Kingdoms of Gold - Overland Trip

Itineraries

Arrive and transfer to the hotel.

Head north to Kumasi, the historical and spiritual capital of the Ashanti kingdom. There is time to visit the lively and bustling market as well as the Ashanti Cultural Centre. (B)

We visit the Royal Palace Museum, home to amazing collections of gold jewellery worn by the Ashanti court, as well as visiting traditional Ashanti houses, famous for their unique decorations. (B)

We travel to Kakum NP, where we take a canopy walk on the suspended rope bridge – the longest and highest of its kind in the world. We then head to Cape Coast to visit the European castles left over from the days of the slave trade.  (B)

Return to Accra, where we have the chance to explore Jamestown, the old quarter of the city. We then head to the Sogakope region and onto our bush camp to spend the night. (BD)

We cross the border into Togo and head to the capital, Lome. We visit the biggest ‘fetish market’ in West Africa, where monkey skulls, snake skins, bat wings and all the necessary ingredients for preparing magical potions can be found. We also visit the central market, with a great choice of colourful local fabrics. (B)

We have the chance to meet a traditional healer and visit a voodoo shrine, and witness an authentic voodoo celebration. We then cross into Benin and on to Ouidah, a voodoo stronghold.  (B)

We cross Lake Nokwe by boat to visit Ganvie, a wonderfully picturesque village belonging to the Tofinou people, built entirely on stilts. We then travel to Abomey, centre of a once great empire that controlled a large part of this region. While there we visit the Royal Palace, now a museum which holds ancient artefacts belonging to past kings. We spend the night in Dassa.  (B)

Drive to Taneka and hike to explore local villages, home to the Yom people and consisting of round huts with conical roofs, each topped by a terracotta vase. We spend tonight in a bush camp in the Atakora region. (BLD)

This region is considered to be one of the most authentic areas in Africa, an isolated area of fortified villages where customs and traditions have changed little over centuries. We spend today hiking through local Somba villages and have a chance to enter some of their dwellings to learn more about their way of life. Overnight bush camping. (BLD)

Explore Tamberma villages and their amazing adobe houses, before crossing the border into Togo. If we are lucky we may see blacksmiths, who use stones instead of hammers to forge the iron. We enjoy a traditional fire dance this evening. (BL)

We drive from the arid savannah of the north to a more fertile forest region, passing several interesting villages on the way. We have the chance to visit the weekly market at Anie, an important occasion for local people which attracts visitors from a wide area, including nomadic Fulani tribespeople in traditional dress. (B)

We spend today hiking through tropical rainforest, accompanied by a naturalist guide who will be able to tell us about the many species of insects and butterflies that inhabit this region. There are also opportunities to meet local people along the way. (BL)

Cross the border into Accra and take a cruise on the Volta River before visiting the traditional bead makers at Krobo. (B)

Tour ends. (B)