Inclusions
Exclusions
What's it all about?
Step into the vibrant world of Togo and Benin on an immersive tour designed for travelers who crave authentic culture, sacred traditions, and unforgettable landscapes. In togo visit the bustling markets of Lomé and the ancient spiritual heritage of Togoville and the dramatic Kpalimé highlands.
Cross into Benin, the spiritual birthplace of Vodun, and join the energy of the world-renowned Vodun Days festival in Ouidah. Explore the stilt villages of Ganvié on Lake Nokoué, and uncover the royal legacy of the Dahomey Kingdom in Abomey. Along the way, you’ll experience Afro-Brazilian history in Porto-Novo, taste local flavors at roadside markets, and connect with communities that keep centuries-old traditions alive.
This journey blends culture, history, and adventure with manageable travel distances and meaningful local encounters – perfect for those ready to explore the raw beauty and soul of West Africa beyond the tourist trail.
Check out the itinerary below and feel free to get in touch for more info!
*Please note that this is a first time research trip, led by Shane with a small group. Availability is limited*
Highlights
Where?
Lomé – Kpalimé – Abomey – Dassa – Cove – Onigbolo – Porto Nova – Ouidah – Cotonou.
When?
January 2-11th, 2027
Visa?
We will supply you with any required paperwork in order to apply for the e-visas online.
The Itinerary
January 2nd | Day 0 - Lomé Arrival Day
Arrive at Lomé Airport (Tokoin International Airport) from your home country. Your driver or guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Lomé.
Rest and recover from your flight, with no scheduled activities for the day. Overnight in Lomé.
January 3rd | Day 1 - Lomé
Begin your journey in Lomé, Togo’s dynamic capital on the Gulf of Guinea. Take a scenic boat crossing across Lake Togo to the historic lakeside community of Togoville. Here, you’ll explore the ancient market space where farm produce is traditionally exchanged for aquatic goods like fish in a barter system that has endured for generations.
Togoville is also a center of spiritual heritage, where indigenous Vodun belief systems coexist with widespread Christianity. You’ll gain deeper insight into the cultural and ritual heritage of African spirituality in this sacred community.
Return to Lomé to visit the Akodessewa Fetish Market, a renowned regional hub for traditional medicine and ritual trade. This extensive market features diverse ritual artifacts, animal remains, minerals, and botanical elements used for protection, healing, prosperity, and ceremonial purposes—a fascinating look into customary spiritual practices.
End your day at Independence Square, where monuments and art offer a glimpse into Togo’s history and national identity.
January 4th | Day 2 - Lomé to Kpalimé
Leave Lomé early and travel inland through lush cocoa plantations to Kpalimé, a highland town nestled in Togo’s central plateaus surrounded by forested hills and waterfalls. This scenic drive introduces you to Togo’s changing landscapes as you move from coastal plains to rolling highlands.
Kpalimé is known for its artisan communities, coffee and cocoa production, and dramatic natural beauty. Upon arrival, you’ll settle into your hotel and take time to explore the town’s quiet streets, local markets, and hillside views.
January 5th | Day 3 - Kpalimé to Abomey
Dedicate the morning to exploring the wonders around Kpalimé. Your guide will lead you to hidden waterfalls where you can cool off in natural pools surrounded by tropical forest.
Visit nearby highland villages to engage with local communities, learn about traditional farming practices, and discover indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants and ancestral wellness practices. Enjoy guided nature walks through lush forest landscapes, discovering the community’s rich cultural heritage and folklore.
After your morning exploration, depart Kpalimé in the afternoon for the long drive to Abomey, Benin. This is a transfer day that crosses the border into Benin and continues inland to the ancient Dahomey capital.
January 6th | Day 4 - Abomey
- Today is dedicated to exploring Abomey, the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Dahomey, where royal heritage, architectural traditions, and cultural identity remain strongly preserved.
Your visit includes:
Historic Royal Palaces: Walk through the mud-wall fortifications that once protected the monarchy
Legacy of the Dahomey Amazons: Learn about the kingdom’s elite female military corps, the world-famous warriors who served as protectors
Royal Mausoleums & Spirit Chambers: Visit ancestral spirit chambers and cemetery sites that reflect the political and spiritual foundations of the kingdom
Ceremonial Sites: Explore locations where traditional ceremonies continue to honor Dahomey’s legacy
Overnight in Abomey.
January 7th | Day 5 - Abomey - Dassa
- Our feet will touch sacred pilgrimage ground this day as we travel to Dassa-Zoumé — a historic heartland of the Idaasha people, whose origins are closely linked to Yoruba migrations and a long-standing traditional kingdom that continues to shape community identity. The community is renowned for its sacred granite hills, where rich spiritual heritage intersects with unique natural scenery. Here, traditional beliefs, Christianity, and Islam coexist harmoniously, making Dassa-Zoumé one of Benin’s most important religious and cultural landscapes.
- Dassa-Zoumé has strong living traditions, royal history, ancestral sites, and natural beauty that cannot be missed. Visit sacred sites, meet local guides, and experience the convergence of faiths that defines this remarkable town.
January 8th | Day 6 - Dassa - Cove
- Our day begins with a visit to the Pale people, also known as the Fulani (Fula) tribe. With considerable effort, our guide will locate them in the bush or jungle, and with luck, we’ll have the opportunity to explore their unique tribal identities—including facial tattoos, striking makeup, and distinctive architectural buildings, most of which are constructed by the women of the community.
- After interacting with the Fulani tribe, we’ll continue to the small village of Don, where we’ll witness the traditional refinement of local gin. This gin is used in evoking ancestral spirits, healing, naming ceremonies, and a variety of other cultural purposes. With luck, we may also locate a community ceremony in this region, which is dominated by the Yoruba tribe.
January 9th | Day 7 - Cove to Onigbolo (Holi Tribe) to Porto-Novo to Cotonou
Today, you’ll be welcomed by the Holi tribe near Onigbolo. Here, you’ll witness a strong connection between ancestors and those alive. The culture of sharing is fully demonstrated and practiced daily by the Holi, enforcing unity and pure love for all in this settlement. You’ll meet women and men with breathtaking tribal marks and scarification.
Continue to Porto-Novo to see the Grand Mosque, one evidence of the architectural and historical assets left behind by the returnees from Brazil. Explore the town’s historic buildings and Afro-Brazilian heritage.
Arrive in Cotonou for the evening
January 10th | Day 8 - Cotonou to Ouidah
This is Vodun Day. Head to Ouidah, the converging place for the nation’s Vodun festival ceremonies. You’ll witness followers of Vodun as they share all about Vodun culture with the public.
Key sites to visit in Ouidah:
The Port of No Return: Echoes the events of slavery and the transatlantic journey
Temple of Pythons: Pours out wealth and protection through sacred rituals
Sacred Forest: The place of abode of the ancestral spirit of Kpasseh
These are key places to explore before you exit Ouidah for the evening.
January 11th | Day 9 - Cotonou
- Your final day is designed for flexibility. You can enjoy a relaxed morning in Cotonou, do some last-minute shopping at local markets, or simply rest before departure.
- Transfer to the airport at any time. End of Tour
What else?
Tour Notes
Before each tour, we will add you to a dedicated Whatsapp group so you can share photos easily and chat with your travel mates. Just let us know if you want to opt out of this.
Apply for your spot on the tour now or simply request more info below.
Togo & Benin tour
January 2 - 11th, 2027
Lomé - Cotonou
Start in Lomé and finish in Cotonou. Book your flights and we'll take care of the rest.
Standard Hotels
8 Nights
The price
$2350 USD