Discover the Vibrant Cultures of West Africa

It's Back!

You'll feel you've stepped into the pages of National Geographic on this total immersion into the dazzling tribal world of Ghana, Togo, and Benin. This is a greatly under-visited destination, the richest of tribal Africa, and our itinerary is one of a kind.

Watch voodoo priestesses whirl in trances at fetish altars, hike up a ridge to commune with a famous oracle, visit places of historical importance during the slave trade, attend a flamboyant Ashanti funeral - and who knows what else, since serendipity plays a big role on this journey. Every day will bring something new, from spontaneous mask dances to voodoo rituals to festive village funerals with music and singing.

This is a truly eye-opening adventure, an intimate look and interpretation of some of West Africa's most intriguing peoples. Travel in this part of the world can be quite rugged, so bring along a spirit of adventure and a flexible attitude.

Activities

Long drives on rugged roads; Optional easy day hikes

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• An in-depth cultural experience-meet more than 10 fascinating cultural groups!
  
• Witness a vibrant festival or special ceremony on every departure
  
• Follow the trade trail of goods and slaves, visit tribal villages, colonial outposts, palaces, coastal castles
• Enjoy the monkey's rainforest canopy walk

2010 Prices
$4,995 (7-14 members)
$5,495 (4-6 members)
$1,000 single supplement

Duration: 13 days Start Location: Lomé End Location: Lomé Best time to go: August, November

Itinerary

• Day 1 : Arrive in Lomé

  Meet in Lomé, Togo.

• Day 2 : Grand Popo, Benin

  Witness an authentic Kokou voudou ceremony, arriving in Grand Popo, Benin by evening.

• Day 3 : Grand Popo – Bohicon

  Visit the village of Ganvié, Africa's largest village on stilts, which is spread across Lac Nokoue. Continue to Abomey, which in pre-colonial times was the capital of one of the great West African Kingdoms, the Dan-Homey empire.

• Day 4 : Bohicon – Taneka

  Visit Abomey's painted voodoo fetish temples and the vestiges of former royal palaces, and continue to the land of the Taneka in the rocky cliffs of central Benin.

• Day 5 : Taneka – Natitingou

  Hike to clifftop villages of the Taneka, home to many voodoo priests.

• Days 6 - 9 : Natitingou - Kara / Kara – Tamale / Tamale – Fiema / Fiema – Kumasi

  Cross the interior of Benin, Togo, and Ghana to visit the Somba, with their ritual scarification, the Dagomba in their thatch-roofed clay huts, the Moba warriors, and the Tamberma, each with their own particular architecture, customs, and traditions.

• Day 10 : Kumasi – Kakum Forest (Akwasidae Festival)

  Attend a festive Ashanti funeral in Kumasi and visit museums housing gold ritual objects and Ashanti artifacts.

• Day 11 : Kakum – Kokrobite

  Visit the protected virgin rainforest of Kakum National Park, harboring elusive monkeys, elephants, and other African fauna, and view the canopy via forest walkways perched more than a hundred feet above the ground. Continue to the historic 15th-century castle at the fishing town of Elmina.

• Day 12 : Kokrobite – Lomé

  Visit Accra's national museum and the carpenters of a coffin-makers' district. Cross back into Togo.

• Day 13 : Lomé - Departure

  Explore Lomé's fascinating artisan and fetish markets. Depart Lomé in the late afternoon.

Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.

Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you’d never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way.

• Alberto Nicheli

  Alberto is Italian by birth but has the heart of a nomad. He's traveled extensively throughout West Africa since 1975 and been a resident of Togo since 1984. Alberto has fast friendships with chiefs and elders in many remote villages and works energetically to preserve and understand their ways of life. His expertise is well known: he did field research with Angela Fisher and Carol Beckwith for their book African Ceremonies and past National Geographic articles on West Africa.

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