Ghana, Togo, Benin - Voodoo and Tribal Festivals
1890 €, 13 Days
Ghana, Togo and Benin – a colourful African palette with plenty of sun and spirit!
If you wish to immerse in the real atmosphere of voodoo society, to explore the roots of this unique concept of the world, to become a witness of the traditional voodoo practices, follow us towards the place where this cult lives its daily, genuine life – Ghana, Togo and Benin in Western Africa! Besides seaside colonial fortresses having served as starting points in the slave trade and attendance of local voodoo rituals and fire dances, the tour offers also walks in the capitals of these three countries as well as in their much more curios countryside – villages with traditional African architecture, national parks, sailing along Volta River and the unique Abomey Palace – the centre of the legendary kingdom of Dahomey!
NB! Every sixth Sunday of the year, the Ashanti people celebrate the Akwasidae Festival - colourful celebrations with rituals, dances and songs, honouring personal and community ancestors. This festival is next in importance only to the National Day. The Akwasidae Festival in 2018 will be held on November the 4-th.
Group tour with Akwasidae Festival: October 31-st, 2018 - with a tour leader from Penguin Travel (at min 8 persons) at a special price of 1890 EUR.
Tour highlights
♦ The Voodoo culture
♦ Elmina Castle - a gloomy reminiscence of slavery
♦ Royal Palaces of Abomey - Benin's most famous attraction
Itinerary:
Day 1. Accra
Arrival at Kotoka International Airport, meeting with the local guide and transfer to the hotel.
Day 2. Accra, Accra-Elmina
Walking tour in the suburb of Nima in the morning to see the local everyday life, and then an Accra city tour to the Arts Centre for National Culture and the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum. Drive through the fishing village of James Town, where we can climb to the top of the old lighthouse for a great view of the city. Depart for the Central region with a stopover at traditional coffin makers, who make coffins to reflect a person’s affiliation. Overnight in Elmina.
Day 3. Elmina, Cape Coast
Sightseeing in Elmina and Cape Coast. Visit of the forts, related to the slave trade, the port in Elmina, the fish market, the Asafo shrines.
Day 4. Elmina – Kumasi
On the way to Kumasi visit of Kakum National Park and Hans Botten Resort built as a stilt village. Arrival in Kumasi, visit of Kumasi Cultural Center.
Day 5. Kumasi – Brong-Ahafo
Visit of Manhyia Palace, the centre of Ashanti Kingdom. Join the Akwasidae Festival if you have chosen a date that coincices with it. Then visit of the villages Ahwiaa and Ntonso famous for their handicrafts. On the way to Brong-Ahofo stop by Kintampo waterfalls.
Day 6. Brong-Ahafo – Tamale
The day starts with walk in the Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary, Ghana's most famous example of traditional African conservation, and the rock formations Tano Boase. Transfer to Tamale.
Day 7. Tamale – Kara, Togo
Visit of one of the six witches’ villages. On the way to the border with Togo, visit to the villages of the tribes Dagomba and Konkomba as well as a meeting with Bassar tribe. Crossing the border with Togo at Tatali and arrival in Kara.
Day 8. Kara – Sokode
Visit the Tamberma-Valley with its beautiful "Tata" (miniature fortified castles built with clay). Also visit the handicraft centers of "Losso soukala" and Kodhani. In the evening there is a chance to witness the fire dance at the village of Tinadou.
Day 9. Sokode – Abomey, Benin
Visit the traditional weaving center and the Sokode market. Depart through Atakpame, with a stopover the colourful Anie Market and the industrious Kotokoli women. Also visit the Demadeli traditional soap makers, where we learn the process of making the traditional soap. Finally, we visit the Blacksmiths Quarter before crossing the border into Abomey in Benin.
Day 10. Abomey – Ouidah
Visit of Royal Palace Museum and Abomey History museum, and the underground town of Agongionto in Bohicon. We continue afterwards to Ganvié – “The Venice of Africa” and Ouidah, where we spend the night. There is also possibility for a cruise on Lake Nokoue to visit the water villages.
Day 11. Ouidah – Lome, Togo
We start the day with a visit to the Sacred Forest and the Temple of Pythons - both important vodoo shrines. We cross of the border with Togo afterwards and arrive in Lome, the capital of Togo. Sightseeing in the city - Idependence Square, National Museum, voodoo shrines, catholic cathedral, the market “Grand Marché”.
Day 12. Lome – Ghana, the delta of Volta River – Accra
We cross the border with Ghana. We spend the day in a resort with options for a walk to a fishing village nearby; sailing by boat along Volta River, water activities with jets, water ski, etc. In the late afternoon transfer to Accra.
Day 13. Free morning before departure.
Visa: It is required to have a visa for each of the three countries. Please, check with the local embassies in your country.
Vaccinations: Yellow fever and malaria vaccinations are required for this trip.
Gallery
Currency fluctuations might cause correction of price at any time.
No special experience is needed; everyone who is in condition to cope with long Saturday walks in the forest can also cope with these tours. As a rule, the trips are short and at a low altitude. Often, it is your choice to join or skip a day-tour. The routes follow a hilly terrain without steep ascents and descents. Normally we walk 3/5h a day.
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