Ghana, Togo & Benin - 11 Days

Arrive at Kotoka International Airport. An arrival transfer is not included, so make your own way to the hotel in Accra.

The rest of the day is at leisure, If you feel up to it, you can join your guide to explore Accra’s lively nightlife.

Today's sightseeing begins at the National Museum, which offers a thoughtful introduction to West African culture and history. From here, we visit the Black Star Gate and Independence Square before moving on to the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park. At the National Cultural Centre, you can browse for handcrafted souvenirs. After lunch, we take a guided walk through Jamestown, Accra’s oldest district, where we visit Fort James and the iconic lighthouse. We also learn about the area’s proud boxing heritage. Dinner is enjoyed with live music at a local bar.

Accra - Lome (Togo). After breakfast, we visit the DuBois Centre, final resting place of the renowned Pan-Africanist. We then travel to Lomé. On arrival, we explore the vibrant Grand Marché before visiting the German Cathedral, an impressive Gothic landmark. We continue to the National Museum of Togo to view its ethnographic and artistic collections. You may also choose to visit the Akodessewa fetish market and artisan village to see traditional crafts and spiritual practices.

Lome - Togoville - Ouidah (Benin) - Contonou. This morning we cross Lake Togo by boat to Togoville, an important centre of Voodoo culture. We visit the Maison Royal and active shrines before continuing to Ouidah, widely regarded as the birthplace of Voodoo. Here we tour the historical museum and the sacred python temple, where pythons are respectfully revered. We also learn about the transatlantic slave trade and visit the poignant Portal of No Return. We end the day with a transfer to Cotonou.

Cotonou - Ganvie - Lome (Togo). This morning we travel to the water village of Ganvie, often called the Venice of West Africa. Built entirely on stilts across Lake Nokoué, it offers a unique insight into daily life on the water. We spend the day exploring at an easy pace, and you can try local fishing techniques with residents. After a fresh fish lunch, we return to Lomé for a relaxed evening.

Lome - Akosombo (Ghana). After breakfast, we return to Ghana and arrive at our riverfront hotel in Akosombo in time for lunch. Set along the Volta River, the hotel offers peaceful views. After check-in, we take a gentle river cruise where we watch local fishermen at work.Later, we tour the Akosombo Dam, an ambitious hydroelectric project completed in 1965 under Dr Kwame Nkrumah. The evening is free to unwind in this scenic setting.

Akosombo - Kumasi. After a relaxed breakfast, we visit TK Beads to learn about the Krobo tradition of bead making. We continue to the Aburi Botanical Gardens before exploring the nearby craft village, known for its intricate wood carvings and African drums. After lunch in Koforidua, we travel through the Akuapem Hills and arrive in Kumasi by evening.

This morning we visit UNESCO-listed Ashanti traditional buildings, including shrines decorated with symbolic Adinkra motifs. We then travel to Adanwomasie, the heart of Kente weaving, and to Ntunso, where artisans produce Adinkra cloth. We learn about the meanings behind the symbols and the weaving methods used for generations. After lunch, we explore Manhyia Palace, seat of the Ashanti Kingdom, followed by the National Cultural Centre and its craft market.

Kumasi - Assin Manso - Cape Coast. After breakfast, we drive south towards the coast. Our first stop is Assin Manso, a significant site on the slave trade route, where enslaved Africans were bathed before their forced departure. We then visit Cape Coast Castle, one of the major fortresses of the Atlantic slave trade, and walk through the solemn Door of No Return. After the visit, we continue to Cape Coast or Elmina for the night.

After breakfast, we head to Kakum National Park to experience its famous canopy walkway high above the forest floor.We then proceed to a local village for a traditional African Naming Ceremony, where chiefs and elders give you an African name based on your birthday, accompanied by drumming and dancing.

Cape Coast - Accra. After breakfast, we visit Elmina’s Castle of St George, the oldest surviving European building in sub-Saharan Africa. We also explore the local fishing market and watch skilled boat builders at work. In the afternoon, we return to Accra, where your tour ends.

Ensure you do not book any international flights out of Ghana before late evening - we recommend staying in Accra this evening and flying out the next day - post-tour accommodation can be booked with us.