• The guide and driver will meet you at arrival at Benin’s International Airport in Cotonou.
• Transfer to hotel which is situated in Cotonou.
• Time to relax as the guide briefs on all aspects of the trip.
• Enjoy an evening meal at the hotel restaurant whilst acclimatising yourself to West Africa.

Accommodation – In Cotonou

• Depart for Porto-Novo the capital city of Benin.
• The first point of call during time in Porto-Novo is the Ethnographic Museum which was established by the Dahomey Institute in 1957.
• A stone throws away from Honme is the Da Silva Museum which is in a beautiful Afro-Brazilian house dating back to the 1870’s.
• An interesting and informative excursion, this eclectic museum is home to some wonderful Afro-Brazilian artefacts and is a must visit during the time here.
• The Great Mosque in Porto Novo offers excellent photographic opportunities and the history behind how this former Church became a Mosque is fascinating.
• Head back to Cotonou enjoy lunch at a local restaurant selling international and local dishes before visiting the Dantokpa Marche one of West Africa’s largest outdoor markets.
• The wax print section of the market is a must visit if looking for fabric souvenirs from time in Benin.
• After a busy day, return to the hotel to enjoy an evening meal and relax. 

Accommodation – In Cotonou

• After breakfast, set off for Ouidah which is regarded as the Voodoo center of West Africa.
• A tour of the historical museum of Ouidah is a must as is visiting the sacred forest which consists of figurines representing deities of kings and the founders of Ouidah.
• The sacred python’s temple is the last place of thr tour of Ouidah.
• After visiting all these wonderful places in Ouidah, enjoy lunch before returning to Cotonou.
• The evening can be spent relaxing at the hotel, alternatively head into town to experience some local nightlife.

Accommodation – In Cotonou

• This festival only occurs in January, however today we have arranged a private festival with the aim of you gaining an in depth understanding of of the importance of Voodoo to the people of Benin.
• After a morning of relaxation at the hotel, head into the Ouidah community.
• The private ceremony takes place in the heart of this community.
• Traditional dancing starts with locals wearing Egun masks representing the “Dead Spirit” wearing traditional brightly multicolored clothes.
• Drumming and singing are all around us the “Dead Spirit” emerges from the shrine displaying to the crowd in an intimidating dance.
• The aim today is to immerse into this community, getting good photographs of the festival.
• An amazing action-packed afternoon has come to an end, head back to the hotel to reflect and enjoy some local entertainment.

Accommodation – In Ouidah

• The focus today prior to heading to Abomey is visiting one of the most beautiful communities here in Benin at Ganvie.
• A relaxed paced day, decide to try fishing under the tutelage of a local fisherman.
• If lucky, and get a sizeable catch, then lunch will be fresh fish grilled the local way.
• After lunch, set off to Abomey which is approximately a 2 hours’ drive.
• The aim is to reach Abomey by mid-afternoon and visit the recently (1998) discovered underground dwellings of Agongointo – Zoungoudo just a few kilometers outside of Abomey.

Accommodation – In Abomey

• Dedicate the morning to a city tour of Abomey before departing for Natitingou.
• The main attraction here is the royal palaces or what is left of them.

• The visit here will give an insight into the history and exploits of these warrior kings.
• End the tour of the museum at the artisans shop next door, after which, set off with a packed lunch and depart for Natitingou.
• The drive is approximately 7 hours, if you do not like the option of a packed lunch, stop at one of the local vendors selling local food during the journey.
• The aim is to get to Natitingou before sunset and on arrival, check into the hotel, enjoy an evening meal and relax for the remainder of the evening.

Accommodation – In Natitingou

• Set off to enjoy some West African wildlife here in Benin, checking out of the hotel and heading towards Pendjari National Park.
• Prior to reaching the entrance gates of Pendjari, stop at Tanougou the local community located on the edge of the National Park.
• A short hike to beautiful waterfalls with the chance to refresh and relax.
• The crystal-clear pools under the waterfalls are safe for swimming and a great way to refresh before the final leg of the journey to Pendjari National Park.
• Spend some time in the community of Tanougou learning about their daily lives as farmers.
• Walking through the community, see locals weaving baskets and selling local produce, a good time to learn about the local cuisine.
• Pendjari National Parks entrance gate is only 7km from Tanougou and aim to get to the accommodation in the late afternoon.
• Driving through the park towards the accommodation the landscape is stunning, open Sudan Savannah grasslands and woodland for as far as the eye can see.
• Check into the accommodation and enjoy an evening meal under the beautiful clear African nights sky and being so close to nature.

Accommodation – In Pendjari National Park

• Pendjari National Park covers an area of 2755 square kilometers and is part of the WAP W-Arly Pendjari Complex which is a collection of protected areas bordering each other in Benin (Pendjari NP), Burkina Faso and Niger (Arli National Park).
• Easily West Africa’s premier wildlife viewing park, the next 2 full days we will be dedicated to safari drives in the mornings, late afternoons and evenings searching for the many wonderful mammals and birds that have been recorded here.
• The main target during time here is the critically endangered West African Lion, the males are distinctively different with much smaller manes than their central and southern African relative, Roan Antelope, Sudanese Buffalo, West African Hartebeest, Leopard, Bushbuck, Reedbuck, Topi, Waterbuck, Olive Baboon, Patas Monkey, Tantalus Monkey, Warthog, Hippopotamus, and red-flanked Duiker are also on the wish list.
• The evenings will be special relaxing at the accommodation and enjoy the sounds of being so close to nature. 

Accommodation – In Pendjari National Park

• Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before setting off leaving the beautiful Pendjari National Park behind after an amazing few days filled with wildlife and adventure.
• Local culture and history is the focus today visiting Tata Somba and the Ditamari people who live in this region of north west Benin.
• Travelling to this remote location there will be many fantastic photographic opportunities for the memory book.
• The locals at Tata Somba are still living in traditional homesteads that have not changed in centuries with entire families staying in these remarkable buildings. An utterly amazing community, meet locals and learn about their daily lives walking through the village.
• After a full day dedicated to exploring this community and the beautiful surrounds, head back to Natitingou and check into the hotel.
• Choose to head into town and enjoy the atmosphere of a local bar on the final evening in Northern Benin.

Accommodation – In Natitingou

• Today is mainly a travel day, heading back southwards after a wonderful few days in the far north of Benin.
• An early breakfast with the aim to reach the town of Dassa Zounme by the early afternoon giving time to explore this community.
• Venturing southwards, pass through many interesting towns, villages, and beautiful landscapes.
• On arrival after checking into the hotel, set off to visit some of the Voodoo shrines and consult the powerful local Oracle.
• Dassa is also famous for producing Gari and during time in the community, visit local producers to see the process.
• The evening is spent enjoying the atmosphere of this town.

Accommodation – In Dassa Zounme

• A relaxed breakfast this morning before setting off south to Cotonou.
• On arrival, check into the hotel with the remainder of the day free leisure time.
• Alternatively, head into tow and visit one of the many markets.
• As it is the final evening in Benin, choose to head into town for an evening meal to experience local nightlife in this bustling city.

Accommodation – In Cotonou

• The final here in Benin, enjoy a more relaxed breakfast.
• There will be the option to head into town and pick up any last minute souvenirs and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
• Transfer you to the airport for departure after a wonderful West African adventure.

Departure