14-Day Cultural Tour of Benin, Togo and Ghana with Slave Castles

• Begin the day with a drive to the stilt village of Ganvié, known as the "Venice of Africa."
• Explore the floating market and experience the unique lifestyle of the village's inhabitants.
• Proceed to Ouidah, home to Africa's largest slave market.
• Ouidah is dominated by the Houeda community, who revere pythons as sacred creatures.
• Visit the python temple, where live pythons can be observed and photographed.
• Explore the sacred forest, an important spiritual site for the Houeda people.
• Visit the slavery market and the Door of No Return, significant historical landmarks.
• Conclude the day with a Zangbeto dance performance in Lokossa in the late afternoon.

Overnight stay in Lokossa.

• Start the morning with a drive to Abomey, making a pit stop at the Azove market.
• Explore Abomey city and visit the historic royal palace, now the Abomey Museum.
• Experience the oldest fetish market in Africa.
• In the afternoon, enjoy an Egungun dance performance in Cove.

Overnight stay in Cove.

• Begin the morning with a captivating Guelede dance performance.
• Travel to the northern region of Benin.
• Encounter the nomadic Fulani people along the way.
• Visit the Dankoli voodoo temple.
• Learn about the Fulani lifestyle, which involves living in the bush with their cattle.

Overnight stay in Djougou.

• Visit the Wom tribe in Taneka in the morning.
• Learn about the tribe's strict circumcision requirements and ceremonies.
• Explore Taneka, a traditional village with a voodoo priest providing community protection.
• Observe the distinctive scarification, a symbol of identity for the Wom people.
• Witness the circumcision dance.
• Travel to Birni to meet the king of the Bariba people.

Overnight stay in Natitingou.

• Depart in the morning to visit the regional museum of Natitingou.
• Explore several Fulani villages along the way.
• Arrive at Boukombe to visit the Tata Somba of the Betammaribe people.
• Learn about the specific rituals and ceremonies for young girls in the community.
• Witness the Dikountri dance, the women's initiation dance in the Otammaribe tribe.
• Visit the women as they create pottery.

Overnight stay in Boukombe.

• Begin the day with a journey to the Koutammakou and Tamberma villages.
• Learn about the local culture, traditions, and unique architecture.
• In the afternoon, arrive at Tchare village, renowned for its blacksmithing.
• Witness the traditional blacksmithing trade and observe the brewing of local beer.
• Conclude the day with the men's initiation dance performed by the Kabye people.

Overnight stay in Kara.

• Embark on a morning excursion to Kpalimé, Togo's premier tourist destination.
• Enjoy a rejuvenating visit to the local waterfall, where you can take a refreshing swim.
• In the evening, explore the Bats Valley, enhancing your experience in Kpalimé.

Spend the night in Kpalimé.

• Begin your day with a city tour of Kpalimé, followed by a scenic hike to the summit of Mont Agou, Togo's tallest mountain.
• Experience the breathtaking views from the mountaintop before continuing your journey to Lomé, the capital city of Togo.
• Explore Lomé by visiting its largest market and the renowned fetish market, known for its unique offerings.

Spend the night in Lomé.

• Start your journey in the morning by heading to Togoville, a historic city renowned for its spiritual heritage in Togo.
• The only mode of transportation to Togoville is by boat, but before boarding, visit the slaves' house in Agbodrafo to learn about its history.
• In Togoville, immerse yourself in the city's cultural and spiritual traditions by exploring the women's voodoo convent and temple, as well as the twins temple and other important landmarks.

Spend the night in Togoville.

• Enjoy a hearty breakfast before embarking on your journey to Aneho, the former capital city of Togo.
• Explore the intriguing voodoo temples and immerse yourself in the rich history of the area at the local museum.
• As the day draws to a close, head towards the Ghana border and continue your journey to Accra.

Overnight stay in Accra.

• Start your day with a visit to Shai Hill, where you'll explore the ancient home of the Shai people and enjoy some wildlife viewing.
• Next, head to Odumasi Krobo to witness the intricate process of bead making, a craft that holds cultural significance for the Ghanaian people, particularly the Krobo community.
• Learn about the unique techniques and designs used in bead production and gain insight into their role in Ghanaian fashion and dressing traditions.
• Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and artistic heritage of the Krobo people during this enriching experience.

Overnight stay at your accommodation.

• Begin your day with a visit to the Kumasi Cultural Center, where you'll delve into the rich history and cultural heritage of the Ashanti people, gaining insights into their traditions, customs, and way of life.
• Explore Bonwire, renowned as the epicenter of Kente weaving, where you'll witness the intricate process of crafting Kente cloth, a traditional attire worn by royalty and esteemed individuals in the old Ghanaian empire.
• Immerse yourself in the vibrant colors and patterns of Kente fabric as you observe skilled artisans at work and learn about the significance of each design and motif.
• Next, journey to Ntonsu Adinkra Printing Village, where you'll discover the art of Adinkra fabric printing, a traditional textile adorned with symbolic motifs that hold cultural and spiritual meanings in Ghanaian society.
• Gain firsthand experience in the Adinkra printing process and explore the symbolic language conveyed through the intricate designs of Adinkra cloth.
• Enrich your understanding of Ghanaian craftsmanship and artistic expression as you engage with local artisans and learn about their techniques and cultural significance.
• Conclude your day with a deeper appreciation for Ghana's cultural heritage and the enduring traditions that shape its identity.

Overnight stay at your accommodation in Kumasi.

• Today, we will travel from Kumasi to Cape Coast, where we will visit two historic slave castles: Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle.
• These castles are among the oldest standing structures in West Africa and were heavily involved in the slave trade hundreds of years ago.

• This morning, we will travel to Kakum National Park, where we will take a scenic walk on the canopy walkway.
• Afterward, we will make our way down to Accra, stopping to admire the Posuban shrines along the way, which are found within various communities.
• Finally, we will arrive in Accra.