Thirteen Days Benin and Ghana Vacation
Day One: Arrival in Lome
On your arrival at the airport in Lome, the guide from Afrikan Wildlife Safaris will welcome you and then transfer you to your hotel. Dinner and overnight at Onomo Hotel or similar.
Day Two: Lome to Lac Togo
You will go for the city tour of Lome which is the only African city to have been colonized by the French, British and Germans. Visit its central markets and the fetish market, where animal parts are sold for use in traditional medicines. In the afternoon travel to a remote and hidden village, where we witness a voodoo ceremony – unique to this part of the world, and sure to be one of the highlights of your trip. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Le Lac or similar.
Day Three: Ouidah
Today you will drive to the coastal town of Ouidah, a stronghold of voodoo and once an important slave port. We 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. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Casa del Papa or similar.
Day Four: Ganvie to Abomey
On this daty, we will visit a service of the ‘Celestial Church’, a unique religion which blends voodoo and Christianity. Then continue to Lake Nokwe to visit Ganvie, the largest stilt village in Africa situated in the middle of the water. We then drive 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. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Jeko or similar.
Day Five: Savalou to Naititingou
For this day, you will stop at the Dankoli fetish, the most important voodoo shrine in Benin, where we may be able to witness rituals taking place. In the afternoon we visit villages of the Taneka people, a small but traditional ethnic group with a society centred around fetish priests. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Tata Somba or similar.
Day Six: Tamberma Villages to Defale
After breakfast, we will 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. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Defale or similar.
Day Seven: Defale to Sokode
You will 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. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Central or similar.
Day Eight: Kloto
After breakfast, we will drive south to the tropical forests, stopping first in Atakpame to see traditional crafts and then proceed 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. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Gess or similar.
Day Nine: Krobo to Koforidua
For this day, we will cross into Ghana and drive to the region of Krobo, known for its production of traditional beads. From here continue to Koforidua. Dinner and overnight at Hotel New Capital View or similar.
Day Ten: Kumasi
Today after breakfast, 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. Dinner and overnight at Miklin Hotel or similar.
Day Eleven: Kumasi
Go out to exploring Kumasi by visiting the Royal Palace Museum. In the afternoon visit some of the nearby villages which specialize in producing traditional crafts such as cloth and carvings. Dinner and overnight at Miklin Hotel or similar.
Day Twelve: Elmina
This morning, we will 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. Dinner and overnight at Anomabu Beach Resort or similar.
Day Thirteen: Accra
After breakfast, you will drive back to 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 onward flight.
Optional Mole National Park Extension
Day One: Accra
After deciding on the extension, spend the night in Accra. Dinner and overnight Villa Boutique Hotel or similar.
Day Two: Tamale to Mole National Park
You will take a morning flight from Accra to the northern town of Tamale, and from here transfer to Mole National Park. In the afternoon head out to explore the park on a game drive. Your accommodation here is a luxury lodge overlooking waterholes, where animals such as elephant, waterbuck, hippos and buffalo come to drink. Dinner and overnight at Zaina Lodge.
Days Three and Four: Mole National Park
You will spend two days exploring the park. We head out on safari in the early mornings and late afternoons in search of wildlife which includes elephants, buffalo, hartebeest, roan and others. Lions and leopard are also present here, but not often seen. The birdlife here is also prolific, with a wide variety of raptors, waterbirds and other species. Dinner and overnight at Zaina Lodge.
Day Five: Tamale to Accra
After breakfast, the guide will transfer you back to Tamale and fly to Accra and connect to your onward flight back home.