West Africa Expedition
This expedition takes us deep into the mysterious heart of West Africa – a region that has captured the imagination of travellers for centuries. We explore fabled ancient towns and historic kingdoms such as the influential Malian and Ashanti Empires, the great Dahomey Kingdom and the ancient settlement of Djenné, renowned for its Grand Mosque. We learn about the rich and diverse history of the region, including the tragic chapter of slave-trading. We enjoy the incredible warmth and exuberance of the local people we meet along the way, as we immerse ourselves in an extraordinary mix of cultures. We meet the Dogon people whose fascinating customs and traditions have remained unchanged for centuries as well as the colourful, clay houses of Tiebele – unlike anywhere else on earth! Finally, the hypnotic sounds and haunting rhythms of West Africa's celebrated music are sure to leave lasting impressions.
Itinerary
| Day Number(s) | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | (Fri) Arrive Bamako. Transfer to hotel. |
| 2 | Visit Ségou. Continue to Niamana community for homestay. |
| 3 | Arrive in Djenné by boat. Explore the laneways and Grand Mosque. |
| 4-5 | Explore Djenné Market. Trek through Dogon Country and see the incredible Dogon masked dance. |
| 6 | Visit the riverside town of Mopti. Sunset trip down the Niger River on a traditional ‘pinasse’ (dugout canoe). |
| 7-8 | Cross the border into Burkina Faso. Explore Bobo-Dioulasso – Burkina Faso’s music capital. |
| 9 | Explore around Banfora, including Karfiguela Waterfalls, hippo-rich Lake Tengréla and the rock formations at Sindou. |
| 10-11 | Travel to Gaoua, home to the Lobi people. Visit the stone ruins of Loropéni. Explore the region’s distinct architecture. Continue to Ouagadougou. |
| 12 | See the intricately decorated village of Tiebele – all the buildings are covered in symbolic painting and carving. |
| 13 | Enter Benin. Go on wildlife safari in Pendjari National Park. |
| 14 | Visit the Betamaribé tribe of the remote Atakora Mountains in northern Benin. Overnight in Natitingou. |
| 15-16 | Explore Abomey – the ancient capital of the Dahomey Kingdom. See a unique performance of the Geleden Mask Dance. |
| 17-18 | Drive to the lakeside village of Ganvié. Continue to Ouidah – birthplace of voodoo. Visit the Temple of Pythons and experience a voodoo dance. |
| 19 | Cross border into Togo. Take a boat trip on Lake Togo to visit historic Togoville. Overnight in Lomé. |
| 20 | Visit the National Museum. Cross into Ghana. Continue to Accra. |
| 21-22 | Travel to Kumasi – the Ashanti capital. Visit the former palace of the Ashanti king and the nearby sacred lake. Watch Ghanaian artisans weave beautiful kente cloth. |
| 23-24 | Rest and relax for two days at beautiful Axim Beach. Visit Axim Fort and fishing village. |
| 25 | Visit former slave castle of Elmina on the Cape Coast. |
| 26 | Drive to Accra. Afternoon city tour of Kwame Nkumah Memorial, the Cultural Centre and Accra’s streets. Evening transfer to Accra Airport, where our expedition ends (Tue). |
Trip Highlights
Gallery
Video
From Our Blog
At A Glance
Trip Length |
26 days |
Trip Code |
PFWE |
Activities |
|
| Culture (Remote), Walking (Moderate) | |
Minimum Passengers |
|
| 6 people | |
Maximum Passengers |
|
| 15 people | |
Countries Visited |
|
| Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Togo | |
Start City |
|
| Bamako | |
End City |
|
| Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana | |
