West Africa 12-day tour: Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire

Five countries, twelve days, one guided journey through West African history and markets

A guided tour covering Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire with accommodation each night, an air-conditioned vehicle, fuel and bottled water included. The itinerary moves through slave heritage sites, museums, markets and local communities, starting in Lagos and ending in Abidjan with visa invitation letters provided for your application.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Lagos

• Arrive in Lagos
• Pickup on arrival
• Overnight at Hotel Capitol or a hotel of your choice

Day 2: Lagos to Ouidah via Badagry

• Drive to Badagry
• Visit slave museum and first story building
• Continue to Seme border and complete immigration
• Visit ancient mosque and musee d'homme in Porto-Novo
• Continue to Ouidah for overnight

Day 3: Ouidah local sites visit

• Visit python temple and sacred forest
• See point of no return and slave route
• Possibly watch local egungun display
• Overnight at Hotel Mariella

Day 4: Ouidah to Lome via Togo

• Leave for Togo and complete immigration
• Visit the Wood Home slave house in Agbodrafo
• Visit the fetish market in Lomé
• Overnight at Hotel Napoleon Lagune

Day 5: Togo to Accra via Ghana border

• Drive to Ghana border
• Possibly stop at Nzulezu floating village
• Continue to Accra and check into hotel

Day 6: Accra city tour

• Visit Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park
• Visit Independence/Black Star Square
• Visit National Museum and Jamestown
• Visit Kane Kwesi Carpentry workshop
• Overnight at Koko Palm Hotel

Day 7: Accra to Cape Coast tour

• Drive early to Cape Coast
• Visit Kakum National Park
• Visit Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle
• Visit fish market
• Overnight at Royal Elmount Resort

Day 8: Cape Coast to border via Ankasa

• Drive towards border via Takoradi and Elubo
• Stop at Ankasa for a couple of hours
• Overnight at Greenpalm Hotel or Labev

Day 9: Drive to Abidjan and city tour

• Early drive to Abidjan
• Visit Cathedral, biggest mosque, Pyramid
• Visit Museum of Civilization
• Overnight at simple hotel with AC and Wi-Fi

Day 10: Grand Bassam and Yamoussoukro

• Visit Grand Bassam Museum and cenotaph
• Visit the beach
• Continue to Yamoussoukro and check in

Day 11: Yamoussoukro basilica visit

• Visit basilica and conference center
• Visit crocodile pond
• Return to Abidjan and check into hotel

Day 12: Relax and departure

• Relax at hotel
• Drop off at airport for departure

The experience

The route begins with your arrival in Lagos, then heads west to Badagry to visit the slave museum and slave-related sites before crossing into Benin. From there you move through Ouidah (stopping at the python temple, sacred forest and the Point of No Return), and into Togo to see the Agbodrafo slave house and Lomé's fetish market. The pace is set by the guide and the fixed itinerary, so each day's stops and overnight locations are arranged in advance. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with your guide, and accommodation is at simple hotels with air-conditioning and Wi-Fi.

Ghana occupies days 5 through 8, starting with Accra's city tour (Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, Independence Square, the National Museum and Jamestown), then moving to Cape Coast to walk through the castle and visit Kakum and Elmina. Côte d'Ivoire follows, with Abidjan's cathedral, mosque and Museum of Civilization, then Grand Bassam and the Basilica of Yamoussoukro before the return to Abidjan for your final night and airport drop-off on day 12.

Visa invitation letters are provided to support your application before departure. Bottled water travels with you each day, and the guide is with you at every border crossing.

What’s included

• Accommodation for 11 nights at simple hotels with air-conditioning and Wi-Fi.
• air-conditioned vehicle throughout.
• English or French-speaking guide.
• fuel.
• bottled water on board.
• visa invitation letters for your application.
• pickup on arrival in Lagos and airport drop-off in Abidjan.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 69 years) · Senior (70 to 85 years) · Youth (16 to 17 years) · Child (10 to 15 years) · Infant (under 1)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Ucomeafrik-Tours

Is this one for you?This is a guided tour with a fixed itinerary and set overnight locations, so the route and pace are planned in advance: suits travelers who prefer structure and want a guide with them at every border crossing. You'll need at least moderate fitness for daily travel across five countries and walking at heritage sites.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (16 to 17 years); Child (10 to 15 years); Infant (under 1).

What will I see at the slave museum in Badagry?

The slave museum in Badagry documents the slave trade history of the region. You'll visit the museum itself, the first story building and other heritage sites in Badagry on day 2 before crossing into Benin.

Do I need a visa for each of the five countries before I book this tour?

Visa requirements depend on your nationality. The tour includes visa invitation letters to support your applications. Whether you need a visa for each country is determined by your passport and the entry rules of Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire at the time of travel.

What happens at the Point of No Return in Ouidah?

The Point of No Return is a historical slave trade site in Ouidah, Benin, marking where enslaved people were forced onto ships. You visit it on day 3 as part of the slave route experience, alongside the python temple and sacred forest.

What is the Basilica of Yamoussoukro and why is it on the itinerary?

The Basilica of Yamoussoukro is a major landmark in Côte d'Ivoire, located in the country's political capital. You visit it on day 11 along with the conference center and crocodile pond before returning to Abidjan for your final night.