Benin · Culture

10-Day Benin Heritage Tour with Ganvié, Ouidah and Ifa Ceremony

10 Days Round trip from Cotonou Easy pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Experience the vibrancy of Amazon Square
02 Witness Africa's longest graffiti wall
03 Explore the unique Ganvié Stilt Village
04 Participate in a thrilling kayaking game competition
05 Indulge in relaxation at the clay massage village
06 Visit the Pythons Temple for a mystical experience

Embark on a comprehensive 10-day journey through Benin, fully immersed in the country's rich culture and heritage. Led by an experienced local guide, you'll explore museums, forts, the Enslaved African Road, a captivating stilt village, a unique clay massage village, and an enchanting kayaking island. Experience the vibrant atmosphere of local markets, connect with the artistry of traditional seamstresses and tailors, trace the footsteps of your ancestors, and take part in a memorable African naming ceremony.

Experience the vibrant atmosphere of local markets, connect with the artistry of traditional seamstresses and tailors, trace the footsteps of your ancestors, and take part in a memorable African naming ceremony.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 10 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Natitingou, Ouidah, Cotonou, Porto Novo, Bohicon, Ganvié, Dassa-Zoumé

Languages English, French, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival in Cotonou and Night Discovery

Arrival in Cotonou.
Pick-up and transfer to the hotel.
Enjoy Cotonou by night.

Accommodation - In Cotonou

Day 02

Amazon Square, Ganvié and Transfer to Ouidah

Visit Amazon Square.
Explore the Bio Guerra Statue.
Tour Ganvié Stilt Village.
Shop at the Cotonou Craft Market.
Participate in a kayaking game competition.
Transfer to Ouidah.
Experience Ouidah by night.

Accommodation - In Ouidah

Day 03

Ouidah Heritage and Sacred Sites

Visit the Pythons Temple.
Explore the Historical Museum.
Tour the Sacred Forest.
Journey along the Enslaved African Road.
Relax at the beach.

Accommodation - In Ouidah

Day 04

Porto-Novo Museums and Community Encounters

Visit the Zinsou Foundation Museum.
Explore the Great Mosque.
Enjoy a Black River excursion.
Tour the Adjarra community.
Transfer to Porto-Novo.

Accommodation - In Porto-Novo

Day 05

Songhai Center and Cultural Immersion in Dassa

Visit the Songhai Center.
Enjoy a Guelede dance performance.
See a gari processing demonstration.
Explore the gari market.
Transfer to Dassa.

Accommodation - In Dassa

Day 06

Dankoli Shrine and Journey to Natitingou

Visit the Dankoli Shrine.
Enjoy a horse dance performance.
Tour the Taneka community.
Transfer to Natitingou.

Accommodation - In Natitingou

Day 07

Natitingou Museum and Tata Somba Village

Explore the Natitingou Museum.
Tour Tata Somba Village.
Visit Dikountry.
See a shea butter processing demonstration.

Accommodation - In Natitingou

Day 08

Transfer to Bohicon and Cultural Exploration

Transfer to Bohicon.
Explore the Fetish Market.
Visit Goho Square.

Accommodation - In Bohicon

Day 09

Clay Massage and Traditions in Ouidah

Enjoy a clay massage experience.
Attend an Ifa naming ceremony.
Explore Ouidah by night.

Accommodation - In Ouidah

Day 10

Beach Relaxation and Departure from Cotonou

Relax at the beach.
Transfer to Cotonou Airport.
Departure.

Where this trip takes you

Amazon Square, Ganvié Stilt Village, Pythons Temple

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Cotonou 7 cities · 10 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Water
Accommodation
Air-conditioned transportation
Fuel
Guide
Driver
Excursion fees

What's Not Included

Flight
Visa
Travel insurance
Beverages (soft drinks, beer, whisky)

What to bring

Long clothes
Insect or mosquito repellent
Sun protection cream or spray
Comfortable trainers or sneakers

Know before you go

Visas: Most travellers planning to visit Benin, Togo, and Ghana will need to obtain a visa before their travel. It is important to note that, depending on the specific requirements of the embassy you apply to, you may also need an invitation letter. We are here to assist you by providing the necessary invitation letter if required. However, visa regulations are subject to change, and it is advised that you contact your nearest embassy for the most current and accurate information.
Health and vaccinations: We are not medically qualified and cannot provide advice on recommended vaccinations. It is important to consult your doctor or nearest health professional for personalized recommendations based on your specific health condition and travel plans. They will be able to assess your individual needs and provide guidance on necessary vaccinations to protect against potential health risks at your destination. Remember, it is always better to be proactive and prioritize your health and well-being while travelling. A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for entry to Benin, Togo, and Ghana, and you must bring this with you.
Insurance: It is a condition of joining our tours that you have suitable travel insurance in place, and we cannot accept travellers without insurance. All policies differ in terms of what they will cover, but at a minimum, you need medical and health cover for the whole time that you are away. Most policies will also include cancellation cover, which will protect you if an unforeseen circumstance obliges you to cancel your trip. We recommend that you obtain your insurance as soon as you book your trip. Please note that government travel warnings often affect the validity of your travel insurance, and you should check this with your insurance company.
Money: The local currency in Ghana is the cedi, while in Togo and Benin it is the West African CFA, a currency shared with many other countries in the region. It is not, however, the same as the Central African CFA, and the two are not interchangeable. It is best to bring Euros for exchange purposes, as the CFA is not obtainable outside of the region. It is not difficult to change money here, either at banks or hotels, and your guide can assist with this. There are also an increasing number of ATMs in larger towns. However, these are not always reliable, so it is best to think of them as a backup rather than a main means of obtaining money. Credit cards are accepted in larger hotels and better restaurants, usually in larger cities only, but are not commonly accepted elsewhere. You should also be aware that credit card fraud is not uncommon in the region, so if you choose to use one, do bear this in mind.
Local conditions: When travelling to some of the destinations we offer, you need to bear in mind that things will not always work here as we are used to them working at home. Travelling in underdeveloped and untouristed destinations requires both patience and a sense of humour. There may be problems with infrastructure, attitudes may be different, and maintenance may not be of the standard we would always like, but this is very much part and parcel of travelling in such a place. We aim to resolve any issues as quickly as possible, and we thank you for your patience.
Travel advice: We keep a very close eye on the travel advice issued by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office so that we can keep you up to date with any warnings. At the time of writing, the FCO does not advise against travel to any parts of Benin, Togo, or Ghana that we visit. This relates to advice from the British government - other nationalities need to check the stance of their own governments. Please note that the information contained above is highly susceptible to change, and while we endeavour to keep up to date, we recommend that you use this as a guide only. Updated July 2023.