Benin is a great country to visit on any West African itinerary. You’ll find a large quantity of palatial ruins and temples of the once powerful Kingdom of Dahomey (1800s–1894). Moreover, Benin is the birthplace of Vodun (Voodoo) and all that goes with it, to this day Vodun remains the official religion of the country, and an important part of the life of ordinary Beninese.
Day 01 Arrive Cotonou
Arrive in Cotonou by international flight. Meet, assist and transfer to hotel.Overnight at hotel.
Day 02 Cotonou – Porto Novo – Ouidah (82 Kms/ 2H appx.)
After breakfast, drive to Porto-Novo, the administrative capital city of Benin. On arrival, stop at the obelisk of the Zangbeto, the traditional night guardians and visit Honme, the former palace of King Toffa, the 19th monarch of the Hogbonou kingdom. Proceed to a former Brazilian church converted into a mosque and visit the museum of ethnography with a fabulous collection of Gelede masks. Drive to Abomey Calavi.Cruise the Nokoue Lake in a motorboat for Ganvie, the biggest stilt village in Africa, home to over 33,000 Tofinu people. On arrival, visit the “maison de la Francophonie” and go the Lovers’ Lane through the floating market and stop at a typical Ganvie souvenir shop. Back to Abomey-Calavi and proceed to Ouidah, the voodoo capital city of Benin. Check-in at Hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 Ouidah-Grand Popo (50 Kms/ 50M appx.)
After breakfast, join in the celebrations of the voodoo festival till the late afternoon. Go the Slave Route to the temple of pythons and Kpasse sacred forest and drive to Grand Popo between river and sea. Arrive at Grand Popo; check-in at hotel.Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 Grand Popo
After breakfast, go the Mono waterways for the voodoo village of Adame. On arrival, visit voodoo Amega shrine and stop at local fishing villages and salt mining villages shrines. Return to your hotel. In the late afternoon, witness the Zangbeto, the traditional night guardians’ ritual dance in a village nearby. Return to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 05 Grand Popo – Abomey – Bohicon (162 Kms/ 2H 30M appx.)
After breakfast, drive to Abomey, the historical capital city of Benin. On arrival, visit historic museum, former palaces of Dahomey kings featuring the throne room, the weapon room, the administrative blocks of king Glele and king Toffa, the common grave of the wives of king Glele, his sepulcher and palace artisans, great grandchildren of former palace artisans. In the early evening, proceed to a village to witness the Gelede masked dance. Check-in at hotel.Overnight at hotel.
Day 06 Bohicon – Savalou – Djougou – Kara (401 Kms/ 6H appx.)
After breakfast, drive to Kara in northern Togo via Djougou crossing at Ouake border post. En route, visit the famous Dankoli voodoo shrine en route. Scenic drive to Kara. Overnight at hotel.
Day 07 Kara – Sokode (75 Kms/ 1H 41M appx)
After breakfast, drive to Koutammakou, upper north, a Unesco World Heritage site to visit the Tamberma adobe castle builders. Proceed to Sokode, heart of the Tem land. Check-in at hotel. In the evening witness the fire-eaters’ dance in a village nearby. Overnight at hotel.
Day 08 Sokode – Agbodrafo (104 Kms / 2H 30M appx.)
After breakfast, drive south to the potters’ village of Bolou. Arrive at Bolou; visit village and drive through the valley of the Sio river to Lebe village. Walk to the river and cross it in dugout canoe for Devego and proceed to Agbodrafo, a former slave trade post. Check-in at hotel.Overnight at hotel.
Day 09 Agbodrafo –Lome (69 Kms / 1H 20M appx.)
After breakfast, visit slave dungeons and proceed to Glidji, the spiritual center for the Guin people via Aneho, the former capital city of Togo. On arrival, visit some of the shrines and meet priest of the sacred forest before driving to Zooti, famous for its voodoo rituals. Witness a voodoo ceremony and proceed to Aneho, Togo’s forst capital city. Continue to Lome. Check-in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 10 Lome
After breakfast, embark on a city tour visiting fetish market, Independence Square, Artisans’ village; central market, realm of the famous Nana Benz. In the afternoon, drive to a village to consult before a “bokonon” [a soothsayer] and witness a voodoo ceremony. Return to Lome. Overnight at hotel.
Day 11 Depart Lome
Departure transfer to onwards destination.
| City | Nights | 5* Hotels |
| Cotonou | 01 | Azalai Hotel de la Plage |
| Ouidah | 01 | Hotel Casa Del Papa |
| Grand Popo | 02 | Ganna Hotel |
| Bohicon | 01 | Hotel La Majeste |
| Kara | 01 | Hotel Kara |
| Sokode | 01 | Hotel Central |
| Agbodrafo | 01 | Hotel Le Lac |
| Lome | 02 | Hotel Novela Star |
- Accommodation as per the program.
- Meals as per the program.
- Entrance fees.
- Local English speaking guide.
- All transfers, sightseeing, excursions.
- All taxes
Branding
– Logo branding on Vehicles.
– Color and logo branding Merchandise.
– Departure gifts with company’s branding.
- Personal Expenses.
- Camera / Video Camera Fees.
- Medical Aid.
- Tips.
- Travel Insurance.
- Visa (If any).
– Accommodation in good hotels.
– Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
– Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost.
– Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
– A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
– If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
– Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
– In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
– In Asia, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
– While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
– Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
– In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.