Benin, Togo & Ghana Adventure





Explore West Africa on an adventure from Benin to Ghana
Step off the tourist trail with this insightful 15-day adventure through Benin, Togo and Ghana. Learn about the history and cultures of these three diverse West African countries, from Cape Coast Castle, which played a significant role in the transatlantic slave trade, to the ancient Vodun culture of Ouidah. Visit Accra's fantasy coffin makers, cruise along in traditional boats and journey through the natural landscapes seldom explored by travellers. Hike up Mt Agou – Togo’s highest peak – and visit the Wli Waterfalls – the tallest in West Africa. Walk along Kakum National Park's canopy walkway in the middle of the rainforest and look out for the local monkeys, and over 200 bird species. This diverse trip, with a local leader by your side, showcases three fascinating countries and offers a glimpse into West African life.
3.5
2 reviewsStart: Cotonou, Benin
End: Accra, Ghana
- Duration
- 15 days
- Group size
- 1 to 12
- Minimum age
- 15 years old
- Style
Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time
Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time
Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities
Premium: Our best accommodation, exclusive inclusions and our most experienced leaders
- Original
- Theme
Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.
- Expeditions
- Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Why you'll love this trip
- Hike in Ghana's Volta Region – home to lush farmlands, waterfalls and rolling hills – and in the Kpalime Region in Togo, surrounded by coffee and cocoa plantations.
- Discover the sobering history of Ghana’s Slave Coast, with visits to coastal slave forts and castles, like Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle. Wander the lavish architecture as you learn about the grim history of slave trade in this region.
- Experience a Vodun ceremony, which showcases the traditional spiritual practices brought to the Americas by enslaved Africans. These practices merged with Indigenous and European religions, evolving into Voodoo in Louisiana, Hoodoo in the Dominican Republic and Vodou in Haiti.
- Visit small villages and markets to rub shoulders with the locals, and gain insight into how they live, prepare their food and celebrate their culture. At the Ganvie stilt village, you’ll get a special insight into the history of the people and how they live on the water with a boat tour through the village.
- Spend a few days in Accra, Ghana's capital – here, you’ll go on a tasting tour in James Town (the old part of the city), visit fantasy coffin makers to learn how the local people respect the dead and tour Nima with visits to local houses and markets.
Itinerary
Bienvenue! Welcome to Benin in West Africa. Your adventure begins in Cotonou – the largest city in Benin located on the south coast – with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight at your hotel. If you arrive early, maybe see the 19th-century Cotonou Cathedral with its striking red-and-white stripes or wander the Haie Vive district to visit the Fondation Zinsou Museum, which showcases some contemporary African art. After meeting your local leader and fellow group members, why not head out for an optional welcome dinner and get to know each other.
- (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
Drive to Porto Novo – Benin's capital, sitting on the shores of Lake Nokoue. When you arrive, you'll find leafy streets and a more relaxed vibe. Head out to the old city with a local guide and visit Songhai Centre – a major research centre dedicated to sustainable farming. Check out the plantations and workshops and maybe support the organisation by buying some of the centre’s produce – you can get anything from fresh quail eggs to biscuits and preserves here! After lunch, you’ll hop in a pirogue (traditional dugout canoe) and ride along the Adjara Black River, a place of significant spiritual well-being for the people in this area. Drift by floating islands, trees, reeds and marsh to a secluded village and meet the locals to learn about their way of life in this rural environment. Then, visit a local distillery to learn about the process of distilling a liquor made from palm nuts. Tonight, you have a free evening to relax at the hotel.
- (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Adjara Black River - Palm Nut Distillery
- Porto Novo - Guided Old City Tour & Songhai Centre
- Adjara Black River - Pirogue Boat Tour
Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours.
Start the day with a visit to the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Dantokpa Market and Le Centre (Le Petit Musee de la Recade). Then, say goodbye to Cotonou and drive to Ganvie – a small village out on Lake Nokou, home to 24,000 Tofinu people. When you arrive, you’ll hop in a pirogue and tour the stilt village created to protect the people from slave hunters. Carry on towards Ouidah, stopping at the Zinsou Foundation along the way. Learn how the foundation provides artists with the space, time, support, resources and equipment needed for art projects. Ouidah is a relaxed beach town and here, you’ll have a free evening to explore at your own pace or relax on the golden sands.
- (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Ganvie - Stilt Village Tour by Pirogue
- Ouidah - Zinsou Foundation
Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.
This morning, visit the sobering Route of the Slaves – also known as Route des Esclaves, this UNESCO-funded memorial traces the path that slaves walked from Ouidah to the Door of No Return. See the slave auction plaza (now home to the Musee d’Histoire), the Tree of Forgetfulness (where slaves were branded with their owners’ symbols) and the Tree of Return (another tree the slaves often circled with the belief that their souls would return home after death). You’ll also see the Sacred Forest and the Afro-Brazilian House. End the day with a Zangbeto Ceremony – the traditional Vodun guardians of the night in the Yoruba religion of Benin and Togo, known as the ‘night watchmen’. In these communities, these guardians are highly revered and act as an unofficial police force, patrolling the streets, watching over the people and tracking down criminals.
- (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Ouidah - Door of No Return
- Ouidah - Route of the Slaves
- Ouidah - Zangbeto Vodun Ceremony
- Ouidah - Afro-Brazilian House
After breakfast, start your journey to Togo, stopping at Possotome along the way – a typical Fon village, where you’ll see mud houses and a Vodun pottery maker. Cross the border into Agbodrafo, then take a motorised pirogue to Togoville – the former seat of the Mlapa dynasty and Togo’s historical centre of Vodun. See the ancient German Cathedral, the museum of the King of Togoville and a shrine dedicated to Vodun. After soaking up some of the local history, continue to your hotel in Lome – the capital of Togo – where you’ll have a free evening.
- (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Togoville - Walking Tour
- Possotome - Pottery & Ceramic Centre
- Togoville - Pirogue Ride
Your travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours.
Today you’ll be exploring Lome with your local leader. After breakfast, visit the Palais de Lome where the president resides. Continue to the Grand Marche. This market is a hub for local food and also the realm of the famous ‘Nana Benz’ – a club of successful businesswomen dating back to the 1950s, known for controlling the trade of Dutch wax prints and riding around in Mercedes Benzes. Wander the market with your leader, and find everything from Togolese football tops to cheap cosmetics and walk down Art Street (also known as the Artisans’ Village) and see its craft vendors.
- (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lome - Grand Marche & Art Street
- Lome - Palais de Lome
Make your way to Kpalime – hidden among the forested hills of the cocoa and coffee region, this town offers some of Togo’s best scenery and hiking trails. On the way, stop at Nyobo village to hike up Mt Agou – Togo’s highest peak. The trail meanders between backyards, forests and cocoa and coffee plantations. Small terraced mountain villages pepper the slopes and you’ll be treated to some great views – on a clear day, you can even see Lake Volta in Ghana!
- (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Kpalime Region - Mt Agou Hike
Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.
The duration and distance of today’s hike may vary depending on the group’s abilities and the weather. Your leader will adjust the route to ensure the experience safe and comfortable for everyone.
There is the option to skip the hike and reach the summit by vehicle.
Drive to the village of Kouma Konda and say hello to the locals, taking time to explore village life. Learn about the plants that thrive here – from coffee and cacao to traditional medicinal herbs – and visit an artist’s workshop to see local creativity in action. Afterwards, make your way to Mt Klouto for a short guided walk on a botanical excursion, ending with a gorgeous view of Kpalime from above. This afternoon, cross the border into Ghana. You’ll be heading through the Volta region – popular with hikers, this area is covered in fertile farmlands and mountains with exceptional views. Continue to your guesthouse in Liate Wote and take a late afternoon stroll through the village before dinner.
- Guesthouse (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Kpalime Region - Mount Klouto Hike
- Kouma Konda - Village Walk
Your travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours. Your walking time will be approximately 1.5 hours.
Set off early before temperatures rise for a steep hike to the peak of Mt Afadja – the highest point in Ghana. After, continue to the banks of the Wli waterfalls, by crossing over nine rivers. Wli (pronounced ‘vlee’) Falls is Ghana’s tallest, sitting among rolling hills, forests and streams. Cool off with a swim or relax and watch the thousands of fruit bats nesting high up on the nearby cliffs. After a gorgeous day surrounded by green, end the day with a cultural drum and dance session back in Liate Wote.
- Guesthouse (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Volta Region - Wli Waterfalls
- Volta Region - Mount Afadja Hike
- Liati Wote - Traditional Drum & Dance
Your hiking time will be approximately 3.5 hours or 6.2 km.
This morning, join members of the community for breakfast before taking the scenic route to Accra. Stop in Akosombo along the way for a boat cruise along the Volta River. Then, drive to the village of Amedzofe, passing through the scenic Avatime Hills. This village is home to a cooler climate, sitting at 750 m altitude as Ghana’s highest settlement. Farmlands make way to forests and waterfalls and when you arrive, you can walk up to the peak of Mount Gemi for a view of the surrounding area. When you arrive in Accra this evening, head out with your leader to visit the Osu Night Market – loaded with local street food including kenkey and fish, kelewele (spicy fried plantain) and kebabs. This market is open all day and all night, with a different set of vendors for sunrise and sunset. Here, you can stroll through the stalls and taste some street food with a chilled, local drink in hand.
- (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Accra - Osu Night Market & Street Food Tour
- Akosombo - Volta River Boat Cruise
- Ote Waterfalls - Canopy Walk - Free
Your travel time today will be approximately 4.5 hours.
Start the day with a guided tasting tour through James Town (old Accra), dotted with historic forts and featuring a harbour and a lighthouse. This is one of the oldest settlements in Accra and yet is one of the most vibrant districts. Discover the dark past of slavery in Accra’s oldest suburb and learn about the Ga culture in the fishing community, immersing you in the Ga culture. See the traditional Ga way of cooking, Indigenous to West Africa and handed down by generations of families. Taste some local snacks and drinks as you stroll through the streets, then depart for Elmina. Along the way, you’ll visit ‘fantasy coffin makers’, where they build elaborate coffins — okadi adekai in the local Ga dialect — to represent the profession, dreams or vices of the deceased. The Ga people believe the deceased will continue their job in the afterlife and the coffin acts as a reminder of that. Ancestors are also believed to wield great power and honouring them with a grand coffin is a way to earn favour, and families often spend up to a year’s salary on the ceremony!
- (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Accra - James Town Culture & Food Tour
- Accra - Fantasy Coffin Makers
Your travel time today will be approximately 4.5 hours.
Head out to Kakum National Park this morning – a lush virgin rainforest that shelters hundreds of bird species and an incredible diversity of butterflies and plant life. When you arrive, walk along the famous canopy walkway – a series of viewing platforms 30 metres high linked by suspension bridges. After, visit Elmina Castle (also known as St George’s Castle). This UNESCO World Heritage site was built as a trading post by the Portuguese in 1482, then was expanded when slaves replaced gold as the major object of commerce. Take a tour of the castle and learn of the sobering past as you walk through the dungeons, punishment cells, the ‘Door of No Return’ and the turret room, where the British imprisoned the Ashanti king, Prempeh I, for four years. You’ll then visit the Asafo Shrines, where warriors prepared mentally and spiritually for war. You then have the rest of the day free to explore Elmina at your own pace – this town sits on the narrow finger of land between the Atlantic Ocean and Benya Lagoon. The traditional name is Anomansa, meaning inexhaustible supply of water! Maybe visit the harbour or wander the fish market.
- (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Elmina - Elmina (St George's) Castle Tour
- Kakum National Park - Canopy Walkway
Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours.
This morning, visit the bustling fish market in Elmina, where brightly painted fishing boats line the shore and the day’s catch is brought in fresh. Predominantly run by women, the market is alive with the sights, sounds, and smells of daily trade. Then head to Cape Coast Castle – a UNESCO World Heritage site in the town's centre, overlooking the sea. This historic site, once central to the transatlantic slave trade, offers a stark look at the past. Take a guided tour through the dark, humid dungeons, where enslaved people were confined for weeks, facing an uncertain future. The contrast between these spaces and the governor’s quarters, which feature huge windows and ocean views, highlights the harsh realities of the era. In the afternoon, you’ll return to Accra, where if you like, you can visit the Arts Centre for National Culture.
- (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Elmina - Cape Coast Castle Guided Tour
- Elmina - Fish Market
- Accra - Arts Centre for National Culture - Free
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
After breakfast, start the day with a walking tour through the neighbourhood of Nima. Here, you’ll visit the local market packed with spices Indigenous to West Africa. Interact with the locals here, then visit some homes within the community to experience their way of life, taste some traditional snacks and listen to some stories. Continue to the Artists Alliance Art Gallery for Contemporary African Art, where you can wander the gallery. Tonight, maybe head out to see a traditional live band performance at the local bar and grill and toast to an amazing adventure.
- (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Accra - Nima Cultural & Tasting Tour
- Accra - Artists Alliance Art Gallery
- Accra - Traditional Live Music - Free
With no further activities planned after breakfast, your trip comes to an end and you’re free to leave at any time after check out. There is an optional half-day city tour of Accra if you’d like to spend more time here – visit the Osu Castle (Christiansborg), a former slave castle. Then, head west along 28th February Road until you reach Independence Square. Finish up with a visit the newly renovated Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Mausoleum. If you would like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.
- Breakfast
- Accra - Half Day City Tour - USD56
Inclusions and activities
14 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Private Vehicle
Hotel (12 nights), Guesthouse (2 nights)
- Adjara Black River - Palm Nut Distillery
- Porto Novo - Guided Old City Tour & Songhai Centre
- Adjara Black River - Pirogue Boat Tour
- Ganvie - Stilt Village Tour by Pirogue
- Ouidah - Zinsou Foundation
- Ouidah - Door of No Return
- Ouidah - Route of the Slaves
- Ouidah - Zangbeto Vodun Ceremony
- Ouidah - Afro-Brazilian House
- Togoville - Walking Tour
- Possotome - Pottery & Ceramic Centre
- Togoville - Pirogue Ride
- Lome - Grand Marche & Art Street
- Lome - Palais de Lome
- Kpalime Region - Mt Agou Hike
- Kpalime Region - Mount Klouto Hike
- Kouma Konda - Village Walk
- Volta Region - Wli Waterfalls
- Volta Region - Mount Afadja Hike
- Liati Wote - Traditional Drum & Dance
- Accra - Osu Night Market & Street Food Tour
- Akosombo - Volta River Boat Cruise
- Accra - James Town Culture & Food Tour
- Accra - Fantasy Coffin Makers
- Elmina - Elmina (St George's) Castle Tour
- Kakum National Park - Canopy Walkway
- Elmina - Cape Coast Castle Guided Tour
- Elmina - Fish Market
- Accra - Nima Cultural & Tasting Tour
- Accra - Artists Alliance Art Gallery
- Ote Waterfalls - Canopy Walk - Free
- Accra - Arts Centre for National Culture - Free
- Accra - Traditional Live Music - Free
- Accra - Half Day City Tour - USD56
We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, learn more about our climate commitment.
When you travel with us, The Intrepid Foundation gives you more opportunities to support important causes in destinations you visit.
Before you book you should know
- You’ll need to be moderately fit to enjoy the hikes on this tour. It will be hot and humid, so remember to bring a hat, sun protection, plenty of water, and sturdy, comfortable walking shoes.
- Tourism infrastructure in Benin, Togo, and Ghana is still developing. In certain regions, electricity may be available only during specific hours. Hot water can be unreliable and Wi-Fi access is not widely available.
- Temperatures in West Africa can be hot and humid year-round. Not all accommodation will have air-conditioning, which is common across the region, especially in smaller guesthouses or remote locations where power supply may be limited. Be prepared for warm nights and pack light, breathable clothing.
- No two journeys in Africa are identical. Be prepared for travel times to be longer or shorter than advised. Weather, traffic, and road conditions can change things significantly, so embrace the unexpected and unforgettable moments along the way.
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
ACCOMMODATION:
Some of the accommodation along the way is basic or simple, staying in local guesthouses and homestays. Some areas of West Africa experience daily load shedding. This is where the power may be turned off at certain times of the day. Hot water and air conditioning can be unreliable and Wi-Fi access is not widely available.
ROOM ISSUES:
If you have any issues with your room, please speak to the hotel and your tour leader right away rather than your travel agent so that the problem can be addressed without delay.
WEST AFRICA HOMESTAYS & GUESTHOUSES
As a responsible travel company, we believe in facilitating positive and meaningful exchanges between our travellers and locals at the places we visit. Homestays are a great vehicle for us to facilitate this!
What will you do during a homestay? Well…it’s hard to tell. As you know a day in a family’s life varies from day to day. We don’t want this experience to feel forced (on you or on them) so we ask families to simply carry on with their lives and that, if there is anything that you may be interested in being part of, they ask you to join in. As such you may be invited to help cook dinner, or to go to the local market for groceries, or to join a soccer game! While your leader will give you some tools to interact with your family (such as some simple local words/phrases) big smiles and lots of sign language can go a long way!
That said, it’s also important that you understand that you are not obliged to participate in these activities. We believe that the more you put in the more you get out of an experience, but we also understand that you may just want to chill out, grab a book or your camera and go for a wander – and that is fine too.
Ultimately, we believe that by simply being there, observing family and friends dynamics is a step forward towards understanding the local way of life.
If you require a Sleep Apnea Machine to sleep please ensure that it is battery operated. Lodges and Permanent Tented Camps are often powered by generators which are turned off during the night.
Hotel BKBG Benin
Quartier Jak-Aledjo, Rue PLM-ALEDJO 4884, AKPAKPA
Cotonou
BENIN
Phone: +229 55 39 56 56
Description
Hotel BKBG Benin is conveniently located just 10 km from Cotonou Cadjehoun Airport. The hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, garden, spa, and restaurant, with 24-hour front desk service and room service available. Each room is equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, free WiFi, a private bathroom, a wardrobe, and a kettle.
Instructions
Intrepid can assist with pre-booking an arrival transfer from the airport - enquire with your agent. Please advise your flight arrival details at least 10 days prior to your departure.
If you have confirmed an arrival transfer, you’ll be met as you exit customs hall and head to the airport exit gate, you will see a transfer representative holding an Intrepid sign. If you cannot find your transfer representative, or if your flight is delayed, please call our local operations team on + 27 82 612 4259. Neither the driver nor any representative should ask you for additional payment.
If you are making your own way to the joining point hotel from Cotonou Airport, there are regular airport taxis that charge approximately $10 USD per person to the hotel. The airport is very small, and taxis are right outside the arrivals hall's exit doors. The drive is approximately 20 minutes. Alternatively, Gozem ride-share app is available in Benin. Please ensure you download the app and add your payment details before leaving your home country.
Dates and prices
Important notes
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. Most nationalities require a visa for entry into Benin, Togo, and Ghana. Depending on your nationality, the application process can be complicated and may take time, so we recommend checking requirements and starting the process early. For current information and links to applications, please use our Visa & Entry Requirements tool - http://www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
Reviews
Following feedback from our first departure, we’ve made changes to improve the experience. We’ve upgraded accommodation that was flagged below standard and worked closely with our local partners to ensure accommodation meets the standard of our Original style. We’ve also improved the village homestay experience through direct engagement with the community.
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