Ghana, Togo, & Benin: Castles, Coastlines and Voodoo Discoveries

Arrive at any time. Your transfer to the hotel is included as part of your tour. Upon arrival take some time to get settled and opt to have dinner at the onsite restaurant, or your CEO can recommend some local options for you. The adventure begins tomorrow. Stay: Urbano Hotel

Have breakfast at the hotel and enjoy a welcome briefing this morning with your CEO before transferring to Cape Coast, the capital of the Central Region in southern Ghana, and known for its role in the transatlantic slave trade. Have lunch on your own at a friendly, fresh, and local spot before exploring the UNESCO World Heritage site of Cape Coast Castle. This emotional experience is extremely important in understanding the recent history of Ghana. Spend the remainder of the afternoon immersing yourself in the true African art of traditional batik making at a workshop led by Global Mamas. This organization works hard to empower local women to hone their artistic skills and enter the fair-trade market, thus enabling them to support their families. Later, transfer to your beach front accommodation in Elmina where you will have free time to relax and explore the area on your own. Stay: Lemon Beach Resort (B)

Set off for the spectacular scenery and fascinating wildlife of Kakum National Park, tucked away in the Assin Attandansco Reserve. The park’s best-known feature is its Canopy Walkway made up of 7 suspension bridges that stretch high about the forest floor, and are over 300 years old. Marvel at the outstanding views spanning for miles across this tropical guinea rainforest, and search for unique plants and animals as you walk through. Afterwards, visit the nearby Stingless Bees project to take a tour of the centre where you will learn about the incredible importance of these different species, and how they provide for our ecosystem in a myriad of ways. Then, sit down for a delicious vegetarian lunch at a local community organization that works to provide resources for children who have left school, so they will have the hope of a better future. Finish off the day with a brief walking tour of Cape Coast town before heading back to the accommodations in Elmina, where the group will join one of the best local drumming and dance teachers for a lesson and performance with the traditional Djembe drum. Stay: Lemon Beach Resort (B/L)

After breakfast the group will transfer to Beyin, a coastal village notable for its beautiful beaches, historic fort castle, and serving as a museum of Nzema culture. In the afternoon, set off through the beautiful Amasuri wetlands in a traditional dugout canoe to find the community of Nzulezu Stilt Village. Legend has it that the community here migrated some 600 years ago after being driven from their homes during conflict. It’s said a snail led them to this remote location where they would be safe. This shelled creature is now sacred to the people here and is not eaten as in other parts of Ghana. Later, travel to Ankasa Reserve Lodge, located in Ghana’s finest remaining rainforest habitat and responsible for protecting many endangered mammals. Enjoy time to settle in at the lodge and relax before dinner. There will be an optional night walk through the forest for anyone looking for a little more adventure after an otherwise long day. Stay: Ankasa Reserve Lodge (B/D)

Enjoy a beautiful morning in this wonderful forest environment and head to the stunning Bamboo Cathedral, where the stalks bend towards each other above the road forming tall arcs. Located about 9km into the forest from the main gate, there are two ways to get here. The first is by mountain bikes or you can choose to ride in a 4x4 vehicle. Learn about the plant and animal life from your CEO and soak in the peaceful atmosphere of this remote location. Return to the lodge for an included lunch before visiting the Ankasa Village and community. Their remote community is made up mainly of subsistence farmers living happily in basic mud houses trading their produce at the local markets to enable them to buy items and provide for their families. Spend time with the farmers that live here and learn more about their local customs, even trying a delicacy like Gari, or pounding FuFu. Arrive back to the lodge in the evening for an included dinner and free time. An optional night walk is available for those looking for a more active evening amid nocturnal nature. Stay: Ankasa Reserve Lodge (B/L/D)

Travel to Brenu Akyinim with its scenic beaches and serene lagoon nearby. Upon arrival the group will have free time to enjoy this beach front location. Relax at the beach, explore the local villages and coastal lagoons. Tonight, gather for an included dinner overlooking the water. Stay: Brenu Beach Lodge (B/D)

Choose to experience an early morning optional lagoon kayak to watch sunrise and enjoy nature. While the sun is cool in the early morning you'll head to the local lagoon for another exciting activity. A coastal lagoon situated in a beautiful location overlooking the ocean, this is where locals from the nearby fishing village use wooden canoes to fish the lagoon for tilapia, crabs and other fish. At the end, walk to the beach front hotel through the fishing community of Brenu Akyinim. Travel back to Accra. Along the way make a stop in Elmina to visit the Castle of St. George, dating back to 1482. Afterwards, visit the local fishing market and walk a short distance to visit the boat builders of this coastal community. The design of these boats has not changed in centuries nor have the methods or tools used to build them. Lunch will be had on your own in Anomabo. Arrive in Accra by early afternoon and pay a visit to the final resting place of Ghana’s founder, Kwame Nkrumah, and delve into his incredible life and efforts to liberate this country. Transfer to the hotel from here and enjoy free time to relax or wander around the city before an included group dinner tonight at one of the most popular restaurants in Accra. Choose to return to the hotel after or head out to experience Ghana’s nightlife. Stay: Urbano Hotel (B/D)

Travel from Accra to Lomé today. There will be a border crossing along this route. Arrive in the afternoon and enjoy free time to get settled and relax at the hotel before the next part of your adventure begins. Stay: ONOMO Hotel Lome (B)

Have breakfast at the hotel and enjoy a welcome briefing this morning with your CEO before heading to the biggest market in Lomé and one of the most vibrant markets in all of West Africa. Immerse yourself in the daily life of the locals and learn more about the history behind various churches and monuments in the city from your CEO. Then, travel onwards to the community of Atitovou. Here, witness how generations have been weaving traditional Kente cloth for centuries. Walk through the community, observe the (mostly men) weaving the beautiful cloth and sit down with a local family to learn more about the importance of this piece of their heritage. Transfer to the hotel in Kpalime for lunch and then visit Mount Kloto for an afternoon hike amid the stunning natural scenery and abundance of colourful butterflies that reside here. The remainder of the evening will be spent at your leisure. Stay: Hotel Parc Residence (B/L)

In the morning the group will begin the journey to Sokode with stops along the route to a few local markets where you'll experience the sounds and smells of these colorful spaces. Stretch your legs, witness vital trading points for rural farmers selling their items, and feel part of the fabric of local life. Arrive in Sokode around lunch where you’ll witness the spectacular horse dance here. This spectacular event dating back centuries is hardly experienced by any outsiders and involves a festive community atmosphere you will never forget. Later, attend the ancient fire dance which is traditionally performed at festivals and special occasions in this remote northern part of Togo. Spend the remainder of the evening at your leisure back at the hotel and reflect on the beautiful cultural experiences of your day. Stay: Nassam's Hôtel (B/L/D)

Your first immersive experience today will be a visit to the traditional Fugu weavers of Bafilo. This traditional cloth in northern Togo has been woven and worn for generations in this northern community. Witness the skilled process of making the intricate designs and style your own before continuing on to Tsare. In this remote community the group will observe the ancient method of iron smelting under the guidance of a local family. You’ll hear about the family’s daily routine and learn more about the harsh conditions they often work under. After an included lunch the group will transfer to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Koutammakou, a seldom visited wonder in northeastern Togo. Here the traditional mud homes of the Batammariba community reflect their spiritual beliefs of Voodoo. Transfer across the border to Natitingou and spend a night of leisure at the hotel there. Stay: Hôtel Totora (B/L)

After breakfast the group will have the rare privilege to visit a local Fulani village and gain insight into the lives of these normally nomadic people. Their communities are seldom observed by outsiders and the local culture differs greatly from other communities in this part of Benin. Learn about their family structures and experience cheese-making alongside members of this remote place. Then, transfer to Tata Somba and learn more about their traditional body scaring rituals that are used to denote which tribe you belong to, before walking to a local lunch spot. Later walk to a local family’s home where they are producing organic shea butter and be taken through the entire process. After quality time here the group heads back towards Natitingou for a visit to the Regional Museum Natitingou Market. Enjoy free time in the evening to rest and recharge for tomorrow’s adventures. Stay: Hôtel Totora (B)

Turn towards the mountains today and visit the local communities in Teneka Beri and the nearby Taneka Coco. Visit the family homesteads, meet the spiritual leaders, and gain valuable insight into daily life here. Soak in the gorgeous surrounding landscape with its mountain views and continue on to visit the sacred Dankoli Shrine. This shrine is believed to be the most powerful of all shrines in Benin, and it’s a place many go to speak directly with the Gods. Learn about the shrine’s history while here and its importance as a space to pray and as for help. Finish the day in Savalou and spend time at your leisure this evening in the hotel. Stay: Hotel F&F Savalou (B/L)

Travel to Cove where the group will be welcomed by the local community for a special ceremony known as the Gelede Masked Dance in celebration of all mothers and elderly women, iyami, and especially the Great Mother (lya Nia) of the Yoruba religion. The group will gain authentic insight into the culture and traditions of the people in this region and witness first-hand the respect they have for women in their communities. From here, move on to the Underground Dwellings outside of Abomey. The dwellings are believed to date back to the 16th century and are only now still being discovered and studied. Explore some of the dwellings during your visit and see where locals lived and felt protected from slave raiders and tribal conflict. Travel onwards to Abomey where you will visit a private palace in the area modeled after the Royal Palace, and then stop at the spectacular Temple of the Chameleo with a deep history in the West African religion of Vodun. Spend the evening at your leisure upon arrival to Ouidah. Stay: La Casa Del Papa (B/L)

Today’s adventures begin with a visit to Ganvie, known as the Venice of West Africa. This ancient community of over 30,000 people is living on structures built on stilts over Lake Nokoue. Transfer to traditional wooden boats waiting at one of the jetties and watch as local fishermen go about their daily tasks on your ride through the water village. The group will dock at one of the structures and experience the personal and important Kokou Ceremony. Participants fall into a deep trance-like state during the proceedings and it’s said this is the powerful local spirits taking over their followers. After lunch, transfer back to Ouidah and attend the annual Voodoo festival in the precise place where this spiritual practice was born. This public holiday in Benin is a truly authentic experience where the community gathers together in expectation for the arrival of Zangbeto. Spend time soaking up this unique atmosphere and incredible festival. The remainder of this evening will be at your leisure. Stay: La Casa Del Papa (B/L)

Enjoy some breakfast and free time at the hotel this morning before travelling to Cotonou. Upon arrival, pay a visit to the 30m tall Amazone Statue honouring the female warriors of the ancient kingdom of Dahomey. Then, check out the longest graffiti mural in the world and its beautiful art celebrating the ancient kingdom of Dahomey. Walk along the entire stretch of wall coming in at 940m, and get a feel of this vibrant city. Today’s final stop is to the Grand Marché du Dantokpa, one of West Africa’s largest outdoor markets and located in the throbbing heart of Cotonou. The market sells everything you could imagine and is a major contributor to the economy of Benin. Attend a farewell dinner in the late afternoon before the group heads together to the Cotonou airport where your tour comes to an end. (B/D)