Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Cotonou
Your guide meets you when you land in Cotonou and takes you to your hotel so you can get settled in and rest after your journey.
- Start point
- Cotonou, Littoral, Benin (Cotonou Cadjehoun International Airport)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Paradisia Hotel )
- Day 2
Porto-Novo
After breakfast, you head to Ganvie, the largest lake village in Africa. There you'll travel by pirogue through the channels and spend time with the Tofinu people to learn about their daily life and history on the water. From there, you move on to Porto-Novo to tour the royal palace, take in the city, catch an Egoungoun dance performance in Adjarra, and visit the sacred black lake.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Résidence Ouadada)
Included Activities
- Navigate water channels in Ganvie and interact with Tofinu people
- Explore Porto-Novo royal palace
- Porto-Novo city tour
- Egoungoun dance performance in Adjarra
- Visit sacred black lake of Adjarra
Landmarks/POIs Ganvie Lake Nokoué Porto-Novo Royal Palace Adjarra Sacred Black Lake 
- Day 3
Pobe - Dassa Zoumey
Following breakfast, you visit the historic museum that used to serve as Porto Novo's royal palace to see the city's heritage and the Afro-Brazilian architecture. Then you head to Pobe to meet the Holli tribe and learn about the Ketou kingdom. Later in the afternoon, you watch a Guelede dance performance in Cove before driving to Dassa Zoumey, where you arrive in the late afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (TG Hotel )
Included Activities
- Visit historic museum of Porto-Novo (former royal palace)
- Explore Afro-Brazilian architecture
- Meet Holli tribe in Pobe
- Explore Ketou kingdom
- Guelede dance performance in Cove
Landmarks/POIs Porto-Novo Museum Pobe Ketou Kingdom Cove Dassa Zoumey - Day 4
Savalou
Early morning brings a hike through the Dassa mountains where you'll explore voodoo convents and encounter the Fulanih tribe known for their cattle herding. You visit the Sakpata voodoo temple, one of the most significant in the world, then head to Savalou to see the historic slave holding site and the traditional Dankoli voodoo temple.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (T&F Hotel )
Included Activities
- Scenic hike in Dassa mountains to explore voodoo convents
- Encounter Fulanih tribe
- Visit Sakpata voodoo temple
- Visit historic slave holding site in Savalou
- Explore Dankoli voodoo temple
Landmarks/POIs Dassa Mountains Dassa Voodoo Convents Sakpata Voodoo Temple Savalou Slave Site Dankoli Voodoo Temple - Day 5
Taneka - Natitingou
You travel to Taneka with a stop at the cultural museum (about 30 minutes from the village). The spiritual chief performs sacred rituals to show you the village's protection practices. Later you witness a traditional circumcision dance performed by the Yom tribe, men and boys between ages 20 to 30 marking their transition to adulthood. After that, you see the Kota waterfall before continuing to Natitingou for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Totora Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Taneka cultural museum
- Meet spiritual chief of Taneka
- Witness traditional circumcision dance of Yom tribe
- Visit Kota waterfall
Landmarks/POIs Taneka Village Taneka Cultural Museum Kota Waterfall Natitingou - Day 6
Boukombé - Natitingou
You explore the UNESCO World Heritage Tata Somba villages southwest of Natitingou near the Togolese border, where the Betamaribe people practice animism. The distinctive fortress-like dwellings show over 10 different architectural styles, with Otchaou resembling Togolese constructions. You experience the women's initiation dance and gain insight into Somba culture, then return to Natitingou to check out the regional museum and local arts shops.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Totora Hotel )
Included Activities
- Explore Tata Somba villages (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Experience women's initiation dance of Betamaribe people
- Visit Natitingou regional museum
- Browse local arts and crafts shops
Landmarks/POIs Tata Somba Villages Boukombé Natitingou Regional Museum - Day 7
Nikki - Parakou
You journey to Nikki, the historical heartland of the Bariba tribe. There you visit the royal palace and the Danri Museum to explore the region's heritage. You watch a horse dance, a traditional Bariba performance, then see the royal palace before traveling to Parakou, the largest city in northern Benin, to walk through its bustling streets.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Kobourou City Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Nikki royal palace
- Explore Danri Museum
- Witness horse dance of Bariba tribe
- Explore royal palace of Nikki
Landmarks/POIs Nikki Royal Palace Danri Museum Parakou - Day 8
Agongointo - Abomey
The day starts with a comprehensive tour of Parakou where you see monuments and landmarks reflecting its history. Then you head toward Abomey with a stop at the pottery village and underground houses in Agongointo to see traditional craftsmanship and unique regional architecture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (L'auberge d'Abomey)
Included Activities
- Parakou city tour - monuments and landmarks
- Visit pottery village in Agongointo
- Explore underground houses in Agongointo
Landmarks/POIs Parakou Agongointo Pottery Village Agongointo Underground Houses - Day 9
Abomey
You explore Abomey, the historic heart of Benin and former seat of the powerful Abomey kingdom. The royal palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, served as the seat of power for 12 kings. You visit the fetish market, see local arts and crafts, discover the Chameleon battlefield and Place GOHO, and tour some private palaces to learn about the region's heritage.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (L'auberge d'Abomey)
Included Activities
- Visit Abomey royal palace (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Explore fetish market
- Admire local arts and crafts
- Visit Chameleon battlefield (Place GOHO)
- Visit private palaces
Landmarks/POIs Abomey Royal Palace Abomey Fetish Market Place GOHO - Day 10
Lokossa - Possotome
You travel to Lokossa to watch the Zangbeto dance, a traditional performance rooted in local culture. Then you continue to Possotome to participate in a voodoo ritual and visit a site where skulls associated with black magic or voodoo HEVIOSSO are kept. Later you explore the sacred lake and visit the sacred island of Mitogbodji in the lake's center.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hôtel Chez Theo)
Included Activities
- Witness Zangbeto dance in Lokossa
- Participate in voodoo ritual in Possotome
- Visit sacred site with skulls associated with voodoo HEVIOSSO
- Excursion on sacred lake
- Visit sacred island of Mitogbodji
Landmarks/POIs Lokossa Possotome Possotome Sacred Lake Mitogbodji Sacred Island - Day 11
Grand Popo
Starting in Grand Popo, you visit Salt Island where salt production has been a long tradition. You check out the Heve voodoo village to learn about local spiritual practices, then go to La Bouche du Roi where the river meets the ocean. Later you participate in the twins ritual in Grand Popo, a sacred ceremony honoring the bond between twins.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hôtel Awalé Plage)
Included Activities
- Visit Salt Island in Grand Popo
- Visit Heve voodoo village
- Visit La Bouche du Roi
- Participate in twins ritual in Grand Popo
Landmarks/POIs Salt Island Heve Voodoo Village La Bouche du Roi Grand Popo - Day 12
Ouidah
At 8 o'clock after breakfast, you head to Ouidah, Benin's vibrant tourism hub. The chief of the voodoo house tells you about voodoo's history, practices, and how it spread to countries worldwide, especially in the Americas. You explore the sacred forest where legend says the king of Kpasse rested, visit the python temple with live pythons revered as totems, and interact with these sacred creatures.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (djegba hotel ouidah )
Included Activities
- Visit voodoo house chief in Ouidah
- Explore sacred forest of Ouidah
- Visit python temple
- Interact with live pythons revered as HOUEDA totems
Landmarks/POIs Ouidah Voodoo House Ouidah Sacred Forest Ouidah Python Temple - Day 13
Allada - Ouidah
You journey to Allada to meet King Da Glele Milonon II, who teaches you about the voodoo religion and Fa divination, the African oracle guiding understanding of the future through hidden knowledge. You participate in voodoo rituals and ceremonies, then return to Ouidah in the afternoon to explore the city and see festival preparations underway.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (djegba hotel ouidah)
Included Activities
- Meet King Da Glele Milonon II in Allada
- Learn about voodoo religion and Fa divination
- Participate in voodoo rituals and ceremonies
- Explore Ouidah and observe festival preparations
Landmarks/POIs Allada - Day 14
Voodoo Festival
Early morning, you drive into the city to watch priests and kings conducting solemn rituals and making sacrifices to inaugurate the voodoo ceremony. After returning for breakfast, the main event begins. Thousands of devotees from Africa, America, and the Caribbean gather while great priests and their followers unite to honor deities through songs, dances, drumming, animal sacrifices, libations, and prayers.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (djegba hotel ouidah)
Included Activities
- Witness early morning ceremonial rituals and sacrifices
- Attend the main Voodoo Festival celebration
- Experience performances including songs, dances, and drumming
Landmarks/POIs Ouidah - Day 15
Cotonou - Drabo
You travel to Cotonou for a city tour visiting Amazon square, a bustling hub of activity. You see the iconic Place of the Red Star and explore the arts market for traditional crafts and local artwork. There's also the world's longest graffiti wall showcasing urban creativity. In the afternoon, you drive to Drabo to see red-bellied monkeys in their natural habitat.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Paradisia Hotel)
Included Activities
- Cotonou city tour - Amazon square
- Visit Place of the Red Star
- Explore arts market
- View world's longest graffiti wall
- Encounter red-bellied monkeys in Drabo
Landmarks/POIs Amazon Square Place of the Red Star Cotonou Arts Market Cotonou Graffiti Wall Drabo - Day 16
Departure from Cotonou
Starting in Calavi, you explore the vibrant arts gallery with diverse local artwork. Then you visit Dantokpa market, one of West Africa's largest markets, known for its bustling atmosphere and variety of goods. In the afternoon, you relax on the beach soaking in the sun and reflecting on your journey before transferring to the airport for departure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore arts gallery in Calavi
- Visit Dantokpa market
Optional Activities
- Beach relaxation time
Landmarks/POIs Calavi Arts Gallery Dantokpa Market
