Day 01
Transfer from Cotonou to Nikki
- Guests will be transferred from Cotonou to Nikki.
Benin · Festival
5-Day Gaani Festival Tour to Nikki with Sacred Drums Ceremony
The journey
Trip highlights
- 01 Witness the captivating release of the Sacred Drums in Nikki
- 02 Join Gaani Day with cultural spectacles and a ritual journey
- 03 Explore key festival sites including Lemandu, Bakaru, Dakiru, Bantiaru, and Danri Royal Palace
- 04 Observe the cavalcade and the royal display of bravery, dignity, and gift-giving
- 05 Attend the council of kings and ministers of the imperial court
Immerse yourself in a vibrant 5-day journey to Nikki for the annual Gaani Festival from 04 to 08 September 2025. Witness the captivating release of the Sacred Drums, join the majestic Gaani Day with its cultural spectacles and ritual journey, and explore important historic and royal sites. The experience also includes the council of kings and ministers of the imperial court, followed by visits to Goho and the Chameleon Temple before departure.
Guests will witness the release of every Sacred Drum scheduled for Gaani.
From the itinerary
At a glance
What this trip includes
Duration
5 Days
Tour type
Shared
Activity level
Easy
Accommodation
Included · Standard
Transport
Included
Wheelchair access
Not applicable
Cities
Nikki, Cotonou
Languages
English, French
Day by day
The itinerary
Day 02
Release of the Sacred Drums
- Guests will witness the release of every Sacred Drum scheduled for Gaani. Some demonstrations will also be held.
Day 03
Gaani Day Celebrations and Ritual Journey
The reception of visitors and kings of each locality, riders, and various traditional and cultural artists.
- The great drummers come out of their boxes to signal the start of:
- Gaani Day
- Cultural event
- Ritual journey
- Visit to the 7 sites:
- Lemandu at bah Léman
- Tem yanku bakaru
- Dakiru
- Bantiaru
- Danri Royal Palace
- Imperial court in front of the drums
- Return to the round hut to observe the cavalcade.
- In order of magnitude, the different kings and princes will return in front of the drums to show their bravery and dignity and offer gifts to the griots and trumpeters.
Day 04
Kawessi and the Royal Council
- The last day of the party to say goodbye to the guests.
- The day of the council of kings and ministers of the imperial court.
- On this day, each king and noble presents their rituals and their cults, which they adopt in front of the court, their steps, and the details between the big brother and the little brother, father and son.
Day 05
Visit Goho and Chameleon Temple Before Departure
- Visit the place, Goho and Chameleon Temple.
Where this trip takes you
Nikki, Danri Royal Palace, Goho, Chameleon Temple
The route
Where you'll travel
The fine print
Trip details
What's Included
- Transportation
- Breakfast
- Mineral drinks
- Accommodation
- Local tour guides
- Entrance tickets
- All mentioned activities
What's Not Included
- Personal expenses
- Meals (lunch and dinner)
- Tips
What to bring
- Everything you need for taking pictures.
Know before you go
- This tour runs from 04 to 08 September 2025 and is an annual event.
Logistics
Meeting & route
Meeting point
Cotonou, Bénin
Tour start
Cotonou, Bénin
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey
Your 5 days finish where they began, in Cotonou.
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Starting from
USD
1,000
/person
Book This Tour
Starting from
Estimated room rates
Single Room
$1,000.00 — $1,200.00
Double Sharing
$1,000.00 — $1,200.00
When
Travellers
Rooms
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Total
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