Ghana, Togo & Benin

Day 1: ACCRA, GHANA

On arrival at Kotoka International Airport, our expert cultural tour guide will meet, assist and transfer you to your hotel in our private air conditioned vehicle.

Once you have checked in, your guide, who will be with you throughout your stay, will brief you on what to expect during your time here in Ghana.

Meal(s) Included: No
Overnight at: Best Western Plus Accra Beach Hotel

Day 2:  ACCRA AND VICINITY

After breakfast go on a full day tour of Accra highlights will include:

• Independence Square, see the enclosed flame of African liberation, which was lit by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah in 1961.
• The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, final resting place of Ghana’s first president. Set in attractive gardens, there is an adjoining museum, which contains photos, artifacts and an insight into Dr. Nkrumah’s life. Adjoining the park is the National cultural center, which is Ghana’s largest outdoor arts and crafts market selling traditional crafts from all over West Africa.
• James Town—one of Accra’s most historic neighborhoods, where history resides on every corner. Best known for its lighthouses (the first of which was constructed in 1875 by the British) as a navigational aid for trading vessels sailing through the Gulf of Guinea. The original structure was ruined but a larger and more improved lighthouse completed in 1921 is still functioning today.
• “Brazil House” learn about the seven Afro-Brazilians families who returned to settle in Ghana in 1836. Familiar Brazilian/Portuguese last names such as De Souza,    Palmares,   Azumah, Amorin, Da Costa, Santos, De Medeiros, and Olympio are abundant in this section of Accra.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight at: Best Western Plus Accra Beach Hotel

Day 3: ACCRA/CAPE COAST

After breakfast drive to Kakum National Park. Kakum is one of Ghana’s most famous parks. Take a brief walking tour on the forest floor. Kakum is home to Africa’s only aerial walkway through the tree canopy, a 1000 foot long, seven-bridge walkway with viewing platforms that reach heights of over 150 feet above ground.  This evening go on a guided tour through the ancient town of Elmina. At the harbor view the colorful fishing canoes getting ready to go to sea for another night’s task of fishing. This is a picture perfect photo opportunity.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight at: Elmina Beach Resort

Day 4: CAPE COAST & VICINITY

After breakfast visit Cape Coast Castle and the Castle Museum for a guided tour. Cape Coast Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and was one of the departure points for Africans being sent to slavery in the Americas. The castle is home to the “Door of No Return.” In the afternoon, visit Elmina Castle, another UNESCO World Heritage Site built in 1482.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight at: Elmina Beach Resort

Day 5: CAPE COAST/KUMASI

After breakfast depart to Kumasi the realm of the Ashanti Kingdom. You will pass through Obuasi, the location of the Ashanti Goldfields-one of the richest mines in the world.  In Kumasi visit Manhiya Palace, official residence of Ashanti Kings (Asantehene) until 1974, now a museum containing treasured items relating to the Ashanti Kingdom. Tour this historic city including visits to the National Cultural Center which includes the Prempeh II Jubilee Museum, named for the former Asantehene, Nana Osei Agyeman Prempreh II. Exhibits include a replica of the famed Golden Stool, which is believed to have descended from the sky and is the spiritual symbol of the Ashanti people.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight at Noda Hotel

Day 6: KUMASI & VICINITY

Visit Ashanti craft villages starting with the woodcarving village of Ahwiaa, known for the talented craftsmen who fashion royal stools, walking sticks and fertility dolls from wood. You will have the opportunity to purchase hand carved items.
The next stop is the village of Ntonso where artisans’ hand-stamp patterns on cotton cloth to make adinkra textiles.
The third village is Bonwire, where the famous Kente cloth is handmade on looms in a time-honored tradition passed down through generations. You will see the kente weavers creating colorful kente cloth in various styles.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight at Noda Hotel

Day 7: KUMASI/VOLTA REGION/HO

After breakfast depart to Ho stopping at the Cocoa Research Institute at Tafo, the Tetteh Quarshie Cocoa Farm and Aburi Botanical Gardens. Visit Shai hills game reserves. The reserve consists of a very striking and attractive range of rocky hills set in the middle of expansive open and wooded grassland plains. There are several cave systems in the hills, some of which have played and continue to play an important role in local history, culture and tradition. Late afternoon travel to  Ho  where  you will overnight
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight at: Chances Hotel

Day 8:  HO/WLI/HO

After breakfast visit the Wli falls – the highest waterfall in Ghana.  You will trek through a dense tropical forest and cross the meandering Agumatse River before you arriving at the waterfall. In the afternoon visit Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary here the endangered but playful True Mona Monkeys are considered sacred and are therefore protected. Walk on well-cleared trails and view the monkeys in their natural habitat.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight at: Chances Hotel

Day 9: GHANA/LOME, TOGO

Depart to Lome, Togo, stopping at points of interest. Arrive in Lome and visit Independence Square, the national Museum, Lome craftsmen village, Lome Central market- realm of the famous Nana Benz, the fishing harbor, the fetish market– the traditional drugstore for the locals. Visit also the Lomé central market, or Grand Marche, where pearls, baskets, pottery and other products including “sacred” items are on display.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight at: Ibis Lome Centre

Day 10: LOME & VICINITY

Today visit the Akodesséwa fetish market, and the slave house in Agbodrafo; continue to Togoville for sightseeing. Visit lake Togo, a quiet lagoon lake, good for boating, windsurfing and water skiing. At Agbodrafo, join the fishermen in their canoes to help them pull in their nets (seek permission from the village chief). Afterwards travel by boat to Togoville, a red-earth village which was the homeland of numerous slaves taken to Haiti, who were members of the voodoo religion. Here you will find magic remedies and voodoo charms used by local sorcerers.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight at: Ibis Lome Centre

Day 11: LOME/OUIDAH/COTONOU, BENIN

After breakfast, drive to Ouidah, the former slave trading post and birthplace of Voodoo. This unforgettable visit takes you to the Voodoo Museum, the Sacred Forest, the Cathedral and the Temple of the sacred Pythons. Continue to the place of the common grave, the tree of forgetfulness and the ‘Gate of no Return’.  There may be a welcome reception from Dagbo Hounon, high priest of the voodoo cult. Late afternoon – Continue to Cotonou for overnight.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight at: Benin Marina

Day 12: COTONOU

Today visit the Government district, the Ganvie market zone including the international Dantokpa market with its exuberant traders and the handicraft center.  In the afternoon, depart to the lake village – Ganvié, the “Venice of Africa” with its houses built on stilts. You will visit the fishers’ street, the lovers’ lane and the Francophonie villa.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at: Benin Marina

Day 13: COTONOU/ACCRA

After breakfast, return to Ghana via Lome. On arrival in Accra; day at leisure.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight at: Best Western Plus Accra Beach Hotel

Day 14: DEPART

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast