Thirteen Days Togo, Benin and Ghana
Day One: Arrival In Lome
Upon your arrival at the airport in Lome, the guide from Afrikan Wildlife Safaris will welcome you and then transfer you to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Sarakawa or similar.
Day Two: Lome to Ouidah
This morning, you will explore Lome city including its central markets and the fascinating 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. Then later we cross into Benin and head to Ouidah for the night. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Casa del Papa or similar.
Day Three: 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 is an 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.
Day Four: Ganvie to Abomey
On this day, we will 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. Then 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. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Jeko or similar.
Day Five: Savalou to Naititingou
Today, you will 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). Dinner and overnight at Hotel Tata Somba or similar.
Day Six: Tamberma Villages to Defale
For this morning, you 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 this morning exploring the villages of the Kabye and Moba people, in the Defale Mountains. 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, you will drive south to the tropical forests, stop at 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. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Gess or similar.
Day Nine: Koforidua
On this day, you will cross into Ghana and drive to the Volta region. This is a center for the Krobo people, and we see how they create exquisite beads using traditional methods. Dinner and overnight at Hotel New Capital View or similar.
Day Ten: Kumasi
For this day, you will 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 to Anomabu
Today, continue your exploration of Kumasi by visiting the Royal Palace Museum, with its unique collection of golden jewellery. If timing is perfect, you may see the Awukudae Festival, an important event in the Ashanti calendar and a great opportunity to see Ashanti pageantry. Then drive to Anomabu on the coast. Dinner and overnight at Anomabu Beach Resort or similar.
Day Twelve: Elmina to Accra
This morning, you 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. Then later drive back to Accra. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Villa Boutique or similar.
Day Thirteen: Accra
After breakfast, 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.
Optional Extension Mole National Park
Day One: Accra
If you decide to extend your trip to Mole National Park, you will spend another night in Accra. Dinner and overnight at Villa Boutique Hotel or similar.
Day Two: Tamale to Mole National Park
After breakfast, you will take a 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. Dinner and overnight at Zaina Lodge.
Days Three and Four: Mole National Park
You have two days to explore the park. Head out for 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 fly back home.