Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Cotonou
You'll land in Benin where the staff will meet you at the airport. After getting through customs, you're driven to Hotel du Lac in Cotonou, which sits right on the lagoon. Check in and settle in for the night, taking time to adjust from your travel.
- Start point
- Cotonou, Littoral, Benin (Airport/ Accommodation )
- Day 2
Cotonou and Ganvie
Breakfast comes first at your hotel, then your guide takes you through Cotonou's bustling Dantokpa market where vendors sell everything from textiles to traditional crafts. The fetish stores nearby hold spiritual items and traditional medicines. By midday you'll head out to Ganvie, the water-based village often called African Venice. You'll boat through the channels and spend time with Tofí fishermen families in their homes built right on the water. Back to Hotel du Lac for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Guided city exploration of Cotonou
- Visit Dantokpa market
- Visit fetish stores
- Tour to Ganvie
- Water channels tour
- Meet Tofí families and learn about their culture
Landmarks/POIs Dantokpa Market Ganvie Lake Nokoué - Day 3
Ouidah Voodoo Festival
After eating breakfast, you'll travel to Ouidah, a city deeply rooted in Voodoo tradition and history. A local Voodoo devotee serves as your guide through the day's festivities, and you'll watch traditional ceremonies, see ritual dances, hear live music, and observe spiritual celebrations throughout the streets. The evening brings you to Hotel Diaspora Hotel where you'll rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Guided tour of Ouidah Voodoo Festival
- Voodoo devotee guide experience
- Witness traditional dances and ceremonies
- Observe ritual performances and spiritual activities
- Dinner
- Traditional drum performances
Landmarks/POIs Ouidah - Day 4
Ouidah and Lake Ahémé
You'll eat breakfast and spend the morning in Ouidah engaging in spiritual experiences and visits to important cultural sites. Later in the day you head toward Lake Ahémé, considered sacred in Voodoo practice. There you'll see ritual ceremonies firsthand, talk with communities who follow animistic beliefs, and visit the temple of the High Priest of Bopa. You'll stay overnight at Hotel Chez Theo.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Guided visits in Ouidah
- Travel to Lake Ahémé
- Voodoo spiritual experiences
- Witness ritual ceremonies and dances
- Visit High Priest of Bopa and his temple
- Learn about animistic traditions
Landmarks/POIs Lake Ahémé - Day 5
Abomey
After breakfast you travel to Abomey, Benin's cultural heart and the country's only UNESCO world heritage site. On the way you'll stop at Bohicon's fetish market to browse local spiritual goods and crafts. In Abomey itself, you'll walk through different neighborhoods, watch traditional dancers perform, and get a real sense of the city's character with your guide. Sun City Hotel is where you'll sleep.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Stop at Bohicon fetish market
- Visit Abomey city
- Watch traditional dances in neighborhoods
Optional Activities
- Visit Royal Palace
- Visit art museum
Landmarks/POIs Abomey Bohicon Fetish Market Royal Palace of Abomey - Day 6
Agonlin Mounts
Breakfast done, you'll travel along red soil roads heading toward Agonlin Mounts where Fon farmers and nomadic Fulani herders live. You'll have a picnic with them and walk around local villages, seeing how people farm and live in this region. A traditional family dinner follows, cooked and shared right there. You'll stay at Hotel TG.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic with local communities), Dinner (Family dinner)
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Travel through Agonlin region
- Picnic with Fon farmers and Fulani nomads
- Guided walking excursion through villages
- Explore local landscapes
- Family dinner
- Cultural interaction and learning
Landmarks/POIs Agonlin Mounts - Day 7
Holi Tribal Region and Porto Novo
Breakfast is at 7am so you can get an early start exploring the Holi tribal region, a Yoruba subgroup living in animistic villages. You'll have a picnic lunch in one of the villages and experience rural life. From there you head to Porto Novo, Benin's political capital, where you'll see the Afro-Brazilian quarter with its historic Portuguese trader houses from centuries ago. The narrow streets and local landmarks give the city its character. Songhay Hotel is your place to stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic sandwich in village)
Included Activities
- Breakfast at 7am
- Exploration of Holi tribal villages
- Village market visits
- Picnic lunch in village
- Rural cultural experiences
- Travel to Porto Novo
- Morning walk through Afro-Brazilian neighborhood
- Visit Portuguese trader descendant houses
- Walk through narrow streets
- Visit central mosque
- Visit traditional ruler Toffa King
Optional Activities
- Visit markets (depending on day availability)
Landmarks/POIs Holi Tribal Region Porto Novo Central Mosque of Porto Novo - Day 8
Porto Novo Yoruba Culture
You'll have breakfast and then check out Porto Novo's drum market, a lively place full of percussion instruments and musical energy. The Black River sits on the city's edge and you'll visit it as well. During the day you'll head to nearby Yoruba villages to learn about their music traditions and cultural practices, plus spend time with a Yoruba dance master who can show you their movement styles. Another night at Songhay Hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Visit drum market
- Visit Black River
- Exploration of Yoruba villages
- Introduction to Nigerian and Yoruba rhythms
- Visit Yoruba dance master
- Cultural conversation and learning
Landmarks/POIs Drum Market of Porto Novo Black River Yoruba Villages - Day 9
Departure from Cotonou
After breakfast you check out and drive back toward Cotonou, stopping at various markets and shops along the way to pick up souvenirs and gifts. Back in Cotonou, your guide arranges a traditional dinner at the hotel for your final evening. After eating you'll be driven to the airport for your flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional dinner)
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Shopping at markets and malls
- Traditional dinner
