Waypoint Journeys × West Africa

Ghana, Benin
& Togo

Voodoo, Castles & the Slave Coast

8 Days

8 days across three nations at the crossroads of history

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The Destination

Where History Lives in the Streets, the Temples, and the Sea

West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea coast holds some of the most powerful stories on Earth. This is the Slave Coast — where for three centuries, millions were taken through the Door of No Return at Ouidah. It is also the birthplace of Voodoo, where ancient spirits still walk through sacred forests and living temples. And it is modern, vibrant, resilient Africa — market women in Lomé trading in cloth empires, fishermen casting nets at dawn across Lake Nokoué, and Accra’s creative energy reshaping a continent.

This eight-day expedition moves through three countries — Benin, Togo, and Ghana — following the thread of history from the stilt villages of Ganvié to the royal palaces of Abomey, from the sacred python temples of Ouidah to the slave castles of Cape Coast and Elmina. Every day brings encounters that no textbook can deliver.

“History lives here — not in museums, but in the streets, the temples, and the ocean that remembers.”
Stilt buildings on water in Benin, West Africa
Stilt Village, Benin
Why West Africa

A Region Unlike Any Other

Birthplace of Voodoo

Ouidah is where Voodoo began. Visit the Sacred Forest, the Temple of the Pythons, and witness a living spiritual tradition practised by millions across West Africa and the diaspora.

The Slave Coast

Walk the Route des Esclaves in Ouidah and stand at the Door of No Return. Visit Cape Coast and Elmina Castles in Ghana — the two most significant slave forts remaining on the African coast.

Ganvié — Venice of Africa

Home to 35,000 people living entirely on water, Ganvié is the largest stilt village in Africa. Glide through its channels by pirogue and witness a way of life unchanged for centuries.

Royal Abomey

The Royal Palaces of Abomey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, were the seat of the Dahomey Kingdom — one of the most powerful and feared empires in pre-colonial Africa.

Three Countries, Eight Days

Cross two borders and experience three distinct cultures — the Fon traditions of Benin, the Ewe and Mina cultures of Togo, and the Akan and Ga heritage of Ghana.

Markets & Living Culture

From the fetish market of Lomé to the Grand Marché, from the artisan villages of Togo to the Makola Market of Accra — West Africa’s markets are theatres of daily life.

Day by Day

The Expedition

Eight days of discovery across three nations at the crossroads of history.

Day 1
Arrival in Cotonou
Day 1

Arrive at Cotonou Cadjehoun Airport, Benin’s economic capital on the Gulf of Guinea. Transfer to your hotel in Ouidah, a historic town on the coast that serves as your base for the first three nights. Settle in and prepare for a week that will reshape how you see Africa.

Day 2
Ganvié & Abomey
Day 2

Depart Ouidah early for Ganvié, the extraordinary stilt village on Lake Nokoué — home to 35,000 people and known as the Venice of Africa. Glide through its channels by pirogue past homes, markets, and schools built entirely on stilts. Continue to Abomey to visit the Royal Palace Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and seat of the once-mighty Dahomey Kingdom. Explore the underground village of Bohicon and the Chameleon Temple before returning to Ouidah for the night.

Day 3
Ouidah — Birthplace of Voodoo
Day 3

Ouidah is the spiritual heartland of Voodoo, a living faith practised by millions. Walk the Route des Esclaves, the path slaves were forced to march to the sea, passing through the Sacred Forest where annual Voodoo Festivals draw devotees from around the world. Visit the Cathedral that stands alongside the Temple of the Sacred Pythons — a sanctuary where dozens of pythons roam freely as objects of worship. End the day at the haunting Gate of No Return, the monument marking where an estimated 12 million enslaved people departed these shores between the 16th and 19th centuries.

Day 4
Lomé, Togo
Day 4

Cross the border into Togo after an early morning departure. After a ninety-minute drive and immigration formalities, begin exploring Lomé, Togo’s low-key coastal capital. Visit a preserved slave house in Agbodrafo, then take in Independence Square, the Artisans Village, and the National Museum. The afternoon is devoted to the Fetish Market — the largest traditional medicine market in West Africa — followed by the fishing harbour, Art Street, and the bustling Grand Marché. Overnight in Lomé.

Day 5
Drive to Accra, Ghana
Day 5

Depart Lomé for the Ghana border — just ten minutes from the hotel. After immigration protocols, begin the five-hour drive to Accra along the coastal road. Arrive in the afternoon and check into your hotel for an evening of rest and relaxation before two full days of exploration.

Day 6
Accra City Tour
Day 6

A full day immersed in Ghana’s vibrant capital. Visit the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, dedicated to the founding father of Ghanaian independence. Stand at Independence Square, also known as Black Star Square, the symbolic heart of the nation. Tour the National Museum, drive past the imposing Osu Castle — the former seat of the Ghanaian presidency — and walk through the historic streets of Jamestown, Accra’s oldest neighbourhood. In the afternoon, drive to Cape Coast to position for the following day.

Day 7
Cape Coast & Elmina
Day 7

A day of profound historical weight. Visit Cape Coast Castle, the largest of the slave forts built along the Gold Coast, where enslaved people were held in underground dungeons before being shipped across the Atlantic. Continue to Elmina Castle, the oldest European building in sub-Saharan Africa, built by the Portuguese in 1482. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The experience is sobering, powerful, and essential. Return to Accra in the evening.

Day 8
Departure from Accra
Day 8

A final morning in Accra before transfers to Kotoka International Airport for your departure. Eight days, three countries, centuries of history, and a journey that will stay with you forever.

Cape Coast Castle overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Ghana

Small Group Expedition

Every Detail Arranged.
Every Moment Yours.

Expedition Details

What’s Included

Duration 8 days / 7 nights
Group Size Small group expedition: intimate, unhurried, and personal
Countries Benin, Togo, Ghana
Accommodation Hotels in Ouidah (3 nights), Lomé (1 night), Accra (3 nights)
Meals All meals included
Transport Private vehicle with driver throughout all ground transfers
Not Included International flights, visa fees, travel insurance

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Common Questions About This Expedition

Ghana, Benin, and Togo are among the most stable and welcoming countries in West Africa. Ghana consistently ranks as one of the safest nations on the continent. Our local team has deep roots in all three countries and manages logistics, security, and cultural access throughout the journey.
Voodoo (Vodun) is a living religion in Benin, not a Hollywood caricature. You'll visit sacred temples in Ouidah — the spiritual birthplace of Voodoo — meet practitioners, and witness ceremonies with deep respect and local guidance. It's one of the most culturally profound experiences we offer.
Yellow fever vaccination is required for entry to all three countries. We also recommend being up to date on hepatitis A, typhoid, and routine vaccinations. Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended. We'll send you a complete health brief with specific medical guidance once you book.
The expedition includes visits to Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle in Ghana — two of the most significant slave trade sites in the world. You'll walk through the Door of No Return and learn the full history from expert local guides. In Ouidah, Benin, you'll trace the Route of the Slaves. These are deeply moving, essential historical experiences.

Expedition Investment

$2,950

USD per person

Fully inclusive of accommodation, activities, and ground transportation

International airfare and visa fees not included

Reserve Your Spot
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A Note on Safety

West Africa is one of the continent’s most welcoming and accessible regions for international visitors. The countries on this route — Benin, Togo, and Ghana — are politically stable and accustomed to hosting travellers. Ghana in particular is one of Africa’s safest destinations, with a strong tradition of hospitality. Our local guides have deep relationships throughout every community on this route, and we coordinate all border crossings and logistics so you can focus entirely on the experience.