Benin Ecotour - Ouidah Beach to the Atakora Mountains
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Basic information
Location: Benin, from Ouidah beach to the Atacora Mountains
Dates: January, February, March, April, May, December
Duration: 11 days
Group size: 2 +
Price: From £674 including full-board, transport in minibus and guiding all along the tour, accommodation in hotels and lodges, breakfrast, lunch, diner & fees of scheduled visits.
Not including flights, visas and required vaccinations, drinks, personal expenses and tips.
Location: Benin, from Ouidah beach to the Atacora Mountains
Dates: January, February, March, April, May, December
Duration: 11 days
Group size: 2 +
Price: From £674 including full-board, transport in minibus and guiding all along the tour, accommodation in hotels and lodges, breakfrast, lunch, diner & fees of scheduled visits.
Not including flights, visas and required vaccinations, drinks, personal expenses and tips.
What will I be doing on this trip?
This 11 day tour of Benin offers you an interesting mix of local culture, breathtaking scenery and interesting wildlife whilst practising a responsible and sustainable attitude towards the itinerary. You will learn about the ancient Dahomey Kingdom by visiting museums, travel inland to discover the triple function architecture of the Tata Somba structures, explore the Pendjari National Park and learn about the various animals who call it their home (including four of the big five), relax by towering waterfalls, trekk through forest to remote traditional villages renowned for their aromatherapy massage techniques and meet the 'water people' who will teach you about Vodou and how to fish. In addition, you can volunteer to plant mangrove plants in order to contribute to the operators carbon emissions offset scheme. All in all a fun packed, educational and unique tour which you will find hard to forget.
This 11 day tour of Benin offers you an interesting mix of local culture, breathtaking scenery and interesting wildlife whilst practising a responsible and sustainable attitude towards the itinerary. You will learn about the ancient Dahomey Kingdom by visiting museums, travel inland to discover the triple function architecture of the Tata Somba structures, explore the Pendjari National Park and learn about the various animals who call it their home (including four of the big five), relax by towering waterfalls, trekk through forest to remote traditional villages renowned for their aromatherapy massage techniques and meet the 'water people' who will teach you about Vodou and how to fish. In addition, you can volunteer to plant mangrove plants in order to contribute to the operators carbon emissions offset scheme. All in all a fun packed, educational and unique tour which you will find hard to forget.
My holiday itinerary...
Day 1: Cotonou
Meet and greet at the airport of Cotonou, and settled in your hotel. Briefing about the trip agenda.
Day 2: Abomey – Historical insight
Trip to Abomey where we enter in the world of the Dahomey Kingdom through the visit of their Historical Museum. Here, we will see thrones built on human skulls, paintings of impressive Amazone warriors, jewels of the queens, the place where King Glélé and his wives were buried, and much more. Night in Abomey.
Day 3: Koussoukoingou – Etnhographic Museum
Travel to Koussoukoingou. Here, we will have a brief overview of the ‘Tata house’ history at the ethnographic museum of Natitingou. Night in a traditional Tata Otammari in Koussoukoingou.
Day 1: Cotonou
Meet and greet at the airport of Cotonou, and settled in your hotel. Briefing about the trip agenda.
Day 2: Abomey – Historical insight
Trip to Abomey where we enter in the world of the Dahomey Kingdom through the visit of their Historical Museum. Here, we will see thrones built on human skulls, paintings of impressive Amazone warriors, jewels of the queens, the place where King Glélé and his wives were buried, and much more. Night in Abomey.
Day 3: Koussoukoingou – Etnhographic Museum
Travel to Koussoukoingou. Here, we will have a brief overview of the ‘Tata house’ history at the ethnographic museum of Natitingou. Night in a traditional Tata Otammari in Koussoukoingou.
Day 4: Somba Land – Tata Somba architecture
Earlier in the morning, we will travel through the savannas and discover the cultures of Somba Land. Follow a trail from plains to a valley, and discover with surprise the enchanting landscapes and the local womens daily life, a contrast from the reigning ‘man's world’. In the afternoon, discover the ‘Tata Somba’ houses and their multiple function. Learn about the Otammari people’s way of life and their clever techniques of house building. Night in Koussoukoingou. Day 5: Pendjari National Park – wildlife experience Trip to the Pendjari National Parc where we will experience a wonderful wildlife safari during which we can observe lions, buffalos, hippos, crocodiles, and a large variety of birds and antelopes. Night in the hotel of the Park. Day 6: Waterfalls! End of the visit in the park. Picnic and afternoon of relaxation at the Tanongou Waterfalls, Trip to Natitingou. Night at Natitingou. Day 7: Koko & Kamaté – traditional villages Trip to Koko and Kamaté. Travel through forests and fallows on a village trail, and explore the rich environment and fascinating culture that makes Koko an authentic village. On a hike through the forest, we will end atop hills overhanging the forest. By meeting the children of the Green School of Koko village you can exchange ideas with them and contribute to the schools perpetuation. Night at Kamaté. |    |
Day 9: Ahémé Lake – fisherman country & Vodou
On the quiet waters of the Ahémé Lake, we will have an opportunity to train and learn about water divinities and fishing techniques. We will end up by cooking the days catch and preparing the “dakouin”, the fishermans’ meal. A long walk along the lake and through the sacred forests will allow you to discover the voodoo divinities and traditions, their rituals and significances, while learning about the secrets of the local plants. You will also visit the fishermen village. Night at Possotomé.
On the quiet waters of the Ahémé Lake, we will have an opportunity to train and learn about water divinities and fishing techniques. We will end up by cooking the days catch and preparing the “dakouin”, the fishermans’ meal. A long walk along the lake and through the sacred forests will allow you to discover the voodoo divinities and traditions, their rituals and significances, while learning about the secrets of the local plants. You will also visit the fishermen village. Night at Possotomé.
Day 10: Ouidah – the history of slavery
We are invited to plant, on a voluntary basis, some mangroves plants to restore the wetland ecosystem and compensate our C02 emissions for the whole trip. This activity permits to stabilise river banks and secure ecosystems for many fish and allows the fishermen to continue to live there. Departure for Ouidah where we will visit a Historical Museum. We will travel along the ‘Slave Road’ where we will be taught about the different steps of slavery, from the marketplace to the infamous ‘Door of no-return’, through which the slaves had to walk before boarding the ships en-route to the ‘New World’. A lazy afternoon on the beach of Ouidah will be an ideal way to unwind. Night in hotel on the beach of Ouidah. Day 11: Avlékété – the ‘Fishermen Road’ After a lazy morning on the beach, we will ride the “Fishermen Road” along the seashore where we will probably meet the fishermen in action. You will arrive in the village Avlékété, famous for its ecological tradition and mangrove protection techniques. By walking through the village, we will meet the women preparing salt in traditional way. In the afternoon, we will take off for Cotonou. If you wish, you can choose to go one of to the largest market of West Africa, called Dantokpa. The market being quite crowded, you may prefer to go to the Centre of Promotion of Craft Industry. |    |
How does this holiday make a difference?
Through carbon offsetting by planting mangrove plants on a river bank to walking through villages and landscapes to reduce the effects of tourism on the environment, this tour is organised to have the least impact possible on the destinations that are visited throughout the itinerary.
A tour cannot be responsible without the tourists being responsible, and this is why the operator hands out guidelines on how to make sure that your holiday will have the least impact possible, before and during the tour.
Also, By taking part to this ecotour, you contribute to:
Through carbon offsetting by planting mangrove plants on a river bank to walking through villages and landscapes to reduce the effects of tourism on the environment, this tour is organised to have the least impact possible on the destinations that are visited throughout the itinerary.
A tour cannot be responsible without the tourists being responsible, and this is why the operator hands out guidelines on how to make sure that your holiday will have the least impact possible, before and during the tour.
Also, By taking part to this ecotour, you contribute to:
- The improvement of the local life as a part of the tour price is directly paid to the community development fund.
- Change the local vision of the tourist by avoiding giving gifts to populations but by financing development projects.
- Make tourism be an income generating sector in each locality visited as the hotels and restaurants chosen belong to populations.
- Take part to the environment protection by participating in some carbon offset projects like mangrove plantation.Where is it?
Click here to enquire about or book this holiday!
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