We discover the ancient ways of the bush, still existing hand in hand with the more cosmopolan way of life found around coastal towns. We journey deep into the bush of Benin and Togo, and find that despite being touched and somitimes overwhelmed by the a European way of life, the ancient African art and religion still thrive if you scrach under the surface.

Voodoo is still alive and well in this region, and certainly worth visiting are the mud castles of the North of Benin and Ghana. Also the stiled villeges of the south, a region that is the cradle of the fascinating region, still much practised today.

Tour Itinerary

Day 01: Acrra
Arrive at Airport. Transfer to hotel. Day free for leisure. Dinner and Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02: Acrra City Tour
After breakfast depart hotel for a sightseeing city tour of Accra. You will drive through the administrative and economic districts of Accra, the capital of Ghana. This128-year-old city has a blend of colonial and modern architecture that summarize her history. You will visit the W. E. B. Dubois Center for Pan African Culture.

Day 03 & 04: Kakum / Cape Coast Castle
Early morning departure for a drive through the historic Denkyira Kingdom to Kakum National Park, one of West Africa´s surviving tropical rain forests. Extending over 360sq km, Kakum is the home to over 40 large mammals and 400 bird species as well as many species of butterflies, flora and fauna.

Day 05: Cape Coast - Kakum Park
Early morning departure for a drive through the historic Denkyira Kingdom to Kakum National Park, one of West Africa´s surviving tropical rain forests. Extending over 360sq km, Kakum is the home to over 40 large mammals and 400 bird species as well as many species of butterflies, flora and fauna.

Day 06: Kumasi City Tour
After breakfast at your hotel, check out and depart for a drive through the forest zone to Kumasi, the seat of the Ashanti Empire to explore the legends of the famous Ashantis, whose legacies are still evident today. After lunch, visit Manhyia Palace Museum, to obtain firsthand information on the legacies of the Ashanti kingdom. A regal history that dates back to 1700 is told with relics and artifacts.

Day 07: Ashanti Craft Villages
This day is devoted to visiting the three famous craft villages in Ashanti - Ahwiaa, the wood carvers´ village, Ntonso, the home of Adinkra and Bonwire, the Kente weaving village. You will have the opportunity to see how African crafts are made and to buy directly from the artisans who make them. After lunch, depart for ascenic drive through the forest zone to Accra. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Accra.

Day 08 & 09: Tamale Craft Shopping
After breakfast, check out and depart Kumasi for a drive to Tamale the capital of the Dagomba State. Visit the Centre for National Culture to see how the Northern Culture evolved. Here you will find the well known northern traditional attire known as the "smock or (fugu)" being designed, dyed and sewed by hand. Visit the main handicraft market where you can shop for straw products, leather goods, and carvings from the Mossi people.

Day 10, 11 & 12: Tamale - Bolgatanga Overnight - Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Check out and depart for a scenic drive through the savanna zone to Upper East Region. Morning tour of Bolgatanga then we drive to Paga . We conutinue our trip to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Check in and have dinner. Day 12 We start sightseeing tour of Ouagadougou, the traditional capital of the Mossi Empire. Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Ouagadougou.

Day 13: Ouagadpugou - Dogon Country - Mali
Early morning departure for a drive to Bandiagara, the entrance door to the Dogon Valley to explore its stone and mud villages built on top, along side and at the base of an escarpment locally refered to as Tellem houses. This architecture and location of the Dogon villages offer a unique picturesque view, which spans 150 kilometers of this stunning escarpment. Overnight at campements in Dogon.

Day 14: Dogon country
This day is devoted to discovering the mysteries of the Dogon people. Take a trek through the villages of Banani, Ireli, and Tireli. Ireli has the best preserved habitats of Dogon ancestors, the Pgmie, Tellum, and Tireli is famous for its Masked Dance Ceremonies. After lunch, visit the spiritual chief´s house called Guinna and Songo for its famous rock paintings. Take a tour of Sangha, a striking example of a Dogon village with traditional homes and granaries. Overnight at encampment in Dogon Country

Day 15: Dogon - Mopti
After breakfast, depart for Mopti, described as the cross road of Mali. Mopti is the country´s route intersection, pulling together all the people of Mali (Bamana, Songhai, Fula, Tuareg, Moor, Bozo and Dogon). After lunch, take a tour of the city of Mopti which includes its bustling harbor where you will find large wooden pinasses with canvas covers and colorful flags waving in the breeze. Moptis Grande Marche, Petit Marche and fish markets are all worth exploring. You will find variety of items including earthenware pottery and calabash products. Again visit the Grande mosque and old town with its narrow pedestrian streets and gray banco houses. Overnight at hotel in Mopti.

Day 16: Mopti - Timbuktu
Depart early (on a morning flight) for Timbuktu to discover the ancient city of Timbuktu, originating back to 1100AD. Explore this city known for being the first center of learning for mankind; its impressive history and unique architecture. Visit the Ethnological Museum, which houses a collection of ancient books on religion, science, history and mathematics. Check into your hotel and have lunch. After lunch, make a stop at the local mosques, the explorers´ houses,. Overnight at hotel in Timbuktu.

Day 14 & 15: Timbuktu - Bamako
After Breakfast Check out and depart Timbuktu to Bamako. After lunch, spend the remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel in Bamako.

Visit the National Museum, to see some of the beautifully displayed objects, including those used in forging and weaving. Other highlights include the stylized antelope mask of Bamana; various Senoufo statuary, and, of course, the world-renowned antique Dogon Sculptures. Visit the Point G, where you will have a panoramic view of the city and some abounded cliff dwellings featuring old rock paintings. The artisan center houses an abundance of shops and stalls selling crafts and curios such as leatherwork, fabric, silverware, masks, carvings and bronze figurines. There is also the artisan´s workshop where you can watch woodcarvers, silversmiths, drum makers and other craftspeople at work. Overnight at hotel in Bamako.

Day 17, 18 & 19: Lomé - Ouidah - Cotonou - Ganvie - Accra
Make a visit to Ganvie (the village on water), commonly referred to as the Venice of West Africa. Witness first hand, the people of Ganvie carrying out their daily routine as vendors in dugout canoes pile high with wares, transacting commerce with one another and with tourists. You will enjoy shopping on the floating market and taking a relaxing canoe ride on the waterways of this exotic 300-year-old village. After lunch, drive through the multicoloured centre of the administrative and commercial capital of Benin to view it´s many statues and monuments. Return back to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Visit Grand Marche, Marche des Feticheurs, Musee National, Place de I´ Independence. Dinner and overnight at hotel Lome, Togo.

Depart Benin to Accra. Check in at hotel Dinner and overnight at African Royal Beach Hotel, Accra

Day 20:
Today is reserved as your day at Leisure or for any last minute shopping. Depart to the airport for check-in and departure back home.

Level:
All tours are typical African road travel. Fairly comfortable.
Though hot and dusty at times, the rewards of such a tour are substantial. Tourist infrastructure is unpredictable in these places, Venture Travel try our best to give the best accommodation, but travellers should understand we are in Africa, therefore be flexible to accept the odd delay or change of plan, then the tour can be a fantastic experience.

Accommodation:
Mainly standard hotels based, but using campements or simple rooms as appropriate to areas visited in the bush, campling (Dogon Visit)

Inclusions & Exclusions

Our rates normally has the below items as included and excluded from the program rates. Each and every program has its own distinct included & excluded items.

Generally included items:

Not included: