West Africa tour
Price
US $3880ToUS $5000US $4700 excluding flights
More info
Prices based on 2 adults sharing.
Single supplement from $550 - $620.
Mimimum age 16.
Single supplement from $550 - $620.
Mimimum age 16.
Last minute
Late availability on these dates: 17 Oct, 14 Nov
Description of West Africa tour
Map
Price information
US $3880ToUS $5000US $4700 excluding flights
Prices based on 2 adults sharing.
Single supplement from $550 - $620.
Mimimum age 16.
Single supplement from $550 - $620.
Mimimum age 16.
Check dates, prices & availability
Travel guides
Togo is a fascinating, vibrant country, running from coast to forest covered mountain, that is totally eye opening...
Our travel guide explores this little-visited West Africa nation, revealing stories of temples, villages and festivals.
Vacation information
Small group tour, ideal for solos & couples:
Small group travel is not large group travel scaled down. It is modelled on independent travel – but with the advantage of a group leader to take care of the itinerary, accommodation and tickets, and dealing with the language. It’s easy to tick off the big sights independently – but finding those one-off experiences, local festivals, traveling markets and secret viewpoints is almost impossible for someone without the insider knowledge gained from years in the field. Those with a two-week vacation, a small group tour will save valuable planning time.
Indigenous communities:
This trip benefits multiple indigenous communities by transforming existing skills into employment opportunities, such as hiring local people as guides and drivers. Tourists support the local economy by purchasing handicrafts, food, and beverages from indigenous-owned stalls, ensuring that the economic benefits of tourism reach the community directly.
Reviews
1 Reviews of West Africa tour
3 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 30 Jan 2024 by Derek Carter
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The well behaved children. Given responsibility early like the 5 year old boy paddling his canoe, very self assured, or the girls of 6,7,8 with baby strapped to
their backs. They value their schooling.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Beware hold luggage not arriving on your aircraft. 7 out of 13 had issues. One bag arrived a week late and one 9 days late. It was a 14 day break with
temperatures in the high 30's
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I would like to think there was a benefit to local people but not huge.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Educational rather than enjoyable. No physical activity to speak of. A couple of short walks.
Responsible Travel
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we've screened this (and every) vacation so that you can travel knowing we've worked to maximise the benefits of your vacation to local people and places, and minimise any negative impacts.
Planet and people
We limit our group size to 12 passengers on this tour to two of Africa's least-known nations to limit our impact and allow us to visit and interact more intimately with remote communities.We work with a Togolese guide and Togolese drivers and throughout the tour we hire individual local guides for all the areas and sites we visit including a local entomologist in Kloto forest in Togo. Additionally we rotate our community and village visits working closely with individual families and village Chiefs to ensure our visits do not impact negatively on the local communities and the income we bring is distributed fairly among each family.
Our relationships with community leaders allow our groups to witness and gain an insight into various tribal ceremonies and events during each tour and we may adapt night-stops to take advantage of specific events happening in the region. Most of the accommodation we use is locally owned including the unique Chez M in Benin, owned and managed by the indomitable Madame 'M', built on stilts in the same style as the local houses in the traditional fishing community of Ganvie in Lake Nokoue.
Visiting various daily and weekly local markets during the tour there is plenty of opportunity to buy produce and goods direct from the local people as well as pottery, cloth, woodwork and other artisans from the various communities we visit.
In addition to the above, we are continually looking for ways to improve and are proud to be ‘Responsible in everything we do’. Education is key and so all staff, Tour Leaders and partnering suppliers are trained in responsible and sustainable tourism. At our Head Office, we continually strive towards a sustainable and planet-friendly working environment, including having solar panels installed and a company commitment to reducing our plastic usage. As well as this, we have valuable and longstanding partnerships with UK charities Toilet Twinning and Send a Cow, plus many smaller initiatives and projects around the world. We’re members of UK travel industry bodies Tourism Concern and AITO because we believe it’s important to share our knowledge and experience, as well as learn from other operators.
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