Benin, Togo · Culture

8-Day Cultural Tour of Benin and Togo with Ganvié and Ouidah

8 Days Round trip from Cotonou Easy pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore Ganvié by motorized boat and discover its lakeside village life
02 Visit Abomey's historical museum, King Behanzin's private palace, and Goho Square
03 Experience Tata Somba country, a Peulh camp, Kota waterfall, and traditional Somba dance
04 Discover Koutammakou, Mount Agou, Womè waterfall, and the cultural sites of Togo
05 Follow Ouidah's slavery road to the Door of No Return at the seaside

Embark on an 8-day cultural journey through Benin and Togo from Cotonou, exploring historic cities, sacred sites, traditional communities, and remarkable natural landscapes. Discover royal heritage in Abomey, lake life in Ganvié, the Tata Somba region near Natitingou, and cultural traditions in Kara, Kpalimé, Lomé, Grand-Popo, and Ouidah. Along the way, visit museums, art galleries, waterfalls, mangroves, and temples, while experiencing local dances, crafts, and rituals. This tour offers a rich introduction to the heritage, spirituality, and everyday life of both countries.

Visit the women's site where water hyacinths are processed into many products.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 8 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Natitingou, Ouidah, Kara, Cotonou, Lome, Kpalime, Ganvié, Dassa-Zoumé, Abomey, Grand-Popo

Languages English, French

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Cotonou Landmarks and Ganvié by Boat

Cotonou:
- Meet in Cotonou.
- Visit Place Amazone.
- Explore Red Star Place.
- Go to the Place of Martyrs.
Ganvié:
- Head to the Abomey-Calavi jetty and take an outboard motorized boat.
- Visit the women's site where water hyacinths are processed into many products.
- Visit Root Art House and the gallery "Chez Raphaël".
- Cross the village.
- Visit the sites of Kindji and Dakomey.
- Go to the hotel in Ganvié for the night.

Day 02

Zinvié Wildlife and Royal Abomey

Zinvié:
- Visit the Sitatunga animal center.
Abomey:
- Explore the Historical Museum of Abomey.
- See the private palace of King Behanzin.
- Seek blessings at the Chameleon Temple.
- Visit Goho Square.
- Reach the hotel in Abomey for the night.

Day 03

Dassa and Savalou on the Way to Natitingou

Dassa:
- Visit Okuta.
- Walk up to Prince Hill.
- Witness a gari and tapioca production site.
Savalou:
- Visit the Museum of Savalou.
- Continue to the Pantheon of Savalou.
- Continue to Natitingou for the night.

Day 04

Natitingou Culture and Kota Waterfall

Visit the Peulh camp.
Explore the Tata Somba road.
Relax and swim at Kota waterfall.
Witness the traditional dance of the Somba.
Return to the hotel for the night.

Day 05

Kara Heritage and Evening in Kpalimé

Kara:
- Head to Koutammakou village.
- Visit Park Sarakawa.
- Explore the Africa Art Museum.
Kpalimé:
- Attend the traditional Akpèssè dance at night.
- Continue to the hotel for the night.

Day 06

Mount Agou, Womè Waterfall, and Lomé

Visit Mount Agou.
Go swimming at Womè waterfall.
Check out the gallery in Kpalimé.
Continue to Lomé for the night.

Day 07

Lomé and Togoville to Grand-Popo

Visit the fetish market.
Head to Togoville.
Move to Independence Square in Lomé.
Continue to Grand-Popo for the night.

Day 08

Grand-Popo, Ouidah, and Return to Cotonou

Grand-Popo:
- Visit the King's Mouth.
- Explore the mangroves.
- Meet the Xla people and discover salt making.
Ouidah:
- Visit the sacred forest.
- Go to the Python Temple.
- Proceed to Zinsou Foundation.
- Explore the slavery road and reach the Door of No Return at the seaside.
- Continue to Cotonou and end the tour.