Togo & Benin: Voodoo Explorer (Ouidah Festival)
Togo & Benin: Voodoo Explorer (Ouidah Festival)
15 Days Starting and ending in Lome, Togo
Visiting: Lome, Kpalime, Sokode, Kara, Natitingou, Atakora Region, Dassa, Abomey, Ketou, Porto Novo, Ganvie
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TBE
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 12
Age range:
1-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Please contact Wild Frontiers with any specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Cultural, Gardens & Nature Tours, History, Religion and Spiritual
Activities:
Private Available:
Request A Private Tour
Tour Overview
Home to a fascinating variety of vibrant cultures, Togo and Benin are lands of quite extraordinary scope and spectacle, being the spiritual home of voodoo and steeped in the tragedy and horror of the tragic trans-atlantic slave trade. Beginning in Lome, Togo's lively capital, our journey takes us into the heart of some of West Africa's most culturally diverse regions and geographically varied landscapes.
We begin our adventure with the spectacular annual voodoo festival in Ouidah, the spiritual home of this most fascinating religion. We'll then head north to the stilted village of Ganvie and the UNESCO setting of the Abomey Royal Palace, a journey filled with an extraordinary wealth of experiences and encounters, from witnessing fire festivals and mask dances and meeting fetish priest.
From here we hike amongst the villages of the Taneka Plateau and the scenic landscapes around the Atakora Mountains, learning more about the world of voodoo from the communities we meet. We’ll then discover the spectacular adobe architecture of the Tamberma and Somba people and explore the tropical forests along the slopes of Mount Klouto, before returning to Lome, stopping en route for one last voodoo ceremony in a local village.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Tour Starts In Lome (Togo)
Location: Lome
Accommodation Name: Hotel Onomo or similar
Meals Included: Dinner
Rooms will be available from mid afternoon today. Those on the group flights will arrive this evening. Togo’s lively capital city, Lome, overlooks the Gulf of Guinea. The city has been at a crossroads of trade and cultures for centuries, a fact reflected in the character of its people and architecture. After checking into our hotel we’ll take the chance to talk about the exciting trip ahead over our first group dinner.
Day 2: Lome (Togo) - Ouidah (Benin)
Location: Lome
Accommodation Name: Hotel Casa del Papa or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The day starts by exploring Lome - the only African city to be colonised by the French, the British and the Germans. It's home to a fascinating fusion of styles and influences and includes amongst its more intriguing attractions a unique fetish market, which we will visit this morning. Later in the day we’ll cross over into Benin and, if time permits, stop-off along the coast at Grand Popo on the shores of the Gulf of Benin, located on a beautiful stretch of golden sand Atlantic coastline. Be aware that the ocean currents here are notoriously dangerous so please pay attention to what your Tour Leader and the local people say about swimming here! We'll then drive onwards to Ouidah, considered the capital town of African Voodoo.
Day 3: Ouidah (Voodoo Festival)
Location: Kpalime
Accommodation Name: Hotel Casa del Papa or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we spend time in the town of Ouidah, long considered the spiritual home of Voodoo. Once one of the largest trading posts along the infamous Trans-Atlantic slave routes, its crumbling Afro-Portuguese architecture still seems to harbour the ghosts of those who suffered such horrors from the barbaric trade. In Ouidah we’ll visit the small Python Temple and follow part of the old slave trail known as ‘La Route des Esclaves’, before witnessing the town’s unique annual voodoo celebration that culminates at ‘The Door of No Return’ on the beach. It’s a truly remarkable event as people dress up in traditional outfits and take part in lively dances, and is sure to be a real highlight of the tour.
Day 4: Ouidah - Ganvie - Porto Novo
Location: Sokode
Accommodation Name: Residence Ouadada or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We continue our journey east to the stilted village of Ganvie on Lake Nokoue, the largest of its kind in Africa. We’ll visit the thatched houses of the Tofinou people, whose traditions and lives still revolve around the lake, on which we’ll witness an abundance of pirogues that men, women and children guide with ease using brightly coloured poles. It is with these pirogues that men fish, women deliver goods to the market and children go to school and play. From here we continue to Porto Novo, an old town with colonial architecture and colourful markets including a large traditional herbal market.
Day 5: Porto Novo - Ketou
Location: Kara
Accommodation Name: Hotel Residence Celine or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We begin the day with a city tour which includes the ethnographic museum, an interesting museum that takes an intensive look into the past of Porto Novo’s kings with displays of fetishes, old Yoruba toyal masks, costumes, and some musical instruments. We’ll also visit King Toffa’s Royal Palace – a former residence of the King is now officially called Musee Honmé. This well maintained, rather simple, palace provides a window into how African royalty really lived. We also plan to visit to the Songhai Center which helps young people to face future challenges in farming through agricultural training, research, and production to provide them with the knowledge to generate a sustainable livelihood in rural Africa. Later this afternoon we drive to Ketou (approx. 2 hours).
Day 6: Ketou
Location: Natitingou
Accommodation Name: Hotel Residence Celine or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we will hopefully get the chance to meet with Benin royalty, Oba (King) Adedu Loye and his dignitaries. Ketou is the capital of the ancient and prestigious Yoruba Kingdom that "rules" on the border region of Benin and Nigeria. After completing the mandatory protocols we will be introduced to the King and will be able to ask his majesty about the history of Ketou. Next we will learn about and witness the Gelede celebrations, a tradition of the Fon and Yoruba people of Southern Benin. Gelede is dedicated to Mother Earth and celebrated by the whole community to promote the fertility of both the people and the soil. Each Gelede mask represents a different character with only the initiates knowing the true nature and secrets of the symbolic characters. The masks are brightly painted and they move like puppets as they relate myths and moral stories using mime in a fascinating mix of theatre.
Day 7: Ketou - Dassa
Location: Atakora Region
Accommodation Name: Hotel Jeko or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we drive to Dassa, vis Abomey, where we will visit the Royal Palace of Abomey, a monument to the ancient Dahomey kings. Inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List, it is a rich repository of weaponry, statues and bas-reliefs that tell of a kingdom in a perpetual state of war. We also visit the underground village, discovered in 1998 this subterranean town of over fifty dwellings lying thirty feet beneath the ground consists of a series of bunker-type cellars, rooms and passageway thought to date back to the late 16th or early 17th century.
Day 8: Dassa
Location: Dassa
Accommodation Name: Hotel Jeko or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Once the capital of an ancient kingdom, Dassa can trace its royal ancestors back to the latter years of the 14th century. Today it’s still possible to find evidence of its regal past and the graves of the old kings are said to still be protected by voodoo magic. We'll take a quick tour of the town to see what sites remain from this dynast then walk though the hills (approx 1 hour) around Dassa to a scared place where kings are buried and still protected today by several voodoos.Later today we will get to experience a traditional voodoo Egun mask dance, which starts off with a kind of bull fight designed to create fear and respect amongst the crowd. Be warned that though the Egun may look colourful, the locals believe them to be the dead themselves so people tend to keep well back as the performers emerge from the forest and form a procession through the village streets. Remember you don’t want the Egun to touch you because if he does, there is danger of death, so watch out!
Day 9: Dassa - Natitingou
Location: Dassa
Accommodation Name: Hotel Tata Somba or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We’ll start the day by driving towards the town of Natitingou (approx. 5.5hrs). We will pass the Dankoli fetish, an important place of Voodoo worship and long considered the gateway to the voodoo world. On arrival we’ll learn about fetishes and witness some of the rituals the religion is famed for. Depending on who is around we may get to witness an animal sacrifice, so be prepared! In the afternoon we will visit a local Fulani camp and share in part their day to understand their daily activities. The Fulani are mainly shepherds and the men move around with their herds while the women take care of the camp as well as milk the cows and produce the butter to be sold at the market.
Day 10: In And Around Atakora Region
Location: Abomey
Accommodation Name: Hotel Tata Somba or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we will head out to visit the Betammaribe people, also known as the Somba and close neighbours of the Tamberma. Geographically isolated, the Somba’s traditions have been little affected by the outside world for centuries and their remarkable two and three-storey dwellings bear close resemblance with the fortified structures of the Tamberma. Today we’ll learn more about the initiation rites of these fascinating people, including learning about the delicate and complex geometrical patterns that are scarified on the bellies and backs of the young men and women. We’ll also have the opportunity to speak to some of the young people themselves about their experiences and beliefs. (approx 4 hours walking, easy terrain)
Day 11: Natitingou To Kara
Location: Ketou
Accommodation Name: Hotel Kara or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We start the day by spending a few hours exploring the hills and villages that surround the Taneka mountain (easy walking, approx. 2 hours, easy terrain). The Taneka villages that have been inhabited for centuries and the different populations that have been based here over the years have formed an interesting melting-pot of cultures. The upper part of the village is inhabited by fetish priests and their initiates, dressed in goatskins and carrying long pipes and as we wander around along alleys bordered by a series of smooth stones, we will meet people going about their everyday life.This afternoon we will cross into Togo and after border formalities will make our way to meet with the Kabye people, whose traditional soukala huts are laid out in large circles and home to patriarchal families. Settled on high plateaus the Kabye women still form clay pots in the time-honoured fashion, whilst the men fashion iron tools with rocks rather than hammers, reminiscent of the early Iron Age.
Day 12: Kara - Sokode
Location: Porto Novo
Accommodation Name: Hotel Lamirelle or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Continuing further west we visit the region inhabited by the Bassar. Living in large clay houses with conical roofs, the Bassar are famous for their skilful iron production and the customs that go with it. Here the elder women are the only ones allowed to climb the mountains that surround the villages to collect rocks that contain the iron ore, whilst the men must refrain from sexual activity during the smelting process if they want it to be successful. In the villages we will meet with traditional chiefs and learn about the role of traditional chiefdom today. We then head south to the city of Sokode, situated between the waters of the Mo and Mono Rivers. Multi-ethnic and multi-religious, the city lies in the heart of agricultural farmland and provides an opportunity to enjoy the rich diversity of rural life. We’ll check in to our hotel and after dinner head out to witness a traditional fire dance in a small village close by, a truly hypnotic ritual combining the handling and even swallowing of glowing coals, frenetic drum rhythms and, dare we say it, magic!
Day 13: Sokode - Kpalime
Location: Ganvie
Accommodation Name: Hotel Gess or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Departing Sokode we drive towards the Ghanaian border and the market town of Kpalime. The land here is rich in coffee, cocoa and cotton and provides us with some of the most fertile panoramas in the country, today we will enjoy some of the local markets in the area.
Day 14: In & Around Kpalime
Location: Lome
Accommodation Name: Hotel Gess or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
The forest around Kpalime is home to a staggering array of butterflies, with some 500 different species to be found amongst the delicate eco-systems around the slopes of Mount Klouto. This morning we’ll join a local entomologist to learn more about the native insects and pristine wilderness, before discovering some of the colonial heritage, art centre and the market in Kpalime later in the afternoon.
Day 15: Kpalime - Lome
Throughout Togo and Benin, voodoo is a religion that has been passed on by the ancestors and is still fervently practiced. This morning we will have an opportunity to join a Voodoo ceremony in a remote village to experience and learn more about the current practice of this ancient belief. Later this afternoon we will then make our way to Lome airport, in good time for the suggested group flight this evening.
What's Included
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MEALS
13 breakfasts, 13 lunches, and 13 dinners are included.
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TRANSPORT
Transportation will be provided by minibus and walking.
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GROUP SIZE
The maximum group size is 12 participants.
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CARBON CONTRIBUTIONS
Contributions to climate and community projects are included for all bookings.
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EXPERT TEAM
The tour includes the full services of a Wild Frontiers Tour Leader with local guides where appropriate.
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ACCOMMODATION
All accommodation as outlined in the itinerary is included.
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ENTRANCE FEES
All entrance fees for sights mentioned in the itinerary are included.
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FITNESS RATING
The tour has a low to moderate fitness rating.
What's Not Included
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Visas & Travel Insurance
Visas are nationality dependent and travel insurance is mandatory.
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Tips
Tips are always optional, but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documents.
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International Flights
International flights are not included, but an obligation-free quote for flights originating in the UK can be provided.
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Airport Transfers
Complimentary transfers are included if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights.
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Beverages & Personal Costs
Beverages and any costs of a personal nature, such as laundry and souvenirs, are not included.
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ExcludedItem
We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras.
As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.
Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour
ationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatory
Tips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documents
International Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK
Airport Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
Visas
VISAS
Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact a reputable visa agency. More details can be found here - https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/visa
For this tour UK passport holders currently require visas in advance for both Togo (double entry) and Benin (single entry). For both Togo and Benin you will need to apply for an E Visa.
Passports should ideally be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the end of your tour.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.
VACCINATIONS & ADDITIONAL TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is a mandatory requirement for all travellers to Togo and Benin.
For all destinations, please make sure you are up-to-date with any standard vaccinations (e.g. MMR, Hepatitis A, Tetanus) as recommended by your local health care provider.
Malaria is present in all parts of Togo and Benin and precautions are essential.
For the most up-to-date information on all vaccination requirements and the most suitable anti-malarial tablets, we strongly suggest that you seek advice from your local travel centre or consult an official travel health website such as www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.travelhealthpro.org.uk
Covid Testing: No mandatory testing is currently required for vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers.
If necessary further details will be sent out to you upon booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas & vaccinations are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.
Key Aspects to Consider
Anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour, as many of the activities are optional. To get the most out of the tour you should be comfortable with some easy/moderate day walks and be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle. Please note that although this trip is not necessarily physically demanding by way of exertion, this is not a particularly touristy part of the African continent. Facilities and infrastructure of both countries will be relatively basic and to enjoy this tour fully you should be comfortable travelling without luxuries. Road conditions, particularly in rural areas, may be poor leading to some bumpy drives. We will use the best accommodation available, but these are often of a lower standard than would be expected in other areas of Africa.
As you can appreciate there are not a huge number of trained ‘guides’ in Togo and Benin, so please do not always expect the same standard of service you will find in some other African countries.
Though vegetarians can be catered for, the variety of food will be limited at times. This is not a ‘foodie’ tour and our main evening meals are likely to consist of a combination of chicken/fish, vegetables and basic carbs. Clients with specific dietary requirements might struggle at times on this tour so this should be discussed with the office before booking. Please be aware that if you suffer from any kind of nut allergy you must discuss this with the office before booking this tour as nuts are used so extensively in food throughout the West Africa region.
Responsible Travel
With local people, culture and eco-systems in mind, responsible travel and sustainable tourism are at the core of Wild Frontiers. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our travellers but also benefits the people and places we visit.
When designing our tours, we actively seek out experiences that have a positive impact on the communities and precious environments we visit - from supporting social enterprises; resting our heads in rural homestays; and eating at locally owned restaurants; to helping fund conservation projects that protect wildlife and their habitats.
Visit the Responsible Travel area of our website to read more, including the work of the Wild Frontiers Foundation through which we fundraise to aid community empowerment and education projects.
Travelling Solo and single supplements
As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip.
On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour.
Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
Travelling Solo and single supplements
As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip.
On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour.
Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
Travelling Solo
As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip.
On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour.
Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
Mode of Transport
Travel through Togo and Benin using a minibus for longer distances and explore local areas on foot. This combination allows for a comfortable journey while providing an immersive experience in the region's culture and landscapes.
Accommodation
Stay in comfortable hotels such as Hotel Onomo, Hotel Gess, and Hotel Lamirelle, offering a blend of local charm and modern amenities. Enjoy a restful night's sleep in accommodations like Hotel Tata Somba and Hotel Casa del Papa, ensuring a pleasant stay throughout your journey.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of cultural experiences can I expect on this tour?
On this tour, you will have the opportunity to witness traditional fire dancing ceremonies, meet fetish priests, and explore the unique adobe architecture of the region. You will also experience the voodoo Egun mask dance and learn about the Gelede celebrations, which are dedicated to Mother Earth.
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Will there be opportunities to interact with local communities during the tour?
Yes, the tour includes interactions with various local communities such as the Bassar people, the Kabye people, and the Betammaribe people. You will also visit a Fulani camp to understand their daily activities and have the chance to meet with Benin royalty in Ketou.
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What kind of wildlife or natural environments will we explore?
You will explore the forest around Kpalime, which is home to a staggering array of butterflies, and venture into the natural beauty of the Atakora highlands. Additionally, you will glide through the water channels of Ganvie, the largest stilt village in Africa.
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Are there any historical sites included in the itinerary?
Yes, the tour includes visits to historical sites such as the UNESCO Royal Palace of Abomey, the underground village near Ketou, and the slave route to the 'Door of No Return' in Ouidah.
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What is the maximum group size for this tour?
The maximum group size for this tour is 12 people.
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What type of transportation will be used during the tour?
The tour will use a minibus for transportation, and there will also be some walking involved.
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What meals are included in the tour package?
The tour package includes 13 breakfasts, 13 lunches, and 13 dinners.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We have a complete Covid-19 hub here: https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/en_GB/covid-hub
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 70% of passengers on our group tours are solo adventurers. Unlike many tour operators, we don’t believe in charging solo travellers a premium, so if you are happy to share a room with a fellow traveller of the same sex, you will pay exactly the same as a couple..Occasionally you may even end up with your own room. You can travel as a single traveller on any of our holidays, from our escorte
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2002
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Do I need to be double-vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel with you?
In most cases, yes. Not only are many destinations making double-vaccination a requirement of entry to the country and/or access to restaurants, museums etc., but additionally on all our group tours for the foreseeable future, for everyone’s peace of mind, we are asking that all clients be double vaccinated.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
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Wild Frontiers requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.