Benin, Togo and Ghana tours

Planet

Before departure, we provide travelers with information about respecting the natural environments and communities they visit. Travelers are encouraged not to purchase souvenirs made from endangered wildlife or products that involve the use of protected species.

We also encourage travelers to make informed choices about food while traveling and to avoid consuming bush meat from protected or endangered wildlife species.

Where hotels use renewable energy, we support these initiatives and encourage staff to turn off lights and electrical appliances when they are not in use.

The tour includes visits to communities where traditional buildings use locally available materials such as clay. Travelers can learn about local building methods and the way these materials are used in the communities they visit.

Travelers are asked not to leave any litter. Our guides advise travelers on appropriate waste disposal during the journey, and waste is disposed of in towns where collection facilities are available.

People

Many of the accommodations used on this trip are locally owned by people in the destinations we visit. Where possible, we also use local products, businesses and activity providers, giving travelers opportunities to spend money within the communities they visit.

We encourage travelers to respect the traditional way of life of the communities they visit. Where appropriate, we may bring simple traditional gifts such as sugar or tea when visiting communities where this is customary. We avoid introducing items that may be inappropriate for the communities we visit.

In addition to our tour guides, we use community site guides for certain visits. These guides provide local knowledge and help travelers learn about the history, culture and everyday life of the communities they visit.

Before departure, travelers receive guidance on respecting local customs and beliefs. This is particularly important in parts of Ghana, Togo and Benin where attitudes towards photography vary. Travelers are advised to ask permission before taking photographs of people and to respect requests not to be photographed. Where a person requests payment for a photograph, travelers are advised to agree the amount before taking the photograph.