Gods and ghosts; sorcerers and witches; magic spells and sacred snakes; welcome to the land of voodoo! On this truly unique adventure we gain an insight into this intriguing religion, to look at the myth and reality in the place where it all began, thousands of years ago in this remote corner of west Africa.

Voodoo Villages & Python Temple
Overlooking the Gulf of Guinea, Togo's vibrant capital Lome provides our introduction to West Africa and the cult of voodoo. We visit Akodessewa fetish market with its bizarre display of religious and medicinal ingredients before heading east to rural villages where voodoo shrines and fetish ceremonies dominate the lives of local people. Over the border in Benin, we take a trip along the Mono river to explore remote villages before visiting the python temple and Portuguese fort in the old slave trade post of Ouidah. Later we take pirogues across Lake Nokoue to the stilt village of Ganvie. We spend a night in this traditional fishing community and may have a privileged encounter with a local Bokono oracle.

Ancient Kingdoms & Gelede Ceremony
At Abomey we visit the Royal Palaces of the pre-colonial kingdom of Dahomey. With thrones of human skulls and walls made with human blood, the history of Dahomey is steeped in tales of brutality and extravagance before its eventual conquest by the French. At nearby Cove, we aim to witness a Gelede mask ceremony, dedicated to the great earth mother divinity Oudua. Returning south at Ketou we hope to meet the local Oba (Yoouba king) before our journey ends in Benin's capital Porto Novo. Here we visit the markets and old Portuguese town as well as King Toffa's palace, the old throne of one of Sub-Saharan Africa's longest royal dynasties.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Join Lome (Togo). 2 Sightseeing in Lome; drive Agbodrafo via voodoo villages. 3 Boat trip along Mono river (Benin); continue to Ouidah. 4 Visit Ouidah; pirogue to Ganvie stilt village. 5 Drive Abomey; visit Royal Palace; mask ceremony at Cove. 6 Drive Porto Novo via Ketou; continue to Cotonou; where tour ends.

Accommodation: 4nts hotel, 1nt stilt village; 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 4 dinners included.
Transport: 4WD Landcruisers and/or minibus/Boat.
Comment: An extraordinary short journey to two of Africa's least-known nations. Travel is mainly on roads and well-maintained tracks but come prepared for some rough rides. Accommodation is basic in some locations. Whilst we expect to follow the itinerary above, please note that some of the visits included on this tour are by their nature unpredictable and cannot be guaranteed.
Group: Approx. 12 to 16.
Staff: Explore Tour Leader, driver(s) & cook.
Trip Reference: AWA