Benin and Togo Voodoo Discovery
Overview
Highlights
- Discover tribal lands, proud cultures and striking landscapes through Togo and Benin
- Travel through this culturally diverse region and encounter the spiritual home of voodoo
- Witness a fire dancing ceremony and meet the Somba people in the Atakora mountains
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Itinerary
Arrive in Lome, the lively capital of Togo. For those arriving on time our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for the welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no other activities planned t...
After breakfast and our welcome meeting, we will kick off our West African adventure with a guided tour of the capital city of Togo. Once an important landmark within West Africa's notorious slave trade, Togo was colonised in the 15th century and this can still be se...
Set off after breakfast for a guided hike through the countryside. Following well-marked tracks we will hike for around two hours guided by a butterfly expert. Along the trails we will learn about the important and delicate eco-system in the surrounding adjacent fores...
Today we travel towards Kara. Along the way we'll stop to meet the Bassar people. The Bassar live in traditional large clay houses with conical roofs and are known for their production of iron. Strict rules have to be followed, only old women should provide the coal n...
This morning we will continue our journey north, entering a more mountainous arid region. Leaving the main road, we enter the land of the proud Tamberma people that live in fortified dwellings. Similar in form to medieval castles, they are one of the most beautiful ex...
This morning will be an early start to be begin our journey into Benin via Ketao. Our destination is the village of Taneka, located in a upland range with the same name. The village is made up of round houses covered with a conical roof protected at the top by a terra...
Today is a travelling day, with several stops en-route. Departing early, we drive south; with the intention of stopping at a Fulani settlement along the way. The Fulani are mainly shepherds, the men move around with their herds while the women take care of the camp an...
We start our day exploring Dassa, which used to be the capital of an ancient kingdom in 1385, by visiting Sacred Hill where funerals for the royal family take place accompanied by Voodoo practices. The town is full of history, our tour leader will share the story of t...
This morning we are lucky enough to witness an Egun mask performance in nearby Cove. According to the local tradition, people perform the rituals not only to represent but also to embody the spirits of the ancestors. Dressed in bright, colourful costumes, they emerge ...
Our departure time will depend on mask ceremony the day before. We spend this morning travelling by bus and boat to Ganvie, the largest stilt village in Africa. Settled by the Tofinou people, fleeing the slave traders of the 16th century, the village today is an atmos...
We'll depart Ganvie after breakfast, and travel by boat and bus on to the town of Ouidah, considered to be the spiritual home of voodoo. Once an infamous part of the old slave route, Ouidah was the site of one of the largest trading posts, supplying slaves to Europe a...
Discover the Mono river estuary in a small motorboat, passing tiny villages where the old way of extracting salt is still practiced. Our journey leads us along the river to where it meets the ocean, we cross the lagoon through forests of mangroves. Later we head t...
Later this morning we'll cross the border back into Togo, where we'll continue for a short while before stopping in the town of Aneho, a region with many lakes and villages with shrines and fetishes, and there may be an opportunity to watch a Voodoo ceremony. During s...
The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Lome. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Lome at any time. If your flight is departing early in the morning, breakfast will be served very early. If your flight is departing later in t...
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Dates & Availability
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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Explore! Reviews & Ratings
Trusted Customer
Apr 2024
Benin and Togo Voodoo Discovery
It’s a shame I can’t give this 5 stars as the itinerary is incredible and the local guides worked really hard Noah and Ben … so my score is not fair on them. But I...
Trusted Customer
Feb 2024
Benin and Togo Voodoo Discovery
One must temper their expectations when traveling in countries without an established tourism industry, however the value of booking through Explore! is meant to be ...
Patricia
Feb 2024
Benin and Togo Voodoo Discovery
A great trip for experienced travellers. The mask ceremonies were brilliant and there were lots of opportunities to interact with local people. The stay at Ganvie s...
Robert
Feb 2024
Benin and Togo Voodoo Discovery
Generally very well run trips The highlight was the day at the stilt village..
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Tour Operator
About Explore
We've been taking small groups on adventure vacations for over 41 years. Our authentic adventure travel experiences explore the sights and culture of a country, with hand-picked accommodation that balances comfort and location. Our average group tour size is just 11; perfect for meeting new people and getting to the heart of our destinations. Explore is one of the world's most trusted adventure travel companies with over 350 trips to more than 100 countries. We are passionate about travel and have developed a wide range of unique activities and adventures which give our customers an unforgettable experience with a team of award-winning Explore leaders. With Explore, you'll get to see your destination from a whole new perspective that takes you away from the typical well-trodden tourist track. You'll have the chance to meet, dine and stay with local people, rest in authentic accommodation with other like-minded explorers and travel to must-see destinations with a unique Explore twist. From family holidays to trips for solo travelers; cycling tours to wildlife safaris; trekking on mountains or exploring miles of scenic coastline, there is something for every kind of traveler with Explore. We will provide our expert knowledge, exciting itineraries and outstanding service as part of our sustainable travel experiences which take you under the skin of the country you're visiting for the adventure of a lifetime.
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Logistics
Transportation & Flights
Transportation & flights
- Breakfast : 13
- Dinner : 2
- Lunch : 9
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