4 countries of West Africa: Côte d'Ivoire - Ghana - Togo - Benin

4 countries of West Africa: Côte d'Ivoire - Ghana - Togo - Benin 

Tour duration: 12 days / 11 nights
Tour dates: March 13 – 24, 2024

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Tour program

           Our tour starts from Abidjan, the economic capital of Côte d'Ivoire, as well as the first capital of the country, Grand Bassa, with its unique colonial architecture, which testifies to the largest place of trade on the west coast. Next, we will go to Ghana to the city of Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti people with a huge baggage of cultural heritage. We will visit the most moving city in Africa - Accra with its restaurants and nightclubs.  And of course real African voodoo ceremonies…. 

Day 1. March 13, 2023. Late evening arrival in Abidjan. Preparing for the Expedition.  

Day 2 March 14, 2023. Today is a day for Abidjan itself, an old colonial city founded by the French in the late 18th century. We explore local architecture, cuisine, souvenir markets.  

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Day 3.15 March 2023.We start from the city of Grand Bassam, a city built on a sandbank between the lagoon and the ocean. This town was the first French capital on the Ivory Coast. The very well-preserved colonial architecture with the gem, the Post Office, adds to the atmosphere. We move further towards Abysso, where we will spend the night.   

Day 4. March 16, 2023.Early in the morning we cross the border with Ghana and head to the fort of Aksim, a Portuguese city since 1515. In general, the coast of Ghana is simply strewn with colonial castles and forts, they carefully guarded the coast because it was the richest gold in all of West Africa. In the evening we arrive at the beach resort of Anomabu.  

Day 5 March 17, 2023.The whole day is devoted to pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial history, castles and forts, streets and bazaars, museums and galleries. The impression of the day will be Elmina Castle - the oldest and largest building in Africa (UNESCO site).

For a snack, we will leave the streets of the old pre-colonial city of Posuban.  

Day 6 March 18, 2023.We leave for central Ghana to Kumasi, the historical and spiritual capital of the ancient state of Ashanti. One and a half million Kumasi, in addition to its history, is famous for its fantastic Central Market, the largest in Africa.

Today we also visit the Ashanti Cultural Center with the richest collection of Ashanti artifacts. Then the culmination is a visit to the traditional Ashanti funeral (if available and there are no unforeseen reasons), a funeral where not sorrow and tears rule, but happiness and fun. Then we will see for ourselves and live).  

Day 7. March 19, 2023.We will take part in the Akwasidae festival - a celebration in the royal palace itself with the participation of all high-ranking royal persons: sword and knife bearers, armed guards, bearers of beautiful ostrich feather fans, etc.

The king himself sits majestically on a throne adorned with massive centuries-old ornaments (gold ornaments and Ashanti masks are considered masterpieces of African art).
After lunch, a trip to the villages in the outskirts.  

Day 8.20 March 2023.Departure to the capital Accra. We will see the city for a bit and visit the most intimate thing in the afterlife - a coffin-making workshop. Coffins are made in the form of what a person did before death. For example, a pilot will be buried in an airplane, a lumberjack in a tree trunk, a fruit seller in a banana, and a fisherman in a fish.    

Day 9.21 March 2023. We leave for Togo, the capital of Lome. Lome is one of the rare capitals, and indeed cities in Africa, where the Germans, British and French ruled in turn. 

Of course, where without a market, and even one that is controlled by Nana Benz women, dressed in colorful fabrics, which are sold throughout West Africa and beyond. We are also waiting for the market of potions for love pleasures, rituals and Voodoo spells.  

Day 10.22 March 2023.We are going to Benin. The rest of the tour will focus on the Wuddu culture. Voodoo is the main religion in the coastal regions of Togo and Benin, authentic ceremonies are practiced by numerous adherents. The frantic rhythm of the drums and the chants of the initiates "calling" the spirits, which will manifest themselves by possessing some of the participants who fall into a deep trance: eye rolling, grimaces, convulsions, insensitivity to fire or pain. Sakpata, Heviosso, Mami Water are just some of the voodoo deities that can manifest... Surrounded by the magical atmosphere of the ceremony, we will understand what the locals mean when they say: “In your churches you pray to God; in our voodoo temple we become gods!”. In the evening we arrive in the small coastal town of Gran Popo.  

Day 11.23 March 2023.We will get acquainted with the Zangbeto cult. The Zangbeto mask is very tall and covered with colored straw. The mask represents wild, inhuman spirits (the forces of nature that inhabited the Earth before man). The mask wearers belong to a secret society and hide their identity. When Zangbeto dances, it is an event for the whole village. Its execution guarantees protection from evil spirits and witchcraft. The rotating movement of the mask symbolizes the spiritual cleansing of the village. Zangbeto also performs "miracles" to prove his strength.

We leave for Ouidu - once the local center of the slave trade. Of course, there will be a road of slaves, and doors of no return, and heart-rending stories of the past, when a person's life in Africa was worth nothing.  

Day 12.24 March 2023. We leave for the village of Ganvie - the largest village on stilts in Africa. You can get to it only by motor boats, which we will do, leaving our transport on the shore. Breeding fish according to ancient breeding technology is their main activity. The village surprisingly managed to preserve its traditional character.

In the evening we go to the airport and fly home.  

Tour price: from 3590 euros per person in a double room.

Supplement for single occupancy - 800 euros

Our Telegram channel with all the news and updates on Expeditions

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Included in the price:

• accommodation according to the program (hotels, guest houses, overnight stays with local families);
• all meals (full breakfast and dinner, lunch - a snack on the way);
• guide services (English or French);
• all excursions mentioned in the program;
• transfer to / from the airport;
• tourist tax;
• payment for products and services;
• charitable donation to a local foundation. 

The price does not include:

• international flight;
• visa;
• vaccinations;
• insurance (travel, health, cancellation);
• beverages;
• other meals not mentioned in the program;
• souvenirs;
• personal expenses;
• vehicle or room upgrade;
• additional activities.

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