Day 1: Arrive Lomé, Togo
Arrive Lomé, Togo’s coastal capital. Afternoon: orientation walk through Lomé’s city center — the Grand Marché (one of West Africa’s best markets), the National Museum, and the palm-lined beach promenade. Evening welcome meeting and dinner. Overnight Lomé.
Day 2: Lake Togo & Togoville — Living Voodoo
Morning boat across Lake Togo to Togoville, a historic town that’s one of the strongholds of traditional voodoo practice. Visit the village’s voodoo shrines, the German colonial-era cathedral (where the Virgin Mary reportedly appeared in the 1970s), and meet with a local voodoo priest. Afternoon: return to Lomé for the Akodessewa Fetish Market — one of the world’s largest voodoo markets, with thousands of ritual items from animal parts to carved fetishes. Overnight Lomé.
Day 3: Kpalime — Togo’s Green Heart
Drive north to Kpalime, nestled in Togo’s lush coffee and cocoa highlands. Afternoon: hike to the cascading Wome Waterfalls through tropical forest and small villages. Visit a local cocoa and coffee plantation. Overnight Kpalime.
Day 4: Atakpame to Sokode — Cross-Country
Drive through central Togo, stopping at the Kloto craft center (famous for woodcarving) and Atakpame, a hill town with panoramic views. Arrive Sokode, Togo’s second-largest city and center of the Tem people. Evening: possible Tem fire dance ceremony if available. Overnight Sokode.
Day 5: Cross into Benin — Natitingou & Somba Country
Cross the Togo-Benin border and enter the Atakora Mountains. Visit the UNESCO-listed Koutammakou landscape, the homeland of the Batammariba (Somba) people and their extraordinary Tata Somba houses — two-story mud castles that are architectural masterpieces. Continue to Natitingou. Overnight Natitingou.
Day 6: Abomey — Dahomey Kingdom
Long drive south to Abomey (with stops at Savalou’s sacred sites). Afternoon: explore the UNESCO Royal Palaces of Abomey — 12 kings’ palaces, the bas-relief murals, and the throne room. Visit the nearby artisans who produce the famous Abomey appliqué tapestries. Overnight Abomey.
Day 7: Ouidah — Voodoo & Slave Route
Drive to Ouidah. Full afternoon: Sacred Forest of Kpassè (voodoo deity statues), Python Temple, and the Slave Route to the Point of No Return. This is voodoo’s global headquarters — the energy is palpable. Overnight Ouidah.
Day 8: Ganvie & Return to Cotonou
Morning: drive to Lake Nokoué for the pirogue to Ganvie — Africa’s largest stilt village. Cruise through the canal-streets, visit the floating market and the stilt school. Lunch on the lake. Afternoon return to Cotonou for farewell dinner. Overnight Cotonou.
Day 9: Departure from Cotonou
Morning at leisure. Transfer to Cotonou airport for departure.
