WEST AFRICA EXPEDITION

26 days at GBP5,060 land only
Tripcode: AYC

Countries Visited: Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Togo

The cultural and natural highlights of five west African countries

A region that has captured the imagination of travellers for centuries, west Africa was the home of the influential Malian and Ashanti Empires, the great Dahomey Kingdom and the ancient settlement of Djenne. Delving under the skin and visiting highlights including the ancient town of Timbuktu, the inimitable Dogon Country, wonderful wildlife in Pendjari National Park and the tranquil Lake Togo, we'll learn much about the rich and diverse history of the region, including gaining insights into the traditional voodoo religion. Highlights for many are the visit to the Gorom-Gorom Market in Burkina Faso, an unforgettable experience, along with seeing many of the historic reminders of the west African slave trade. This is an expedition deep into the heart of west Africa.

Itinerary

[detailed itinerary...]

Day 1

Start Bamako.

Day 2

Morning city tour; afternoon visit to Mali Initiative Project.

Day 3

Fly to Timbuktu; walking tour.

Day 4

Camel trek into Sahara to visit Tuareg Camp; return to Timbuktu.

Day 5

Morning flight to Mopti; pinasse excursion on Niger River, transfer to Djenne for city tour.

Day 6

Market day in Djenne; transfer to Dogon region, trek and overnight in Dogon village.

Day 7

Complete trek and transfer by road to Bukino Faso.

Day
8 - 9

Visit Gorom-Gorom Market amid the Sahel landscape.

Day 10

Continue south to Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso.

Day 11

To Bobo-Dioulasso; free afternoon for exploration.

Day 12

Continue to Banfora, via Lake Tengrela and Karfiguela Waterfalls.

Day 13

Transfer to Lobi country with its unique architecture; afternoon visit to Loropeni ruins.

Day 14

To Benin; visit Pendjari N.P. - home to elephant, baboon, lion, hippo, buffalo, antelope and over 300 species of bird.

Day 15

Via Tanougou Falls to Natitingou, home of the Betamaribe people.

Day
16 - 17

Transfer overland to Abomey, a distance of 520km; visit ancient capital of Dahomey Kingdom.

Day
18 - 19

To Grand Popo Beach, via Ganvie, for two days relaxing in Gulf of Guinea. Optional excursion to Ouidah - home of Voodoo.

Day 20

To Togo; Lome city tour.

Day 21

Via Lake Togo and Togoville, where Voodoo religion still flourishes; into Ghana. Overnight in Ada.

Day
22 - 23

Morning drive to Kumasi, one time capital of Ashanti Kingdom; visit local museums and Kejetia Market.

Day 24

Continue south to Axim, stay at one of Ghana's most isolated and luxurious beach resorts; seasonal whale watching.

Day 25

Free morning, afternoon transfer to Elmina to visit St George's Castle, one of 20 'slave castles' along Gold Coast.

Day 26

To Kakum N.P. for canopy walkway. Continue to Accra, afternoon exploration; end Accra.

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Sorceror, Benin