Curious about West Africa and all its wonders, history, and cultural delights? Explore the highlights of Ghana, Togo and Benin with an experienced guide on this one of a kind 14-day in-depth tour.
Start in Accra and soak up the history before traveling to Cape Coast where you'll visit the famed Cape Coast Slave Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home of the "door of no return". Visit Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Kingdom of Gold, as well as Ho, Wli Falls, and the Volta Region. In Togo, visit the Lome Central Market, Lake Togo, and Ouidah — the birthplace of Voodoo. Then, explore beautiful Ganvie, known as “the Venice of Africa” in Benin.
This trip includes all accommodation and several meals. Please see the itinerary and what's included sections for more details. Don't miss out on this fabulous opportunity to learn more about this fascinating part of the world.
Embark on an unforgettable journey through West Africa, starting in Accra, Ghana, where you’ll explore its vibrant culture and history, including the National Museum and Jamestown's historic landmarks. Travel to Lomé, Togo, to visit the DuBois Center, bustling markets, and the German Cathedral, then continue to Benin to discover the sacred sites of Togoville and Ouidah and learn about the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade. In Ghana, unwind at a scenic hotel in Akosombo, enjoy a river cruise on the Volta River, and tour the Akosombo Dam. In Kumasi, dive into Ashanti culture with visits to UNESCO-listed sites, Kente weaving villages, and the Manhyia Palace. Reflect on the history of slavery at Cape Coast, including Assin Manso and Cape Coast Castle, and experience the breathtaking Kakum National Park canopy walkway. Finish with a traditional African Naming Ceremony and a farewell dinner in Accra, before departing with a deeper connection to West Africa’s rich cultural and historical heritage.
Mixture of hotels as per say with Explore, from full electricity to an African Hut lit by candle light. Please note accommodation is very basic compared to Western standards which Assan stressed to the group on the first day of the trip.
As mentioned in the itinerary there is a heavy emphasis on the bird life and the majority of trips are geared towards the birds. If birds are your thing then this is a trip for you.
The guide Assan is an excellent & enthusiastic birder with a comprehensive knowledge of the birds from The Gambia & Senegal.
Assan is a very open and honest guide & will relay his personal experiences of his own village life in The Gambia.
Driver Cering was excellent & ensured we were all safe & comfy on the long journeys on the bumpy African roads.
Bottled was provided on the bus along with regular local fruits.
Food wise, a lot of enthesis on fish cooked and served whole.
I am a vegetarian non fish eating and with help from Assan I never went hungry.
Local children enjoyed the sweets the group brought from the U.K.
Ines, Fatima and Koffi tried really hard under very difficult circumstances to make this trip a success. Very fulfilling trip with many interesting sites and experiences. I highly recommend it.
The accommodations were variable, always clean and with hot water but some places were tired and in need of updating. Air conditioning was a must as it was hot and humid, however most were noisy and not good for a light sleeper.
The staff were always helpful and friendly.
Food in the hotels and restaurants was plentiful and there was always fish or chicken for those less adventurous, accompanied by mountains of rice or pasta.
We were able to meet the locals, often visiting their homes, and learn about their cultures and beliefs. Also how they lived off the land and produced most of the food they need for the villages and to sell at the market stalls. We were able to try our hand at weaving, dying cloth and making garments. All extremely interesting and an education.
We experienced Kayaking, canoeing, climbing through the tree canopies in the forest along rope bridges plus lots of other activities. All under the guidance and care of our very informative tour guide Oscar and driver Prince.
Our tours through the castles was quite daunting, learning how the slave trade treated people was shocking.
All in all our holiday was an exceptional experience, if not quite exhausting. We were disappointed with the lack of wildlife but was not through lack of exciting safari drives trying to find the animals, with so much else going on our cameras were never idol.
Jan and Arthur
Come and explore the most amazing parts of Ghana on this 7-day nature trip. Experience the amazing wildlife, nature, adventure, and culture of this beautiful country! To get a full-blown experience of the beauty of the country, the tour will begin from the Greater Accra Region and take you to the Central Region, before we explore and amuse ourselves all the way to the Northern Region.
The trip starts with an experience on a canopy walkway before heading to Mole National Park for walking and driving safaris and other interesting activities including a canoe safari in a hippo sanctuary! We will also explore a local eco-village. Along the way, we will make sure to stop at some interesting cultural highlights, including the famed Cape Coast Castle and the ancient Larabanga Mosque.
Explore some of the highlights of Senegal on this 7-day discover Senegal guided tour that includes bustling Dakar, quaint St Louis and Djoudj National Bird Park, among other wonders!
See some of Senegal’s gems including Pink Lake, a rare phenomenon located only an hour from Dakar, where the high concentration of salt and microorganisms gives the water a uniquely pink color. A twenty minute ferry ride takes you to Goree Island, where the tranquil atmosphere and pastel colored houses betray Goree’s infamous past. Explore Dakar itself on a city tour that shows off the main highlights including the presidential palace and the most significant neighbourhoods. Pick up some handmade souvenirs and treasures to bring home from the local craft markets. If you are near Dakar on Sunday you may schedule a few hours to visit Abbaye de Keur Moussa, a Benedictine monastery built in the early 1900s and where Sunday mass is celebrated accompanied by traditional African musical instruments such as koras, balafons and soft drums.
This is an excellent choice for traveller's wanting to learn more about Senegal and see some of the highlights. Please find more information in the itinerary and what's included sections.
Explore Ghana and its rich history, including its part in the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, on this fun and educational 8-day trip exploring some of the most amazing parts of the country. Visit the UNESCO-Heritage-listed slave castles of Cape Coast and Elmina, take a tour of the capital city, visit a few fascinating forts and enjoy the stunning beach views, all while learning more about our human past and the profound effects of colonization and slavery across the world.
The tour begins from the nation’s capital of Ghana, where we have an in-depth tour of Accra. Then we leave the big city behind and explore all the way along the coastal region where you can tour the infamous castles known for temporarily housing slaves, before returning to Accra for the final day.
Ghana is a beautiful country I’ll advise everyone to take a trip there. Their tours are very informative and the tour guide and bus drivers are the best.
Another excellent trip with Explore. Fascinating itinerary which helped us discover many parts of both Togo and Benin. The tour leaders, Oscar and Edmund were both excellent and gave us a great insight into these fascinating countries. Some hotels were better than others, but that is to be expected in more remote regions.
Learn more about the rich history and culture of the famed Ashanti Kingdom on this 5-day fun-packed trip exploring the most amazing parts of the Ashanti Region. This is a perfect amount of time to explore and experience the amazing cultural and historical resources of this beautiful part of the country.
The tour begins from the Ashanti capital, Kumasi. We then explore and amuse ourselves all the way around the middle belt of the country, ending the tour in Accra, the country’s capital. Visit the biggest open-air market in West Africa, see the amazing landscapes of the country, explore the rich culture of local villages, and visit the only natural lake in Ghana. End your trip with a tour of Accra, Ghana’s capital city.
