Benin & Togo magical mystery tour
Click here to enquire about or book this holiday!
Basic information
Location: Benin, Togo
Departures: In 2010: 03.04 - 14.08 - 30.10 - 04.12
Duration: 8 days
Group size: 2 - 6+ people
Price: From £815 - £1535 (depending on size of group) including full board from breakfast day 2 to lunch day 8 and transport. Excluding dinner day 1 & 8, all drinks and flights.
What will I be doing on this trip?
This eight day tour of Benin and Togo introduces the traveller to the cultural heritage of these two amazing countries. Take to the vibrant markets of Lome famous for the selling of various ingredients for traditional medicines and incantations, visit rural villages where traditional ceremonies and rites are still alive today, be welcomed in to the homes of local communities, learn about the mysteries of fetish worship and voodoo by assisting rituals and ceremonies, and after all this excitement, relax and soak up the sun on a palm fringed beach. The company who operates this tour not only has more than 23 years experience in the area, but has also helped organisations such as National Geographic and The Discovery Channel with their local expertise.
My holiday itinerary...
Day 1: Arrival in Lome
Arrival in Lome and transfer to the hotel.
Day 2: Dancers of the impossible
Day two begins with an exploration of Lome, the vibrant capital of Togo. We will visit the central market of Lome with its famous Mercedes Mama’s (Nana-Benz), the colonial buildings in the administrative quarter, and the fetish market where an eclectic assortment of all the necessary ingredients for love potions and magical concoctions are sold.
Afterwards we travel north to Atakpame, a wonderful city surrounded by hills, so that we can visit the weavers of Kente, a fabric worn by kings and queens on ceremonial occasions.
Travelling to central Togo we visit villages inhabited by people indigenous to northern Togo. Their ancestors were forced to settle in central Togo by the colonial government many generations ago. Despite the passage of time the indigenous northerners practice their ancient traditions in order to maintain a symbolic link to the land of their origins.
In the evening we are invited to witness a fire-dance, which is an animist tradition still practiced today despite the century long presence of Islam. Trusting the power transmitted from father to son, the dancers throw themselves fearless into the fire. Not only do they walk on the burning embers, they also hold fire red coals in their hands and pass them over their body without leaving any burn marks on their skin.
Location: Benin, Togo
Departures: In 2010: 03.04 - 14.08 - 30.10 - 04.12
Duration: 8 days
Group size: 2 - 6+ people
Price: From £815 - £1535 (depending on size of group) including full board from breakfast day 2 to lunch day 8 and transport. Excluding dinner day 1 & 8, all drinks and flights.
What will I be doing on this trip?
This eight day tour of Benin and Togo introduces the traveller to the cultural heritage of these two amazing countries. Take to the vibrant markets of Lome famous for the selling of various ingredients for traditional medicines and incantations, visit rural villages where traditional ceremonies and rites are still alive today, be welcomed in to the homes of local communities, learn about the mysteries of fetish worship and voodoo by assisting rituals and ceremonies, and after all this excitement, relax and soak up the sun on a palm fringed beach. The company who operates this tour not only has more than 23 years experience in the area, but has also helped organisations such as National Geographic and The Discovery Channel with their local expertise.
My holiday itinerary...
Day 1: Arrival in Lome
Arrival in Lome and transfer to the hotel.
Day 2: Dancers of the impossible
Day two begins with an exploration of Lome, the vibrant capital of Togo. We will visit the central market of Lome with its famous Mercedes Mama’s (Nana-Benz), the colonial buildings in the administrative quarter, and the fetish market where an eclectic assortment of all the necessary ingredients for love potions and magical concoctions are sold.
Afterwards we travel north to Atakpame, a wonderful city surrounded by hills, so that we can visit the weavers of Kente, a fabric worn by kings and queens on ceremonial occasions.
Travelling to central Togo we visit villages inhabited by people indigenous to northern Togo. Their ancestors were forced to settle in central Togo by the colonial government many generations ago. Despite the passage of time the indigenous northerners practice their ancient traditions in order to maintain a symbolic link to the land of their origins.
In the evening we are invited to witness a fire-dance, which is an animist tradition still practiced today despite the century long presence of Islam. Trusting the power transmitted from father to son, the dancers throw themselves fearless into the fire. Not only do they walk on the burning embers, they also hold fire red coals in their hands and pass them over their body without leaving any burn marks on their skin.
Day 3: Traditional chiefs
Leaving Sokode we head towards the mountains of Malfakassa-Fasao. Here we visit the pioneers of iron-civilization in this part of Africa, the Bassar, who live in huts of clay and conical roofs.
We will then visit the region around the Massif Kabyé, populated by a population of the same name. Their traditional houses are called 'Soukala'. They are a group of huts joined together with a wall. Within each house lives only one patriarchal family. It is very interesting to see that the blacksmiths are still using stones instead of hammers to forge their wares, and women make traditional pottery and old style floors made up with pieces of potteries.
Leaving Sokode we head towards the mountains of Malfakassa-Fasao. Here we visit the pioneers of iron-civilization in this part of Africa, the Bassar, who live in huts of clay and conical roofs.
We will then visit the region around the Massif Kabyé, populated by a population of the same name. Their traditional houses are called 'Soukala'. They are a group of huts joined together with a wall. Within each house lives only one patriarchal family. It is very interesting to see that the blacksmiths are still using stones instead of hammers to forge their wares, and women make traditional pottery and old style floors made up with pieces of potteries.
Day 4: Castles of clay
Day four we enter the land of the Tamberma and Betammaribe, also known as the Somba that live in fortified dwellings. Similar in form to medieval castles, they are one of the most beautiful examples of ancient African architecture. With the permission granted us by the inhabitants we will enter their homes so we can better understand their way of life. In order to defend themselves, as well as a desire to escape all external influences, these people have for centuries sought refuge in the hard to access Atakora mountain chain. After visiting these wonderful people we cross the border to Benin, where we dine and sleep in a quaint hotel.
Day four we enter the land of the Tamberma and Betammaribe, also known as the Somba that live in fortified dwellings. Similar in form to medieval castles, they are one of the most beautiful examples of ancient African architecture. With the permission granted us by the inhabitants we will enter their homes so we can better understand their way of life. In order to defend themselves, as well as a desire to escape all external influences, these people have for centuries sought refuge in the hard to access Atakora mountain chain. After visiting these wonderful people we cross the border to Benin, where we dine and sleep in a quaint hotel.
Day 5: The mountain of the fetish priest
We discover the ancient villages of the Yom situated on the Yom mountain. These villages are composed of round huts covered with conical roofs and protected at the top by terracotta vases. The upper part of the village is inhabited by the fetish priests, dressed in goatskins, and their young initiates. This population has for centuries lived on an archaeological site. It seems the first inhabitants, of Kabye originating from Togo, occupied the mountain in the 9th century A.D. Afterwards, other populations joined the Kabye to form a kind of melting pot; each group has maintained its own culture and its own rites of initiation, and at the same time the entire population shares common institutions of power and cult practices.
We discover the ancient villages of the Yom situated on the Yom mountain. These villages are composed of round huts covered with conical roofs and protected at the top by terracotta vases. The upper part of the village is inhabited by the fetish priests, dressed in goatskins, and their young initiates. This population has for centuries lived on an archaeological site. It seems the first inhabitants, of Kabye originating from Togo, occupied the mountain in the 9th century A.D. Afterwards, other populations joined the Kabye to form a kind of melting pot; each group has maintained its own culture and its own rites of initiation, and at the same time the entire population shares common institutions of power and cult practices.
From the Yom villages we travel south along a road used by the herds of zebus and their nomadic shepherds, the Fulani.
At Savalou we visit an ancient shrine of the occult. On this mysterious site people travel hundreds of miles to invoke the fetish. This site is one of the most important animist sites in the region.
After the days exploration we dine and sleep in a charming hotel.
Day 6: The kingdom of Dahomey
We begin the day with a visit to the Royal Palace in Abomey. The walls of the palace are decorated with symbols of the ancient Dahomey kings. Now a museum, the palace displays the items belonging to the ancient kings: thrones, ancient cult alters, statues, costumes and arms. The economy of the Dahomey kingdom was based on war and the slave trade. In the middle of the royal courtyard is a temple build with a mixture of clay and human blood. At the height of their power there were up to 4.000 women in the palace harem.
Crossing Lake Nokwe by boat we reach Ganvie, the largest and most beautiful African stilt village. The approximately 18,000 inhabitants of the Tofinou ethnic group build their huts on teak stilts and cover the roofs with a thick layer of leaves. Fishing is the principal activity of the village which, because of their isolation, has preserved their particular customs. Life unfolds each day within the canoes that men, women and children, thanks to the brightly coloured poles, guide with ease. It is with these canoes that one fishes, that one gets about, and that one delivers goods to the market.
At Savalou we visit an ancient shrine of the occult. On this mysterious site people travel hundreds of miles to invoke the fetish. This site is one of the most important animist sites in the region.
After the days exploration we dine and sleep in a charming hotel.
Day 6: The kingdom of Dahomey
We begin the day with a visit to the Royal Palace in Abomey. The walls of the palace are decorated with symbols of the ancient Dahomey kings. Now a museum, the palace displays the items belonging to the ancient kings: thrones, ancient cult alters, statues, costumes and arms. The economy of the Dahomey kingdom was based on war and the slave trade. In the middle of the royal courtyard is a temple build with a mixture of clay and human blood. At the height of their power there were up to 4.000 women in the palace harem.
Crossing Lake Nokwe by boat we reach Ganvie, the largest and most beautiful African stilt village. The approximately 18,000 inhabitants of the Tofinou ethnic group build their huts on teak stilts and cover the roofs with a thick layer of leaves. Fishing is the principal activity of the village which, because of their isolation, has preserved their particular customs. Life unfolds each day within the canoes that men, women and children, thanks to the brightly coloured poles, guide with ease. It is with these canoes that one fishes, that one gets about, and that one delivers goods to the market.
Traveling from Ganvie we arrive in Ouidah. Ouidah is considered the spiritual capital of voodoo. In this old slave trading post, with its Afro-Portuguese architecture, we find sitting face to face the python temple and the Catholic Cathedral. The laid back attitude of the locals mixes with the thunder of the distant waves on the beach and the rhythm of the Tom-Tom to create an atmosphere outside of time and very well described by Bruce Chatwin in his book, "The Vice-Roi of Ouidah".
Walking the streets we visit the python temple and the Portuguese fort, now transformed into a museum, where the history of Ouidah is displayed. Afterwards, we finish our tour of the city by following the “slave route” to the beach where the slaves embarked. In this wonderful city we spend the night in a cosy hotel.
Walking the streets we visit the python temple and the Portuguese fort, now transformed into a museum, where the history of Ouidah is displayed. Afterwards, we finish our tour of the city by following the “slave route” to the beach where the slaves embarked. In this wonderful city we spend the night in a cosy hotel.
Day 7: Beaches, palm trees and the ocean
We spend a full day in a small motorboat along the Mono River exploring tiny villages where the old ways of extracting salt are still practiced. Our journey leads us to a marvellous estuary where the waters of the river and the ocean meeting, giving birth to contrasting forces playing with each other. Crossing the lagoons hemmed in by small forests of mangrove trees. Along the coast we see the fishermen living in villages built out of palm tree branches.
At night we dine and sleep at a charming hotel.
Day 8: Voodoo
We cross the border into Togo and visit a village hidden in the high grasses of the Savannah we are invited to attend a real Voodoo ceremony. To the hypnotic rhythm of the drums and chants, certain dancers fall into a deep trance: eyes rolling back, grimaces, convulsions, impervious to fire or pain. This is a typical demonstration of the profound African religious communion known as "possession of the spirits".
Afterwards we head to Lome for lunch and an afternoon free to site see or shop. If shopping for African art is your thing, Lome is the perfect place because it is the transit point for African tribal art, folk art, modern paintings, and handcrafts. Some serious art galleries are known for old ritual objects highly valued by collectors of primitive art; colorful, museum quality, Folk Art; paintings from the ‘Togolese school’, these artists are popular in European and American galleries. In Lome transportation will be provided, as well as some rooms for day-use. In the evening we leave for the airport.
Additional information
Visas needed: Togo (multiple entry), Benin (single entry)
Tour Leader: With a deep knowledge of the locations and the inhabitants.
Transport: Vehicles minibus 9 seats (driver included), or 4x4, 5 seats (driver + guide + 3 pax; or driver + 4 pax). All vehicles with air conditioning.
Vaccination: Yellow fever (required), Prophylaxis anti-malaria (recommended)
Meals: Lunches: picnic breakfast and lunches provided by the TransAfrica cook. Diner will be taken in the hotel restaurants.
How does this holiday make a difference?
Travellers experience
The tour team is used to travel with children. They guarantee that to really enjoy the experience they must be between 8-10 years old. At this age the experience is for them extraordinary, and they have recorded many accounts of this.
The populations the guests get in touch with whilst travelling in the different countries - Mali or Togo, Benin or Ghana etc. – are mostly friendly and the long experience in Africa of the team has created many relationships and friendships to guarantee true and emotional experiences for travellers, even in the most secluded villages.
The operator considers tourism as a professional activity and they are very responsible in order to guarantee the safety of our customers such as convenient transportation, adequate food preparation, security, etc.
The guides are either bilingual or trilingual, and are extremely knowledgeable of the destinations culture, rites and social values so as to make your trip as informative and smooth as possible.
Environmental responsibility
When camping, in order to not have an impact on the local environment, gas is used instead of wood for fires and for heating.
A policy has been set up which trains staff to make sure that the guests do not leave any rubbish or ‘alien material’ behind when leaving the camp, but also great attention is paid to leaving the least traces possible when visiting the places on the itineraries.
Water use is limited to the bare essentials. Water from wells is used for washing and cooking, and mineral water for the guests.
Cultural responsibility
The traditional festivals of the countries in which journeys are organised are true and not "for tourists". This is the tour operators specific "quality trademark": to offer to the travellers the occasion for a contact still genuine with the daily reality of the populations they get in touch with, and with the several traditional ceremonies, that have remained almost unaltered.
The tour operator is committed to the conservation of the cultural heritage of the local populations destinations visited during the tours. Measures are taken to minimise the negative effects of tourism, and respect is always shown during the visit.
Economic responsibility
All of the operators sub directors, guides, drivers, mechanics, cooks and administrative staff are locally employed and they have set up various training schemes in order to benefit them with useful skills.
Most of the ingredients used for cooking are locally produced and sourced so as to benefit the local producers and offer an authentic experience to our guests.
On occasions money has been donated to villages in order to answer to their requests for community development projects such as financing a village school in the north of Togo (helping in fixing the roof, paying the teacher, providing them with school material), financing the construction of a water pump in south Burkina-Faso and building a school for 300 children in Benin.
Many other community development projects have gone ahead because of good will of our travellers such as one guest who financed facilities in a school in Accra.
Social responsibility
Often people are tempted to give money to children... since they see them in trouble and it is often the first thing they ask for. But giving money directly can have serious consequences because the amount a Westerner can give is often much more then what the father earns, and this can create serious imbalances.
It is advised to guests to give pencils and pens, exercise-books and paper as these will be useful at school. If anyone wants to donate money, better to give it to parents or to the chief of the village. Also sweets, biscuits, and other foods are not recommended, because even if children love them, when the tourists are gone they become needs that cannot be satisfied.
Where is it?
We spend a full day in a small motorboat along the Mono River exploring tiny villages where the old ways of extracting salt are still practiced. Our journey leads us to a marvellous estuary where the waters of the river and the ocean meeting, giving birth to contrasting forces playing with each other. Crossing the lagoons hemmed in by small forests of mangrove trees. Along the coast we see the fishermen living in villages built out of palm tree branches.
At night we dine and sleep at a charming hotel.
Day 8: Voodoo
We cross the border into Togo and visit a village hidden in the high grasses of the Savannah we are invited to attend a real Voodoo ceremony. To the hypnotic rhythm of the drums and chants, certain dancers fall into a deep trance: eyes rolling back, grimaces, convulsions, impervious to fire or pain. This is a typical demonstration of the profound African religious communion known as "possession of the spirits".
Afterwards we head to Lome for lunch and an afternoon free to site see or shop. If shopping for African art is your thing, Lome is the perfect place because it is the transit point for African tribal art, folk art, modern paintings, and handcrafts. Some serious art galleries are known for old ritual objects highly valued by collectors of primitive art; colorful, museum quality, Folk Art; paintings from the ‘Togolese school’, these artists are popular in European and American galleries. In Lome transportation will be provided, as well as some rooms for day-use. In the evening we leave for the airport.
Additional information
Visas needed: Togo (multiple entry), Benin (single entry)
Tour Leader: With a deep knowledge of the locations and the inhabitants.
Transport: Vehicles minibus 9 seats (driver included), or 4x4, 5 seats (driver + guide + 3 pax; or driver + 4 pax). All vehicles with air conditioning.
Vaccination: Yellow fever (required), Prophylaxis anti-malaria (recommended)
Meals: Lunches: picnic breakfast and lunches provided by the TransAfrica cook. Diner will be taken in the hotel restaurants.
How does this holiday make a difference?
Travellers experience
The tour team is used to travel with children. They guarantee that to really enjoy the experience they must be between 8-10 years old. At this age the experience is for them extraordinary, and they have recorded many accounts of this.
The populations the guests get in touch with whilst travelling in the different countries - Mali or Togo, Benin or Ghana etc. – are mostly friendly and the long experience in Africa of the team has created many relationships and friendships to guarantee true and emotional experiences for travellers, even in the most secluded villages.
The operator considers tourism as a professional activity and they are very responsible in order to guarantee the safety of our customers such as convenient transportation, adequate food preparation, security, etc.
The guides are either bilingual or trilingual, and are extremely knowledgeable of the destinations culture, rites and social values so as to make your trip as informative and smooth as possible.
Environmental responsibility
When camping, in order to not have an impact on the local environment, gas is used instead of wood for fires and for heating.
A policy has been set up which trains staff to make sure that the guests do not leave any rubbish or ‘alien material’ behind when leaving the camp, but also great attention is paid to leaving the least traces possible when visiting the places on the itineraries.
Water use is limited to the bare essentials. Water from wells is used for washing and cooking, and mineral water for the guests.
Cultural responsibility
The traditional festivals of the countries in which journeys are organised are true and not "for tourists". This is the tour operators specific "quality trademark": to offer to the travellers the occasion for a contact still genuine with the daily reality of the populations they get in touch with, and with the several traditional ceremonies, that have remained almost unaltered.
The tour operator is committed to the conservation of the cultural heritage of the local populations destinations visited during the tours. Measures are taken to minimise the negative effects of tourism, and respect is always shown during the visit.
Economic responsibility
All of the operators sub directors, guides, drivers, mechanics, cooks and administrative staff are locally employed and they have set up various training schemes in order to benefit them with useful skills.
Most of the ingredients used for cooking are locally produced and sourced so as to benefit the local producers and offer an authentic experience to our guests.
On occasions money has been donated to villages in order to answer to their requests for community development projects such as financing a village school in the north of Togo (helping in fixing the roof, paying the teacher, providing them with school material), financing the construction of a water pump in south Burkina-Faso and building a school for 300 children in Benin.
Many other community development projects have gone ahead because of good will of our travellers such as one guest who financed facilities in a school in Accra.
Social responsibility
Often people are tempted to give money to children... since they see them in trouble and it is often the first thing they ask for. But giving money directly can have serious consequences because the amount a Westerner can give is often much more then what the father earns, and this can create serious imbalances.
It is advised to guests to give pencils and pens, exercise-books and paper as these will be useful at school. If anyone wants to donate money, better to give it to parents or to the chief of the village. Also sweets, biscuits, and other foods are not recommended, because even if children love them, when the tourists are gone they become needs that cannot be satisfied.
Where is it?
Click here to enquire or book this holiday!
To discover other Responsible Tourism projects, click here.
To discover more about Benin, click here.
To discover more about Togo, click here.
Click here for 'Home'
Home - Trips - Responsible Tourism - Who are we? - Gallery - Blog - Links
West Africa Map - Disclaimer - Contact us
West Africa Map - Disclaimer - Contact us