societies which were once responsible for local defence. From here we drive back to Accra. Overnight Hotel Villa Boutique or similar.
Day 13: Accra
Spend the morning exploring Accra, visiting the National Museum and the old quarter of Jamestown, as well as the quarter where craftsmen design flamboyant coffins for the deceased – a uniquely Ghanaian experience. Later transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Accommodation
12 nights at the hotels
Meals
Day 2-12: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 13: Breakfast and Lunch
Guided tours
Guided tours as per itinerary (only local guides)
Transportation
Transfers as per itinerary
Support
24/7 phone/WhatsApp support line
English-speaking guide
ABTA and ATOL bonded
Not Included
International flights
Meals not mentioned
Optional tours and activities
Personal expenses
Spend time in Ouidah, exploring the city
Experience the colourful annual voodoo festival
Visit Ganvie, the largest stilt village in Africa
Take a tour to Abomey, once the centre of the kingdom of Abomey
Witness a fire dance in Atakpame and Kpalime
Learn about Tamberma, one of the region’s most traditional groups
Peter Gay & Andrew Carroll-Keays
Australia
Travelled on the TransMongolian Railway in Feb/Mar. Not too cold. Just take usual ski gear. Great scenery. Organisation was absolutely excellent. Every transfer and every guide were on time. The hotels were all very good. The Russian Sim (provided by the company) was great for keeping in contact with each other and the support line.
Howard Rogers
USA
Nomadic Escape Mongolia Tour ...Gobi dunes, yurt experience, camels, Karakorum , wild horse park – Mongolia turned out to be a great place. We did not expect much and only decided to go there as we had a trip to China and it was close. For Americans, Mongolia is visa free and we made really spontaneous decision just a week before arrival to China. Despite that, World of Discoveries team was able to arrange extensive 7 days itinerary around the country and we are so happy we did the tour! Huge thanks to Alex, great customer service.
Francisco Caycedo
USA
Travelled to Russia FIFA World Cup 2018 with a family of 4 including (2 boys: 4 and 12 y/o) . What an amazing experience it was! Super well organized, transfers were always on time, hotels were good, we couldn’t ask for a more responsible tour guide, Phillip was awesome and in care of every little detail to make us feel like at home, would recommend the company with no hesitation at all!
Coco Bermudez
Australia
I was extremely satisfied with my trip. Everyone at the agency have been courteous and helpful from the very beginning, trying to organize our 17 day World Cup experience. The guides and drivers are very professional and friendly, and the accommodations were simply superb. I highly recommend World of Discoveries as I know they will turn your trip into an unforgettable experience.
Brett B
Australia
I am a very active person and did have some hesitation about the amount of driving which was required to complete this tour. However, despite bumpy roads, I found it pretty bearable overall. Distances are big, country is vast and underdeveloped but once it’s get more developed, you will not this sense of freedom and tranquility any more. I recommend going to Mongolia if you’re looking for a varied, culturally enriching experience of a life time framed by unbelievably beautiful landscapes. Locals were very welcome and guides were great and were always ready to help to explore more of their home country. Very safe country, very friendly people. Interesting food, but vegans might be starving.
Andrew Weifler
Australia
I decided to use the Tour Service of the World Cup after some extensive research into the tour alternatives. These guys seemed to differentiate its tour Service by providing a more culturally based service with a healthy dose of Football and Fun. My experience was that it as well run ie they delivered on their promises. They have a health mix of local staff and Australian staff. The Russian staff had a great empathy for the challenges for us Aussies traveling in a country where you had no language skills they bridged that gap with there wonderful help. I know there are many alternative tours but this one certainly lived up to its name. I felt I discovered part of Russia but there’s plenty more to go!’ Overall just a great experience