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Local villagers/Keith Coleman
Grand Feticheur, Seko/Peter Eshelby

Voodoo Villages - 2010/11 Itinerary

6 days - from $1550

• Discover remote villages & meet local kings
• Stay at a traditional stilt village on Lake Nokoue
• Explore ancient royal palaces & witness voodoo ceremonies

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Voodoo Villages & Python Temple
Overlooking the Gulf of Guinea, Togo's vibrant capital Lome provides our introduction to West Africa and the cult of voodoo. We visit Akodessewa fetish market with its bizarre display of religious and medicinal ingredients before heading east to rural villages where voodoo shrines and fetish ceremonies dominate the lives of local people. Over the border in Benin, we take a trip along the Mono River to explore remote villages before visiting the python temple and Portuguese fort in the old slave trade post of Ouidah. Later we take pirogues across Lake Nokoue to the stilt village of Ganvie. We spend a night in this traditional fishing community and may have a privileged encounter with a local Bokono oracle.


Ancient Kingdoms & Gelede Ceremony
At Abomey we visit the Royal Palaces of the pre-colonial kingdom of Dahomey. With thrones of human skulls and walls made with human blood, the history of Dahomey is steeped in tales of brutality and extravagance before its eventual conquest by the French. At nearby Cove, we aim to witness a Gelede mask ceremony, dedicated to the great earth mother divinity Oudua. Returning south at Ketou we hope to meet the local Oba (Yoouba king) before our journey ends in Benin's capital Porto Novo. Here we visit the markets and old Portuguese town as well as King Toffa's palace, the old throne of one of Sub-Saharan Africa's longest royal dynasties.

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Itinerary:

Day 1 Join tour in Lome (Togo). Days 2/3 Voodoo Villages Togo's capital Lome provides our introduction to West Africa and the cult of voodoo. We visit Akodessewa fetish market with its bizarre display of religious and medicinal ingredients before heading east to rural villages where voodoo shrines and fetish ceremonies dominate the lives of local people. Over the border in Benin, we take a trip along the Mono River and explore remote villages. Day 4 Python Temple & Stilt Village Opposite the Catholic cathedral we visit Ouidah's famous voodoo python temple and explore the Portuguese fort. We'll also learn about the areas slave history before taking pirogues across Lake Nokoue for a night at the stilt village of Ganvie; here we may have a privileged encounter with a local Bokono oracle. Days 5/6 Ancient Kingdoms & Gelede Ceremony With thrones of human skulls and walls made with human blood, the history of Dahomey's Royal family and Palaces is steeped in tales of brutality and extravagance. At Cove, we aim to witness a Gelede mask ceremony, and at Ketou we hope to meet the local Oba (Yoouba king) before our journey ends in Benin's capital, Porto Novo. Here we visit the markets, old Portuguese town and King Toffa's palace. We fly to the UK in the evening. Day 7 Tour ends in Cotonou.

Accommodations: 4nts hotel, 1nt basic stilt village; 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 4 dinners included.
Transport: 4WD Landcruisers and/or minibus/Boat.
Comment: Travel is mainly on roads and well-maintained tracks but come prepared for some rough rides. Whilst we expect to follow the itinerary above, please note that some of the visits included on this tour are by their nature unpredictable and cannot be guaranteed. Easy walks at sights and villages.
Group: Approx. 12 to 16.
Staff: Explore Tour Leader, driver(s) & cook.
Trip Reference: AWA2010

Dates & Prices
Start End Prices in US$ Local Payment Availability
23 Oct 1028 Oct 10$15500
20 Nov 1025 Nov 10$15500
08 Jan 1113 Jan 11$19900
06 Aug 1111 Aug 11$16400

Prices and itineraries shown for tours departing from January 2011 onwards are subject to change and confirmation with the publication of our 2011/12 brochure, due to be published in October 2010.

The price of a Single Room Option does not necessarily guarantee a single room for every night of the tour. For more information, please refer to the trip dossier / more details for this tour.
Single rooms are available for this tour at a supplement from US$ 370, depending on availability.