Day 01 – Jan 7, 2026: Arrive Lomé (TOGO)

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)

Day 02 – Jan 8, 2026: Lomé/Grand Popo (Drive) - Voodoo Festival (BENIN)

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. An interesting part here is the administrative quarter, where the ambiance of the colonial era still lingers; and the fetish market 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)

Day 03 – Jan 9, 2026: Grand Popo/Ouidah (Drive) - Voodoo Festival

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, where numerous Voodoo ceremonies take place. 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)

Day 04 – Jan 10, 2026: Ouidah & Ganvié Stilt Village

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. (B, L, D)

Day 05 – Jan 11, 2026: Ouidah/Dassa – Celestial Church & Traditional Rituals (Drive 220 kms)

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. 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. Another highlight will be the mesmerizing sight of various masks performing acrobatic dances on stilts, adding to the mysticism of the day. Later, we continue our drive to Dassa.

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

Day 06 – Jan 12, 2026: Dassa/Kasa – Fetish Hills & Taneka Villages (Drive 370 kms) (TOGO)

Today promises a full day of cultural immersion. We begin by visiting the Dankoli Fetish, a unique shrine where ancient animistic cults continue to be practiced. Here, thousands of short sticks are inserted around the fetish as offerings for wishes such as a good harvest, a successful wedding, or easy childbirth. The presence of sacrifices and traces of palm alcohol and oil mark the fulfillment of prayers made by the faithful.

Afternoon, explore the Taneka villages, where round adobe huts with conical roofs are topped with terra cotta pots. The village is inhabited by young initiates of the fetish priests, who wear goat skin and carry long pipes. The Taneka people, believed to be the earliest inhabitants of the Kabye tribe, have lived in this mountain area since the 9th century. Over time, various ethnic groups have joined them, each maintaining its own cultural traditions. As we wander through the village, you may encounter young initiates adorned only in amulets or elders wearing ceremonial skins. The Taneka believe that life is a continuous path, not defined by before and after, but by a lifetime of rituals and sacrifices. We cross the border to Togo.

Overnight: Hotel Kara, Kasa (1 night) (B, L, D)
(Ensuite rooms with air conditioning)

Day 07 – Jan 13, 2026: Kara/Tamberma Valley – Adobe Castles and Sacred Rituals (Drive)

We begin our day in the heart of Tamberma land, a region known for its naturally fortified, castle-like dwellings. The Tamberma people, seeking refuge from slave traders, built these fortified homes in the remote Atakora Mountains, making them nearly inaccessible. The unfortunate captured were shipped as slaves to the Americas. Their strong animist beliefs are visible in the large shrines at the entrances to their homes. We’ll enter the homes of the Tamberma people, with their permission, to better understand their way of life. Their architecture is one of the most beautiful examples of ancient African designs. Next, we visit the Kabye dwellings, called "Soukala," which consist of several adobe huts joined by a wall, each serving as the domain of a patriarchal family. In the mountain villages, women are potters using an ancient technique, while men are blacksmiths, working with heavy stones rather than anvils.

Evening, we witness a spectacular ritual: participants gather around a large fire, dancing to hypnotic drumbeats before leaping into the glowing embers. Some pick up burning coals and pass them over their bodies or even swallow them without showing any signs of harm. Is this magic, self-suggestion, or the power of the fetishes protecting them? It remains a mystery.

Overnight: Hotel Lamirelle, Kasa (1 night) (B, L, D)
(Ensuite rooms with air conditioning). No twin rooms available here.

Day 08 – Jan 14, 2026: Green Valleys of Sokodé/Kpalimé (Drive 290 kms)

We begin our day by traveling south to the town of Atakpamé, a typical African town set on hills, where we will see local men at work on small weaving looms, crafting the brightly colored “Kente” fabric. This town is known for its vibrant markets filled with products sourced from the surrounding forests. From Atakpamé, we continue to the lush green area of Kpalimé, a town with a rich colonial history, now an important hub for cocoa and coffee trading. We take a walk through the scenic hills surrounding Kpalimé, passing through villages and farms. To get a better understanding we will be accompanied by a local entomologist who will introduce us to the diverse world of butterflies and other colorful insects that thrive in this region.

Overnight: Hotel Jess, Kpalimé (1 night) (B, L, D)
(Ensuite rooms with air conditioning)

Day 09 – Jan 15, 2026: Sokodé/Koforidua – Krobo Tribe and Bead Making (Drive 220 kms) (GHANA)

This morning, we reach the Krobo tribe settlement, renowned for its intricate glass beads. The Krobo people have been producing and wearing these beads for centuries, using them for both ceremonial and aesthetic purposes. We will visit an artisan community where bead-making is still practiced using traditional methods. The process begins with grinding scrap glass into a fine powder, which is then placed into hand-crafted clay molds and covered with kaolin. After being cooked, the beads are washed, decorated, and strung. You will have the opportunity to have a hands-on with a Krobo helping you to navigate and get your own bead during this immersive experience. Later, we drive through the picturesque Volta Region and cross into Ghana.

Overnight: New Capital View, Koforidua (1 night) (B, L, D)
(Ensuite rooms with air conditioning)

Day 10 – Jan 16, 2026: Koforidua/Kumasi – Exploring Ashanti Kingdom (Drive 200 kms)

Our journey today takes us to Kumasi, the historical and spiritual heart of the Ashanti Empire, one of the most powerful and influential kingdoms in African history. Kumasi is home to nearly two million people and boasts one of the largest and most vibrant markets in Africa, where you can find a wide array of Ashanti crafts, such as leather goods, pottery, and the famous Kente cloth. At the Ashanti Cultural Centre, we will explore a fascinating collection of Ashanti artifacts housed in a replica of an Ashanti house. If timing has it, we may also have the rare privilege of witnessing a traditional Ashanti funeral. In Ashanti culture, funerals are not somber occasions but rather festive celebrations that honor the deceased, who are believed to return as ancestors to protect their family. During the ceremony, mourners don beautiful red or black togas, and the chief arrives with his court, accompanied by drumbeats that set the rhythm for symbolic dances.

Overnight: Miklin Hotel, Kumasi (2 nights) (B, L, D)
(Ensuite rooms with air conditioning)

Day 11 – Jan 17, 2026: Kumasi – Royal Palaces & Ashanti Traditions

We continue our exploration of Kumasi with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, where you will see a unique collection of gold jewelry that was worn by the Ashanti court. No visit to Kumasi is complete without meeting one of the Ashanti kings. We will have the honor of entering the courtyard of a prominent chief, who will be adorned in traditional cloth and antique gold jewelry. Under a large colored umbrella, the chief will explain his role as a traditional leader in modern-day Ghana. Later, we venture to nearby Ashanti villages, where we meet local families and learn about their customs. Don’t be surprised to hear many villagers speak fluent English, often referred to as the “Queen’s English”  or “King’s English”. (B, L, D)

Day 12 – Jan 18, 2026: Kumasi/Anomabu – Slave Castles and Coastal History (Drive 250 kms)

Today, we drive along the scenic coastline of Ghana, once known as the Gold Coast. Along this stretch, there are more than 50 ancient forts and castles that hark back to the region’s role in the gold, ivory, and slave trade. Our first stop is Cape Coast Castle, originally built by the Swedish in 1653 and later controlled by the Dutch, Danes, and finally the British. Today, the castle hosts a museum dedicated to the tragic history of the transatlantic slave trade.

Overnight: Anomabu Beach Resort, Anomabu (2 nights) (B, L, D)
(Ensuite rooms with air conditioning)

Day 13 – Jan 19, 2026: Elmina/Kakum National Park/Anomabu – Exploring Ghana's Coastal Heritage

This morning, we embark on an adventure into Kakum National Park, one of Ghana’s most treasured rainforests. The park is home to the longest and highest canopy walkway in the world, suspended 120-150 feet above the ground. Walking through the canopy, you enjoy breathtaking views of the forest as the trees stretch up towards the sky.

This activity is optional and not recommended for those with a fear of heights.

Next, we visit Elmina Castle, the oldest European building in sub-Saharan Africa, constructed by the Portuguese in the 15thCcentury. Elmina Castle has served as a warehouse for gold, ivory, and slaves, and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. We will also visit the 1806 built Dutch Castle, where you will see a vibrant fishing village with colorful wooden boats. Fishermen navigate these boats across the rough ocean waves to make their living. In the town’s old quarter, we’ll visit the Posuban, shrines of the Asafo companies, where warriors continue the practice of pouring libations to honor their ancestors. (B, L, D)

Day 14 – Jan 20, 2026: Anomabu/Accra – Adieu! (Drive 180 kms)

Our final day begins with a drive to Accra, the bustling capital of Ghana. Despite rapid developments, Accra has retained its unique identity with modern buildings standing alongside colonial-era villas. We will visit James Town, a historic neighborhood inhabited by the Ga people. This traditional village, which faces the ocean, operates under rules than the surrounding city, offering a glimpse into the everyday life of Accra’s residents.

Next, we visit a workshop specializing in “fantasy coffins,” handcrafted coffins designed in the shape of fruits, animals, cars, airplanes, and more—limited only by the imagination. These colorful coffins are now sought after worldwide as collectors' items and are displayed in museums. Afternoon, enjoy some leisure time, with a late checkout until 6:00 PM on the house so you can freshen before we transfer you to the airport for your oneard flight. Recommended that your departure flight out of Accra is not before 2000hrs. A good opportunity to combine this tour with our other tours/safaris to Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, etc. (B)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

We accept payments in US$, CA$ as well as in other convertible currencies like EUR, AUD and GBP. Tour prices have been costed in US$. CA$ price shown below is an indicative amount reached at by using the conversion rate at the time of web posting and will be applicable if there is no change in the conversion rate. Should the currency conversion rate change, the US$ pricing will prevail. Bestway Tours & Safaris offers a conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please click here

Notes

Inclusions

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 16 participants

Customised Itinerary

If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.

Contact Info
Email us at bestway@bestway.com or call 1-604-264-7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1-800-663-0844.

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