Benin/Togo/Ghana: Voodoo, Slavery and Paradise Beaches
The three West African countries Benin, Togo and Ghana surprise the visitor not only by their fine sandy beaches but also by their
multiple cultural highlights and scenic treasures. On this journey we experience the countries’ rich and diverse culture, visiting
spectacular voodoo ceremonies and fetish markets. We also discover pristine tropical forests and even walk through the canopy of
giant rainforest trees. We visit impressive slave castles and picture postcard fishing harbours. Boat trips take us to remote villages
built entirely on stilts across lagoons and estuaries covered by mangrove forests and we have encounters with rare primates, local
chiefs, voodoo-priests and fire-eaters. Atmospheric hotels on palm-fringed beaches and the delicious food of the West African coast
areas make this journey a true pleasure for passionate travellers and connoisseurs.
Day 1: Arrival at Cotonou Cadjehoun Airport
Meet and greet with your tour leader and transfer to the hotel (5 km).
(-/-), Overnight at Cotonou, Hotel du Lac or similar
Day 2: Cotonou - Ouidah This morning sees us journeying to Porto Novo, Benin’s official capital city. We visit the colourful Grand Mosque, the close-by market and the impressive Musée Ethnographique. From Porto-Novo we continue to Abomey-Calavi where we take a motorboat ride out to the stilt village of Ganvié, situated on Lake Nokoué. This remarkable aquatic village has been called “the Venice of Africa”. It can only be reached by boat. Towards evening we make for the town of Ouidah, considered to be the birthplace of voodoo. (approx. 150 km) (B/D), overnight at Ouidah, Hotel (Diaspora) Jardin Brasilien or similar Day 3: Ouidah - Grand Popo At Ouidah we will learn more about the history of slavery and the mysterious rituals of voodoo. We visit the Python Temple dedicated to the ancient snake cult and, in the Sacred Forest, hear about the ideas Voodoo is based on. This afternoon, we will take a walk along the Slave Route, connecting the former slave market to the beach, where slave ships used to be loaded with their human freight. Landmarks remind us of the suffering the victims had to endure, hard to imagine in the scenery of peaceful palm groves stretching along the golden beach today. This afternoon we continue to Grand Popo where we will witness a spectacular Zangbeto ceremony. The Zangbeto masks resemble haystacks swirling around the ceremony place. They represent the traditional guardians of the night protecting the community against thieves and evil forces. (approx. 50 km) (B/D), overnight at Grand Popo, Hotel Auberge or similar Day 4: Grand Popo - Lomé Today we head west crossing into Togo. Via Aneho we reach Lac Togo where we board a pirogue that takes us to Togoville. We visit the town’s impressive cathedral built during the German colonial period and explore the animistic quarter where we will be met by an extraordinary voodoo priestess. Arriving back at the other side of the lake, we'll drive for a short while before reaching Lomé, Togo’s vibrant capital. (approx. 60 km) (B/D), overnight at Lomé, Hotel Coco Beach or similar Day 5: Lomé This morning we explore Togo’s bustling capital and visit the fascinating central market, the famed Grand Marché, one of West Africa’s largest markets. We also discover the amazing fetish market, where a mix of ingredients of traditional medicines and charms is sold. Alongside with crocodile bones, monkey skulls and leopard skins you will see dried chameleon and birds. In the afternoon you will witness a stunning voodoo ceremony, a Knife Dance, in a small village near Lomé. Dancing to the hypnotic rhythm of the drum, the dancers cut themselves with knives without being hurt. Pure magic! (approx. 70 km) (B/D), overnight at Lomé, Coco Beach Hotel or similar Day 6: Lomé - Kloto After taking breakfast at the hotel, we’ll leave Lomé and the tropical beaches of Togo heading northwest to the town of Kpalime. From here the road winds up through the mountains. At Kloto we take a walk through the tropical forests and the village of Kouma Konda with a local guide. We meet the village’s artists and learn more about the native plants used in traditional medicine, cosmetics and cooking. This evening we witness traditional dances performed by the villagers and a fire dance. (approx. 150 km) (B/D), overnight at Kloto, Hotel Nectar Auredia or similar Day 7: Kloto - Afadjato - Wli A few kilometers from Kloto we cross the border into Ghana. This morning sees us climbing Mount Afadjato, at 885m Ghana’s highest peak. It’s a challenge, because a very steep path leads to the summit, from where you can enjoy a magnificent view on the surrounding communities, the forests, mountains, deep valleys, and, at the distance, the Volta Lake. Its wooded mountain slopes are closed to the border with Togo and have been protected since 1998. The project is supported by the Dutch Government. A good, wide hiking trail has been created, so we can climb to the summit in about 1 hour with a local hiking guide and enjoy the magnificent panoramic view. The protected area is home to several mammal species, including duikers and colobus monkeys, as well as more than 100 butterfly species and about 90 bird species. We then continue to the small town of Wli boasting Ghana‘s largest waterfalls. This afternoon a 45-minute-walk on a flat, easy footpath takes us to the waterfall, where an impressive bat colony populates the steep walls. Nine wooden bridges are constructed over the small river winding through the giant jungle trees. (approx. 60 km) (B/D), overnight at Wli, Wli Water Heights or similar Day 8: Wli - Tafi Atome - Keta This morning we leave the Eastern Highlands of the Volta Region heading back to the coast. En route we stop at Tafi Atome where we may have a close encounter with the rare Mona monkeys. The Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary was established in 1996 to protect the animals from poachers and other enemies. For the population the monkeys are sacred because it is believed they are messengers to the gods. We then continue via Ho and Sogakope to the town of Keta. The unique location of Keta between the rough Atlantic Ocean and the quiet lagoon has attracted European merchants for hundreds of years. (approx. 300 km) (B/D), overnight at Keta, Lorneh Lodge or similar Day 9: Keta - Anomabo This morning we take a boat ride on the Volta River. The town of Ada Foah lies on the river mouth which creates a vast delta dotted with beautiful islands and sand bars. This unique place is a paradise not only for us but also for numerous migratory bird species that use the estuary as grounds for seeing out the winter. Later today we continue our journey along the coastal road to Anomabo Beach which we reach in the afternoon. (approx. 320 km) (B/D), overnight at Anomabo Beach Resort or similar
Day 10: Anomabo - Cape Coast - Kakum - Anomabo
This morning we
drive to Cape
Coast where we
visit the famous
slave castle, a
UNESCO World
Heritage Site since
1979. The
afternoon is left
free to relax at
Anomabo Beach.
There is an
optional tour to
Kakum National
Park where those
with a good head
for heights can
experience the
unique canopy
walkway
suspended between
the huge tropical trees. You can also take a guided nature walk to see
the fascinating rain forest and learn more about the tropical plants and
trees and their use in traditional medicine. (approx. 20/100 km)
(B/D), overnight at Anomabo Beach Resort or similar
Day 11: Anomabo - Ankobra
Today we head west along the coast to the dream beach of Ankobra. En
route we will visit the Brandenburg-Prussian Fort Gross-Friedrichsburg
overlooking the picturesque fishing village of Prince’s Town, also known
as Princess Town and called Prisi in the Akan language. This settlement
lies near the southernmost tip of Ghana, Cape Three Points. We have a
fantastic view to one of the three points from the beach. Prince’s Town
is situated on a picturesque lagoon surrounded by lush mangrove
forests and an estuary. The impressive castle, one of two German
fortresses in Ghana, is overlooking the settlement. It was built in 1683
as a trading post of the Brandenburg-Prussian Society which was active
on the Gold Coast between 1682 and 1732. When the Brandenburgers,
who meantime had become a part of Prussia, retired from the Gold
Coast in 1717 the fortress was occupied by the local chief John Konneh
who established the Gold Coast’s crossroads for smuggling at Prince’s
Town. In 1724 the Dutch conquered the castle. The caretaker will show
us around the ruined fortress and tell us interesting stories about its
history. In the afternoon we reach Ankobra Beach and make ourselves
comfortable in our charming hotel. (approx. 200 km)
(B/D), overnight at Ankobra Beach Resort or similar
Day 12: Ankobra: excursion to Nzulezo - Ankasa NP
A day trip takes us to the stilt village of Nzulezo, situated on the
freshwater Lake Amansule. It can only be reached by canoe from Beyin.
The village, supporting a population of 500 people is entirely
constructed of wood and raffia palms. We explore Nzulezo walking on a
central walkway and meeting the local people, learn more about the
history of the village. From Beyin we head northwest to Ankasa National
Park located close to the Côte d’Ivoire border. This exciting ecotourist
destination offers a number of natural attractions such as the Bamboo
Cathedral, the Big Tree and wild creeks and waterfalls. (approx. 160
km)
(B/D), overnight at Ankobra Beach Resort or similar
Day 13: Ankobra - Butre - Busua
Today sees us journeying back east to the dreamy villages of Busua,
Butre and Dixcove, where we find some of Ghana’s most beautiful
beaches. Our overnight stop is Busua from where we visit the small
fishing village of Butre. The main point of historical interest is Fort
Battensteyn, the ruin of an old Dutch fortress. Climbing the steep hill to
the castle is rewarding: the views from the fortifications are stunning.
Later today we take a boat ride on Butre River through mangrove
forests. Returning to Busua there is the opportunity to walk to the close-
by fishing community of Dixcove. High above its picturesque fishing
harbour towers Fort Metal Cross, a former British fortress built in 1692,
which has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1979. The
community of 1000 people is largely untouched by tourism and lives
mainly from fishing. From the fortress you have a wonderful view of the
bay and the town. In the late afternoon you will arrive at your beautiful
beach resort. (approx. 80 km)
(B/D), overnight at Busua, African Rainbow Resort or similar
Day 14: Busua - Anomabo
Cape Three Points is situated close to Busua. A bumpy dirt road
passing through vast rubber plantations brings us to Ghana’s most
southerly point. The 19th-century lighthouse offers a fantastic
panoramic view of the cliffs and the rough ocean. Between November
and January there are good chances to spot whales.
Later today we continue to Anomabo via Takoradi and Elmina. (approx.
120 km)
(B/D), overnight at Anomabo Beach Resort or similar
Day 15: Elmina - Accra
We spend the morning exploring Elmina. We visit Elmina Castle, the
oldest fortress on the Gold Coast on a guided tour. You then have time
at your leisure to discover more of the town. You can explore the
bustling fish market, a ship wharf and a Posuban shrine. Take a stroll to
the town’s second fortress São Jago da Mina, located on a nearby hill.
From here you’ll have a stunning view over the picturesque fishing
harbour, the impressive Elmina Castle and the deep blue ocean.
This afternoon we continue our journey to Accra, Ghana’s vibrant capital
city. (approx. 140 km)
(B/D), overnight at Accra, Hotel Paloma or similar
Day 16: Accra - end of tour
After breakfast we explore Ghana's vibrant capital city. Our city tour
includes Independence Square, also known as Black Star Square and
Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Mausoleum, the final resting place
of Ghana’s first President and his wife. We‘ll take a drive through
colonial James Town and see its impressive lighthouse. In a casket
shop you‘ll meet some amazing creative Ghanian coffin makers.Their
coffins come in the shape of fish, airplanes, cars, Coca Cola and beer
bottles or cell phones, each model has a correlation to the dead
person’s life. Our tour ends at the National Craft Centre where you can
do some last minute shopping. We have use of dayrooms in the
afternoon until the transfer to the airport for the flight home. (approx. 30
km)
(B), 2 day use rooms
Please note that from time to time our itineraries may be amended.
Vero Tours
•
Ouidah: Birthplace of Voodoo
•
Grand Popo: Zangbeto ceremony
•
Togoville: Togo´s Voodoo capital
•
Lomé: Fetish market and beaches
•
Klouto: Fire dance, tropical forest hike
•
Afadjato: Ghana’s highest mountains
•
Wli: Largest waterfalls in West Africa
•
Tafi Atome: Sanctuary for Mona monkeys
•
Ada Foah: Boat ride on the Volta River
•
Cape Coast & Elmina: Slave castles
•
Kakum: Suspended canopy walkway
•
Pirogue ride to stilt village of Nzulezo
•
Ankasa: Pristine rainforest
•
Ankobra, Busua, Butre: Ghana’s top
beaches
•
Cape Three Points: Wild coastal
landscape
Tour Highlights
