Benin
Ghana
Togo
Dates:
8 - 20 January 2025
Duration:
13
days
Group:
12
ppl
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.
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
Rene & Patricia Aguirre Olivares
Mexico
We have some issues with FIFA Haya card, and the agency support us all the time, ensuring we could enter to the stadium. Our manager behavior was so kindly and very responsible to support us at any moment.
Dragan Rakic
Australia
Great experience and organisation by the team at World of Discoveries - communication was great all the way through the trip
Linh Taylor
Australia
We had such a wonderful time traveling with World of Discoveries. 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.
Carlos B & Family
Argentina
Very professional people, made our stay a great one, everything was according to what was offered in Hospitality Tickets, hotel, transfers and tours I would definately go with WOFDI to the next Fifa World Cup 2026 Vamos Argentina!!!!!! Thank you
Kalpana K
USA
Eurocup 2024 Germany - Finals & Semi-finals Excellent trip for our family of four (with two young boys - 12 and 14) to watch the two semifinals and finals of Eurocup 2024 in Munich, Dortmund, Cologne, and Berlin. WofDi organized the entire trip and provided white glove service from the minute we landed in and left from Germany. We were chaperoned throughout the trip by Mike, Varya, and their team, who took care of every detail. (Airport transfers, hotel stays, ICE train tickets, match tickets, unique curated city tours and events, daily WhatsApp communication) and were on-hand throughout to answer questions. We look forward to more sporting events and travel with WofDi.
Gaz Roulston
Australia
EUROS 24 Can’t recommend WORLD OF DISCOVERIES highly enough My daughter and I joined them in Munich before travelling to Cologne then Berlin From the moment we arrived in Munich it was the full 5 star experience. They took care of every aspect of the trip from transport, tours and activities. Varya and Mike instantly made you feel welcome and included like life long friends, there chemistry and enthusiasm really do make all the difference. They have built an amazing team around them who are totally committed to making your trip the very best it can be I will defiantly use them again in the future