AUD 4883 / pp

DATES & RATES

Ouidah Voodoo Festival

Benin

Ghana

Togo

Dates:
8 - 20 January 2021

Activity level:

1 of 3 - Easy. No much walking, no long driving, take your time and relax

2 of 3 - Moderate. Consider some walking, some days may include long drives

3 of 3 - Challenging. You may have to take some risks and to fit the requirements

Duration:
13 days

Group:
12 ppl

AUD 0 / pp

Cultural immersion

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.

Itinerary

Lome → Ouidah → Ganvie → Abomey → Savalou → Naititingou → Tamberma Villages → Defale → Defale → Sokode → Kloto → Koforidua → Kumasi → Anomabu → Elmina → Accra

Day 1: Lome

Arrive in Lome and transfer to your hotel. Overnight Hotel Ibis or similar.

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.

Show less

Show more [{"id":1780,"ture_id":"115","image_id":null,"name":"Lome \u2192 Ouidah \u2192 Ganvie \u2192 Abomey \u2192 Savalou \u2192 Naititingou \u2192 Tamberma Villages \u2192 Defale \u2192 Defale \u2192 Sokode \u2192 Kloto \u2192 Koforidua \u2192 Kumasi \u2192 Anomabu \u2192 Elmina \u2192 Accra","name_option":"Itinerary","text":null,"active":"1","created_at":"2020-03-17 12:08:52","updated_at":"2020-03-17 12:09:04","order":"5"},{"id":1767,"ture_id":"115","image_id":"2468","name":"Day 1: Lome","name_option":"Itinerary","text":"Arrive in Lome and transfer to your hotel. Overnight Hotel Ibis or similar.","active":"1","created_at":"2020-03-16 12:43:44","updated_at":"2020-03-16 16:04:35","order":"10"},{"id":1768,"ture_id":"115","image_id":"2456","name":"Day 2: Lome \u2013 Ouidah","name_option":"Itinerary","text":"Explore the city including its central markets and the fascinating \u2013 if rather gruesome \u2013 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.","active":"1","created_at":"2020-03-16 12:43:44","updated_at":"2020-03-16 12:53:02","order":"20"},{"id":1769,"ture_id":"115","image_id":"2458","name":"Day 3: Ouidah Voodoo Festival","name_option":"Itinerary","text":"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 \u2018Gate of No Return\u2019, the point from which slaves left Africa for the New World. Overnight Hotel Casa del Papa or similar.","active":"1","created_at":"2020-03-16 12:43:44","updated_at":"2020-03-16 13:17:36","order":"30"},{"id":1770,"ture_id":"115","image_id":"2459","name":"Day 4: Ganvie \u2013 Abomey","name_option":"Itinerary","text":"Today we head out onto Lake Nokwe to visit Ganvie, the largest stilt village in Africa situated in the middle of the water. The \u2018village\u2019 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.","active":"1","created_at":"2020-03-16 12:43:44","updated_at":"2020-03-16 13:23:54","order":"40"},{"id":1771,"ture_id":"115","image_id":"2469","name":"Day 5: Savalou \u2013 Naititingou","name_option":"Itinerary","text":"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 \u2018feticheurs\u2019 (traditional priests). Overnight Hotel Tata Somba or similar.","active":"1","created_at":"2020-03-16 12:43:44","updated_at":"2020-03-16 16:08:53","order":"50"},{"id":1772,"ture_id":"115","image_id":"2460","name":"Day 6: Tamberma Villages - Defale","name_option":"Itinerary","text":"Drive into the lands of the Tamberma, one of the region\u2019s most traditional groups who live in fortified houses known as \u2018tatas\u2019 \u2013 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.","active":"1","created_at":"2020-03-16 12:43:44","updated_at":"2020-03-16 13:34:01","order":"60"},{"id":1773,"ture_id":"115","image_id":"2470","name":"Day 7: Defale \u2013 Sokode","name_option":"Itinerary","text":"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 \u2013 another fascinating demonstration of local beliefs and customs. Overnight Hotel Central or similar.","active":"1","created_at":"2020-03-16 12:43:44","updated_at":"2020-03-16 16:20:24","order":"70"},{"id":1774,"ture_id":"115","image_id":"2471","name":"Day 8: Kloto","name_option":"Itinerary","text":"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.","active":"1","created_at":"2020-03-16 12:43:44","updated_at":"2020-03-16 16:34:37","order":"80"},{"id":1775,"ture_id":"115","image_id":"2461","name":"Day 9: Koforidua","name_option":"Itinerary","text":"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.","active":"1","created_at":"2020-03-16 12:43:44","updated_at":"2020-03-16 13:42:09","order":"90"},{"id":1776,"ture_id":"115","image_id":"2462","name":"Day 10: Kumasi","name_option":"Itinerary","text":"Continue to Kumasi, Ghana\u2019s 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.","active":"1","created_at":"2020-03-16 12:43:44","updated_at":"2020-03-16 13:45:03","order":"100"},{"id":1777,"ture_id":"115","image_id":"2472","name":"Day 11: Kumasi \u2013 Anomabu","name_option":"Itinerary","text":"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.","active":"1","created_at":"2020-03-16 12:45:35","updated_at":"2020-03-16 16:34:37","order":"110"},{"id":1778,"ture_id":"115","image_id":"2473","name":"Day 12: Elmina \u2013 Accra","name_option":"Itinerary","text":"We visit the fishing town of Elmina, best known for St George\u2019s 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 \u2018asafo\u2019 societies which were once responsible for local defence. From here we drive back to Accra. Overnight Hotel Villa Boutique or similar.","active":"1","created_at":"2020-03-16 12:45:35","updated_at":"2020-03-16 16:34:37","order":"120"},{"id":1779,"ture_id":"115","image_id":"2463","name":"Day 13: Accra","name_option":"Itinerary","text":"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 \u2013 a uniquely Ghanaian experience. Later transfer to the airport for your flight home.","active":"1","created_at":"2020-03-16 12:45:35","updated_at":"2020-03-16 13:59:28","order":"130"}]

Travellers and rooms

Persons:

Rooms:

Total:

AUD 0 /per person

Apply price for Club Members This discount will be applied only if you provide a valid World of Discoveries Club Member certificate on your name

Send an enquiry

Map

What's included

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

Highlights

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

Book

Our reviews

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

Our reviews

Victoria Peck

Australia

Thank you to Varya and her team for organising our trip to Russia for World Cup (June 2018). Before the trip, Alex was our main contact. He was very responsive to all our needs and developed a bespoke itinerary for us. Our trip took almost 2 months of planning, thank you Alex for being so patient. During the trip, Varya had a team of dedicated consultants, working 24 hours a day to ensure we were where we needed to be and safe. What was particularly impressive was that every transfer was taken care of and her team rang the drivers to confirm we had been picked up. Thank you Discovery Russia for making our trip to Russia an unforgettable and amazing holiday.

Dave Kendall

Australia

Just travelled to Russia for the World Cup. Discovery Russia was the most organised and professional travel agency I have ever used. Everything was well organised by Discovery Russia from hotels, tours to transportation. Highly recommend anyone travelling to Russia to book through Discovery Russia!!

Chris Balogh

Australia

Discovery Russia has made my World Cup dream a reality and also provided a spectecular tour of Kazan, Samara & Sochi along the way! The team who made it happen were fantastic, organised, attentive and even fulfilled requests like having window seats on all 3 of my domestic flights not to mention the smooth transportations to and from airports.

Steve Giannoress

Australia

Traveled to Russia for the world Cup 2018 with Angelo. Alex and myself with Discovery Russia. They were exceptional in every way, I want to thank Varya , Alex Tati and there team for there support and service during our trip there in Russia. I highly recommend anyone that wants to travel with Discovery to Russia or Balkans to use the great service of the above people, contact Varya to book you in now. Thanks again guys, well done and we all look forward to catching up again in the near future.

Alison Dannish

USA

We just returned from the World Cup in Russia where we followed Team Iran. This involved travel to three different stadiums many miles apart. Thank goodness we booked through Discovery Russia. They arranged our lodging and transport. They even set us up with local English speaking guides to take us to see the interesting and historical sights of this beautiful land. We had a blast. We met new friends, ate great food, drank great vodka and cheered our team on. It was a trip of a lifetime. Thanks to Varya, Tim, Ury, Ruslan, Daria, Alex and the others who helped us to enjoy this part of the world.

Chris McCabe

Australia

Varya and the Discovery Russia staff were amazing. Any pre trip trepidation was quickly dissolved by how safe we felt through our travels. We saw the sights and partied hard with not even a hint of any trouble. The Russian people were so eager to help and make our trip memorable. The language barrier was over come with their willingness to make us feel safe. Thanks Russia memories for ever

William Watt

Australia

What a trip ... the World Cup, five cities, amazing camaraderie, and great tour leadership against the background of one of the globe’s most amazing countries ... Russia. My World Cup tour with Discovery Russia was one of the great experiences of my travel life. The Discovery Russia team provided a wonderful platform with an itinerary both practical and flexible. The local tours in each of the venue cities - Moscow, Kazan, Samara, Sochi and St Petersburg were informative and,importantly, fun. Considering the accommodation pressures created by the huge influx of Cup tourists, the hotels selected by Discovery Russia were more than adequate. Special mention goes to the Grand Hotel Tchaikovsky In St Petersburg. The tour leadership provided by the company was both expert and considerate. Importantly each traveller’s individual enjoyment and safety appeared to be the paramount consideration. This World Cup holiday was meant to be a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience for me but I am now planning for the next Cup. Bring on 2022 in Qatar!

RobynChris Haynes

Australia

We travelled to Russia for the FIFA World Cup in 2018 to follow the Australian Socceroos with Discovery Russia. We had the most fantastic time in an amazing country visiting 5 cities and attending all 3 Socceroos pool games. All travel, accomodation,sightseeing and pre and post game entertainment was organised expertly by the team at Discovery Russia, all travel was coordinated extremely well including airport transfers to and from hotels. Not knowing what to expect in Russia we were pleased with the standard of our accomodation, the locations were excellent and the standard of hotel was great.The great team from Discovery Russia looked after our every need and are to be congratulated for their level of commitment to ensuring our Russian experience was the very best. Thank you all.

Linh Taylor

Australia

We had such a wonderful time traveling with Discovery Russia. We were there for the World Cup in addition to touring. The company did an amazing job at communicating before, during and after. We felt very safe and taken care of our entire stay. We would highly recommend the company.

Gabriel Carvajal

Mexico

My cousin and I attended the first Mexico soccer games of the 2018 World Cup and Discovery Russia was excellent. The lodging accommodations were great and centrally located. The personnel were wonderful. Thank you Tim for taking care of all our request. I was very surprised to received a message at 3 am informing me that our car was outside waiting to transfer us to the airport. That is the level of service that we received from Discovery Russia. Great company that made our trip even more memorable since it was absolutely hassle free.

Rami Selim

Egypt / Australia

Thanks you Abby and Varvara and all the other staff members of World of Discoveries for making our stay in Russia over 2 and a half weeks easy, comfortable and memorable. Thanks for the great organisation with transfers and accommodation. Thanks also for organising a phone sim card for each one in our group. It made our life much easier to stay in touch with each other and with our family and friends back home. We loved our stay in Russia and will certainly come back soon.

Jacinta Ami

Australia

Highly recommend!! Well organised, friendly and knowledgeable staff who go out of their way to make sure you have the best experience! If you ever intend on visiting Russia, definately try this company!

Santiago Angulo

Colombia

We joined the Colombian Team tour during the Russia World Cup. The package was extremely well planned, we got to enjoy 5 cities, museums & attractions, and specially we were able to follow our team during the classifying phase. The World of Discoveries coordinator, Phillip, was excellent, he answered all our inquiries, helped us resolving any issues with the tour and with any other parties, and he was committed to help us have a great time. I will recommend World of Discoveries to anyone looking to visit remote countries, not just from the tourist point of view, but from the authentic local culture!!!

Alison Danesh

Iran / USA

We just returned from the World Cup in Russia where we followed Team Iran. This involved travel to three different stadiums many miles apart. Thank goodness we booked through World of Discoveries (Discovery Russia branch)! They arranged our lodging and transport. They even set us up with local English speaking guides to take us to see the interesting and historical sights of this beautiful land. We had a blast. We met new friends, ate great food, drank great vodka and cheered our team on. It was a trip of a lifetime.

Francisco Caycedo

USA

Gordon Ketelbey

Australia

Discovery Russia put an excellent tour together. All well organised with lots of side events all unplanned but the focus was on fun. Pity Australia can’t score goals but the party made up for it.

Andrew Wiefler

Australia

I decided to use the Discovery Russia Tour Service of the World Cup after some extensive research into the tour alternatives.
Discovery Russia 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 Discovery Russia 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.

Ouidah Voodoo Festival

Cultural immersion

Itinerary

Map

What's included

Highlights

Our reviews

Our reviews

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