Benin and Togo: nature, culture and traditions

Early in the morning, we will take a tour of the city of Cotonou.

We will then go to the commune of Abomey-Calavi to discover the lakeside town of Ganvié. This village located on Lake Nokoué is a traditional fishing village with houses on stilts.

The tour will be done by pirogue.

This area was a refuge for populations fleeing the slave raids of neighboring kingdoms.

Return and night in Cotonou

After breakfast, we head to Abomey, the historic capital of the Kingdom of Dahomey, whose royal palaces are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Lunch on site before visiting the Abomey Historical Museum. The collections house royal thrones, bas-reliefs, statuettes and Voodoo cultural objects.

Night in a guesthouse in Abomey.

On the way to Dassa-Zoume, a stop is planned in Bohicon to discover an archaeological site and underground caves.

Also called the city of 41 hills, Dassa is a crossroads town. Our explorations begin with a visit to the Arigbo Marian center, a place of prayer and meditation.

Hiking on the hills to see the ritual path followed by the Omondjagou, the majority ethnic group that formed the ancient kingdom of Dassa-Zoumé.

On the Hills of Dassa, we have the opportunity to see the fetishes and representations of voodoo worship.

Early morning departure for Djougou, an ancient stopover town on the salt and kola nut route. Favored by its geographical position, it is a meeting point for the Yom, Dendi, Peuhl, Pila-Pila, Gourmantché, Somba and Baatonou peoples.

Upon our arrival, we attempt to meet the village king.

We continue our journey towards Natitingou.

Along the way we stop in the atypical village of Taneka-koko. Here, the chief of traditional healers, once enthroned, no longer dresses until his death.

Arriving at Natitingou, we visit the popular museum, then the city market.

On the road leading to Boukoumbé are villages whose population is essentially agricultural.

Arrival at Koutagou (which etymologically in the Somba language means where there is happiness) a small village located in the Atakora department.

This village is known for its Somba tatas, traditional constructions that command admiration.

But beyond these veritable fortresses, the small village of Koutagou offers a plain conducive to hiking and exchanges with the local population.

We can also admire the Atakora mountains which, in the distance, challenge us…

Today, we enter Togo through the northern border near Nadoba.

We drive towards the famous Atakora and Betammaribé country, the Togolese equivalent of the Benin Somba country. Here too, the houses resemble fortified farms on several levels, with original fortified forms and terraces. They constitute small hamlets of a few units corresponding to clans.

We thus discover Tamberma country, their construction methods and exchange with the population about their way of life. With their permission, we will enter a few houses.

Kara occupies a central place in northern Togo and continues to expand. It is in this city that one finds one of the country's main ethnic groups, the Kabyés, the "farmers of the stone", so named for their agriculture techniques on stony terrain.

Under their impetus, yams, cotton, peanuts and many fruits are cultivated here, making the region a major agricultural centre. Each family, gathered around the father as head of family, lives in a group of huts surrounded by a surrounding wall, forming a dwelling called Soukala. We meet and chat with the craftspeople, in particular the blacksmiths.

Each year, in July, the traditional Evala festivals are organized, a great initiation celebration which we will be able to attend if our trip allows it.

We head south towards Atakpamé.

This city, situated on a hill, marks the boundary of the Togolese coffee and cocoa triangle with its sister cities Badou to the west and Kpalimé to the southwest.

Once a mountain refuge and then an agricultural and administrative centre under German rule, one of the country's most famous traditional dances is performed here, the Tchébé dance on stilts, which we may have the pleasure of seeing.

Just a short distance from the city, at the Nangbéto dam, hippopotamuses frolic about, which we have the pleasure of admiring.

In the city, around the central square, the market, already lively during the day, takes on a different atmosphere when night falls with music that delights buyers and sellers.

We continue our descent towards southern Togo and arrive in the charming town of Kpalimé, not far from the Ghanaian border.

Coffee and cocoa plantations, wooded hills, waterfalls, valleys and forests form an enchanting lush natural setting. Kpalimé is also renowned for its artists and craftspeople: wood carving, batik, pottery, weaving, calabash making, … are very lively activities here.

Once there, we will stretch our legs, get some fresh air and especially cool off in the lovely Cascades de Wome. A short walk through the forest and we find ourselves at the edge of a deep and cool pool perfect for swimming!

This early part of the day is dedicated to a hike at Mont Agou, the highest point in Togo. Through avocado trees, banana trees and other orchards, we climb without great difficulty on the slopes of the mountain.

We cross villages before reaching the Agou peak from which we have a magnificent panoramic view over the region.

We then resume our journey through the forest region and arrive in Lomé where we settle for the night.

Back to Bénin, we cross the border and head towards Grand, a seaside town, a paradise for lovers of the sea and nature.

Lunch by the sea with a swimming moment in the pool or in the sea.

We then take a pirogue ride on the Fleuve Mono to visit the Salt Island, the Bird Island and the mouth of the river.

Dinner and overnight stay on site by the Atlantic Ocean.

We make the short transfer this morning to the city of Ouidah, close to the Atlantic coast.

We devote the day to long hours of leisurely strolling in this historic city and begin with the Python Temple. This is located opposite the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, the city's cathedral, with which it forms a striking contrast.

Then, we stretch our legs exploring The sacred forest Kpassè Zoun. This is a wooded area where century-old trees stand. We take pleasure in discovering its voodoo temple with its statues of voodoo deities, as well as in contemplating the king's iroko tree.

The Slave Route remains a must-see circuit in Ouidah. We walk several kilometers of beach to trace one by one the 5 stages of this trail, symbol of the slave trade in Bénin.

We end our visit to the city with a short stop at the Zinsou foundation to admire contemporary art from Africa.

We are heading to Cotonou where we have lunch in a local restaurant.

We then do a city tour and a visit to the craft center is planned.

In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for our return flight.