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15-Day Voodoo Culture Experience Of Benin Highlights From Cotonou
  • Tour Category

    Group Tour

  • Tour Types

    Boating, Dance, Tribal Experience

  • Duration

    15 Days

  • Activity Level

    Medium

  • Language

    English, French

Description

Sign up for this one of a kind tour to Benin and get an insight into its unique and famous voodoo culture and practices. Meet the Kings of Abomey-Calavi, Ganvie and the Voodoo leaders of Abomey-Calavi and Ganvie, witness new adepts' initiation process, and enjoy the local male and female boat racing. Also, see some traditional rhythms and visit three partial lake villages, Sô-Ava, Sô-Tchanhoué and Sô-Zounkô.

Highlights
  • Take part in the Initiation of new adepts into Voodoo culture
  • Learn about the history and process of Voodoo culture
  • Meet with voodoo leaders, the King of Abomey-Calavi and the King of Ganvie
  • Witness the Voodoo festival on land and on water
  • Enjoy floating traditional drum rhythms festivals
  • See the exciting male and female boat racing
  • Day 1: Reach Ganvie expand_more
    • Meet your tour guide and get transferred from Cotonou Airport to Abomey-calavi jetty.
    • Ride a boat to the hotel in Ganvie; a welcome snack will be served on arrival.

    Overnight stay in Ganvie.

  • Day 2: Interaction in Abomey - Calavi expand_more
    • Transfer to the King's palace in Abomey-Calavi and interview the king of Abomey-Calavi in his palace.
    • Meet the voodoo leaders of Abomey-Calavi and immerse in the world of voodoo in Abomey-calavi while interacting with a local family while doing household chores.
    • Back to the hotel in Ganvie.
  • Day 3: Interaction in Ganvie expand_more
    • Transfer to the King's Palace in Ganvie and interview the King of Ganvie in his palace.
    • Meet with voodoo leaders of Ganvie.
    • Guest immersion in the world of voodoo in Ganvie.
    • Interact with a local family and help them with their household chores.
  • Day 4: Male Boat Racing expand_more
    • Head to the place of the race and witness the male boat racing among the villagers of Ganvie from Abomey-calavi to Ganvie.
    • Get involved in the Prize Ceremony and present prizes to the winners.
    • Transfer to the public place of Kindji and witness children's games. Many local children will be playing some interesting games for the tourists. The tourists can also involve in games with the children.
    • Return to your hotel.
  • Day 5: Abomey - Calavi Voodoo Festival expand_more
    • Reach the place of the Voodoo Festival.
    • Enjoy the Voodoo Festival at Abomey-calavi jetty with the following voodoo: Zangbeto, Egoun-goun, Kokou, Gangbada, Odan, Hebiosso, Sakpata, Hounvê.
  • Day 6: Floating Voodoo Festival expand_more
    • A voodoo carnival will be done on a boat in the whole village after which we'll stop at the place day floating marketing.
    • Participate in the floating Voodoo Festival at the day floating market in Ganvie.
    • Back to the hotel where local comedian will play comedy.
  • Day 7: Initiation of Gangbada expand_more
    • Head to attend the guest immersion in Gangbada.
    • Initiate one new local adept of Gangbada and put him in the temple for seven days.
  • Day 8: Initiation of Kokou expand_more
    • Head to attend the guest immersion in Kokou.
    • Initiate one new local adept of Kokou and put him in the temple for seven days.
  • Day 9: Consulting and the Atchi Rhythm expand_more
    • Explore the world of fâ and Aguê consulting.
    • WItness the Atchi festival with the Atchi group of the local government of Sô-Ava at the jetty of Abomey-calavi in water.
  • Day 10: Female Boat Racing expand_more
    • Head to the place of the race and witness the female boat racing among the villagers of Ganvie from Abomey-calavi to Ganvie.
    • Get involved in the Prize Ceremony and present prizes to the winners.
    • Meet at the aluminium cooking pot maker to witness the process of cooking.
  • Day 11: Floating Festival of local Rhythms of Ganvie expand_more
    • Enjoy the floating festival of local rhythms of Ganvie, including Agahoun of Kindj, Ahouangbo of Dakomey, Yôtô of Dossou-Gao, Avonba of Guêdêvié, Agbadja of Sokomey and Djèkè of Agoundankomey
    • The big stage will be prepared.
  • Day 12: Lake Excursion in Sô-Ava expand_more
    • Go on an excursion to the three partial lake villages (Sô-Ava, Sô-Tchanhoué and Sô-Zounkô). Understand the difference between the total lake villages and partial lake villages.
  • Day 13: Final Ceremony of Gangbada Initiation expand_more
    • Witness the final ceremony of Gangbada initiation and relieve the adept from the temple.
  • Day 14: Final Ceremony of Kokou Initiation expand_more
    • Witness the final ceremony of Kokou initiation and relieve the adept from the temple.
  • Day 15: Shopping in Cotonou and Departure expand_more
    • Go shopping in the international market of Cotonou.
    • End of the tour and return to Cotonou Airport.
What's Included
  • Transportation by car/ bus and boat
  • Local Benin tour guide
  • Accommodation for 14 nights 
  • Meals
  • All mentioned activities
  • Red cross
  • Security
  • Prices for the boat racing winners
  • All other activities and meetings to prepare for the tour
  • Welcome snacks
  • Two bottles of mineral water per tourist per day
What's Excluded
  • Drinks
  • Personal expenses
What to bring
  • Camera
  • Drone
  • Personal important objects
  • Insect repellants
Know before you go
  • Rooms are on a double sharing basis.
  • Yellow fever vaccination is required.
  • Respect the barrier measures against covid-19 (sanitisers, masks, etc.).
Meeting Point

COO Aéroport, Rue 2100, Cotonou, Bénin

Cancellation Policy

For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -

Refund of 50% of the tour price.
Price Details
The group size and price
1 To 2USD 21908 Per Group
3 To 4USD 26716 Per Group

This is a group tour

Starting From

Fromss

see details
USD 21908 / group