The Gold Coast | Journey Across Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana

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!

Take a quick look at what awaits you here: https://vimeo.com/392949560

Let’s go!

Day 1 :: NIG :: Lagos arrival and floating village
Day 2 :: NIG-BEN :: Badagry and border crossing
Day 3 :: BEN :: Amazons, snakes and slave port
Day 4 :: BEN :: Stilt village and ancient palaces
Day 5 :: BEN :: Sacred hills and fetish shrines
Day 6 :: BEN-TOG:: Border crossing, mud castles and Fire Dance
Day 7 :: TOG :: Crafts and Bat Valley
Day 8 :: TOG :: Hills of Kouma Konda to capital Lomé
Day 9 :: TOG-GHA :: Border crossing and Volta Region
Day 10 :: GHA :: Coast and fishing villages
Day 11 :: GHA :: Accra and fantasy coffins / Departure

Full details available to confirmed RSVPs.

Level of difficulty: Easy
Activities: Sightseeing, walking
Accommodation & meals: Hotels and lodges, double sharing rooms. Meals excluded.

Cost: AED 9,490 excl. flights / AED 12,890 incl. EMIRATES flights until FEB 20th - on this date we will close the list.

Specifically excluded: Meals, visas.

Visas:

Nigeria: Consulate visa, passport specific cost, approx. 220 USD.
Benin: E-visa 60 USD
Togo: E-visa 40 USD
Ghana: Pre-arranged at 260 USD

Yellow Fever Certificate is mandatory for this trip.

See yah in West Africa x

Trekkup Crew

Whatsapp 0504848238 / info@trekkup.com
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