Tour overview

This 15-day small-group journey crosses three West African countries along the Gulf of Guinea, from the voodoo heartland of Benin to the forts and beaches of Ghana. Groups have up to 12 travellers aged 15 and over, with a local leader throughout. You travel by private vehicle and pirogue, and stay 12 nights in simple hotels and two in local guesthouses. Breakfast is included daily, with a lunch and a dinner. Expect basic comforts, with occasional power cuts and unreliable hot water.

The trip begins in Cotonou and Porto-Novo, Benin's leafy capital, followed by a pirogue ride to Ganvié, a village of houses on stilts in Lake Nokoué, home to some 20,000 people. In Ouidah you walk the sobering Route of the Slaves to the Door of No Return on the beach and learn about Vodun, the traditional religion of the region, at its temples and sacred forest.

Read more

Crossing into Togo, you visit the Fon village of Possotomé and explore Lomé, with its fetish market. Inland, the forested hills around Kpalimé, a region of cocoa and coffee, offer hikes on Mount Agou and Mount Klouto, butterflies and village visits. In Ghana you climb Mount Afadja, the country's highest peak, walk to the Wli Falls, among the highest in West Africa, and spend a night with a local community before reaching Akosombo for a cruise on the Volta River.

A tasting tour of Jamestown in old Accra leads to the coast at Elmina, where the castles of Elmina and Cape Coast, now UNESCO World Heritage Sites, tell the story of the Atlantic slave trade. You walk among the treetops on the Kakum National Park canopy walkway, visit Elmina's colourful fish market and finish with a walking tour of Accra's Nima neighbourhood and a farewell lunch.

The physical rating is medium, with hikes in heat and humidity. This trip suits curious, adventurous travellers who want to understand West Africa's history, culture and landscapes. Your local leader handles border crossings and introduces you to the people you meet, from fishermen in Ganvié to farmers in the Volta hills, and the mix of history, markets, hiking and coast gives a rounded picture of a region few travellers see.

Trip highlights

  • The stilt village of Ganvié by pirogue (Day 3)
  • The Route of the Slaves in Ouidah (Day 4)
  • Hikes in the hills around Kpalimé (Day 7)
  • Mount Afadja and the Wli Falls (Day 9)
  • Elmina and Cape Coast castles (Days 11–13)
  • The Kakum National Park canopy walkway (Day 12)

Your route

17 stops from Cotonou to Accra

15-day route: Cotonou – Ouidah – Lomé – Kpalimé – Wli Falls – Akosombo – Elmina – Accra
  1. Cotonou Days 1–2
  2. Porto-Novo Day 2
  3. Ganvie Day 3
  4. Ouidah Days 3–4
  5. Possotome Day 5
  6. Togoville Day 5
  7. Lomé Days 5–6
  8. Kpalime Day 7
  9. Ho Day 8
  10. Wli Waterfalls Day 9
  11. Akosombo Days 9–10
  12. Amedzofe Day 10
  13. Accra Day 11
  14. Elmina Days 11–12
  15. Kakum National Park Day 12
  16. Cape Coast Day 13
  17. Accra Days 13–15

Why choose this tour

Three West African countries in two weeks, with a local leader who brings their history to life. Culture, history, hiking and coast in one journey.

Best suited to

  • Curious travellers looking for somewhere new
  • Travellers interested in African and Atlantic history
  • Active travellers who enjoy hiking
  • Return visitors to Africa
Aerial view of Ganvie, the stilt village on Lake Nokoué, Benin

Day-by-day itinerary

15 days from Cotonou, Benin to Accra, Ghana

  1. Day 1 · Cotonou Arrive in Cotonou

    Meet your leader and group in Benin's largest city.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Porto-Novo Porto-Novo

    Explore Benin's leafy capital on Lake Nokoué.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · Cotonou, Ganvié, Ouidah Ganvié to Ouidah

    Visit Cotonou's cathedral and market, then take a pirogue to the stilt village of Ganvié.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  4. Day 4 · Route of the Slaves, Door of No Return Ouidah

    Walk the Route of the Slaves to the Door of No Return.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  5. Day 5 · Possotomé, Lomé To Lomé

    Visit a Fon village on the way into Togo.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  6. Day 6 · Lomé Lomé

    Explore Togo's capital and its markets with your leader.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · Kpalimé, Mount Agou, Mount Klouto Kpalimé

    Hike in the forested hills of the cocoa and coffee region.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  8. Day 8 · Kouma Konda, Ho To Ho

    Visit a village to learn about local plants, then cross into Ghana.

    Hotel
    Guesthouse
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  9. Day 9 · Mount Afadja, Wli Falls Mount Afadja and Wli Falls

    Climb Ghana's highest peak and walk to the Wli Falls.

    Hotel
    Guesthouse
    Meals
    Breakfast
  10. Day 10 · Volta River, Akosombo Akosombo

    Breakfast with the community, then a cruise on the Volta River.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  11. Day 11 · Jamestown, Elmina Accra to Elmina

    A tasting tour of old Accra, then on to Elmina.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  12. Day 12 · Kakum National Park, Cape Coast Castle Kakum and Cape Coast

    Walk the Kakum canopy walkway and visit Cape Coast Castle.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  13. Day 13 · Elmina, Accra Elmina to Accra

    Visit Elmina's fish market and castle, then return to Accra.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  14. Day 14 · Nima, Accra Accra

    A walking tour of the Nima neighbourhood and a farewell lunch.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  15. Day 15 · Accra Trip ends in Accra

    The trip ends after breakfast.

    Meals
    Breakfast
Boats moored at Ganvié, Benin

Where you stay

  • Cotonou (3 nights) Hotel
  • Ouidah (1 night) Hotel
  • Lomé (2 nights) Hotel
  • Kpalimé (1 night) Hotel
  • Ho (1 night) Guesthouse
  • Volta region (1 night) Guesthouse
  • Akosombo (1 night) Hotel
  • Elmina (2 nights) Hotel
  • Accra (2 nights) Hotel

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 12 nights in hotels and 2 in guesthouses
  • Meals 14 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 1 dinner
  • Private vehicle throughout and pirogue rides
  • Porto-Novo, Ganvié, Ouidah's Route of the Slaves and Door of No Return
  • Hikes on Mount Agou, Mount Klouto and Mount Afadja, and to the Wli Falls
  • A Volta River boat cruise
  • Elmina, Cape Coast, Kakum canopy walk and a Jamestown tasting tour
  • Local leader throughout

Not included

  • Flights to Cotonou and from Accra
  • Visas for Benin, Togo and Ghana
  • Meals not listed
  • Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
Cape Coast Castle, Ghana

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want luxury — accommodation is simple
  • You need reliable power and hot water — supplies can be limited
  • You dislike heat and humidity — the climate is tropical
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Benin · UK FCDO travel advice for Ghana · UK FCDO travel advice for Togo
The coast and historic buildings of Cape Coast, Ghana

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £2,640 per person, twin share, tour only. 23 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

Do I need visas?

UK visitors need visas for Benin, Togo and Ghana, arranged before travel. Ask a specialist for the latest process.

Do I need vaccinations?

A yellow fever certificate is required, and malaria protection is recommended. Seek medical advice.

What is the accommodation like?

Simple hotels and local guesthouses, with occasional power cuts and unreliable hot water or air-conditioning.

How hard are the hikes?

Moderate, but steep in places and in heat and humidity, especially Mount Afadja.

Is the trip suitable for solo travellers?

Yes. Many travellers join on their own.

How many people travel together?

Up to 12 travellers aged 15 and over, with a local leader.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

Similar routes

14 days · 11 departure dates

Benin & Togo Voodoo Discovery: Masks, Villages & Ganvie – 14 Days

From £2,800

Combine with

Tours in neighbouring countries.

13 days · 7 departure dates

Ivory Coast: Mask Dances, Tribal Villages & Grand-Bassam – 13 Days

From £2,650

Explore more

From £2,640
See dates & prices