
Five Times Regional Tour Operator of the Year
Ivory Coast Tour
Ivory Coast
9 Days
Nine days of Ivory Coast’s coast, culture, and colourful traditions
DESTINATION
ACTIVITY
Cultural & Historical
DURATION
9 Days
GRADE
Easy
GROUP SIZE
Max 100
Highlights
- Visit Abidjan – Grand Bassam
- Visit Grand Bassam – Grand Lahou – Sassandra
- Visit Sassandra – San Pedro
- Full day in San Pedro
- Visit San Pedro – Jacqueville
- Visit Jacqueville – Abidjan
Why Book With Ashanti
Ethical, Sustainable Tours
Ashanti African Tours leads in responsible tourism, offering low-impact trips that protect nature and benefit local communities
Charitable Community Projects
Ashanti builds schools, sponsors youth teams, and funds conservation initiatives benefiting local communities in the regions they tour
Local Empowerment
Ashanti supports local businesses and uses locally-owned hotels and services, ensuring tourism benefits go directly to the communities you visit
Expert Local Guides
Ashanti employs 20+ multilingual expert guides from West Africa, offering authentic insights and personal connections at every destination
Proven Experience
Established in 2005, Ashanti African Tours brings two decades of expertise in delivering exceptional West African travel experiences
Award-Winning Reputation
Ashanti is a multi-award-winning operator (including Ghana’s Best Tour Operator 2024) with excellent traveler reviews
Tour Summary
Discover the charm, history, and traditions of Ivory Coast in nine unforgettable days. Begin in Abidjan before exploring the colonial gems of Grand Bassam, the fishing villages of Grand Lahou, and the coastal heritage of Sassandra and San Pedro. Meet the Kroumen people, witness vibrant dances, and visit sacred monkey sanctuaries and natural pools hidden in the forest. End your journey with coconut groves, bustling markets, and the relaxed beaches of Jacqueville. A perfect mix of culture, coast, and community.
Our Price Promise
If you receive cheaper quotes from other legitimate companies, we will try to match or improve the price for the exact same tour package offered.
More Information
Day to Day Itinerary
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- Flight touches down in Abidjan.
- The driver will be waiting with open arms to welcome you to Ivory Coast.
- The hotel is in the capital Abidjan and the travelling distance will depend on which category of hotel chosen but will be within an hour’s drive.
- On arrival at the hotel, check in and brief on the following days’ activities.
- The remainder of the day is free time to relax and enjoy the first night in West Africa.
Accommodation in Abidjan – Onomo hotel
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- After breakfast, start the activities by visiting the Plateau district with its large modern buildings and skyscrapers, the Republic place and learn more about the history of Abidjan and also, have a large view of Plateau from the fith bridge of the capital.
- Then visit the Saint Paul Cathedral which was designed by an Italian architect Aldo Spirito who was selected by Côte d’Ivoire’s first President, Félix Houphouet-Boigny, to be the artistic force behind his ambitious project to build a world class cathedral.
- After that, drive to a typical Atchan village to see how women cook the famous food Attiéké.
- Later, visit The Musée des cultures contemporaines Adama Toungara (MuCAT) in Abobo, which is the first museum entirely dedicated to contemporary art in Cote d’Ivoire. Opened in 2020 before lunch.
- Then drive to Grand Bassam.
- There, the activities start by the visit of National Costumes Museum.
- From here, visit the former post office which is today the contemporary art house, the colonial houses, the Nzima King palace to learn more about their tradition.
Accommodation in Grand Bassam: Assoyam beach
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- After breakfast, drive to Grand Lahou and visit the Azagny National Park and the village of Lahou Kpanda.
- Visitors can observe age-old fishing techniques, taste freshly caught seafood, and learn about the close relationship between the villagers and the water.
- From here, drive to Sassandra and check into the hotel.
Accommodation in Sassandra – Ayoka hotel
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- This morning after breakfast, meet the Kroumen people who are very wonderful.
- During time here, visit the old governor’s residence which is an important symbol of the colonial period.
- Then, visit the fishing port and the market.
- Later, continue by visiting the Monument to MV Dumana Crew killed in action, an important and impressive war moment to the crew of MV Dumana, who died when the ship was torpedoed off the coast of Sassandra in 1943.
- After, visit the wharf of Sassandra and the Weyghard bridge.
- From here, drive to San Pedro and relax in the hotel.
Accommodation in San Pedro – Enhotel beach
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- After breakfast, start the activities by the welcoming ceremony which is called “Diniyo” that consist in eating cola nuts and pepper powder.
- Then, see a heartbreaking place known as the lovers’ rock, a romantic and iconic site located near the coast, known for its beautiful setting and symbolic meaning.
- Also visit the the autonomous port of San Pedro is the first port of cocoa exportation in the world.
- Visitors can also explore the market, observe traditional fishing techniques before lunch at seaside.
- Early in the evening, experience the bolo super dance, a vibrant and energetic cultural display that showcases the rich tradition of the Kroumen communities.
Accommodation in San Pedro – Enhotel beach
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- Today, set off for a nearby village for sightseeing the Nero River, where lives a community of sacred monkeys, revered by locals and protected as part of their cultural heritage.
- To reach the monkeys community tourists usually use piroque or small boats and must go with banana to feed them and later, visit the Tabaoulé natural pool, hidden within the lush forest, it is a crystal-clear water basin fed by a small river.
- Have a picnic lunch here.
Accommodation in San Pedro – Enhotel beach
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- This morning after breakfast, set off for Jacqueville, enroute, visit the fort Faidherbe which is the most ancient French military structure in Ivory Coast and has been built by Louis Faidherbe in 1853 to fight against the progression of the British
- Have lunch in Dabou.
- After, continue to Jacqueville.
Accommodation in Jacqueville – Hotel Le Grand Roi
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- After breakfast, tackle the activities by visiting the ancestral houses built by the first african traders of the region.
- Then, visit the coconuts farm, during this visit, taste the coconuts and in the same time learn the making process of the coconuts oil, a great souvenir.
- After this informative time, have lunch in a restaurant at the seaside and then drive back to Abidjan.
- On the way take a walk on the bridge Philippe Grégoire Yacé.
Accommodation in Abidjan – Onomo hotel
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- After a relax breakfast, visit two local market in Treichville and Marcory CAVA handicraft market (Centre Artisanal de la Ville d’Abidjan) which is a bustling artisanal market in Abidjan that showcases wide variety handcrafted goods from Cote d’Ivoire and neighboring countries.
- It’s a vibrant place to experience local culture, with stalls selling everything from woven textiles and wooden sculptures to jewelry and paintings.
- Visitors can often negotiate prices and even witness demonstrations of traditional crafts.
- Then, finish this amazing trip by dropping you at airport for the departure.
Arrival:
Departure:
Dates
Prices
Our tour prices vary depending on accommodation type and group size. Please contact us to discuss your tour requirements and preferences.
Our Price Promise
If you receive cheaper quotes from other legitimate companies, we will try to match or improve the price for the exact same tour package offered.
Included
- Accommodation
This will be pre-determined prior to your booking and will depend on your budget. We offer the choice from High-end, to mid-range and budget options. - Food
All our standard tour prices include breakfast, lunch, and dinner, in addition we have fruit and snacks when available on all our vehicles. - Mineral water
Unlimited mineral water is available to every participant for the duration of your time with us on all our tours. - Transportation
In a fully air-conditioned vehicle for the duration of your tour, vehicle type will depend on the group size and all our vehicles are comprehensively insured and in excellent condition. - Driver
All our drivers are highly experienced and employed on a full-time basis by our company, their focus is on your safety and comfort. On the occasions we may need to rent vehicles and drivers from outside our company, these are well known to us and are of the highest quality with your safety and comfort as their priority. - Fuel
Unlimited daily milage and all fuel is included in the tour price. - Entrance fees
All entrance and excursion fees detailed in your itinerary are included in the tour price. - Guide fees
All expert guide fees are included in the price for all our tours. - Additional services
Our company offer 24/7 professional, care, attention, and office support to all our tour participants.
Not Included
- International flights
- Visas
- Travel insurance
- Soft and alcoholic drinks
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa to travel?
Most countries in West Africa require visas for entry and this will ultimately depend on your country of origin and your chosen destination. Once you have decided on your preferred holiday destination, go to the destination page for that country on our website and you will find all the entry requirements and visa information for that specific country in the Travel Tips section at the bottom of the page. Ashanti African Tours offer tours to Ghana, Togo, Benin, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Sao Tome and Principe and Ethiopia. If you do not see the visa information on the relevant pages, we are here to help, so please contact us
Do I need vaccinations/shots to travel?
All countries we travel to in West Africa require Yellow Fever vaccination and you must ensure you keep the certificate with your passport when entering the country as this may be requested for inspection. For up to date information on all other vaccinations you may need please consult your doctor, travel clinic or public health department six to eight weeks prior to departure for extensive up to date information on foreign travel to West Africa.
Do I need to bring medicine with me?
If you are on any medication for your personal wellbeing, then please ensure you keep this in your hand luggage prior to travel in case your main luggage is delayed. Malaria is prevalent in West Africa and you will need to take preventative malaria treatment and there are several prophylactics available so please consult your doctor or travel clinic to see which one is best for you. Imodium or similar medication is always advisable to have with you when travelling in case you experience traveller Tummy which is common when travelling to places with a different climate. Pharmacies are common in most locations here in West Africa and your guide is always available to assist you if you need to visit a pharmacy, please be open and discuss any issues you have with your guide.
Do I need travel insurance?
You must ensure that you have adequate personal insurance cover for your trip. It is a compulsory requirement for all our trips in Senegal and other African destinations and it is your responsibility to take out a suitable policy. You will not officially join our tours until evidence of your insurance has been provided to our office. This must include personal accident, medical expenses, and repatriation to your country of origin. We also strongly recommend that your policy covers cancellation (especially significant since the Covid-19 pandemic), curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Please note that free insurance cover offered by some credit cards does not cover repatriation expenses.
Who will meet me at the airport?
Prior to your arrival our office will provide you with a photo of your guide and driver in addition to their personal mobile/cell phone number in case you can not locate them at the airport. The guide and driver assigned to your tour will also be holding an Ashanti African Tours sign or a sign with your name on it at the arrival hall when leaving the main building after clearing customs and immigration. Please ensure you check your guide or drivers company identification card when meeting them prior to joining our vehicle. Airports can be busy and some people can be disorientated when arriving in an unusual country so in the rare instance you cannot locate your driver or guide please wait at the arrival hall and call their phone number which our office provided you. In the unlikely event you can still not reach them then call our office 24/7 emergency number and we will ensure they locate where you are in the airport.
How much spending money will I need?
The amount of spending money you will need is determined by the type of tour you have booked with us. Most of our standard scheduled and customized tours are all-inclusive, so you only need to budget for the following: snacks, soft (not mineral water as this is always included) and alcoholic drinks and items of a personal nature. If you have booked a budget tour, then some aspects of the tour may not be included in the tour price and you will receive this information during your enquiry process.
Can I access ATM’s to withdraw money?
Access to Automated Teller Machines varies greatly depending on the country, city, or town you are in and it is common for machines to have technical problems disbursing money. It is advisable to withdraw your spending money in the capital city of your chosen destination on your arrival, alternatively your guide can arrange for money to be changed at local Forex Bureaus and banks during your trip.
Will my driver or tour guide stay with me at all times?
Our drivers and guides are always available 24/7 during your time touring with us. For our student trips they will always remain with the group, staying at the same accommodations and are always on hand in case of an emergency. On our standard tours the guide and driver are with you for as long as you need them, sometimes they stay at the same accommodations, when this is not possible they stay at a nearby accommodation but are always available if needed. You will be provided with your guide and drivers personal contact number and our clients are always given a 24/7 emergency contact number.
How much should I tip?
All our company drivers, assistants and expert local guides are employed on full time contracts with Ashanti African Tours and receive a good salary and in addition a daily bonus when on tour. Ashanti African Tours also have a company policy to tip all local site guides and hotel staff. Therefore, if any of our clients would like to tip any of our guides, site guides, drivers, or staff at hotels we use, it is at the client’s own discretion.
Can I bring donations?
It is common for our tour participants to want to bring donations for schools, hospitals, library’s, and other organisations that are in need here in West Africa. This is very much appreciated; however, we do not encourage giving out pens, books and other items directly as these are often taken off their intended recipient by bigger or older people and also breeds a begging culture in locations we visit. To ensure the donations go to their intended recipients our office will identify schools, communities and organisations in need and we will arrange for you to hand them over to a representative or person in charge. This ensures the item and donation goes to those in most need of help. Ashanti African Tours have also registered our own NGO charity “Rainforest Rescue Ghana” which builds schools, helps local communities, youth and protects rainforest and endangered wildlife in Ghana. To date (2020) we have donated over $135,000.00 USD from our company profits to our projects, if you would like more information on our projects please contact us
Will my mobile/cell phone work?
If you would like to use your phone and number registered to your home country when in West Africa it is important you inform your service provider and arrange international roaming, you will then be able to connect to local networks, however please be aware this can be expensive way to use data and make calls. It is possible for our office and your guide to arrange a local sim for your phone for you to use during your time here, for this to work please ensure your phone is not locked to a network in your own country. The local sim would need to be registered but would be a cheaper way for you to call and use the internet.
What should I pack and bring on my trip?
Due to the wide variety of tours we offer, this information will be forwarded upon confirmation of your booking in your pre-trip information pack.
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Ethically arranged, locally guided, authentic tours that benefit locals and the environment
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