Day 01
Akwaaba - Arrival in Abidjan
- Arrive in Abidjan and transfer from the airport to your hotel.
- Check in and relax for the rest of the evening at your hotel.
Benin, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo · Culture
14-Day Cultural Tour of Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo and Benin
The journey
Trip highlights
- 01 Explore the vibrant cultures of Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, and Benin
- 02 Visit Cape Coast Castle, Elmina Castle, and the Door of No Return
- 03 Discover Ashanti heritage in Kumasi and the famous craft villages
- 04 Cruise the Volta River and visit Ganvié, the "Venice of West Africa"
Immerse yourself in the lively rhythms of Ivorian music and dance as you explore the bustling markets of Abidjan, then trace Ghana's deep historical roots from Cape Coast Castle to the spirited energy of Accra. Continue through Togo's vibrant artisan markets and cultural landmarks in Lomé before discovering Benin's powerful heritage in Ouidah and Ganvié. This 14-day journey brings together history, traditional religion, craft villages, wildlife, and city life across four remarkable West African countries.
Immerse yourself in the lively rhythms of Ivorian music and dance as you explore the bustling markets of Abidjan, then trace Ghana's deep historical roots from Cape Coast Castle to the spirited energy of Accra.
From the itinerary
At a glance
What this trip includes
Duration
14 Days
Tour type
Private
Activity level
Easy
Accommodation
Included · Standard
Transport
Included
Wheelchair access
Not applicable
Cities
Kumasi, Ouidah, Cape Coast, Accra, Abidjan, Cotonou, Lome, Takoradi, Elmina, Kakum National Park, Shai Hills Resource Reserve, Ganvié, Grand Bassam
Languages
English
Day by day
The itinerary
Day 02
Abidjan City Highlights
- Embark on a sightseeing tour of Abidjan after breakfast. Serving as the capital, Abidjan is the biggest and most important city of Côte d'Ivoire. With a population of around 6,500,000 people, it is the second-largest city in West Africa after Lagos. Today, Abidjan remains the economic and cultural capital of the country.
- Visit the public zoo of Abidjan, where you will see many exotic animals.
- Later, depart for a 15-minute drive to visit the Musée National of Abidjan, which has a very large collection of over 20,000 objects, including wooden statues and masks, pottery, ivory, and bronze.
- Afterwards, visit the Trechville Market, where you will have the chance to shop for souvenirs such as jewellery, clothes, cloth, pagnes, and woodcrafts.
Day 03
Grand-Bassam to Takoradi
- After breakfast, check out of your hotel and depart from Abidjan for a scenic drive to Takoradi, with a stop at Grand-Bassam. Visit the colonial city of Grand-Bassam, the former French settlement and home to many colonial buildings.
- You will also visit the Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand-Bassam and the Côte d'Ivoire National Museum of Costume.
- Upon arrival in Takoradi, check in to your hotel and relax.
Day 04
Kakum Rainforest and Cape Coast Castle
- After breakfast, check out of your hotel and depart for Cape Coast, driving through the historic Denkyira Kingdom to Kakum National Park, one of West Africa's surviving tropical rain forests.
- Choose between a 2 km nature walk through the rain forest to discover a wide variety of exotic flora and fauna species and their medicinal value, or take a walk on the canopy walkway hanging 40 meters above the forest floor.
- After lunch on your own, embark on a tour of the infamous forts, castles, and slave dungeons of Ghana. History will unfold the story of the slave trade, the impact of which is still felt beyond the shores of Africa today.
- Visit Cape Coast Castle, built by the Swedes in 1653 and later taken over by the British.
- Learn about the relationship between the western slave traders and the African tribes that made the trans-Atlantic slave trade possible. It is an opportunity to get up close with history - to stand in the dark and stuffy dungeons, imagining the experience and conditions that millions of Africans endured. This castle also houses the West African Historical Museum.
Day 05
Elmina Castle and Fishing Village Experience
- After breakfast, visit Elmina Castle, also known as St. George's Castle, which was built by the Portuguese in 1482.
- Learn about the relationship between the western slave traders and the African tribes that participated in the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
- Witness the dark and stuffy dungeons that local people were forced to endure before being sent on a long and perilous passage across the Atlantic. Seeing the truth of these conditions in person is a powerful reminder of the inhumanity of the slave trade.
- After lunch on your own, explore Elmina, a fishing village that's both picturesque and gritty, charming and thought-provoking. What better way to appreciate it than to immerse yourself in its main industry - fishing.
- Meet local fishermen to learn the intricacies of their trade and the challenges they face in their day-to-day work.
- Next, meet the fishmongers in the village, who will demonstrate the various stages of smoking fish in earthenware ovens. This is a unique way to experience one of Ghana's oldest and most important trades.
Day 06
Assin Manso and Kumasi City Tour
- After breakfast, check out of your hotel and drive through the forest zone to Kumasi, the seat of the Ashanti Empire, to explore the legends of the famous Ashanti people, whose legacies are still evident today.
- Stop at the former slave site in Assin Manso. Visit the site of Donkor Nsuo, the former Slave River and market, as well as the final transit point for a large number of enslaved Africans. This is the final resting place for two ancestors whose mortal remains were returned from the USA and Jamaica and re-interred there.
- Continue to Kumasi, where you will visit the Manhyia Palace Museum to obtain firsthand information on the legacies of the Ashanti kingdom. A regal history that dates back to 1700 is told through relics and artefacts.
- Enjoy a drive through the city with monuments dedicated to the memory of the great Ashanti people. Your city tour on this day will also include a visit to the famous Kejetia Market, the National Cultural Centre, which features the Prempeh II Jubilee Museum, and various studios of brass makers, potters, and batik makers.
Day 07
Ashanti Craft Villages to Accra
- After breakfast, check out of your hotel and drive back to Accra.
- En route, stop at the three famous Ashanti craft villages: Ahwiaa, the wood carvers' village; Ntonso, the home of Adinkra cloth; and Bonwire, the Kente weaving village.
- Have an opportunity to see how African crafts are made and to buy directly from the artisans who make them. Continue your drive to Accra afterwards.
Day 08
Shai Hills and Volta Lake Cruise
- Get ready for a scenic drive to the Shai Hills Game Reserve. This is a site that combines nature conservation, cultural interest, and archaeological sites with rich scenic beauty.
- Trek through the savannah plains, where you might get to see some of West Africa's notable game: antelope, bushbucks, kobs, baboons, monkeys, and many bird species, including the crested eagle.
- Visit the Obonu Tem and Se Yo caves, which serve as home to many animals, including a colony of bats. The bravest among the group will also have the opportunity to go into the caves, follow the sun, and emerge at the peak of the hill. These caves were once home to the Shai people's ancestors and were used by their king until the late 19th century. The area was defensible in times of war thanks to the large stone rocks, overhangs, and tunnel-like cave openings. Learn about the various artifacts that have been found on this site.
- Afterwards, visit the Royal Senchi Resort, which is situated in one of the most beautiful locations in Ghana on the banks of the famous Volta River in the Eastern Region of Ghana, about 90 minutes' drive from the capital city, Accra. The hotel allows easy access to a lush green 35-acre conservation nature park, home to rare butterfly and bird populations.
- Spend the day relaxing at this resort and embark on a one-hour boat ride on the Volta River, which will provide an opportunity to see the Adomi Bridge.
- Return to Accra after the day's activities.
Day 09
Accra City Tour
- After breakfast, depart for a sightseeing tour of Accra, the capital of Ghana.
- Experience the city's highlights during this Accra orientation. The capital of Ghana since 1877, Accra is also the capital of the Greater Accra Region. In addition, it is the country's most populous city.
- Travel through the administrative and economic districts of Accra. Also see the W.E.B. Du Bois Center for Pan African Culture and Independence/Black Star Square.
- Learn about important events in Ghana's history and the country's first president, who helped lead Ghana to independence.
- Continue your tour to the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, dedicated to the legacy of Ghana's first President, Kwame Nkrumah, and his role in African independence. The tour includes visits to Nkrumah's mausoleum, a museum showcasing his life, his personal residence, the Eternal Flame of African Liberation, and beautifully landscaped gardens.
- Learn about Nkrumah's early life, political career, and Pan-African vision.
- End the day's tour at the Arts Center, where participants can sharpen their bargaining skills while shopping for goods from Ghana and West Africa in an open-air market. On display, you will see fabrics of different materials, designs, colors, and textures available for purchase.
Day 10
Accra to Lomé City Tour
- After breakfast, check out of your hotel and depart for Togo.
- Upon arrival, head straight for a city tour of Lomé.
- Drive by the Musée National (National Museum), as well as the Place de l'Independence, where the Independence Monument is situated.
- Visit the Grand Marché and the Marché des Féticheurs (Fetish Market).
Day 11
Lomé to Ouidah and Cotonou
- After breakfast, check out and depart for a visit to Ouidah, the cradle of African Traditional Religion, en route to Cotonou. Tour the temple dedicated to the sacred Python, which is believed to give vitality and protection. You will also pay a visit to the sacred forest, which houses many shrines dedicated to various deities.
- Afterwards, visit the Port of No Return, a monument built by the Benin government to commemorate the Africans who were taken from the Dahomey Empire during the slave trade.
- Continue the journey northwards to Cotonou. Check in at your hotel and relax.
Day 12
Day at Leisure in Cotonou
- After breakfast, enjoy a day at leisure relaxing at the hotel.
Day 13
Ganvié Water Village Excursion
- After breakfast, depart from your hotel and embark on a sensational visit to Ganvié, the village on water, commonly referred to as the Venice of West Africa.
- Witness firsthand the people of Ganvié carrying out their daily routine as vendors in dugout canoes piled high with wares, transacting commerce with one another and with tourists.
- Enjoy shopping at the floating market and take a relaxing canoe ride on the waterways of this exotic 300-year-old village. After lunch on your own, drive through the multicoloured centre of the administrative and commercial capital of Benin to view its many statues and monuments.
Day 14
Farewell and Departure
- After breakfast, spend the day shopping and doing last-minute packing.
- At noon, check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport for check-in and your final departure back home.
Where this trip takes you
Cape Coast Castle, Elmina Castle, Ganvié water village, Kakum National Park canopy walkway
The route
Where you'll travel
The fine print
Trip details
What's Included
- 3-star hotel
- Private tour guide
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
- Meals as stipulated in the itinerary
- Entry fees to listed sites
What's Not Included
- International flights
- All airport departure taxes (international departure taxes to be paid in USD)
- Excess baggage charges
- Passport and visa fees
- Meals not specified in this itinerary
- En route meals, hotels, transportation, and other arrangements
- All drinks except bottled water or soda with meals
- Personal items such as laundry, email, fax, telephone, souvenirs, etc.
- Gratuities for tour and site guides and drivers
- Trip cancellation, travel delay, and baggage insurance (this optional coverage is highly recommended and can be purchased through your local insurance company)
- Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond Land Tours Ghana, such as delayed or cancelled flights
What to bring
- Light and airy clothing
- Comfortable shoes
- Insect repellent
Know before you go
- International passport with a minimum of 6 months validity
- Valid visa
- Yellow fever vaccination card
Logistics
Meeting & route
Meeting point
Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
Tour start
Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey
Your 14 days finish where they began, in Abidjan.
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