Trekkup Dubai ✔

The birthplace of voodoo and pivotal centres of the slave trade for nearly three centuries, Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana have rich and complex histories and fascinating cultural traditions that continue today.

We’ll discover this little known corner of West Africa on an 11-day journey deep into these countries’ northern reaches and along the Gulf of Guinea coast, to the heart of the regions where voodoo is still widely practiced today.

We will wander the fetish markets for relics, sail through stilt villages, and discover the mysteries of ancient practices.

Nigeria’s former capital of Lagos is a sprawling mega-metropolis of an estimated 21 million people, and not only the largest city in Nigeria, but the most populous urban area on the African continent. Spreading inland from the Gulf of Guinea across Lagos Lagoon, the city has it all, from historical sites and beautiful beaches to vibrant culture and nightlife. We’ll discover a thriving art scene and explore the infamous Makoko floating village, an unplanned, impoverished community of stilt homes with the nickname of the 'Venice of Africa'.

In Benin, formerly known as Dahomey, we will get to know the roots of Voodoo beliefs and practices. The country is also famous for its wonderful local craftsmanship and numerous bustling bazaars. We’ll look through the often-surprising assortment of offerings at a fetish market, visit the Python temple, and explore the Slave Route in Ouidah, a place where enslaved peoples were sold and forced to bid farewell to their homeland forever.

With a population of around 20,000, Ganvie is the largest lake village in Africa, standing on stilts in the middle of Lake Nokoue. 500 years later after its founding, the people of Ganvie have developed their own distinctive culture and lifestyle on the lake. Shaky houses, churches, mosques and other structures are built using red ebony wood, which is resistant to rotting and hence ideal for the watery conditions.

Neighboring Togo is a narrow strip of land located to the west of Benin. Another stronghold of Voodoo and animist practices, and a key region of the so-called "Slave Coast" in centuries past, it features picturesque hilltop villages and palm-lined beaches. Togo has suffered under the colonisation of three different nations, resulting in a melting pot of influences that linger to this day.

Here we will have the opportunity to learn about the customs of local communities, from mudbrick castle architecture of the Somba people and traditional ceremonies like the Fire Dance to animist beliefs reflected at shrines and fetish markets. We’ll make our through verdant landscapes and have close encounters with wildlife, visiting the Valley of the Bats and spotting rare butterflies in the green hills.

Ghana, the economic powerhouse of Western Africa, is a place where modernization intertwines with ancient rituals. Home to several very unique traditions, such their elaborately decorated coffins, Ghanians are open and welcoming people, and there will be excellent opportunities here to see the true face of Africa.

From encounters with Voodoo priests and slithering reptiles to immersion in colorful markets and lush jungles, this trip is a deep dive into the culture and landscapes of Benin, Togo and Ghana. Our journey through this little-known region will surely reveal plenty of surprises, leaving you will memories of a lifetime and a few stories to tell!

Often overlooked but rich in history, wild nature and fairy tale charm, Romania is a traveller’s delight – where else can you visit Dracula’s castle, spot brown bears and explore imposing Soviet monuments, all in the same place? We’re all familiar with the lore of Vlad the Impaler, and the spooky, heavily forested region of Transylvania, surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains. But Romania’s appeal is much more than Dracula’s legend.

Home to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, here we’ll find colorful, perfectly preserved medieval and Baroque towns, ancient churches, clifftop fortresses and castles out of a storybook. Romania is a land of unspoiled and untamed nature, a reminder of the wild beauty that once covered much of Europe. Here, bears and wolves roam through thick forest, skirting mountaintop villages which seem like something out of a Brothers Grimm fairytale.

Bucharest, the country’s capital, is where the old and modern collide. Reminders of the communist era are around every corner, most notably in the world’s second largest government building: Palatul Parlamentului, built under the command infamous former dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu.

Escaping the city, the jagged peaks of the Carpathian Mountains dominate the land, stretching across the heart of the country. At their southern end lies Piatra Craiului National Park, where, set amid the incredible scenery, picturesque mountain villages offer a glimpse of a traditional way of life practiced by rural Romanians for centuries.
Seven Ladders Canyon is renowned for its rugged karst formations and cascading waterfalls. Carved in Jurassic limestone, the canyon was once a cave, but its roof collapsed over time, revealing the dramatic rock walls that now define the gorge. Its impressive system of bridges and ladders allow visitors to climb and scramble over its rock formations for incredible views and access to its seven waterfalls of varying heights – the highest being 35 metres (115 ft).

Ready to discover Romania’s wild side? Hold my bear, Let’s go!

Day 0 // AUG 05 // Departure

Meeting at AUH at 19:30 for a direct flight on Wizz at 21:20. Immigration clearance, overnight.

Day 1 // AUG 6 // Bucharest & Bears

We’ll start our day with a city tour of Bucharest, a capital which offers a fascinating blend of the old and new. Modern steel-and-glass buildings and lively cafes and restaurants sit among the city’s ancient monuments, palaces and museums of the Old Town, and grey, brutalist structures of the communist era.

After lunch we’ll head out of the city towards the dark forests of Transylvania, where in the late afternoon we’ll take a short nature trek and attempt to spot the famous Carpathian Brown Bear in its natural habitat. Other wildlife in the area includes wild boar, roe deer and red deer, wolves and various bird species.

Day 2 // AUG 7 // Transfăgărășan Highway & Poienari Fortress

This morning we hit the road for a thrilling and unforgettable experience: a journey along the famed Transfăgărășan Highway, often called "the Road to the Clouds" and "the Best Driving Road in the World". Built in the 1970s as a strategic military route, this remarkable feat of engineering is Romania’s second-highest paved road. With its sharp switchbacks, hairpin turns, and breathtaking panoramas, it has rightfully earned a reputation as one of the world’s most exhilarating drives.
As we wind our way up the highway, we’ll take in stunning views of towering peaks, deep valleys, and cascading waterfalls. Upon arriving at Poienari Fortress, we’ll uncover the fascinating history of Vlad Țepeș and dive into Romania’s medieval past, while admiring the fortress’s dramatic location atop a sheer cliff.

Day 3 // AUG 08 // Piatra Craiului

Set out early as the morning mist slowly lifting to reveal one of the most spectacular ridges you’ve ever laid eyes on. The trail takes us through vast alpine meadows, then into the dramatic Zărnești Gorge, with sheer cliffs towering above. Passing through quiet villages that felt frozen in time, wooden carts creaking along dirt roads, smoke rising from chimneys, and locals still crafting cheese the old-fashioned way. Catch a selfie shepherd over a hunk of fresh cheese as you' re walking through a living postcard.

Day 4 // AUG 09 // Romania: Seven Ladders Canyon

Today we’ll stretch our legs and flex our muscles with a short hike and a climbing experience in Seven Ladders Canyon, famous for its rugged karst formations, impressive ladders and cascading waterfalls. The canyon was once a cave, but its roof collapsed over time, revealing the dramatic rock walls that now define the gorge.
A scenic walk through forest and meadows will bring us to the canyon, where we’ll navigate the metal bridges and near-vertical ladders that wind through the rock passage. As we climb, we’ll have incredible close-up views of the rushing waterfalls and towering cliffs surrounding us. In the afternoon return to Bucharest,

Day 5 // AUG 10 // Return

Free time at leisure, near noon time we’ll head back to the airport to catch our return flight to Abu Dhabi at 14:30. Bye, bye Romania x

Grade: Moderate, not for the faint of fur.
Activities: Trekking, immersion in mountain village life, wildlife encounter, sightseeing.
Accommodation & meals: 3 star hotels and gueshouses ( sharing rooms), meals excluded.

Cost: AED 5,300 excl. flights on Wizzair from ABU DHABI.
Cost valid until JULY 31st.

Specifically excluded: Any costs related to visas, meals, insurance.
Visas: Schengen visa. Support available only via third party agency.

See yah with bears x

From the deep rumble of Murchison Falls to the shrieks of chimpanzees and the call of the African eagle, join us on an epic journey and plunge into the savannah, jungle and West Nile Delta of Uganda!
This country boasts massive national parks teeming with wildlife and featuring natural wonders like the Nile River and the breathtaking spectacle of Murchison Falls. Here the Nile forces its way through a gap in the rocks only seven meters wide, to then tumble 43 metres before flowing into Lake Albert.

Outlet of Lake Victoria sends around 300 cubic meters per second of water over the falls, squeezed into a gorge less than 10 meters wide. This powerful torrent is a hypnotizing sight, and rewards visitors with incredible photo opportunities.

The abundance of water in the area attracts scores of animals, from the hippos and Nile crocodiles that lurk in the rivers and lakes, to the land-based wildlife that come in search of a drink of water while trying to cool off in the scorching heat. Here you can expect sightings of buffalos, antelopes, regal Ankole cows and an atlas of birds, including the African Eagle, kingfisher, heron, egret, fish eagle and so much more.
We’ll also see how species under threat are being conserved, visiting Uganda’s population of rare white rhinos and an island colony of our friends the river chimpanzees.

Ready to walk on the wild side?
Let’s go!

Day 1: Arrival – Rhino Sanctuary – Masindi
Arrival and immigration formalities at Entebbe International Airport. We’ll have a short briefing about the trip, then jump in the cars and drive north-west into the plains of Nakasongola, to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Ziwa is the last refuge of Uganda’s white rhino, previously hunted to near-extinction during more turbulent times. The sanctuary’s relocation and breeding program has successfully increased numbers to a population of 15 white rhinos, and we’ll track them on foot with local rangers.

Tonight we’ll stay at the historic Masindi Hotel, a colonial structure built in 1923 by The East Africa Railways and Harbours Company. It once served as a gateway to the “hinterland of Africa”, where goods and produce from Northern Congo and Southern Sudan found their way to European markets. If we’re lucky, we’ll spot some shoebill storks in the area, one of the strangest and most sinister looking birds on the planet.

Day 2: Game Drive & Murchison Falls
Early start for an exciting day! After breakfast we’ll get our nature fix with a game drive through Murchison Falls National Park, where the rolling savannah gives way to the marshy Nile Delta, keeping our eyes peeled for big cats, giraffes, buffalo, hyena and other wildlife.
From there we head straight to Murchison Falls, where we’ll trek along the cascades from above and below and get as close as we can to the churning of the most powerful waterfall in the world. Enveloped by mist, we’ll be awed by the roaring and rumbling of this extraordinary natural wonder.

After a picnic lunch we’ll set off on a safari boat cruise around the bottom of the falls and along the West Nile, with more wildlife sightings, from hippos and crocodiles to antelopes and elephants, along the way. Overnight in Masindi.

Day 3: Jinja
An early breakfast before we start our long drive east towards Jinja, about six hours. The area is home to dams and falls with white-water rapids, and is regarded as the adventure capital of East Africa. There, on the shores of Lake Victoria, we will find the source of the Nile, and have the option of exploring the waters by kayak. Overnight in Jinja.

Day 4: Chimpanzees and Departure
Today we will enjoy a close encounter with some adorable primates – our closest cousins, the chimpanzee! After breakfast we’ll hit the road back towards Entebbe, stopping in the afternoon to take a boat cruise to Ngamba Chimpanzee Island, where these lively and social creatures await. We’ll observe their playful behavior and learn more about their habitat and social structures. Our return will see us cross the equator as we glide through Lake Victoria’s serene waters.

We’ll then head back to the airport for our late evening flight, saying goodbye to this gem of Africa and going home with heads full of unforgettable memories.

Grade: Easy – available for everyone.
Duration: 4 Days
Activities: Jungle trekking, safari game rides, boating, kayaking, swimming.

Cost: 5390 AED incl. flights until AUG 03.

Through ancient lands, over mountain peaks, and along endless coastlines, Southeastern Africa is a fascinating corner of this vast continent, with hidden gems at every turn.

Located on the shores of the Indian Ocean, Mozambique’s thousands of miles of coastline has made the country a popular destination for its warm, turquoise waters, stunning marine life, and white-sand beaches. Meanwhile, The Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) and Lesotho are two of Africa’s only three present-day kingdoms.

Beautiful Eswatini may be a small country, but it packs a punch, offering an opportunity for an unforgettable road trip via rolling hills, lush forests, and thundering waterfalls. It’s home to national parks and nature reserves which offer the chance to spot elephants, lions, giraffes, and more, and features a proud and ancient history as well as the rich cultural traditions of its indigenous people, the Swazi.

Lesotho, a high-altitude nation known as “the Kingdom in the Sky, is packed with imposing mountain ranges. With one of the world’s smallest networks of roads, due to the extreme terrain, this is a truly off-the-beaten-path destination where you’ll feel on top of the world.
Get ready to island-hop in the tropics, encounter bucket-list wildlife, meet with local tribes, and traverse dramatic mountain passes as you trek in some of Africa’s most remote areas.

Let’s go!

Day 1 // MOZAMBIQUE
Arrival at Maputo International Airport, immigration clearance, transfer to hotel for overnight. Free time at leisure.

Day 2 // MOZAMBIQUE
Time to discover Mozambique’s stunning coastal areas! Our first stop is Santa Maria, where we will spend the morning snorkeling and swimming. Later we’ll take a short boat ride to Inhaca Island, where we’ll enjoy a seafood lunch and visit the local market, and our last stop of the day will be the pristine beaches of Portuguese Island.

Day 3 // ESWATINI
Today we cross the border into the Kingdom of Eswatini. Our destination is Hlane National Park, where we’ll hop into safari vehicles for a drive around the park in search of lions, elephants, rhinos, hippos, giraffes, zebras and an array of birdlife. After lunch we’ll rest and then set out for a sunset drive.

Day 4 // ESWATINI
Today we drive towards the centre of the country, visiting Mantenga Reserve & Cultural Village, a place where Swazi history, culture and tradition are brought alive, against the stunning backdrop of the Mantenga Falls and Nyonyane mountain. Later we’ll make stops at a Swazi candle factory and a Swazi art market.

Day 5 // ESWATINI
Today we’ll hit the trails for a visit to the famed Sibebe rock, a geological wonder that is some 3 billion years old, more than three times as old as Australia’s famed Uluru (Ayers) rock. The surrounding trails, which provide magnificent vistas all the way to the Lubombo mountains in the east.

Day 6 // LESOTHO
Early start and hit the road for 7-8hrs to Maseru, the capital of Lesotho. We’ll visit Thaba-Bosiu Cultural Village, and then head to Kome Caves, home to a group of early 19th century mud dwellings created as a hide out during times of conflict – and still inhabited by the descendants of the people who built them. Later we’ll hit the road to our lodge at Tsehlanyane National Park.

Day 7 // LESOTHO
Today, prepare to be amazed by the country’s dramatic terrain on a scenic road trip passing by iconic Lesotho landmarks such as the famed Qiloane Mountain and Nipple Mountain, shaped like a woman’s breast. We’ll arrive at the village of Semonkong and enjoy a delicious dinner accompanied by local Famo music, and be treated to a traditional Basotho blanket presentation.

Day 8 // LESOTHO
Today we’ll embark on an unforgettable experience: a pony trek through some of Lesotho’s most spectacular landscapes, making our way from the lowlands to the highlands towards our destination, the remote village of Ketane. There we will see first-hand the self-sustaining lifestyle of the Basotho people’s most isolated settlements, and sleep in traditional Basotho huts.

Day 9 // LESOTHO
Pony trek back to Semonkong, and then we’ll set out on the road to Malea-lea. This scenic route gives us one last chance to capture pictures of the dramatic mountainous landscapes. We’ll end the day and wind up our trip with dinner by the fire at our lodge, with entertainment by local musicians.

Day 10 // Departure
After breakfast we’ll make the 1.5-hour drive journey to Moshoeshoe I International airport, where we’ll say goodbye to The Mountain Kingdom.

Level of Difficulty: Easy, available for everyone.
Duration: 10 days.
Activities: Trekking, boating, swimming, snorkeling, sightseeing, wildlife and indigenous tribes encounter.
Rooms: African upmarket standards, hotels and lodges – shared rooms, single at extra cost subject of availability.
Meals: Restaurant meals excluded.

COST: 9,900 AED excl. flights until JUL 31.
Flights: Emirates + Airlink, approx. 4500 AED.

Requirements: Yellow Fever Vaccination certificate, malaria prophylactics.

Visas: