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Voodoo dance

Cradle of Voodoo - 2010/11 Itinerary

18 days - from $4330

• Explore the vast expanse of the Burkinabe Sahel
• Discover tribal lands & the fortress homes of the Somba
• Witness religious ceremonies & voodoo village life

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Savannah, Desert & Nomads
From Burkina Faso's capital, Ouagadougou, we make for the Sahel, the southern reaches of the great Sahara. We explore the territories of the Mossi, the ancient and proud masters of this region and may be lucky enough to enjoy an audience with Maiga Belko, King of Arabinda. We spend time among the Fulani and Tuareg tribes visiting a Tuaraeg encampment and learning more about life in this harsh environment. Gorom Gorom is our next stop with its weekly market providing lively trade between the nomad herders and sedentary farmers at a point where savannah meets the harshness of the Sahara desert to the north.


Forests & Fire Dances
From the 9 mud mosques of Bani we enter northern Benin and spend a full days trekking among Somba communities, famous for their unique fortifies dwellings. Entering northern Togo we discover the Tamberma tribe before continuing south through the varied territories of many local peoples including the Bassar whose striking conical roofed clay houses dominate the landscape and the Tem, famous for their fire dance rituals. In the lush landscapes of central Togo we travel to Kloto and spend time walking in its virgin rainforest before once again returning to Benin.


Python Temples & Royal Palaces
At Abomey we reach the Royal Palace and UNESCO world heritage site of the pre-colonial Dahomey kings and at the nearby village of Cove we may be lucky enough to witness the remarkable spectacle of a Gelede mask ceremony. On Benin's Atlantic coastline we reach Lake Nokwe and take a boat to the stilt village of Ganvie, spending a night in this traditional fishing community. Returning to shore we discover the old slave trade post of Ouidah, considered the spiritual capital of voodoo, where we visit the python temple and Portuguese fort. Finally we explore the Mono River by boat before returning to Togo to discover traditional voodoo villages and the eclectic fetish market in the capital, Lome.

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Itinerary:

Day 1 Join the tour in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). Days 2/3 Into the Sahel Heading into the Manega region, home of the Mossi and Fulani tribes. Days 3/4 Tuareg Camps After hoping to meet a local local king we enter the Markoy region and spend time with the nomadic Tuareg. Day 5 Gorom Gorom Turning south we reach the vibrant weekly market at Gorom Gorom. Days 7/8 Mud Mosques At Bani we discover its 9 famous adobe mosques before reaching Benin's remote northern border. Days 9/10 Somba Villages We discover the unique architecture of the Somba during a days trekking at Atakora before heading to Togo to see the fortified dwellings of the Tamberma. Days 11/12 Tem Fire Dance Travelling via Bassari villages we hope to witness a traditional Tem dance before continuing to Kpalime. Days 13/14 Gelede Masks We spend a day trekking through Kloto's virgin rainforest then return to Benin to experience a Gelede mask ceremony. Day 15 Royal Palaces & Lake Nokwe We discover the palaces of the pre-colonial Dahomey kings before heading to Lake Nokwe for a unique overnight stay at a stilt fishing village. Day 16 Python Temple Returning to shore by pirogue we visit the voodoo python temple and discover slave history at Ouidah. Days 17 Mono River & voodoo villages A boat trip takes us along the Mono River before returning to Togo to discover traditional Voodoo villages. Day 18 Lome We make a final visit to Togo's capital and the voodoo fetish market. Tour ends in Lome.

Accommodations: 8nts hotel, 6nts wild camping, 2nts campements, 1nt stilt village guesthouse, 2nts auberge - basic accommodation and wild camping in remote areas; 17 breakfasts, 17 lunches & 16 dinners included.
Transport: 4WD Landcruisers or minibus/Boat.
Comment: Come prepared for some rough rides and long journeys. Please note that some of the visits included on this tour are by their nature unpredictable and cannot be guaranteed. Nightstops may also vary. One full days walk is included, otherwise easy walking at sites and villages.
Group: Approx. 12 to 16.
Staff: Explore Tour Leader, local guide, driver(s) & cook.
Trip Reference: BWA2010

Dates & Prices
Start End Prices in US$ Local Payment Availability
23 Oct 1006 Nov 10$43300
18 Dec 1001 Jan 11$43300
22 Jan 1108 Feb 11$43300
26 Feb 1115 Mar 11$43300

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$ 600, depending on availability.