Voodoo & Vibes of West Africa

Day 1: Accra

Border information: if you are joining in Accra, then you will most likely enter Ghana at Accra Kotoka International Airport (IATA code: ACC).

There will be an important group meeting at 10:00am at the joining hotel - please look out at the hotel reception for a note from your leader with more details about this important meeting. Your leader will collect your kitty and check your passport, visas, and insurance details at this meeting.

The afternoon will be free to explore the city of Accra.

Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Accra before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Accra.

In Accra we will stay in a comfortable hotel with good facilities.

Day 2: Akosombo

This morning, we will apply for Togo visas at the Togolese Embassy in Accra. Once they are issued, we will leave Accra and head north to the village of Akosombo.

In Akosombo we will stay in a campsite next to the River Volta.

Estimated Drive Time - 3-4 hours (please note that all drive times given here are the approximate number of hours that the truck will be in motion only, and does not include any time taken for coffee or lunch stops, border crossings, photo stops, activities en route, comfort breaks, shopping stops, toilet stops, etc. The times given are approximate estimates only and whilst given with the best of intentions, the drive times are heavily dependent on traffic, road conditions, weather, police roadblocks, and many other factors - flexibility is essential on any overland trip!).

Day 3: Lake Volta

Today we will have an included visit to the nearby Akosombo Dam, a major project built in the 1960s to provide almost all of Ghana's energy needs. The rest of the day will be free to relax at our campsite in Akosombo.

Day 4: Mont Klouto

Border information: Exit Ghana at Klouto, enter Togo at Klouto.

Today we will have a full day's drive to the spectacular Mont Klouto, crossing the border into Togo.

Estimated Drive Time - 5-6 hours.

In Mont Klouto we will stay in a campsite, with the option to upgrade to dorm accommodation.

Day 5: Mont Klouto

Today we will have a free day around the beautiful Mont Klouto region, with the opportunity to head out on optional forest walks or to visit Kpalim town nearby.

In the evening, we will head to the village centre to see a spectacular show of drumming and dancing from the local villagers.

Day 6: Central Togo

Over the next 2 days we will drive up the length of Togo, all the way through the remote northern border with Benin. We will wild camp for 1 night en route.

Estimated Drive Times - 6-7 hours each day.

Day 7: Tata Somba region

Border information: Exit Togo at Ketao, enter Benin at Ouak .

Today we will cross the border into Benin, before continuing our journey to the Tata Somba region close to the town of Tangui ta.

In Tangui ta we will stay in a basic local eco-lodge.

Estimated Drive Time - 6-7 hours.

Day 8: Tata Somba region

This morning we will go on an included walking tour of the nearby Tata Somba villages with some of the local villagers. This is a fascinating visit to an area rarely visited by tourists, where we will learn a lot about the local traditional way of life and explore the famous two-storey mud huts of the area.

In the afternoon, there is the option to walk through the stunning area to some nearby waterfalls.

Day 9-10: Pendjari National Park

From the Tata Somba region we have a short journey north to the beautiful Pendjari National Park.

We will stay for two nights wild camping in the National Park, where we will have freedom to explore and head out on game drives in the truck in search of wildlife.

Estimated Drive Time - 4-5 hours to the park, then as much time as required on game drives.

Day 11: Central Benin

Today we have a full day's drive heading south through Benin. We will wild camp somewhere en route between the towns of Natitingou and Abomey.

Estimated Drive Time - 8-10 hours.

Day 12-13: Abomey

Our journey today continues to Abomey, the ancient capital of the Dahomey kingdom. On arrival we will take an included tour of the Dahomey Palace and Museum. We will then have a free day to explore the local area.

In Abomey we will stay in a campsite, with the possibility to upgrade to rooms for 2 nights.

Estimated Drive Time - 6-7 hours.

Day 14: Ganvie

This morning we will drive to Abomey-Calavi (a port on the outskirts of Cotonou), where we say goodbye to the truck for the night and jump aboard motorised pirogues to Ganvie, a fascinating town built entirely on stilts in the middle of Lake Nokou .

In Ganvie we will stay in a basic hotel in the stilt village itself!

Estimated Drive Time - 6-8 hours.

Day 15: Ouidah

Today we will start with an included tour of the stilt town of Ganvie, exploring deeper on our pirogues and soaking up the unique way of life in the floating village. Following this, we will head back to land to re-join the truck and drive along the coastal road to Ouidah, where we may hopefully see many of the local fishermen bringing their catch in.

In Ouidah we will camp at an auberge on the beach.

Estimated Drive Time - 1-3 hours.

Day 16: Grand Popo

Today we will take a very interesting half-day tour of the sites in Ouidah, including the Voodoo Python Temple, the "Route des Esclaves" (Slave Route), La Maison du Br sil art gallery and the Ouidah Museum of History in the old Portuguese Fort of S o Jo o Baptista de Ajud .

After this, a short drive from Ouidah brings us to Grand Popo, where we have 2 nights of well deserved relaxation on the beaches!

In Grand Popo we will camp at an auberge.

Estimated Drive Time - 1-2 hours.

Day 17: Grand Popo

Today we will have a free day at Grand Popo for relaxing on the beach or taking a pirogue trip around the nearby ocean and mangroves.

There is also an option this evening to visit an incredible local vodun (voodoo) ceremony in the nearby village, complete with very energetic dancing and incredible magic tricks! It may also be possible to take a night walk in search of Atlantic turtles, which lay their eggs on the beaches between November and March.

Day 18: Agbodrafo

Border information: Exit Benin and re-enter Togo at Hilla-Condji.

Leaving the beach behind, our journey continues over the border from Benin and back into Togo. We will head to the small quiet town of Agbodrafo on the southern shores of Lake Togo.

This afternoon we will take an included pirogue trip to Togoville, the centre of Vodun culture, where you will have a guided city tour and church visit.

In Agbodrafo we will camp in the grounds of an auberge on the lake shore.

Estimated Drive Time - 2-3 hours.

Day 19: Keta

Border information: exit Togo at Lom , enter Ghana at Aflao.

Today we will cross back into Ghana and head for Keta, where we will visit the very atmospheric and evocative ruins of the abondoned Fort Prinzenstein, built by the Danes 300 years ago as a transit point for transporting slaves to the Americas.

In Keta we will stay in a small local hotel.

Estimated Drive Time - 4-5 hours.

Day 20: Accra

The final drive of this trip takes us back to Accra, the chaotic capital of Ghana!

In Accra we will stay in a comfortable hotel with good facilities.

Estimated Drive Time - 4-5 hours.

Day 21: Accra

Border information: if you are leaving in Accra, you will most likely exit Ghana at Accra Kotoka International Airport (IATA code: ACC).

Today is the end day for passengers finishing their trip in Accra. Please note there is no accommodation included on the trip tonight - please contact the Dragoman Sales team if you are interested in booking extra nights of accommodation in order to fully explore and take part in some of the optional activities listed below.