West Africa: Ghana, Togo, Benin

On arrival at the Kotoka International Airport, you will be met by your guide and taken for a leisurely welcome breakfast. Full of contrasts, Accra is a great introduction to Ghana. It is a low-key capital city, which originated as a scattering of villages. In the afternoon, the colorful central market, Makola, is sure to delight the senses. Overnight at the Shangrila Hotel (or similar).

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

On the way to the lively town of Cape Coast, stopping at the Pusuban Shrine at Mankessim en route. The Pusuban Shrines are groupings of painted, sculpted figures representing animals, people and objects, and can be found in Fanti villages around coastal forts. In the heart of Cape Coast itself, enjoy a tour of the Cape Coast Castle, overlooking the sea. This majestic castle has changed hands many times over the past 400 years, and now, restored, it houses a museum with displays on the history and culture of Ghana and the slave trade. Dinner and overnight at the Elmina Beach Resort (or similar).

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Travel to the Kumasi area and tour Bonwire village, which specializes in weaving Kente cloth. Continue to the Ntonso and Ahwiaa villages, known for adinkra cloth printing and woodcarving, respectively. Finally visit the Manhyia Palace, the Ashanti King’s residence, where you can gain insight into traditional African democracy and the rich Ashanti culture. This Royal Museum houses drums and palanquins which are over hundred years old. Dinner and overnight at the Georgia Hotel (or similar) in Kumasi.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Travel to Mole National Park, stopping in Techiman for a snack, and then in Kintampo to view the waterfalls before continuing the drive. Mole is Ghana’s largest national park, and considered the best for wildlife viewing. You have a good chance of seeing elephants, wart hogs, antelope, and baboons. Enjoy an evening safari in the park before having dinner at the Mole Motel (or similar) located within the park.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, drive to Bolgatanga, also known as “Bolga,” the capital of the Upper East Region of Ghana. Visit the whitewashed mud-and-pole Larabanga mosque, the oldest of its kind in Ghana, and have snacks en route. On arrival in Bolgatanaga, visit the market and Bolga Naba’s Palace. Bolga’s market is a center for crafts, textiles, leather work, multicolored baskets, and the famous Bolga straw hats. There is also a small museum with information about the northeast region. Dinner and overnight at the Sira Hotel (or similar).

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Embark overland through Togo to Natitingou, Benin, located in the Atakora mountains. This afternoon, tour some of the Tata Somba villages, located to the southwest in the plains of Boukoumbe. Also called the Betamaribe people, the Somba live scattered apart in the countryside, rather than forming larger communities. Their houses, called tata somba, consist of tiered round huts that look like miniature fortresses. The ground floor is for the animals, the kitchen is on the middle level, and the upper rooms are for sleeping, with a terrace for daytime living and a round turret for grain storage. Most Somba are devout animists, having avoided influence by Islam and Christianity. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Tata Somba (or similar).

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Visit the Taneka villages en route to Djougou. On arrival in Djougou, take a tour of the city including the local market. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Dungah (or similar).

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast at the hotel, travel to Abomey. Visit the Royal Palace and the museum inside. The original massive complex was partly destroyed by fire and the remaining parts of the palace are restored, including bas-reliefs depicting the history of the Dahomey Kingdom, and rooms containing elaborately carved thrones of past kings and voodoo artifacts among other items dating back hundreds of years. Also visit the crafts market. Continue to Cotonou, a large coastal city on the Gulf of Guinea. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel duLac (or similar).

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

The inhabitants of Ganvié village live in bamboo stilt houses built on Lake Nokoue. After lunch, continue to Ouidah, the voodoo center of Benin. Visit the Temple des Serpents, a sacred python temple, located in the center of town. The Voodoo shrine is a sacred forest which contains sculptures and woodcarvings of African deities on a spiritual site. Then, visit the Casa do Brazil; now a museum, this former Brazilian governor’s house displays depictions of voodoo culture and rituals and the dispersion of Africans from this region. Finally, drive to Grand Popo for your dinner and overnight at the Grand Popo Ausberg (or similar).

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Traveling overland, you will arrive in Togo’s capital, Lomé, a colorful mix of both modern and traditional. Enjoy a tour of the city, the Place de l'Independence and the National Museum. Observe sacred voodoo shrines side by side with the city’s Roman Catholic Cathedral. Togo’s sparse coastline is home to several small fishing villages, some of them with fine examples of colonial architecture. In the Lomé central market, or Grand Marche, you can find pearls, baskets, pottery, and sacred pieces. After lunch in China Town, stop at the Akodesséwa fetishes market, where you can find magic remedies and local voodoo charms used by local sorcerers. Dinner and overnight at the Sarakawa Hotel (or similar).

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Kpalime is situated amidst the mountainous cacao and coffee growing region. Explore nearby Klouto, home to a large variety of butterflies. After lunch, visit the market. Dinner and overnight at the Auberge Kpalime (or similar).

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, travel overland back into Ghana to visit the Wli Falls, within the Agumatsa Wildlife Sanctuary. An easy 40-minute scenic walk takes you to the horseshoe of cliffs. Visit the Tafi Atome monkey sanctuary and Mt. Afadjato, the highest point in Ghana, before continuing the drive to Akosombo. Dinner and overnight at the Volta Hotel (or similar) for two nights.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Akosombo is the town at the dam holding back the world’s largest artificial lake, Lake Volta. Take a tour of the dam and enjoy a lunch cruise on Lake Volta. Return to the Volta Hotel (or similar) for your overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Return to Accra, and visit the crafts market for some last minute shopping. Have lunch at the Country Kitchen and a farewell dinner at Afrikiko Gardens. Overnight for your final night in Ghana at the Lapalm Royal Beach Resort (or similar).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.

Meals: Breakfast