12 Days Benin and Togo Cultural Private Guided Tour
Duration
12 days
Group Size
1 to 15 people
Ages
0
-
100
yrs
Languages
English
Tour Overview
We are thrilled to introduce you to a truly exceptional travel experience that will leave you awe-inspired and enlightened: our Benin and Togo Multi-Country Tour. We have curated a meticulously planned itinerary that provides you with access to sites and experiences unavailable through other tour companies. We go the extra mile to ensure that you witness the hidden gems and uncharted territories of Benin and Togo. Our guides are not only well-versed in the history and culture of the region, but they are also deeply connected to the communities we visit. This means you'll have the privilege of engaging with locals on a personal level, gaining insights and experiences that go beyond surface-level encounters. Our tour is designed to immerse you in the customs, traditions, and daily life of the Beninese and Togolese people. Whether it's participating in a Voodoo ceremony, learning traditional dances, or savoring local cuisine, you'll be fully engaged in the culture.
Additional information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Pickup
What's included
Water
Lunch: 11
Dinner: 12
Breakfast: 11
Transportation with Air-condition
Other
Other
Other
Itinerary
Our professional local tour leaders will meet with you on your arrival at Cotonou Airport, which is situated on the former Slave Coast of Western Africa. Look out for the Dahomey African Tours sign when you leave the main terminal building after passing through immigrations. Make yourself known to your guides who will be accompanying you for the duration of your time in Benin and they will take care of you from here.
After boarding our vehicle, which will be your mode of transport for the duration of your tour, we transfer you to your hotel which is situated in Cotonou. Once we have checked you in, our experienced guide will offer you Kwabo (welcome) and brief you on all aspects of your trip. You can enjoy your evening meal at the hotel restaurant whilst acclimatising yourself to West Africa.
Overnight In Cotonou
Dinner:
Your first full day in Benin, after breakfast at our hotel, we set off for our day tour, driving through Cotonou on the coast in the administrative districts on our way to the Amazon square. Constructed in 2019, here we will see the famous giant monument of the powerful women of Dahomey Kingdom known as Amazon or Agododjie of Dahomey, also the inspiration of the film Woman King; the army of female warriors who defended their territories against their enemies and the colonial masters during the territory wars between the 17th and 19th centuries.
Overnight In Cotonou
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We check out of our hotel after a relaxing breakfast. Our focus today prior to heading to Ouidah is visiting one of the most beautiful communities here in Benin at Ganvie. Known as the Venice of Africa, Ganvie is a community of over 40,000 inhabitants living in structures built on stilts over Lake Nokoue. The largest community living on water in Africa, most locals here are fishermen. A relaxed paced day and we may decide to try our hands at fishing under the tutelage of a local fisherman. If we are lucky and get a sizeable catch, then our lunch will be fresh fish grilled the local way.
Overnight In Ouidah
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After breakfast in our hotel, we depart for Grand-Popo and experience on arrival Boat Ride on the Mono river which will lead us to discovering a Bird's Island, visiting a Salt Village and the King's Mouth. We return back to the town after our enjoyable ride tour and attend the Zangbeto Voodoo Ceremony before we depart back to our hotel in Ouidah.
Overnight In Ouidah
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An early start as we checkout of our hotel after a relaxing breakfast. Our focus today prior to heading to Dassa is visiting the Voodoo Pope and having a blessing meeting time. The Palace is the starting point of the Voodoo Festival. Many people are struggling to have opportunity access in this holly land of the Palace and receive some blessing. So today is a great opportunity for us to be in front of the Pope face to face and ask him all the questions we want know about this religions. Time with the Voodoo Supreme Chief in his Palace will help us to receive some blessings and continue to better understanding about this lovely religion and tradition.
Overnight In Dassa
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An early morning departure as we set off further northwards. Approximately an hours’ drive from Dassa we find the Dankoli Shrine located in Savalou and during our time here we will experience a traditional Voodoo ceremony.
Overnight In Natitingou
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We set off after breakfast at our hotel heading towards Togo. Prior to leaving Natitingou we visit the local museum for a tour through local history with a focus on the colonization war between the colonial masters and King Kaba in the northwest of Benin. We also learn about the different tribal marks of Somba people and more about their culture.
Overnight In Kara
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After an early breakfast, we set off from our hotel and depart Kara for Sokode approximately a 2 hour’s drive from our hotel. Sokode is the second largest city in Togo and located in the Central Region of Togo, some 339 kilometres north of Lomé the capital city. Sokode is the commercial center for the surrounding agricultural areas, it is a multi-ethnic and multi religious city but is dominated by Islam. The major highlight of our time here is to participate in two traditional dances, the horse dance and later in the evening the fire dance. The Sokode horse dance is spectacular. An energetic and unique dance, only the finest warriors can parade and dance with their horses, displaying their powers and expert handling of their horse. It showcases their triumphs over their enemies and at the same time honors their forefathers.
Overnight In Sokode
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After breakfast, we set off for Kpalime which will take approximately 5 hours drive, on arrival, we enjoy our lunch and have a leisurely hike of this stunning mountain. Don’t worry we can cater for all fitness levels and when you feel you have walked far enough we can rest and head back to the local community. The biodiversity at this location is wonderful, your local guide will identify the different medicinal plants found here and explain how they are used by the locals. Butterflies are in abundance and the colorful ones will be stealing our attention as we walk the trails. After hiking we will visit Kaplime Waterfalls where you can refresh your body. We continue our tour by visiting the local food market if time permits before checking into our hotel and enjoy our evening meal.
Overnight In Kpalime
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The journey will take approximately 2 and half hours and on our arrival in Lome we will visit the grand Marché or big market which will be one of our highlights in Lome. Initially, it seems chaotic, but you will be surprised at the orderliness and the hectic pace of this incredibly vibrant and beautiful market. Though it is supposed to be an indoor market the three-story building and all the surrounding streets overflow with vendors selling everything imaginable.
Overnight In Lome
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After breakfast this morning, we pack our bags and depart for Agbodrafo. On arrival in Agbodrafo we take a pirogue across Lake Togo to Togoville which is on north eastern side of the Lake. Togoville is historically known as the center of Voodoo in Togo. Many Voodoo practitioners were taken as slaves from here to Haiti. The chief’s house known as Maison Royal has a room that houses the old King’s throne which dates to 1884. The chief Mlapa III signed a peace treaty giving all of what was then known as Togoland to Germany. As we mix with the locals walking through the communities we will visit the many active shrines learning their importance to the locals living here. Prior to setting off back to Aneho we also visit a shrine that commemorates the appearance of the Virgin Mary on Lake Togo in the late 1970s.
Overnight In Cotonou
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A relaxing morning enjoying the facilities of our accommodation, maybe go for a swim, relax
on the beach, or just enjoy our final morning at this beautiful location. After lunch we visit Cotonou Art Promotion Centre or the Craft market. We start prepare for departure after all these wonderful time we have in this great part of West Africa.
Departure back home
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FAQ
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