own dates.
Your own adventure.
Can't make the departure? We'll build it entirely around you — your dates, your crew, your pace.
After breakfast, visit the Teshie Community — a suburb of Accra — to meet the Ga ethnic group and explore their famous fancy coffin art, which expresses the occupation, tribal identity, and lineage of the deceased. Continue to James Town, the birthplace of Accra, where the Ga people's resilience in the face of colonial influence is still visible. Head west to Cape Coast and Elmina to visit the slave dungeons before settling in for the night.
Early morning departure for Ada, where we visit an ancestral museum and take part in traditional salt harvesting with the Ada people at the Songor Salt Lagoon — a UNESCO biosphere reserve known for its rich biodiversity and cultural heritage.
A full day discovering the cultural and spiritual landscape of the Ada people. Take a boat cruise across the Volta River to Alorkpem Island, known for the production of special reed mats that are a primary source of income for islanders. Visit the local market where indigenous Ada women process clams harvested from the Volta riverbed — a community that has preserved its ancestral knowledge in perfect harmony with nature.
Cross the border into Togo and step into the world of African spirituality. At the central market (Asigame) in Lomé, admire the artistry of Togolese fabric-making, then explore the Voodoo market — a hub for practitioners of African traditional belief systems. Cross Lake Togo by pirogue to discover Togoville's ancient market, where farm produce is exchanged for fish in a tradition unchanged for generations. Return to Lomé for the night.
Travel into the Ewe highlands — a region of breathtaking views and excellent trekking opportunities. Walk through the village of Kuma Konda, visit coffee plantations, and learn about the herbs and traditional remedies the community uses to sustain their way of life.
Ascend to the north of Togo, where ethnic groups with rich architectural heritage and cultural identities await. En route to Kara, stop in Bafillo to visit the Kotokoli people and watch their intricate weaving of traditional ceremonial garments and regalia.
An exhilarating day in the Atakora mountain range, beginning with a visit to Koutammakou — the Land of the Batammariba (UNESCO World Heritage Site) — and their extraordinary tachieta fortresses. Cross into northern Benin to meet the Taneka tribe, whose spiritual chiefs still wear only animal skins. With luck, you may witness young men undergoing their ritual journey of circumcision or marriage. Continue through Somba territory, where the coded designs of their fortresses are explained.
Enter the world of the ancient Kingdom of Dahomey, whose remarkable royal palaces and powerful cultural legacy live on. Explore the symbols and history of this extraordinary kingdom — including the legendary Amazon women warriors — and witness the thick-walled palace compounds. With luck, observe an initiation rite at one of the Egungun mask temples.
Head to Ouidah for a deep immersion in Vodun culture. Visit the Temple of Pythons, the Sacred Forest — abode of the ancestral spirit of Kpasseh — and walk the Route des Esclaves, retracing the steps of enslaved people and their merchants along what was once known as the Slave Coast of Africa.
Visit the Tofinu tribe community on Lake Nokoué — often called the Venice of Africa. Witness how the Tofinu people organise every facet of life by canoe, from markets and schools to hotels, having lived and thrived on the water for centuries. After this remarkable final stop, transfer to Cotonou for departure.
