Benin and Togo: Nature, Culture and Traditions

Early in the morning, you take a tour of Cotonou, then head to the municipality of Abomey-Calavi to discover Ganvié by canoe. Located on Lake Nokoué, this fishing village is known for its stilt houses. It once served as a refuge for populations fleeing the slave raids of neighboring kingdoms.

Return and night in Cotonou.

After breakfast, you join Abomey, the historic capital of the Dahomey kingdom, whose royal palaces are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

After lunch on site, you visit the Abomey historical museum. Its collections feature royal seats, bas-reliefs, statuettes and objects related to voodoo worship.

On the road to Dassa-Zoumé, you make a stop in Bohicon to discover an archaeological site and underground caves.

In Dassa, nicknamed the "city of 41 hills", you visit the Arigbo Marian center, a place of prayer and meditation. A hike through the hills takes you along the ritual path of the Omondjagou, the majority people of the former kingdom of Dassa-Zoumé. You observe fetishes and representations of Vodou worship.

You leave early for Djougou, a former stop on the salt and kola nut route. Its location makes it a meeting place between the Yom, Dendi, Peulh, Pila-Pila, Gourmantché, Somba and Baatonou peoples.

Upon your arrival, you will attempt to meet the village king.

You depart early for Djougou, an ancient stop on the salt and kola nut trade route. Its location makes it a meeting place between the Yom, Dendi, Peulh, Pila-Pila, Gourmantché, Somba and Baatonou peoples.

Upon your arrival, you will attempt to meet the village king.

On the way to Boukoumbé, you cross essentially agricultural villages before arriving at Koutagou, in the Atacora department. In the Somba language, its name means "where there is happiness".

The village is known for its Somba tatas, fortified traditional constructions. Its plain is suitable for hiking and exchanges with local inhabitants, with the Atacora mountains on the horizon.

You enter Togo from the northern border, near Nadoba, then head to the Tamberma country, territory of the Bétammaribé. As in the Beninese Somba region, their multi-level houses resemble fortified farms, equipped with terraces and grouped in small family hamlets. You discover their construction methods and exchange with the inhabitants. With their permission, you may enter certain houses.

You continue towards Kara, in the heart of northern Togo. The region is notably inhabited by the Kabyés, nicknamed the "stone farmers" for their agricultural techniques on rocky terrain. Yams, cotton, peanuts and fruits are cultivated there. You discover the soukalas, sets of family huts surrounded by a fence, then exchange with craftspeople, particularly blacksmiths.

If the travel dates permit, you may attend the traditional Evala festivals, organized each year in July around initiation rites.

You take the road south to Atakpamé (Togo), a city established on a hill. With Badou and Kpalimé, it forms the Togolese triangle of coffee and cocoa. A former mountain refuge, it became an agricultural and administrative center during the German period.

You may have the opportunity to witness the Tchébé dance on stilts. Near the Nangbéto dam, you observe hippopotamuses, before discovering the Atakpamé market. Around the central square, its bustling activity continues into the night with music.

You continue south to Kpalimé, near the Ghanaian border. Coffee and cocoa plantations, wooded hills, valleys, waterfalls and forests make up the landscapes of the region. The city is also known for its craftspeople, who practice wood carving, batik, pottery, weaving and calabash making.

After a short walk in the forest, you reach the Womé waterfalls and their basin of fresh water, where you can swim.

The day begins with a hike to Mount Agou, Togo's highest point. You climb without great difficulty through avocado trees, banana trees and orchards, then cross several villages before reaching the Agou peak. From there, you enjoy a panoramic view of the region.

You then continue along the road through the forested region to Lomé, where you settle for the night.

You cross back into Bénin and reach Grand-Popo, on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. After lunch facing the sea, enjoy a swimming moment, at the pool or in the ocean.

In the afternoon, a canoe trip on the Fleuve Mono takes you to Salt Island, Bird Island and the river mouth.

This morning, you join Ouidah, near the Atlantic coast. Your visit begins at the Python Temple, located opposite the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.

You then explore the sacred forest of Kpassè Zoun, where you will find centuries-old trees, a vodoun temple, statues of deities and the king's iroko tree.

You travel through the five stages of the Slave Route, along the beach, to discover this place marked by the history of the slave trade in Bénin. The day ends at the Zinsou Foundation, dedicated to contemporary African art.

You join Cotonou for lunch in a maquis. You then take a city tour and visit the craft center.

In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for your return flight.