Welcome to Lomé, Togo’s vibrant capital! Founded by the Ewe people in the 18th century, Lomé became the capital of the German colony of Togoland in 1897. Unique in its history, Lomé is the only African city to have been governed by the Germans, British, and French, and is one of the few capitals in the world that borders another nation. This distinctive heritage is reflected in the city's architecture and the lifestyle of its people.

Upon arrival at Lomé International Airport, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel. Check-in begins at 3:00 PM, and the rest of the day is free for you to relax and unwind.

Overnight: Hotel Onomo, Lome (1 night)
(Ensuite rooms with air conditioning)

We start with exploring the central market, renowned for its influential "Nana Benz" traders for the luxurious "pagne" fabric imported from Europe and distributed across West Africa (unfortunately, the market has been partially destroyed by fire). We continue on to the administrative quarter, where the ambiance of the colonial era still lingers, then the fetish market, which  offers an eclectic assortment of ingredients for love potions and magical concoctions. Moving to a remote village, we'll participate in the Voodoo ceremony. Listen to the frenetic rhythm of drums and the chants of the adepts as they summon the voodoo spirits.

These spirits take possession of some dancers, plunging them into a deep trance. They exhibit signs of being possessed with eyes rolling back, grimaces, convulsions - yet remaining impervious to fire or pain. Among the voodoo divinities that may manifest are Sakpata, Heviesso, and Mami Water. In this intimate setting, surrounded by the enchanting atmosphere of the ceremony, we'll come to grasp the significance of the saying: "In your churches, you pray to God; in our voodoo shrines, we become Gods!".  Cross into Benin.

Overnight: Hotel Awale Plage, Grand Popo (1 night) (B, L, D)
(Swimming pool, ensuite rooms with air conditioning)

Every second Friday of January, Benin celebrates Voodoo Day, a national celebration of the traditional religion. Today, we partake in the Voodoo Festival in a more traditional, intimate setting—away from the large crowds and traffic. You will enjoy authentic Sacred Masks dances, colorful costumes adorned with red feathers, and the ceremonial drumming and dancing of Voodoo followers. The enthusiastic participation of villagers will make this experience even more enriching.

Afterwards, we drive to Ouidah, the spiritual capital of Benin that hosts the most famous festival in the country. Here, you will see various types of Voodoo masks and interact with esteemed Voodoo chiefs wearing traditional attire.

Overnight: Hotel Casa del Papa, Ouidah (2 nights) (B, L, D)
(Swimming pool, oceanfront bungalows with ensuire and air conditioning)

Morning, we explore the historical significance of Ouidah, a key town in the transatlantic slave trade. Ouidah is home to rare Afro-Brazilian architecture, and its spiritual atmosphere is marked by the juxtaposition of the Voodoo Python Temple and the Catholic Cathedral.

We will then head to Lake Nokwe, where we embark on a motorized boat to reach Ganvié, the largest and most picturesque stilt village in Africa. Ganvié, home to around 25,000 people of the Tofinou ethnic group, is a unique settlement of wooden huts built on teak stilts. Despite its long history, the village has preserved its traditions and natural beauty.

Daily life in Ganvié revolves around dugout canoes, with men fishing, women trading at the floating market, and children navigating to school or playing. The serene beauty of the village provides a rare glimpse into a way of life that remains connected to the water. Return to Ouidah for dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)

Today, we begin our journey towards Dassa. On this Sunday, we have the unique opportunity to participate in the services of the Celestial Church cult, where dozens of individuals clad in white attire come together for a vibrant prayer session. Here, Christian symbols blend seamlessly with animist beliefs, creating an atmosphere of spiritual celebration, prayer, and displays of possession. In Abomey, we will see the Royal Palace (currently closed to refurbishment) and meet with a community of “forgerons”, who have produced weapons for Dahomey kings for centuries. We also witness the sacred performance of Sakpata, the deity associated with smallpox, as he is adorned with a necklace of cowry shells and engages in energetic dances, along with acrobatic dances on stilts.

Overnight: Hotel Tennessee/Hotel Bis, Abomey (1 night) (B, L, D)
(Basic ensuite rooms with air conditioning)

Early departure for a day immersed in living traditions and cultural encounters. We travel to a Yoruba–Fon settlement to witness the striking Gelede mask dances, a community celebration honouring Mother Earth and fertility. Brightly painted, intricately carved masks come alive through mime and movement, sharing myths and moral tales that are both playful and deeply symbolic, delighting crowds with humour and theatre.

Continuing through a landscape of rocky hills, we visit a Fulani encampment. Traditionally nomadic herders, the Fulani are known for their distinctive beauty, facial tattoos, and close relationship with their cattle, producing milk and cheese for local markets. In the afternoon, we attend an Egun mask ceremony, where elaborately dressed initiates embody ancestral spirits, emerging from the forest in a dramatic procession that inspires awe, respect, and a powerful sense of the spiritual world.

Overnight: Hotel Jeko, Dassa (1 night) (B, L, D)
(Basic ensuite rooms with air conditioning)

We travel north with a short stop at the Dankoli Shrine in Savalou before continuing to visit a tribal king. His Majesty Atchiba II welcomes us into the circular Council of Elders chamber, where he sits on the throne surrounded by senior figures dressed in traditional attire. The King presides over the Anii people, whose communities span central Benin and neighboring Togo. Following the customary greeting, we have the opportunity to learn about the Anii’s origins, history, and present-day leadership directly from the King and his council.

Continuing along tracks and roads through a rolling, hilly landscape, we cross the border into Togo at Soudou and proceed to Kara, the principal city of northern Togo, where we stay for two nights.

Overnight: Hotel Lumen Valley/Hotel Kara, Kara (2 nights) (B, L, D)
(Ensuite bungalows with air conditioning)

We travel by track into the remote valleys of the Tamberma people, who for centuries sought refuge in the rugged Atakora Mountains to protect themselves from slave raids. Here, they developed remarkable fortified adobe homes, resembling small castles, built layer by layer using traditional mud techniques. These sculptural dwellings, admired even by architect Le Corbusier, reflect the Tamberma’s deep commitment to animist traditions, symbolized by sacred shrines guarding each home.

Known locally as Tamberma, Betammaribe, or Somba depending on the valley, these communities share a common way of life and architectural heritage. We focus on the Tamberma of Togo, whose untouched landscape, sacred baobabs, and unique architecture have been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. With permission, we visit inside some homes to better understand daily life before returning to our base in the Kara region. (B, L, D)

A unique optional morning experience is available - breakfast in the bush with two young female elephants who were rescued after losing their mother to poachers. Raised with care, they roam freely near a local settlement and often choose to join visitors, creating a gentle and memorable encounter.

We then drive into the mountains to visit the Kabye people, known for their traditional soukala compounds of joined adobe huts. Here, women practice ancestral pottery without wheels, while men continue Iron Age–era blacksmithing techniques using stone tools. Continuing on, we arrive in Sokodé, home to the Kotokoli and Tem peoples. In the evening, we visit a Tem village to witness the powerful fire dance, where performers move to hypnotic drumming and handle burning embers with astonishing calm, a ritual that blends belief, courage, and deep tradition.

Overnight: Hotel Solim/Hotel Lamireille, Sokode (1 night) (B, L, D)
(Ensuite rooms with air conditioning)

*Please note no Twins are available at this accommodation.

In the past, the Kotocoli—an Islamised people from the north—established their authority through a powerful cavalry tradition. That legacy lives on today in their equestrian displays and the “Fantasia,” a practice introduced centuries ago by North African Arabs. This striking spectacle showcases the riders’ exceptional horsemanship as warriors in traditional dress urge elaborately adorned horses into rhythmic movements and thrilling gallops, set to the beat of drums and evoking a medieval world.

We then travel south, stopping in Atakpame, a lively hill town where forest products are traded and local artisans weave vibrant Kente cloth on traditional looms. Continuing to Kpalimé, a town shaped by its colonial heritage and known for cocoa and coffee trading, we explore the surrounding hills on foot. Accompanied by a local guide, we discover village life, farms, and the plants central to traditional African herbal medicine.

Overnight: Hotel Residence Parc/Jess Hotel, Kpalime (1 night) (B, L, D)
(Ensuite rooms with air conditioning)

Cross into Ghana via the Volta Region at the Kpadape border post on the Togo side. We continue to the Krobo area, renowned for its traditional glass bead culture. The Krobo people create and wear beads for ceremonies and adornment, using techniques passed down for generations. We visit a local bead-making community to observe the process—and try making a bead ourselves. Recycled glass is crushed into powder, carefully patterned, placed into hand-crafted clay moulds coated with kaolin, then fired, cleaned, decorated, and finally strung.

A scenic drive through lush tropical forest, rolling hills, and mountain landscapes leads us to the vibrant town of Koforidua. 

Overnight: New Capital View, Koforidua (1 night) (B, L, D)
(Swimming pool, gym, ensuite rooms with air conditioning)

Kumasi, the historical and spiritual heart of the Ashanti Kingdom, was once one of Africa’s most powerful realms. Tribute to the Asantehene (King) reflects the kingdom’s past glory and enduring Ashanti pride. The city, home to nearly four million people, has one of Africa’s largest markets, offering Ashanti crafts like leather goods, pottery, beads, Kente cloth, and a wide variety of tropical fruits and vegetables.

Lunch is at Jofel, a well-known Ghanaian chain offering local and Western cuisine. In the afternoon, we may attend a traditional Ashanti funeral—a festive ceremony where mourners wear red or black togas, honoring the deceased’s return as an ancestor. The chief arrives with his court under umbrellas while drummers guide dancers performing symbolic moves.

We then drive to the hotel to end the day.

Overnight: Hotel Lancaster, Kumasi (1 night) (B, L, D)
(4-star international standard, swimming pool, ensuite rooms with air conditioning)

In the morning, we continue exploring Kumasi with a visit to the Ashanti Cultural Centre, featuring a rich array of Ashanti artifacts displayed in a detailed replica of an Ashanti home. We also tour the Royal Palace Museum, home to a unique collection of Ashanti gold jewelry and ceremonial regalia.

In the afternoon, we visit local Ashanti villages to see traditional crafts, including hand-printed Adinkra textiles and carved artworks. Later, we drive south toward Elmina. 

Overnight: Golden Hill Parker Hotel, Elmina (2 nights) (B, L, D)
(Ensuite bungalows with air conditioning)

Ghana’s coast, once the Gold Coast, is dotted with over 50 historic forts and castles linked to the gold, ivory, and slave trades. We visit Elmina Castle (Sao Jorge da Mina), the oldest and largest European building in Africa, built by the Portuguese in 1482. The castle, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, has served as a warehouse for gold, ivory, and slaves. Facing it is a bustling traditional fishing harbor, where skilled fishermen navigate large wooden pirogues through strong ocean waves. We’ll explore the harbor by boat for a unique perspective.

A few kilometers inland, we enter Kakum National Park, home to a remarkable canopy walkway. Suspended 120–150 feet above the ground, the walkway offers stunning views of the rainforest canopy, allowing a rare perspective on the forest from above. (B, L, D)

In a nearby town, we visit the Posuban, colorful shrines of the Asafo companies featuring full-size statues, where Asafo warriors still perform libations. These warrior groups of the Fante tribes, active during the slave trade, continue to protect their communities.

We then drive to Accra, Ghana’s capital, which balances modern development with historic charm. The elegant administrative district, with villas from the 19th century, reflects Ghana’s colonial prosperity. We explore James Town, a historic Ga neighborhood by the ocean, where local life unfolds alongside the city. Highlights include the recently renovated National Museum and a workshop producing “fantasy coffins,” uniquely handcrafted coffins shaped like animals, vehicles, or other imaginative forms—now celebrated worldwide as contemporary African art.

In the evening, transfer to the airport for departure. 

Overnight: Airport View Hotel, Accra (Rooms for day-use until 6:00 PM) (B)
(Ensuite rooms with air conditioning)