Skip to content
4.8/5 Excellent Call us
hero
Ghana16 daysMax 12Solo-friendly

Ghana, Togo and Benin Voodoo Festival

From Benin's living voodoo ceremonies to Ghana's slave coast castles, this 16-day journey crosses three nations at the spiritual crossroads of West Africa

View dates & prices

As Featured In

The TelegraphCulture TripThe TimesLonely PlanetThe GuardianIndependentNational GeographicThe TelegraphCulture TripThe TimesLonely PlanetThe GuardianIndependentNational Geographic
About this journey

The story behind the route

A journey to the spiritual heart of West Africa, where myth, religion and reality intertwine to create an intoxicating blend of extraordinary experiences. Stretching from the dusty borderlands of the north to the tropical coast in the south, Ghana, Togo and Benin encapsulate all that is special about West Africa, with great scenery and wildlife complemented by a joyous and exuberant people who will make you feel welcome from the moment you arrive. Starting in Cotonou, we explore the lively capital of Porto-Novo and the stilt village of Ganvie before heading to Ouidah. Here we witness one of the region’s most incredible cultural experiences, the annual festival of voodoo, where people perform unique rituals and ceremonies in devotion to ancient gods, and where you can expect to bump into the earthly manifestations of voodoo spirits. We learn about the history of the region in the once powerful kingdom of Abomey, discover the fortified houses of the Tamberma people, and visit Lome with its bizarre fetish market. Crossing into Ghana’s vibrant landscapes and cultural heritage, we travel to the heart of the Ashanti kingdom in Kumasi. Finally we end up at Ghana’s coast, where we visit the castles of the first Europeans to reach these shores and relax on the beach. Along the way, you’ll also experience the charm of Benin’s lesser-known destinations, uncovering the true soul of West Africa.

gvf 1
gvf 2
The journey

Ghana, Togo and Benin Voodoo Festival

Key moments

The moments that define this trip

Drawn from the full tour dossier — the standout days, encounters and views our specialists keep coming back to.

Your route
map
  1. Ouidah Voodoo Festival

    Witness the annual voodoo festival in Ouidah, described as one of the region's most incredible cultural experiences. Elaborately costumed Zangbetos and Kokou followers perform rituals and ceremonies, with adepts falling into trances to the sound of drumming and dancing. Temple groups perform rites around the main performance area in a display rooted in one of West Africa's most important religious traditions.

  2. Ganvie Stilt Village on Lake Nokwe

    An evening boat tour reveals Ganvie, a settlement of 25,000 people built on Lake Nokwe and accessible only by water. Legend holds that the Tofinou people fled here in the 18th century to escape slave traders. Boat journeys wind through floating markets and past local fishermen, with the mainland market featuring traditional voodoo sections.

  3. Abomey Royal Palaces and the Kingdom of Dahomey

    Abomey was once the capital of Dahomey, described as one of Africa's greatest nations, whose rulers struck terror into surrounding tribes. The remaining palaces function as museums housing Dahomey artefacts, including a throne said to sit on top of human skulls. The city tour also takes in the craft market, Goho Square's Statue of the Brave King Behanzin, and a traditional Guelede performance in Agonlin

  4. Koutammakou UNESCO World Heritage Site and Tata Somba Villages

    Crossing into northern Togo, the tour visits the Koutammakou UNESCO World Heritage site to view the Batammariba community's distinctive mud tower-houses known as Takienta. The day also includes the Koussoukoingou Tata Somba community in Benin and a visit to the King of Boukounbe, where a local voodoo ceremony is observed. Lunch is taken at the community's highest point overlooking the landscape.

  5. Lomé Fetish Market

    Lomé, Togo's capital on the coast, is home to a colourful central market and what the itinerary calls a fascinating — if rather gruesome — fetish market, where animal parts are sold for use in traditional medicines. Founded by the Ewe people in the 18th century, the city retains colonial buildings including a 19th-century Gothic cathedral and the Grand Marché, whose textile traders are known as Nana Benz.

  6. Kumasi and the Ashanti Kingdom

    Kumasi is the historical and spiritual capital of the Ashanti Kingdom, home to Kejetia market — reported to be the largest outdoor market in West Africa — as well as the Ashanti Cultural Centre and the Manhyia Palace of the Asantehene King. Villages nearby include Adanwomasie, the birthplace of Kente cloth, and Ntunso, where visitors can learn adinkra symbols and make their own printed cloth.

Key moments for Ghana, Togo and Benin Voodoo Festival

Full itinerary · 16 days

Prefer a PDF? Get the printable dossier
Dates & prices

Pick your departure

Reserve your place with a 10% deposit. Final balance due 70 days before departure. Single-room supplements optional — most travellers happily share.

  • Departure
    27 Dec 202611 Jan 2027
    Guaranteed
    From
    £4,995 pp
    Single supp. +£895
    Book now
  • Departure
    6 Jan 202721 Jan 2027
    Guaranteed
    From
    £4,395 pp
    Single supp. +£745
    Book now
  • Departure
    8 Jan 202823 Jan 2028
    Guaranteed
    From
    £4,395 pp
    Single supp. +£745
    Book now

Can’t find the right fit?

Every one of our Ghana journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.

Tailor my trip
What's included

Everything covered — and what's not

Included in the price

  • Arrival and departure transfers
  • Overland transport throughout with professional driver
  • All accommodation
  • Services of English-speaking guide / tour leader
  • Meals as listed
  • Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary

Budget separately for

  • International flights (, contact , us, for expert advice and a quote)
  • Any airport taxes
  • Travel Insurance
  • Visa – when required
  • Drinks
  • Items of personal nature
  • Tips (Discretionary)
Before you go

Essential information

Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.

Foreign Office travel advice

We constantly monitor official travel advice, including the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Ghana Travel Advice, and will always advise clients of any warnings before departure. At the time of writing, there are no specific warnings against travel to the parts of Ghana that we visit on our tours.

Please contact us if you have any specific concerns or would like to understand what measures are in place to ensure your trip remains safe and trouble-free.

For additional official guidance, travellers may also refer to:

Please note this information applies primarily to British citizens — nationals of other countries should check the current position with their respective government travel authority.

Voices from the road

What travellers say about us

Independently verified reviews from travellers who joined Ghana, Togo and Benin Voodoo Festival. Rated 4.9 Excellent on AITO by 250+ reviewers.

Holiday exceeded our expectations. Regular contact when agreeing holiday requirements, which were subsequently met.

Alfrescodave

Ghana

What an exceptional and extraordinary tour this was. Everything was handled perfectly — the guide, Valentine, was super knowledgeable.

JT

Benin

An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!

Anna

This adventure was always going to be very full-on, which is how we like our trips. I didn't count on getting bronchitis and ending up in hospital, however. The itinerary was quickly amended to avoid high-altitude destinations as much as possible while still making sure we had a chance to enjoy interesting experiences. While obviously sad to have missed some of the original sites, the revised itinerary was the only sensible option under the circumstances. I was extremely impressed with how Undiscovered Destinations and their local team handled the situation — taking the stress out of it, smoothing the way, rearranging the itinerary and booking new hotels, translating for me with the medical staff, and making sure I always had transport, medicines and anything else I needed. Nothing was too much trouble, and they kept in touch with me, each other, and the insurance company throughout. I can't recommend them enough!

Grete

My wife and I had a wonderful tour with Undiscovered Destinations. We had a different guide at each stop, and all of them were friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable. The local people were welcoming, and we always felt safe and comfortable. The beaches were spectacularly beautiful and empty of people, with warm, clear water, and each stop had its own character — some we loved for their unspoiled scenery, others for their history and the warmth of the welcome. We took the opportunity to snorkel on one of the most pristine reefs we've experienced, swimming with sea turtles and enormous manta rays that came right up to us out of curiosity. A wonderful destination for nature lovers.

Frank

Excellent. Action packed. Our local agent was excellent, and a good choice by Undiscovered Destinations. Because there were only two of us on the holiday, we had different guides at each stop, each one making sure we were handed over safely. All manner of transport was used, and we appreciated the different guiding strategies, the wealth of information given, the high level of English, and the genuine wish to show off their country at its best. Excellent.

Cathy

Far exceeding my expectations, this was one of the best trips I've ever done. A beautiful destination, with interesting history, lively ceremonies, lovely people and — surprisingly, for somewhere that sees so few tourists — absolutely no hassle on the streets. Excellent service from start to finish, with a first-class tour leader.

Lynn

We had a two-week trip with Undiscovered Destinations, flying in for two days first to break up the journey. It was a great trip, because we managed to see so much more than just the capital cities. This was the fourth trip we've taken with Undiscovered Destinations, and each one has been wonderful. Our guides were lovely — very professional and helpful. We rate UD very highly.

Andy

We had a fabulous trip with an excellent local guide, who took great care of us and enthusiastically shared his knowledge of both ancient and recent history, with lots of fascinating personal stories of his own life. We highly recommend this trip — Undiscovered Destinations were great to work with, and we hope to use them again.

Jennie

Everything was great — we got to witness a wonderful variety of wildlife, and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and the hospitality of the people. A fabulous trip from start to finish.

Debbie

Holiday exceeded our expectations. Regular contact when agreeing holiday requirements, which were subsequently met.

Alfrescodave

Ghana

What an exceptional and extraordinary tour this was. Everything was handled perfectly — the guide, Valentine, was super knowledgeable.

JT

Benin

An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!

Anna

This adventure was always going to be very full-on, which is how we like our trips. I didn't count on getting bronchitis and ending up in hospital, however. The itinerary was quickly amended to avoid high-altitude destinations as much as possible while still making sure we had a chance to enjoy interesting experiences. While obviously sad to have missed some of the original sites, the revised itinerary was the only sensible option under the circumstances. I was extremely impressed with how Undiscovered Destinations and their local team handled the situation — taking the stress out of it, smoothing the way, rearranging the itinerary and booking new hotels, translating for me with the medical staff, and making sure I always had transport, medicines and anything else I needed. Nothing was too much trouble, and they kept in touch with me, each other, and the insurance company throughout. I can't recommend them enough!

Grete

My wife and I had a wonderful tour with Undiscovered Destinations. We had a different guide at each stop, and all of them were friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable. The local people were welcoming, and we always felt safe and comfortable. The beaches were spectacularly beautiful and empty of people, with warm, clear water, and each stop had its own character — some we loved for their unspoiled scenery, others for their history and the warmth of the welcome. We took the opportunity to snorkel on one of the most pristine reefs we've experienced, swimming with sea turtles and enormous manta rays that came right up to us out of curiosity. A wonderful destination for nature lovers.

Frank

Excellent. Action packed. Our local agent was excellent, and a good choice by Undiscovered Destinations. Because there were only two of us on the holiday, we had different guides at each stop, each one making sure we were handed over safely. All manner of transport was used, and we appreciated the different guiding strategies, the wealth of information given, the high level of English, and the genuine wish to show off their country at its best. Excellent.

Cathy

Far exceeding my expectations, this was one of the best trips I've ever done. A beautiful destination, with interesting history, lively ceremonies, lovely people and — surprisingly, for somewhere that sees so few tourists — absolutely no hassle on the streets. Excellent service from start to finish, with a first-class tour leader.

Lynn

We had a two-week trip with Undiscovered Destinations, flying in for two days first to break up the journey. It was a great trip, because we managed to see so much more than just the capital cities. This was the fourth trip we've taken with Undiscovered Destinations, and each one has been wonderful. Our guides were lovely — very professional and helpful. We rate UD very highly.

Andy

We had a fabulous trip with an excellent local guide, who took great care of us and enthusiastically shared his knowledge of both ancient and recent history, with lots of fascinating personal stories of his own life. We highly recommend this trip — Undiscovered Destinations were great to work with, and we hope to use them again.

Jennie

Everything was great — we got to witness a wonderful variety of wildlife, and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and the hospitality of the people. A fabulous trip from start to finish.

Debbie

Want to customise this tour?

Make Ghana, Togo and Benin Voodoo Festival your own — adjust the route, dates, pace or who travels, or start from a blank page with a specialist. We'll bring the details of this trip straight into your enquiry.

Customise this tour
More to explore

More tours in Ghana

Ready when you are

Start planning your Ghana adventure

Join a small-group departure, or let our Ghana specialists craft a private journey shaped around your dates and interests.

Common questions

Things travellers usually ask

  • How many travellers will be in my group?

    Maximum 12 travellers — that's the cap on every Undiscovered Destinations small-group tour. Small enough to eat in a local family home; large enough to share the wonder with other like-minded travellers.

  • Can I travel solo?

    Yes — there's no compulsory single supplement on our small-group tours. You get your own room at no extra cost. About 60% of UD travellers come solo, so you'll be in good company.

  • How fit do I need to be?

    Fitness requirements vary by itinerary, from gentle to demanding. The day-by-day tour dossier sets out walking distances, terrain and any altitude so you know what to expect. If you have specific concerns, speak to our team before booking — they can talk you through a typical day.

  • When are the next departures?

    The next available departures are 27 December 2026; 6 January 2027; 8 January 2028. See the "Pick your departure" table further up the page for the full schedule and per-departure pricing.

  • What's included in the tour price?

    Included items vary by tour — see the full list above. On this trip, expect: Arrival and departure transfers; Overland transport throughout with professional driver; All accommodation; and more. International flights and travel insurance are not included.

  • Where exactly does this trip go?

    This tour visits Ghana, Togo and Benin. Each destination has its own page with practical information, climate, and the attractions our specialists recommend — linked from the itinerary above.

Trusted partners & accreditations