West Africa - The Voodoo Trail (16 days)

Go where few travellers venture, and follow the Voodoo trail through the authentic villages and towns of West Africa. ( Lome to Ouagadougou). Hike forests and mountains, meet African royalty, enjoy remote village homestays and witness dances, trances, possession as you trace the origins of Africa's mystical animist religion.

• Day 1: Arrive Lome
• Day 2-3: Kpalime/Ganvié - Explore Togo's vibrant capital, then travel to Kpalime and our local guesthouse in the forest. Join a Voodoo ceremony in a local village, and see dancers fall into a deep trance as the voodoo spirit takes possession of their bodies. Cross the border into Gambia and take a boat to the traditional stilt village of Ganvié.
• Day 4: Porto Novo - Cross Lake Nokwe to the capital of Benin, Porto-Novo, known for its Portuguese architecture.
• Day 5-6: Bohicon/Taneka - Journey to the Yoruba kingdom of Ketou, where with a little luck we have the honour of being received by His Majesty the Oba (king). Witness the traditional Dancing Masks of Egun, and tour the World Heritage Royal Palace. Travel to Taneka in the afternoon.
• Day 7-8: Fulani/Atakora - Hike Taneka Mountain and discover the ancient villages of the Yom. Meet nomads in a real encampment, before trekking into the Atakora mountain chain and the fortified dwellings of the Tamberma.
• Day 9-10: Nord, Togo/Gurunsi Region, Burkina Faso - Visit traditional villages of the Moba with their round clay homes, and the Gurunsi of Burkina Faso, with colourful fortified houses. Learn how they live on a local homestay, and sleep on the roof in tents.
• Day 11-12: Dagarti Region/Gaoua - Today head west to the fortified villages of the Dagarti. Camp under the stars, the next day visiting the shy, traditional Lobi people of Burkina; men here still carry bows and arrows, and old women wear lip disks.
• Day 13: Banfora - Travel to Guen, where the village king welcomes us personally. Visit the village of Senoufo before finishing in the town of Banfora.
• Day 14-15: Bobo/Ouagadougou - Explore this typical African town, including the "domes" of Fabedougou and the waterfalls of Kerfiughela. Continue to Ouagadougou, capital of Burkina Faso, where we witness a Bwa ceremonial dance. Final night out with the group.
• Day 16: Depart Ouagadougou

Operated by G.A.P Adventures (DVVT)

Departures: September to February

• Contact us for more information, current costs and to make a booking on these small group adventures