Journey through West Africa’s most captivating nations—Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Senegal, Gambia, Guinee, and Sierra Leone—on this richly layered exploration of history, landscapes, and living traditions. From the legacy of ancient kingdoms and UNESCO-protected sites to the vibrant spiritual heartlands of the coast, the journey blends natural beauty with deep cultural discovery.

Travel by private vehicle, motorized boat, and short regional flights as you explore colonial citadels, remote stilt villages, and bustling artisan markets. Along the way, expert local guides and a dedicated tour leader bring each destination to life, while a balanced pace allows time for independent exploration, traditional festival experiences, and memorable West African moments.

Trip pricing is contingent upon a minimum of six (6) participants and is subject to adjustment should this minimum not be met.

• Immerse in the vibrant N’zima culture during the Abissa Festival in Grand Bassam, a unique time of ritual and collective renewal

• Discover the extraordinary architectural wonders of the stilt villages of Nzulezu and Ganvie, built entirely over tranquil lake waters

• Experience the powerful history of the transatlantic slave trade with guided visits to Elmina Castle, Cape Coast Castle, and Gorée Island

• Connect with the living traditions of the Ashanti Kingdom in Kumasi, visiting specialized craft villages for Kente weaving and Adinkra stamping

• Journey through the spiritual heart of Benin and Togo to witness sacred Voodoo ceremonies and the mesmerizing Gelede mask dances

• Explore diverse natural wonders including the Pink Lake, the bird sanctuaries of Djoudj National Park, and the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary

• Accommodations with breakfast. Five star + best available regional hotels.

• AC Transport van or minibus depending on group size

• Accompanying licensed guide throughout the tour

• 28 Lunches and 3 dinners as specified in the itinerary

• Bottled water during drives and sightseeing

• All entrance fees for sites listed; and all activities listed

• Regional flights: Cotonou–Dakar and Dakar–Conakry

• International airfare

• Visa fees

• Tourist tax (if any)

• Tips to drivers, guides, and hotel porters

• Meals other than those listed

You will be met on arrival and transferred to the hotel.

We shall depart the hotel at 9 am for a full day exploration of Abidjan including: Abobo, Africa’s largest outdoor launderette, National Museum of Abidjan and colorful markets.

Yamoussoukoro, the second capital city of Cote d’Ivoire, owes its good fortune as the birth place of Cote d’Ivoire’s first president, Houphouët-Boigny who spent lavishly on his native village. We will visit Basilica of “Notre Damme de la Paix,” the second largest cathedral in the world. Afterwards, view the Palace of the former president (exterior view only, government no longer permits tourists to enter) and see the sacred crocodiles in the palace moat. Next is a visit to “Foundation Felix Houphouet Boigny,” a UNESCO World Heritage site.

A short drive to Grand Bassam, the first capital of Cote d’Ivoire., We visit the old quarter built by the French during time of colonization and tour the Museum of Costumes, the Wickerwork Center, the Ceramics/Crafts Center. 

After lunch, attend the Abissa N’zima Festival. During the festival, this sleepy colonial town fills up with N’zima who travel from far to participate in the celebrations.

Today we cross the Ivorian Coast/ Ghana border to the small village of Anokyi where we take a one-hour motorized boat trip to Nzulezu, one part of the Amasuri Wetland, the largest inland swamp forest in Ghana. Spectacular scenery of the 400-year old stilt propped water settlement of Nzulezu, a unique village built on stilts in Lake Tadane, which is home to hundreds of people in the Western Region.

A drive to Elmina, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the southwest of Ghana.  

En-route, a stop to visit the picturesque Axim fishing village and its Fort San Antonio, the second oldest fort in Ghana built by the Portuguese in 1515. In Elmina, we visit Elmina Castle to learn about the slave trade in West Africa. It is the oldest castle in Ghana on the West African slave trade route.

Embark on the a canopy walkway which is 350 metres (1,150 ft) long and connects seven tree tops which provides access to the forest. Afterwards, visit the Cape Coast Castle. Walk the path of slaves as your guide takes you through each section. This castle also houses the West African Historical Museum established by the Smithsonian Institute in collaboration with the Ghanaian Government.

Morning drive to Kumasi, the seat of the Ashanti Empire. En-route we stop to visit Assin Manso, the site of the “last bath.” The site served as a slave market and this is where slaves were taken for bathing before being shipped to the new world. It is also the burial place of two former slaves whose remains were returned to Ghana from the US and Jamaica.

Visit Royal Palace Museum of the Ashanti kingdom (opens at 9 am).  A one hour tour here.

The rest of the day is devoted to visiting the three craft villages in Ashanti:

Ahwiaa -the wood carvers’ village; Ntonso - home of the Adinkra Ashanti tribe wax stamp funeral clothing ateliers; Bonwire - the Kente weaving village

A 4.5 hr drive to Accra, the capital city of Ghana. We will stop for lunch at a local restaurant enroute. Before check-in at the hotel we stop to browse at Makola Central Market.

Next day, a city tour of Accra, the capital city of Ghana.  Visit National Museum, Osu Castle, Coffin builders at Teshi township, Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and the arts & crafts market.

Drive to Lomé. Afternoon we visit a private collections museum.

Next day: embark on an insightful city tour of Lomé, a city where tradition and modernism overlap. Discover this metropolis with its Musee National, Place de I' Independence, fishing harbor, and the Grand Marche - the realm of the famous “Nana Benz. “ Visit the Art Street with its craft vendors, the Artisans' Village and the Marche des Feticheurs (fetish market) - the heart of voodoo cult. 

Morning an excursion to Togoville, located on the north shore of Lake Togo.

Then drive 2 hours to Quidah and tour the historic town, considered the capital of voodoo (UNESCO Cultural Site, 1996). It was also once a major slave trading post.

On our way to Cotonou, visit the Door of No Return; a monument built by the Benin Government to commemorate the Africans that were taken from the Dahomey Empire during the Slave Trade.  Continue to Porto Novo, the former capital of Benin, known for colonial buildings such as Brazilian-style Great Mosque, formerly a church.

We visit several interesting museums and sites.

Next day, Excursion to Ganvie Village, (the largest stilt village in West Africa), commonly referred to as the Venice of West Africa. The residents here are members of the Tofinou ethnic group. They live in huts built on teak stilts and get around in dug-out canoes.

Thrid day, Excursion to Coveh Village to attend a traditional Geleden mask dance of the FON Tribe.  Dance is part of voodoo tradition. Performers wearing masks as well as marionettes will perform, dancing to traditional drums rhythms.

We fly to Dakar and enjoy a lovely stay at a beach resort outside the city.

The next day, a city tour of Dakar in the morning and afternoon visit the various markets: Kermel, Sandaga, the handicraft market of Soumbedioune and the Tilen market famous for its medicinal herbs and its traditional healers.

A  ferryboat to historic Goree Island. The island ranks today among the classified monuments of the World Patrimony. We will visit the House of Slaves (Maison des Esclaves) and its “Door of No Return,” a former prison for slave trade and said to be the final exit point of the slaves from Africa, now a museum and memorial.

Heading north through the Sahel to the old colonial city of St. Louis, which was formerly the capital of French West Africa. A stop enroute at Lake Retba, also known as the “Pink Lake.” We will see the “salt harvesters” with their colorful tackle and interact with the Fulani ethnic groups living in the surrounding villages.

Next, a 30 min drive to visit the Norflaye Turtle Conservation Farm. Arrive in Saint-Louis was founded in 1659 and named after the French King Louis XIV in the 1700s, it is the oldest city to be created by Europeans on the western coast of Africa and served as the capital of Senegal from 1872 to 1957.

Next day, Excursion to Djoudj National Park, the third largest pelican sanctuary in the world. It is known for its large pelican migration and many other species of birds. We cruise for 1.5 hr through the mangroves of the river in a spacious motorized open-air boat to see where the pelicans hatch their eggs each year.

This afternoon, we visit the Langue de Barbarie Peninsula. We take a horse and buggie ride to Guet Ndar, the fishing village that is located on the Langue de Barberie and watch the fisherman bring in their catch.

 Just before sunset, we embark on a motorized boat ride to explore Sine Saloum Delta (UNESCO World Heritage Site). 

Visit the historic village of Juffureh which became famous in the 1970s following the film release of the bestselling book, "Roots" written by the African-American author Alex Haley, a descendant of Kunta Kinte. The film told the story of Kunta Kinte’s capture in Juffureh by slave traders and his subsequent enslavement in America approximately 200 years ago.

Then we continue by boat ride from Juffureh to James Island (aka Kunte Kinteh Island), the colonial period ruins of a slavery station and the 'Portuguese chapel' of San Domingo.

Culminate the day board the Barra /Banjul ferry to reach Banjul.

Makasutu Forest, on an island facing the south bank of the Gambia River, is a tropical 1000 acre reserve encompassing five different eco systems, including gallery forest, savannah, mangroves, palm forest and wetland. Wildlife is plentiful. We board a pirogue, a traditional wooden boat, to experience nature as we cruise on the Gambia River through the mangroves lined with oyster shells.

Afternoon, city tour of Banjul

Board a ferry for the short ride to Barra near the border of Senegal. On the way we stop  at Joal-Fadiouth, which is actually two small rural villages in the Thiès Region at the end of the Petite Côte of Senegal. We walk across the 900 mt long wooden bridge into the village of Fadiouth and enjoy a short walk in the village.

Once again we have a restful day enjoy the 5* beach resort at Saly.

A flight to Conakry, capital city of Guinea.

Next day, a city tour of Conakry:  Central Mosque, Sekou Toure’s Mausoleum, fish market of Bolobineh, and the French Cathedral.

Sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean and the mountains, Freetown is the lively capital of Sierra Leone, steeped in history and culture. With its rich history, stunning scenery and vibrant city center, Sierra Leone’s charismatic capital is perfect to explore on foot.

Next day, Taccugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Visit one of the few chimpanzee villages in the region. Afterwards, drive around the Freetown peninsular beaches of John Obey, Black Johnson, York, Kent.

The 3rd day, embark on a tour of Freetown city center. We will visit: Victoria Park Market, Law Court building, the cotton tree (emblem of the city; more than 550 years old), Parliament Building, State House building, King Jimmy Market and the Arts Market at Big Wharf.

The airport and Freetown are separated by the Sierra Leone River. We transfer by bus to the Lumley Beach Harbor (10 min) and then take a sea coach/ferry (1 hr crossing and 15 minutes from disembarkation to airport).