Benin, Togo & Ghana: 14-Day Private Tour with History

Summary

West Africa’s living history, vibrant rituals and deep roots

You’ll travel from Benin’s sacred forests to Ghana’s castles with local guides who know every shortcut and story. Expect masked dances in Porto-Novo, boat rides through Ganvie stilt village, powerful moments at Ouidah’s slave memorials and Elmina Castle, plus lively markets and evenings by the sea. You’ll feel both welcome and changed by what you see.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I didn’t expect the first thing I’d notice in Cotonou was the smell — a mix of sea breeze and charcoal smoke from street grills. Our guide, Emmanuel, met us right at the airport (big relief after a long flight), and by that first evening on Fidjrosse Beach, the sun was sinking into the Atlantic and I could hear kids laughing somewhere behind us. It felt like we’d landed in someone else’s daily life — not just a tour group passing through.

The next days were honestly a blur of color and sound. In Porto-Novo, we watched an Egungun ceremony — masked dancers swirling so close you could feel the dust kick up. Emmanuel explained bits in French and English; I tried to follow but mostly just let it wash over me. At the Honmè Museum, an old woman showed us royal artifacts with this quiet pride that made me wish I could ask her more (my French is terrible). Then came Ouidah: the heavy air near La Porte du Non Retour, where you stand facing the ocean and imagine what it meant for people forced to leave here. That part stuck with me longer than I thought it would.

We floated through Ganvie — yes, literally floated — in a wooden canoe past houses on stilts. The kids waved every time we passed; one even tried to sell us tiny fish from his bucket. The market was noisy but friendly, everyone calling out “yovo!” as we walked by. Crossing into Togo felt almost casual (just a dusty border post), but suddenly everything shifted: new foods, different music blaring from roadside bars. Koutammakou’s clay towers looked like something out of another century; our local guide there grinned when he caught me staring up at them with my mouth open.

By the time we reached Accra’s Oxford Street at night — neon lights bouncing off taxis, fried plantain smells everywhere — I was exhausted but weirdly energized. We saw Elmina Castle later; standing in those stone corridors gave me chills. Not everything was heavy though: at Aburi Botanical Gardens I found myself laughing at giant snails crossing our path (“slowest tour guides ever,” Emmanuel joked). There were moments of silence too — like watching the sun come up over Lake Nokoué or walking through Kakum’s canopy walkway with nothing but birdsong above.

I still think about that moment on the Black River in Adjarra: just water moving slow under mangroves, no talking for once. This 14-day private tour isn’t just ticking off sights; it’s about being present while history breathes around you — sometimes joyful, sometimes uncomfortable. That’s what made it real for me.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and relaxation in Cotonou

• Arrive in Cotonou and clear immigration
• Transfer to hotel for debriefing
• Enjoy dinner and rest
• Relax at Fidjrosse Beach and watch sunset

Day 2 — Porto-Novo cultural exploration

• Drive to Porto-Novo
• Experience Egungun Initiations and Performances
• Visit Honmè Museum
• Explore Musée Da Silva
• Visit Black River Adjarra and mangroves
• Overnight in Cotonou

Day 3 — Ouidah historical and cultural sites

• Visit Musée de la Fondation Zinsou
• See La Porte Du Non Retour
• Explore Foret Sacree de Kpasse
• Attend Zangbeto performance
• Overnight in Ouidah

Day 4 — Ganvie village and Abomey palaces

• Visit Ganvie stilt village on Lake Nokoué
• Tour Royal Palaces of Abomey
• Overnight in Abomey

Day 5 — Sacred villages and waterfalls

• Visit Sacred Villages of Dankoli
• Explore Tanéka Béri village
• Visit Chutes de Kota waterfalls
• Overnight in Natitingou

Day 6 — Cross to Togo and cultural sites

• Cross border to Togo
• Explore Koutammakou UNESCO site
• Visit Kara Region and local culture
• Overnight in Kara

Day 7 — Travel to Lome and evening relaxation

• Drive to Lome
• Check in hotel
• Relax at local bar
• Overnight in Lome

Day 8 — Lome historical and cultural tour

• Visit Slave House of Togo
• Explore Togoville town
• Visit Musée National
• See Monument de L'Independance
• Overnight in Lome

Day 9 — Travel from Lome to Accra

• Drive from Aflao to Accra
• Stop at Accra Mall for refreshment
• Check in hotel on Oxford Street
• Experience Accra nightlife
• Overnight in Accra

Day 10 — Accra city cultural tour

• Visit W.E.B. Du Bois Center
• Tour Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park
• Explore Independence Square
• Visit Jamestown district
• Shop at Accra Arts Centre
• Overnight in Accra

Day 11 — Aburi gardens and cocoa farm visit

• Visit Aburi Botanical Gardens
• Tour Tetteh Quashie Cocoa Farm
• See Fantasy coffins in Accra
• Visit National Museum of Ghana
• Overnight in Accra

Day 12 — Cape Coast and Elmina castles

• Drive to Cape Coast Castle
• Visit Cape Coast Castle
• Tour Elmina Castle
• Overnight in Elmina

Day 13 — Kakum Park and slave river memorial

• Visit Kakum National Park and canopy walkway
• Explore Assin Manso Ancestral Slave River Park
• Drive back to Accra for shopping
• Overnight in Accra

Day 14 — Departure from Accra

• Arrive at airport two hours before flight

Top questions

How many days is this Benin Togo Ghana private tour?

This private tour lasts 14 days from Cotonou to Accra.

Is airport pickup included in this West Africa tour?

Yes, airport pickup and drop-off are included in Cotonou and Accra.

Do we visit Elmina Castle on this itinerary?

Yes, Elmina Castle is included near Cape Coast toward the end of the tour.

Are meals or drinks provided during the trip?

Dinners are included some nights; bottled water is provided throughout transit.

What kind of accommodations can I expect?

You’ll stay in hotels each night—ranging from city hotels to smaller guesthouses depending on location.

Is there a local guide throughout?

A local guide accompanies you for all activities across Benin, Togo & Ghana.

Does this tour include visits to sacred or spiritual sites?

Yes—sacred forests in Ouidah, Egungun ceremonies in Porto-Novo, Dankoli villages and more are part of the experience.

Are there any physical requirements for travelers?

You should have moderate fitness; some walks are uneven or involve steps (like Kakum canopy walk).

What’s included

Your journey includes airport pickup and drop-off in Cotonou and Accra, all guided tours across Benin, Togo & Ghana with knowledgeable local guides who handle logistics along the way, bottled water during transit days so you don’t have to worry about staying hydrated (trust me—it gets hot), WiFi onboard vehicles where possible for quick check-ins back home, plus comfortable hotel accommodation each night after full days exploring markets or castles together.