If you are expecting abundant wildlife and a well developed tourist infrastructure, then you won't find this in West Africa. However, if you are after all things African; colour, music, vibrancy, culture, stunning landscapes, great artefacts, beautiful materials and friendly and open laughter, then you will LOVE West Africa.
Ghana, Togo and Benin have all of this in bucket loads. Just check out the local Ghanaian coffin maker and you will understand what we are saying! Great tribal homestays, cool hill hikes to see butterflies, wonderful palm fringed beaches and not forgetting boat trips to stilt villages.
Just because we are in West Africa we don't forget the wealth of fascinating history, both indigenous tribal and unwanted western in the form of the Slave Trade. Plus there is still a NP with wildlife including lion and elephant!
HIGHLIGHTS
Enjoy a fine meal and cool drink in one of Accra's many restaurants
Swim in the clean water of the Volta River
Guided tour of the impressive Akosombo Dam
Enjoy a guided walk around Butterfly Mountain, Mont Kluto
Visit the fascinating double storey mud huts in Tata Somba
Go on a safari in the Pendjari NP in the far north of Benin
Overland through Benin and soak up the local culture
Tour around the Dahomey Palace and museum in Abomey
Stay overnight in the stilt village of Ganvie
Visit the emotional 'Point of no return' in Ouidah
Option to walk the Route des Escalves in the footsteps of millions of slaves
Relax on the beach with a BBQ at Gran Popo
Visit a local village to witness a traditional Voodoo ceremony
Take a pirogue across to Togoville for guided tour
WHAT TO EXPECT
Although this is not a physically demanding trip, you will be pushed out of your comfort zone, whether it be the weather, camping or just the lack of infrastructure. But compared to some of other West African countries, travelling in Togo, Benin and Ghana is actually relatively easy and is definitely very rewarding.
INCLUDED ACTIVITIES
Visit Akosombo Dam the colossal 1960s project that provides almost all of Ghana's energy needs and created Lake Volta, one of the world's largest man-made lakes
An evening of energetic drumming and dancing from the local villagers in Mont Klouto
Go on a guided tour of the Tata Somba villages of northern Benin learning about the traditional culture and way of life and visiting their incredible 2-storey 'mud castle' homes
Visit the stunning landscapes of Pendjari National Park famous for being one of the best wildlife reserves in West Africa
A guided tour of the capital of the ancient Dahomey empire including the Dahomey Palace and Museum.
Visit to the incredible stilt village of Ganvie where an entire community of fisherman live in a town entirely built on stilts in the middle of Lake Noukoe near Cotonou
Half-day tour of Ouidah including the museums and exhibitions at La Maison Bresil learning about the history of slavery on the 'Route des Esclaves' and the Point of No Return and a visit to the voodoo Snake Temple.
Trip in a local non-motorised pirogue across Lac Togo to Togoville where you can explore the town and learn all about it's history and culture
Visit the ruins of the small Danish slave fort of Fort Prinzenstein and take in its haunting and moving atmosphere
Border information: if you are joining in Accra, then you will most likely enter Ghana at Accra Kotoka International Airport (IATA code: ACC).
There will be an important group meeting at 10:00am at the joining hotel - please look out at the hotel reception for a note from your leader with more details about this important meeting. Your leader will collect your kitty and check your passport, visas, and insurance details at this meeting.
The afternoon will be free to explore the city of Accra.
Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Accra before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Accra.
Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel
Daily Activities
Optional Activities
Visit the famous Labadi Beach situated on the outskirts of Accra
Entrance: 5 GHS
Freely explore the huge Independence Square and Black Star Arch in Accra where independence was celebrated in 1957
Visit: Free
Freely explore the area of Jamestown Accra's oldest district and a vibrant fishing area
Visit: Free
Head to this park which is a memorial to one of the founding fathers of Ghana.
Visit: 5 GHS
Learn all about the history and culture of Ghana in the National Museum
Entrance: 40 GHS
Visit the outside of the famous Osu Castle the seat of power in Ghana since the 1600s
See the outside: Free
Day 2 - Akosombo (28th December 2021)
This morning, we will apply for Togo visas at the Togolese Embassy in Accra. Once they are issued, we will leave Accra and head north to the village of Akosombo.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 4
Day 3 - Akosombo (29th December 2021)
Today we will have an included visit to the nearby Akosombo Dam, a major project built in the 1960s to provide almost all of Ghana's energy needs. The rest of the day will be free to relax at our campsite in Akosombo.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Daily Activities
Included Activities
Visit Akosombo Dam the colossal 1960s project that provides almost all of Ghana's energy needs and created Lake Volta, one of the world's largest man-made lakes
Included
Day 4 - Mont Klouto (30th December 2021)
Border information: Exit Ghana at Klouto, enter Togo at Klouto.
Today we will have a full day's drive to the spectacular Mont Klouto, crossing the border into Togo.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 6
Day 5 - Mont Klouto (31st December 2021)
Today we will have a free day around the beautiful Mont Klouto region, with the opportunity to head out on optional forest walks or to visit Kpalimé town nearby.
In the evening, we will head to the village centre to see a spectacular show of drumming and dancing from the local villagers.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Daily Activities
Included Activities
An evening of energetic drumming and dancing from the local villagers in Mont Klouto
Included
Optional Activities
Experience Kpalime, a market town like no other
Taxi: 500 USD
Guided walks around Mont Klouto looking for butterflies and enjoying the beautiful forest scenery
Guided walk: 8,000 USD
Day 6 - Central Togo (1st January 2022)
Over the next 2 days we will drive up the length of Togo, all the way through the remote northern border with Benin. We will wild camp for 1 night en route.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping without facilities
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 7
Day 7 - Tanguieta (2nd January 2022)
Border information: Exit Togo at Ketao, enter Benin at Ouaké.
Today we will cross the border into Benin, before continuing our journey to the Tata Somba region close to the town of Tanguiéta.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Basic Hotel
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 7
Day 8 - Tanguieta (3rd January 2022)
This morning we will go on an included walking tour of the nearby Tata Somba villages with some of the local villagers. This is a fascinating visit to an area rarely visited by tourists, where we will learn a lot about the local traditional way of life and explore the famous two-storey mud huts of the area.
In the afternoon, there is the option to walk through the stunning area to some nearby waterfalls.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Basic Hotel
Daily Activities
Included Activities
Go on a guided tour of the Tata Somba villages of northern Benin learning about the traditional culture and way of life and visiting their incredible 2-storey 'mud castle' homes
Included
Optional Activities
Head out on a guided walk through the beautiful scenery in the hills of the Tata Somba region to visit some local waterfalls
Optional walk: 2,500 XOF
Day 9 - Pendjari NP (4th January 2022)
From the Tata Somba region we have a short journey north to the beautiful Pendjari NP.
We will stay for two nights wild camping in the NP, where we will have freedom to explore and head out on game drives in the truck in search of wildlife.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 5
Daily Activities
Included Activities
Visit the stunning landscapes of Pendjari National Park famous for being one of the best wildlife reserves in West Africa
Included
Day 10 - Pendjari NP (5th January 2022)
Today we have the entire day to enjoy this national park. One of the only places left in West Africa where wildlife continues to thrive. A lot of work is put into maintaining this park by African Parks who are resposible for many of the lesser known national parks in Africa.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Day 11 - Central Benin (6th January 2022)
Today we have a full day's drive heading south through Benin. We will wild camp somewhere en route between the towns of Natitingou and Abomey.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping without facilities
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 10
Day 12 - Abomey (7th January 2022)
Our journey today continues to Abomey, the ancient capital of the Dahomey kingdom. On arrival we will take an included tour of the Dahomey Palace and Museum.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 7
Daily Activities
Included Activities
A guided tour of the capital of the ancient Dahomey empire including the Dahomey Palace and Museum.
Included
Day 13 - Abomey (8th January 2022)
Today we have a day off from the road and have the time to enjoy the sights and sounds of beautiful Abomey.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Day 14 - Ganvie (9th January 2022)
This morning we will drive to Abomey-Calavi (a port on the outskirts of Cotonou), where we say goodbye to the truck for the night and jump aboard motorised pirogues to Ganvie, a fascinating town built entirely on stilts in the middle of Lake Nokoué.
In Ganvie we will stay in the stilt village itself!
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Basic Hotel
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 8
Daily Activities
Included Activities
Visit to the incredible stilt village of Ganvie where an entire community of fisherman live in a town entirely built on stilts in the middle of Lake Noukoe near Cotonou
Included
Day 15 - Ganvie (10th January 2022)
Today we will start with an included tour of the stilt town of Ganvie, exploring deeper on our pirogues and soaking up the unique way of life in the floating village. Following this, we will head back to land to re-join the truck and drive along the coastal road to Ouidah, where we may hopefully see many of the local fishermen bringing their catch in.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 3
Day 16 - Grand Popo (11th January 2022)
Today we will take a very interesting half-day tour of the sites in Ouidah, including the Voodoo Python Temple, the "Route des Esclaves" (Slave Route), La Maison du Brésil art gallery and the Ouidah Museum of History in the old Portuguese Fort of São João Baptista de Ajudá.
After this, a short drive from Ouidah brings us to Grand Popo, where we have 2 nights of well deserved relaxation on the beaches!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 2
Daily Activities
Included Activities
Half-day tour of Ouidah including the museums and exhibitions at La Maison Bresil learning about the history of slavery on the 'Route des Esclaves' and the Point of No Return and a visit to the voodoo Snake Temple.
Included
Day 17 - Grand Popo (12th January 2022)
Today we will have a free day at Grand Popo for relaxing on the beach or taking a pirogue trip around the nearby ocean and mangroves.
There is also an option this evening to visit an incredible local vodun (voodoo) ceremony in the nearby village, complete with very energetic dancing and incredible magic tricks! It may also be possible to take a night walk in search of Atlantic turtles, which lay their eggs on the beaches between November and March.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Daily Activities
Optional Activities
Explore the rivers mangroves and villages of Grand Popo on a pirogue trip around the local area
Boat trip: 5,000 XOF
Head out at night to walk to the remote beaches where Atlantic Green Turtles are often seen laying their eggs between Novermber and March (please note that sightings of turtles are not guaranteed and the chances of seeing them are more like 50-50!)
Donation: 5,000 XOF
Observe a local voodoo celebration in the nearby village of Grand Popo watch the hypnotic drumming and dancing of the 'Nightwatchman' and see some mind-blowing black magic!
Ceremony per group: 60,000 USD
Day 18 - Agbodrafo (13th January 2022)
Border information: Exit Benin and re-enter Togo at Hilla-Condji.
Leaving the beach behind, our journey continues over the border from Benin and back into Togo. We will head to the small quiet town of Agbodrafo on the southern shores of Lake Togo.
This afternoon we will take an included pirogue trip to Togoville, the centre of Vodun culture, where you will have a guided city tour and church visit.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 3
Daily Activities
Included Activities
Trip in a local non-motorised pirogue across Lac Togo to Togoville where you can explore the town and learn all about it's history and culture
Included
Day 19 - Keta (14th January 2022)
Border information: exit Togo at Lomé, enter Ghana at Aflao.
Today we will cross back into Ghana and head for Keta, where we will visit the very atmospheric and evocative ruins of the abondoned Fort Prinzenstein, built by the Danes 300 years ago as a transit point for transporting slaves to the Americas.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Basic Hotel
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 5
Daily Activities
Included Activities
Visit the ruins of the small Danish slave fort of Fort Prinzenstein and take in its haunting and moving atmosphere
Included
Day 20 - Accra (15th January 2022)
The final drive of this trip takes us back to Accra, the chaotic capital of Ghana!
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 5
Day 21 - Accra - End Date (16th January 2022)
Border information: if you are leaving in Accra, you will most likely exit Ghana at Accra Kotoka International Airport (IATA code: ACC).
Today is the end day for passengers finishing their trip in Accra. Please note there is no accommodation included on the trip tonight - please contact the Sales Team if you are interested in booking extra nights of accommodation in order to fully explore and take part in some of the optional activities on offer.
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