Voodoo and Kingdoms of West Africa

Day 1: Arrive in Cotonou via your international flight.

Meet, assist and transfer to Hotel du Lac. Overnight.

Day 2: Full day tour to Abomey

Today, travel to Abomey, the center to the great kingdom of Dahomey. Arrive in Abomey, visit the historic museum, featuring the palaces of the ninth and the tenth monarchs of the Houegbadja Dinasty. Courtesy to the reigning king, King Agoli Agbo in the palace and have the amazons, the women warriors perform their war dance in your honour. Proceed to Allada, birthplace of the ancestors of Toussaint Louverture. Stop at the memorial celebrating this hero and drive to your hotel in Cotonou. Overnight.

Day 3: Porto-Novo and Ganvie

After breakfast, embark on a 30 minutes drive to Porto-Novo, the administrative capital city of Benin. On arrival, stop at the obelisk; headquarters of the Zangbeto Kpali-Yaou and have an insight into the internal organization of once a great African kingdom visiting Honme, the palace of King Toffa. Drive from Honme passing numerous buildings of Brazilian architecture to the museum of ethnography with a fabulous collection of Guelede masks. Drive from Porto-Novo to Cotonou. Proceed to Abomey-Calavi, harbour for Ganvie, the biggest stilt village in Africa. Cruise the Nokoue Lake for Ganvie. Experience the daily activities of the Toffinu and shop at one of the local boutiques. Cruise back to Abomey-Calavi and drive to your hotel in Cotonou. Overnight.

Day 4: Ouidah and Hlande on to Lome

Today, we will visit Ouidah, known as the voodoo capital of Benin. On arrival, we will visit the Kpasse sacred forest with elaborate statues of voodoo deities. Visit the museum of History, a former Portuguese slave fort. After reception by Dagbo Hounon, the head priest of voodoo religion in Benin visit the pythons’ temple and experience the Slave Route till the Gate of No Return. Cross into Togo and drive to Hlande, a village in the valley of the Mono River known for its voodoo beliefs. Witness the captivating Zangbeto, the night guardians’ ritual dance and drive through the coconut grove to Lome. Overnight at Hotel Ibis Lome Centre

Day 5: Kpalime and voodoo ceremony

After breakfast, have a two hour scenic drive to Kpalime, in the Plateau region of Togo. En route, visit a rural school, a weavers’ village and a rural market. We will stop at the foot of Agou Mount, the peak of Togo then visit cacao farms. On arrival in Kpalime, drive through the vestiges of the tropical forest for Kouma-Konda, on top of Mount Kloto, a real butterfly sanctuary. Have a short refreshing walk in this semi virgin environment and return to Kpalime to visit the very prolific Kloto craft center famous for batik, macramé, pottery and mostly woodcarving. Proceed to an Ewe village where you are invited to dance at the rhythm of the Akpesse drums in the presence of the royalty and continue to a village on the outskirts of Lome to attend a voodoo ceremony. Drive to your hotel. Overnight.

Day 6: Lome and shopping

Breakfast included at hotel and embark on city tour of Lome visiting Independence Square, national museum, the Artisans’ Village, Art Street. After shopping at Grand Marché, realm to the famous Nana Benz, the tour proceeds on with the visit of the fetish market, the incredible traditional drugstore for the locals. Overnight in Lome.

Day 7: Agbodrafo, fishing village, Glidji and on to Cotonou

After breakfast, drive to Agbodrafo, the Portuguese Porto Seguro. Visit slave dungeons and proceed to Pedakondji fishing village. Enteract with the natives, visit their habitat and experience fishing activities before proceeding to Glidji, the spiritual heart of the Guin people. Welcome by the chief priest of the sacred forest; learn about the Epe Ekpe festival, the Guin New Year and the ceremony of the raising of the sacred stone. Drive to Grand Popo in Benin. Take a boat ride on the Mono River to visit typical villages. Back to Grand Popo; drive to Hotel du Lac.

Day 8: Departure

Today, do your last minute shopping at Cotonou craft market. Back to hotel. Pack and transfer to the airport for your international flight back home.

End of tour