GHANA, TOGO AND BENIN
“Voodoo Festival” Expedition with Tribal Festival
January 08 to 21, 2022
Led by Anthropologist &Historian, Mohamed Halouani

Uncover three of West Africa’s most colorful destinations on this special tour to Benin, Togo and Ghana. In this part of the world, voodoo remains an important part of everyday life. On the pristine shores of Anomabo Beach, meet practitioners of this misunderstood religion and talented local artisans, and discover stately former palaces. Engage in the renowned art forms, voodoo and other thriving cultural traditions, flamboyantly colorful festivals, mask dances, and dazzling ethnic mosaics that are the golden gems of tribal West Africa. This fantastic cultural odyssey takes you to the remote reaches of Ghana, Togo, and Benin to discover lost tribal worlds guided by ancient spirits. On this journey, you will witness a special festival – the Egun Mask Dances of the Yoruba villages of southern Benin. Along the way, you will meet unforgettable people like the Taberma, whose fairytale-like clay castles are spectacular examples of uniquely African architecture. Finish your excursion on the coast, in the heart of voodoo country, visiting practitioners, watching trance-dances, and learning about the awesome power that voodoo spirits still hold over people.

Can be combined with Ivory Coast and Mali (January 18 - February 03, 2022)

Trip Grade:
II Active – Some hikes, slightly more demanding walks at or to sites, comfortable but busy schedule and some long rides. There are many early starts with long hours spent driving on rough roads. Many walks into villages entail walks in muddy areas, over dirt piles, and unpaved paths. The trip requires a reasonable good physical stamina in order to participate in all the activities. Some flexibility is also required as perhaps we can alter or change the sequence of the program for any unforeseen conditions.  

LODGING Level:
*** Superior: Lodges and hotels with additional amenities, refined service and comfort level acceptable to western standards. With a few exceptions you can expect rooms to be en-suite, with private bathroom and when necessary air-conditioning will be provided. In general you will find your hotel has a restaurant and/or bar. We require that all the properties and transport we use comply fully with local regulations, but we do not guarantee the same standards as in your home country. (3 or 4 stars).

Important Special Trip Notes:
Tourist facilities are very limited in the remote regions and small villages you will be visiting. There are few first-class hotels anywhere outside the cities, but rest assured, we always try to acquire the best possible. For the most part, the hotels are comfortable, but they are very basic. Hotel air-conditioning in West Africa does not cool a room to American standards of comfort, and there may be occasions where the hotel electricity goes off for periods of time. Frequent stops will be made to give you ample opportunity to stroll around villages and markets to see and experience the differences in architecture, dress, and culture among the many tribes in West Africa. Participants should understand that this trip involves long drives, hot and humid weather, and somewhat basic hotels outside of Accra. The physical shape you are in will be an important factor in your enjoyment of your trip. There are dangers inherent in any expedition traveling to remote regions, such as sickness and lack of modern medical facilities.

 If you have any chronic health problems (respiratory or cardiac problems, a bad back, or diabetes), we recommend you consider a different trip. It is highly advisable to purchase travel protection insurance for such a journey. The weather is rather hot and humid, and you need to be able to tolerate temperatures in the mid-80’s to mid-90's. In addition, some of the roads are dirt and this can cause breathing and eye irritation from the dust. By signing up for such tour, you are admitting to accepting these challenges and that you are agreeing to be tolerant, flexible and patient with any possible arising inefficiency. 

BEWARE that slaughtering animals is an integral part of the Voodoo culture, but tourists are often upset seeing such rituals take place, and many people may find it unsettling to witness such ceremonies. There are also the remains of many animals and birds on display, including some that are under threat.