MAGICAL BENIN, TOGO & GHANA INCLUDING THE ANNUAL OUIDAH VOODOO & AKWASIDAE FESTIVALS, 14 DAYS ( JANUARY 8 – 21, 2025 )

Following breakfast, we travel the short distance to Porto Novo, the official capital of Benin and the second-largest city of approximately 250,000 people – a nice change of pace from the bustling Cotonou. Porto Novo, named by the Portuguese in the 1500s, is still today showing significant Portuguese influence. For its size, Porto Novo has an interesting culture and tourist attractions. Visit the market and the old colonial town with its ancient mosque. The Great Mosque of Porto Novo is a unique and perhaps most colorful building in West Africa — the 19th-century Brazilian-style church now converted into a mosque. We also visited Palais Royal du Roi Toffa. This former residence of King Toffa is now officially called Musée Home. This well-maintained, rather simple, palace is a nice look into how African royalty really lived. 1883 was the year King Toffa signed the treaty with the French, agreeing to hand over land. The kingdom of Porto Novo was one of the longest lasting in Africa, lasting until 1976. After lunch (on your own account), we return to Cotonou and enjoy a city tour of Cotonou before our return to the hotel. We will visit the following sites. The ‘Esplanade des Amazones’, a public square located which is home to the ‘Amazon’, a 30metre high statue built in homage to the world’s only all-female army. These Amazons belonged to the Kingdom of Dahomey, a West African empire that existed from 1625 to 1894. Remembrance Square which reveals the splendour and fascinating historic works of the city. Here you will find the Mathieu Garden, the former home of the late President of the Republic, Mathieu Kerekou now, transformed into a flowery area with a pleasant scent for visitors. We will also visit the statue of the Wassangari warrior Bio Guéra on his horse while running. It glimpses the ardour and bravery with which the warriors fought to stop the colonial invasion. In addition, the Martyrs’ Square was refurbished to pay tribute to the soldiers and civilians who fell with their weapons in hand during the military aggression of 16 January 1977. Following lunch (on your own account) at a local restaurant, we returne to the hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Meal(s) Included : Breakfast, Dinner Hotel : Golden Tulip Diplomate

After breakfast, you depart to Ouidah, the former slave trading post and birthplace of Voodoo. Here, you will experience the mysteries of the Voodoo religion at Ouidah’s annual voodoo festival. Although there are many festivals around the country, this is the largest and most revered. You will see followers and adepts of the various voodoo gods, from the elaborately costumed Zangbetos to the followers of Kokou. Around the edges of the main performance area groups from various voodoo, temples perform their own rites and rituals. We will also have an unforgettable visit that takes you to the Voodoo Museum, the Sacred Forest (Kpasse Forest), the Cathedral and the Temple of the Pythons. Continue to the place of common grave, the tree of forgetfulness and the “Gate of No Return”. There may be a welcome reception from Dagbo Hounon, high priest of the voodoo cult. We return to Cotonou arriving early evening. Dinner at the hotel.

Meal(s) Included : Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel : Golden Tulip Diplomate

One of the highlights of any trip to West Africa is Ganvie, the African Venice. In ancient times people took refuge on Lake Nokoue from the attacks of the feared Dahomey warriors who were forbidden by a deep belief to fight on water. The Ganvie people over time developed this unique lake culture and way of life which have made them famous. Our boat cruise takes us along tranquil waterways and fish farms to the lake community of Ganvie. We discover these curious built-on-stilts dwellings, small floating markets and different aspects of the local daily life. Our journey today continues to Abomey, the ancient capital of the Dahomey Kingdom. This area used to be known as the “Slave Coast” in history, which was in parallel with the “Ivory Coast” and the “Gold Coast”. This morning, visit the Royal Palaces of Abomey, where you may have an audience with the King of Abomey. Abomey retains many reminders of its magnificent past including the Palace, the Historical Museum and the Royal Sepulchers bearing witness to a brave and powerful people. We return to the hotel for overnight.

Meal(s) Included : Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel : Golden Tulip Diplomate

Today after breakfast, we check-out of the hotel and travel to Togo crossing borders at Aneho. En-route, we will visit the slave house in Agbodrafo. From there you can easily travel by shared boat to Togoville, a red-earth village that was the homeland of numerous slaves taken to Haiti, who were members of the voodoo cult. Here you will find magic remedies and voodoo charms used to cast powerful spells. You are invited to sample some potent herbal teas prepared by a village herbalist today as well. Upon arrival in Lome, Togo’s capital, thought to be the country’s most cosmopolitan city, enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour of the city’s main features such as the Independence Square, National Museum, Craftsmen village, Central market where traditional articles can be found, the fishing harbour, Fetish market where sacred magic products are sold and the Grand Marche where pearls are sold.

Meal(s) Included : Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel : Hotel Sancta Maria

Today we head towards Northern Togo to Davedi Rural village for a typical African rural experience. Interact with locals and witness their day-to-day activities. Prepare yourself to learn the Bobo, a unique energetic dance by the women of this lively community. You will also witness the twin dolls ceremony where two elderly women who still hold on to the local traditions show you their usual duty of catering for wooden twin dolls. They bath the dolls, dress them up and serve them with food and drinks. This is an opportunity to get the meaning of the twin culture. We continue to the typical African town of Atakpame built in amongst picturesque hills. The town is synonymous with weaving and you will see brightly colored fabric everywhere called Kente.

Meal(s) Included : Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel : Hotel Sancta Maria

After a refreshing night and a good breakfast, we check out and depart for Ghana crossing the border at Aflao.We follow the coast dotted with Ewe villages, tranquil lagoons, and tropical vegetation. En-route, visit to Vume Pottery, well known as the hub of pottery in Ghana to learn the beautiful way of making traditional and contemporary pottery. We continue to Accra arriving early evening. Transfer to the hotel for check and prepare for dinner.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel : Lancaster Accra Hotel

Our day tour begins with a visit will be the W.E.B DuBois Centre honoring the life of the prominent Pan-Africanist who chose to live and work in Ghana. We continue on a scenic drive through the principal streets of Accra and view the Flagstaff house (Ghana’s White House) on our way to the Ghana National Museum. Visit the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, final resting place of Ghana’s first president driving pass the Independence Square where you will see the enclosed flame of African liberation, which was lit by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah in 1961. The Memorial Park is set in attractive gardens and has a museum which contains photos, artifacts, and an insight into Dr. Nkrumah’s life. Experience a firsthand African shopping at the Accra Arts and Crafts Centre for authentic African arts, crafts, and wear. After lunch (on your own account), we will also visit the Arts and Crafts market where you may try out your bargaining skills on the local vendors and “shop till you drop”. We will make a picturesque stop at the the Independence Arch and the Black Star Square, Accra’s ceremonial grounds, and venue for all national events especially Independence Day celebration, where you could also take some nice shots and add to your gallery. We complete the day’s exploration with a visit to the La Township to see uniquely designed special caskets at the Teshie and Nungua areas which reflect the beliefs of the people in life after death (i.e. a bus driver may be buried in a bus, a waiter in a large beer bottle etc.).

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel : Lancaster Accra Hotel

Today, we depart for the Coastal lands of Ghana- Elmina & Cape Coast. Enroute, explore the old quarter (Mankessim) with its unique Posuban shrines, made by the traditional ‘Asafo’ societies which were once responsible for local defense. We will also make a stop at a mini shopping mall at Mankessim for snack/lunch break. Upon arrival in Elmina, we will visit Elmina Castle built by the Portuguese in 1482 and is also known as St. George’s Castle. The Castle was the first European structure built in Sub-Saharan Africa, now accorded a World Heritage Site. Enjoy the sights of the many colorful fishing boats bringing their daily catch into the harbor and take the opportunity to mix with the locals at the nearby market. A short distance from the market we visit the boat builders, still building colorful fishing boats using traditional tools and methods spanning centuries.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel : Ridge Royal Hotel

Today we will visit Cape Coast Castle, a UNESCO world heritage site. After breakfast and check out, we proceed to Cape Coast. The castle is a thought-provoking monument to a harrowing period in the region’s history. You will take an emotional journey through the castle which held more enslaved Africans than any other in the region, viewing the dungeons and the infamous “Door of no return”. There is a significant historical museum inside, which explains the history of the castle and of Cape Coast itself. Explore the fascinating world of seafood as you visit Elmina Fish market, one of the largest fish markets in the country. Tour the market with your experienced tour guide and learn how fish is caught, distributed, sold, and prepared into different delicacies. Depending on the time, we may come back to the hotel to freshen up before dinner or just go straight to our dinner location this evening. Enjoy dinner with an authentic African cultural music performance.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel : Ridge Royal Hotel

After breakfast, drive through the forest zone to Kumasi, the seat of the Ashanti Empire to explore the legends of the famous Ashantis, whose legacies are still evident today with a stop at Assin Manso. We visit the site of “Donkor Nsuo”, the former Slave River and market and 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. There will be snacks/lunch/bathroom stops as coordinated by the tour guide. Kumasi may surprise you, being the most dynamic marketplace in WA and the second largest city in Ghana with a population of almost three million. It is a vibrant commercial center, visited by traders from all over. Kumasi has quite a collection of British colonial buildings and it is the heart of the Ashanti culture. We enjoy a drive through the city with monuments dedicated to the memory of the great Ashanti people. End the day’s tour at the National Cultural Center, which features the Prempeh II Jubilee Museum and various studios of brass makers, potters, and batik makers.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel : Lancaster Kumasi City Hotel

Following a leisure breakfast and morning, we depart the hotel to attend the well-celebrated Festival of the Ashanti Empire. We will first visit the Manhyia Palace Museum to obtain firsthand information on the legacies of the Ashanti kingdom. A regal history that dates to 1700 is told with relics and artifacts. Join the celebration of Akwasidae Festival ; the pomp and pageantry of the Ashanti Kingdom. The King riding in a palanquin and adorned with all his gold ornaments comes out to receive the homage of his sub-chiefs and people, it is a spectacular sight to watch the colourful canopies and umbrellas, the skillful drummers, dancers, horn-blowers and praise-singers at these regular festivals, held in honor of their ancestral spirits.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel : Lancaster Kumasi City Hotel

Following breakfast and check-out, we will spend the morning exploring some of the craft villages of the surrounding lush countryside. We’ll see the weaving of the famous Kente cloth, the making of the Adinkra, a type of fabric worn at funerals, and prized for its intricate hand printed symbols, and the work of woodcarvers — stools, fertility figures, drums, etc. We continue to Accra arriving early evening. Transfer to your hotel for the night.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel : Labadi Beach Hotel

Today is at leisure but with the assistance of your driver and guide, decide on your excursions and activities. Time permitting, you can visit the sites in Accra and vicinity that you have not yet seen.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast In-flight