West Africa itineraries
Our West Africa Vacations
Ghana, Togo and Benin vacation, gold and magic
Traditional villages and voodoo in Ghana, Togo and Benin
West Africa Explorer, Guinea-Bissau & Senegal
Historic towns, vibrant tribal culture & the Bijagos Islands
Equatorial Guinea small group vacation
The highlights of one of Africa's least known countries
Senegal and Guinea Bissau cultural vacation
Discover Senegal and Guinea Bissau on this 14 day group tour
Ghana, Togo and Benin cultural vacation
Explore the unique African culture in three countries
Ghana, Togo and Benin vacation
Tribal culture, colourful customs and Ouidah Voodoo Festival
Cultural vacation in Ghana, Togo and Benin
Join an amazing group trip through Ghana, Togo and Benin.
Dakar to Accra, West Africa overland tour
Off the beaten track West Africa overland tour
Burkina Faso & Mali vacations
Experience the magic Mali and Burkina landscapes and people
West Africa tour, Bissau to Cotonou
Voodoo heartlands, traditional storytellers and lush islands
Guinea and Sierra Leone tour
Breathtaking mountains, idyllic islands and wild chimpanzees
Western Sahara overland tour, Marrakech to Bissau
Travel from North Africa through the Sahara to the tropics
Guinea-Bissau tour, beyond the Bijagos
Explore tribal traditions and the Bijagos islands
West Africa explorer tour, Marrakech to Cotonou
An epic journey from Morocco to the voodoo coast of Benin
Guinea Bissau to the heart of the Sahara overland tour
Travel from Guinea Bissau to the heart of the Sahara
Benin small group tour
Explore Benin's voodoo culture and ethnic diversity.
West Africa tours, Ghana Togo & Benin
Explore West Africa's highlights overland
West Africa overland tours
With so many cultures, landscapes, festivals and experiences, how can you begin to make sense of West Africa on a two-week vacation?
A great starting point is the smaller countries clustered along the southern coastline. Their diminutive size makes it much easier to border hop to experience both Franco- and Anglophone West Africa, as well as passing through landscapes from coast to forest, city to Sahel. These tours typically combine Ghana, Togo and Benin; here’s a sample itinerary to give you an idea of what to expect.
Our top West Africa Vacation
Ghana, Togo and Benin vacation, gold and magic
Traditional villages and voodoo in Ghana, Togo and Benin
2021: 11 Feb, 25 Mar, 17 Jun, 29 Jul, 11 Aug, 21 Oct, 2 Dec, 27 Dec
Ghana
Togo
Leaving Ghana, you’ll cross into the pretty Togolese capital of Lomé. Explore the vibrant markets selling gorgeous textiles and all manner of exotic fruits and vegetables. This is the only city to have been colonised by Britain, France and Germany, and you can compare Togo’s Francophone culture with the Anglophone Ghana as you immerse yourself in the cultural mix on the streets. You may also have the opportunity to join a Vodou ceremony in a nearby village.Benin
Continuing along the Atlantic Coast, this West Africa tour takes you into Benin, and to Lake Nokwe, which is home to around 20,000 people. Not on its shores, but in a vast stilt village, constructed in the middle of the lake. People fled here to escape capture for the slave trade – and have remained here, in a thriving community, ever since.Benin is the home of Vodou, and the next stop is Ouidah – the spiritual stronghold, infused with a sense of the otherworldly, with Vodou priests, a python temple and an enchanted forest. Even darker histories await at the Door of No Return – a sombre monument to the millions of slaves who were shipped from these shores over the centuries.
You’ll then leave the coast and head north, passing the gruesome Dankoli fetish – the most powerful Vodou shrine in the country. Northern Benin is home to many indigenous groups and tribes, many of whom lead largely traditional lives. Their impressive architecture includes the fortified mud compounds, a style developed to protect them from slave raiders, but still used today to house people, livestock and granaries. You can meet groups such as the Taneka and Taberma people, to learn about daily life here.
Togo
Crossing back into northern Togo, you’ll discover more traditional customs in the town of Sokode as you witness a fire dance with burning coals. As you veer south again, the landscapes become greener as you reach the tropical forest region that sits between the northern deserts and the coast. Perhaps take a night walk through the forest, to hear it come alive.Ghana
The forest exploration continues in Ghana, where the Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary is alive with colobus and mona monkeys, considered sacred by the local community. You’ll then reach the Ashanti region of central Ghana. The city of Kumasi is the center of the Ashanti kingdom and a hub for this vibrant culture, a classic African riot of woven kente cloth, traditional crafts, music and dance. Even the funerals here are lively, colourful affairs – you may be invited to witness one for a truly authentic glimpse into Ashanti culture.The flamboyant Akwasidae festival is held several times a year, or visit the Royal Palace Museum to see a collection of traditional gold jewellery.
From here, it’s an easy journey back to Accra for your flight home.