Ghana, Togo and Benin. Woodoo and Aquasidae Festival

Arrival in Lomé and transfer to the hotel. 

Discover Lomé, a cosmopolitan coastal capital shaped by German, British, and French influences and home to diverse African and Afro-Brazilian communities. Stroll through its lively central market, meet the iconic “Nana Benz” traders, and explore the largest fetish market in Africa, where ancient spiritual traditions come alive. Immerse yourself in Lomé’s vibrant art scene, visiting a local gallery and connecting with a new generation of Togolese artists before unwinding at a lakeside retreat on Lake Togo.

Spend a full day exploring the mystical world of Voodoo, the living faith of southern Togo, Benin, and Ghana. Visit remote villages where ancient shrines bear witness to countless prayers for love, prosperity, and protection, marked by wooden pegs and offerings to the spirits.

Enjoy lunch in Aneho, Togo’s first capital, followed by a tranquil boat ride between lake and estuary, then continue to Glidji, the country’s most sacred village, to meet priestesses adorned in white and glass beads.

Conclude the day at an authentic Voodoo ceremony, where drumming, chanting, and dance summon the gods, and devotees enter deep trances under the spell of the divine. Return to your serene lakeside hotel, filled with the spirit of Africa’s ancient traditions.

Benin border crossing (Hilla Kodji / Save Kodji).

In a remote village, witness the mesmerizing Zangbeto mask dances of the Fon people—straw-covered spirits that guard the community and ward off evil. As the masks whirl and spin, they cleanse the village of negativity, their movements charged with mystery and power.

Continue to Ouidah, once a major slave port of the Dahomey Kingdom, now a city of Afro-Brazilian charm and deep spiritual heritage. Visit the sacred Python Temple, where an ancient Voodoo cult still thrives, and walk the historic Slave Road to the poignant Door of No Return, where history and memory meet the sea.

Cross Lake Nokwe by motorboat to reach Ganvié, Africa’s largest and most enchanting stilt village, where life unfolds on water and traditions remain strong. Watch fishermen, market women, and children in colourful canoes glide gracefully across the lake’s calm surface. Return to the mainland and continue to Abomey, exploring ancient caves and traces of the once-mighty Dahomey Kingdom.

Start the day with the Gelede Mask dances, a vibrant Yoruba celebration honoring Mother Earth, where brightly painted masks bring myths and moral stories to life with humour and theatrical flair. Travel through scenic rock hills to a Fulani encampment, meeting nomadic shepherds known for their striking beauty, intricate facial tattoos, and serene connection with the land.

In the afternoon, witness the Egun mask ritual, where initiates representing ancestral spirits parade through the village, combining awe, theatricality, and a powerful sense of the sacred.

Day driving to the North, brief stop at Dankoli Shrine in Savalou, then on to meet a tribal King. His Majesty Atchiba II will receive us in a large round building, the room of the Council of the Elders. The King, sitting on the throne, will be surrounded by his notables in traditional costumes. His Majesty rules the Anii peoples settling between the central part of Benin and Togo. 

Track and road in a hilly landscape will bring us to Togo border at Soudou and to Kara, the “capital” of north Togo, where we will spend two nights. 

We will set off to the remote valleys of the Tamberma people. Their fortified clay dwellings, like true miniature medieval castles, have protected them from invaders for centuries. Built by hand, layer by layer, these homes combine strength, beauty, and tradition, reflecting the deep animist beliefs of the Tamberma, as each entrance is guarded by sacred altars.

With the permission of the inhabitants, we will explore one of these dwellings from the inside to experience their unique way of life amid landscapes listed as UNESCO World Heritage. After this, we will return to our cozy base in the Kara region.

(Optional, but included in the program): breakfast with elephants. We will start the day with breakfast among African savannas, in the company of two young elephants rescued from poachers, who now freely approach visitors, demonstrating trust and friendliness.

Then our route will pass through the mountains to get acquainted with the Kabye people, visit their clay sukula dwellings, see how women shape pottery by hand, and how men forge iron using ancient techniques.

In the evening, we will witness the incredible fire dance of the Tem tribe — a thrilling combination of agility, courage, and spiritual strength, as dancers jump through flames and touch red-hot coals while remaining unharmed.

We will witness the performance of the Kotokoli cavalry and the Fantasia tradition — an ancient custom in which skilled horsemen demonstrate remarkable mastery, galloping and dancing to the rhythm of drums in bright costumes.

Next, we will head south, making a stop in Atakpamé — a charming hill town known for its forest resources and vibrant Kente fabrics, which local artisans weave on traditional looms.

Then we will arrive in Kpalimé — a historic center of cocoa and coffee cultivation, where we will explore nearby villages and farms, learning from a local guide about the medicinal and culinary plants of this region.

Border crossing into Ghana through the Volta Region.

Borders on the Togo side: Kpadape.

We will visit the Krobo tribe, known for using bright glass beads in rituals and everyday life. We will visit a craft community and see traditional bead-making techniques that have been preserved for several centuries. We will even be able to try creating our own bead, going through the entire process — from crushing the glass and forming the pattern to firing it in clay molds.

Then we will continue the journey along a scenic route through lush tropical forests and hills to reach the colorful Ghanaian city of Koforidua.

IWe will discover Kumasi — the historical and spiritual heart of the Ashanti Kingdom, which was once one of the most powerful empires in Africa. We will see how Ashanti pride is preserved during ceremonies in honor of the Asantehene (the king), and explore the lively central market, one of the largest on the continent. Here we will find a variety of crafts, Kente fabrics, leather goods, ceramics, beads, as well as a vibrant selection of tropical fruits and vegetables.

We will have lunch at Jofel, a well-known Ghanaian restaurant offering an excellent combination of local and European cuisine.

In the afternoon, if possible, we will take part in a traditional Ashanti funeral ceremony — a festive event during which mourners in red and black togas honor the memory of the deceased. The chief and his court will gather under large umbrellas while drums set the rhythm for symbolic dances that celebrate memory, lineage, and the unity of the community.

After the ceremony, we will go to the hotel.

Saturday evening in Kumasi is full of life, with live music playing in the hotel restaurant. After dinner, we will be able to experience the atmosphere of the local nightlife and listen to the city’s music.

In the morning, we will continue exploring Kumasi by visiting the Ashanti Cultural Center — a true treasure of artifacts housed in a beautiful reconstruction of a traditional Ashanti house. We will then visit the Royal Palace Museum, which preserves a unique collection of gold jewelry used at the Ashanti court, as well as ancient gold regalia.

After lunch, we will visit several Ashanti villages known for their traditional crafts, hand-printed Adinkra fabrics with symbolic patterns, and wood carving.

We will head to Kakum National Park — a true wonder of the tropical forest, where a suspended walkway at a height of 35–45 meters above the ground offers breathtaking views of the treetops and the life of the forest below.

After walking through the park, we will travel to the coast of Ghana, dotted with more than 50 historic forts and castles that tell the story of the trade in gold, ivory, and the transatlantic slave trade.

We will visit Elmina Castle (Sao Jorge da Mina) — the oldest and largest European structure in Africa, built by the Portuguese in 1482 and now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In its historic halls, trade in gold, ivory, and enslaved people once took place.

Outside, we will be captivated by the lively fishing harbor, where experienced fishermen skillfully handle large wooden canoes, overcoming powerful ocean waves for their daily catch.

During a short sea trip, we will see the fishing port from the inside and experience the ocean from a new, unusual perspective.

We will visit a neighboring town to see the Posuban shrines — monuments of the Asafo warrior communities of the Fante people, where rituals and sacrifices are still performed in honor of the guardian spirits of their communities.

Then we will head to Accra — the capital of Ghana, where modern life harmoniously blends with history: from elegant colonial villas to the lively James Town district — a coastal quarter full of life. We will visit the National Museum and a workshop and see how “fantasy coffins” are created — unique works of art that reflect local creativity and have already gained worldwide recognition.

In the evening, transfer to the airport.