Royal Festivals, Mask Dances, Voodoo Spirits, Castles of Clay
Tribal Ghana, Togo, and Benin
Overview
Traditional cultures, renowned art forms, flamboyant festivals, mask dances, and a dazzling ethnic mosaic are the golden gems of West Africa. Our cultural odyssey brings us into fascinating tribal worlds guided by ancient spirits. Along the way, we meet unforgettable people including the Tamberma, with their fairytale clay castles. In the heart of voodoo country, we visit practitioners, watch trance-dances, and learn about the awesome power of the voodoo spirits. Our journeys witness the Akwasidæ Festival in Kumasi, honoring the Ashanti king, and the exuberant mask dances of the Egun Mask Festival in Benin.
Arrive: Lomé, Togo
Depart: Accra, Ghana
Highlights
- Traditional Ashanti culture, with its kente cloth, bead-makers, and elaborate funerary rites
- The surreal voodoo world of the Togo and Benin coasts
- Elmina Castle, the “talking drums” of the Dagomba, the Tamberma people and their castles of clay
- Vibrant Akwasidæ and Egun Mask festivals on every departure
Itinerary
Outside Lomé, Togo's capital, we meet traditional healers at a “voodoo hospital,” visit a fetish market, and witness a village voodoo ceremony accompanied by the hypnotic rhythm of chanting and drums. Heading down Benin's coast, we visit the port of Ouidah, known for its role in the Atlantic slave trade, the stilt village of Ganvié, and the eerie Royal Palace of the Dahomey Kingdom at Abomey. We'll witness Zangbeto and Gelede mask dances at villages along the way.
In a remote baobab-dotted landscape that rarely sees outsiders, we call at rural villages, including those of the isolated Tamberma and Somba, known for their adobe castles, and northern Benin's Dagomba people, with their “talking drums.”
The Ashanti Kingdom was once one of the most powerful nations in Africa. In Kumasi, the Ashanti capital, we attend a traditional “funeral” and enjoy the pageantry of the Akwasidae Festival. On Ghana's palm-fringed coast, we visit the 15th century Portuguese fortress of Elmina, entering its slave dungeons and peeking through the sobering “Door of No Return,” where captives were taken to awaiting ships. Depart on Day 15 via Accra.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 3, Moderate. This is a rugged trip in a very remote region. Participants should be fit, healthy, and have no mobility restrictions. Medical facilities on the trip will be far away and often non-existent.
Review Trip Level Details
Ghana, Togo, and Benin have very hot, humid climates that vary very little year round. Mid-day temperatures can be in the 90s, with little cooling in the evening. In the inland regions, the wind can sometimes stir up dust storms. Rain is unlikely in the areas we visit, but possible. The intense heat can be very wearing, and it doesn't cool down much at night. We don't recommend this trip for people who can't tolerate humid conditions.
There are few first-class hotels anywhere outside the cities, but rest assured we always try to obtain the best possible. For the most part, the hotels are comfortable, but they are very basic. Hotel air conditioning in West Africa does not cool a room to American standards of comfort, and may not work sometimes, and there may be occasions where the hotel electricity goes off for periods of time. We travel by one minivan or by two 4WD vehicles, depending on weather and road conditions. Our support staff travels in another vehicle with cooking supplies. On our road journeys, we make frequent "outdoor bathroom" stops and you have ample opportunity to stroll around villages and markets to see and experience the differences in architecture, dress, and culture among the many tribes in West Africa. On travel days, our staff prepares a lunch for us ahead of time in the morning and we enjoy it in a roadside restaurant en route.
Tourist facilities are very limited in the remote savanna regions and small villages we visit. Although we are accompanied by a support crew staffed by experienced veterans of West Africa, participants should understand that this trip involves long drives, lack of proper bathroom facilities, hot and humid weather, and somewhat basic hotels outside of Accra. The physical shape you are in will be an important factor in your enjoyment of your trip. We recommend you bring Gatorade-type powdered mixes or packets of OHS (oral hydration salts) to add to your water bottle from time to time on really hot days. Dehyration is a serious risk and should be prepared for.
There are dangers inherent in any expedition traveling to remote regions. These dangers include everything from the possibility of a vehicle accident or sickness without access to the means of rapid evacuation. The availability of medical supplies, or the adequacy of medical attention once provided, cannot be guaranteed and cannot be expected to measure up to Western standards. If you have any chronic health problems (respiratory or cardiac problems, a bad back, or diabetes), we recommend you consider a different trip.
Client Testimonials
"I have traveled extensively, but this trip was truly an exploration of a totally different world. Just fabulous!"
Brita A.
Washington, DC
"The trip was outstanding! Our exposure to the different tribes and various ceremonies was fascinating and really the highlight."
Diane M.
Elm Grove, WI
"This was a very worthwhile and horizon-expanding trip. This part of Africa is not a heavily-traveled tourist destination, and tourist facilities are often basic, but the wealth of cultures, tribes, and customs makes this a great trip for those who have already experienced the more 'popular' Africa destinations."
Jack S.
Evergreen, CO
"Sometimes I felt as if I was back in the pages of a 1960s National Geographic. It was that kind of unique experience. Can't wait to do another trip with WT!"
Marcia O.
Sacramento, CA
"The cultural interchange was amazing and our tour leader injected our road travels with unexpected stops and community visits that were incredible experiences."
Michael H.
Big Sky, MT
"This was an unforgettable trip, featuring cultural exchanges and visits to unbelievable festivals and sites. Every day held something of interest, and we had the benefit of meeting friendly people and participating in authentic festivals such as the tribute to the Ashanti king and the voodoo ceremony."
Sara K.
Las Cruces, NM
"A cultural journey like no other I have ever experienced! The uniqueness and authenticity of the activities were truly remarkable."
Thomas W.
Sautee Nacoochee, GA
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.