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NEW! VOODOO VILLAGES
6 DAYS HOTELS/STILT VILLAGE MAGIC AND DISCOVERY IN REMOTE WEST AFRICA Gods and ghosts; sorcerers and witches; magic spells and sacred snakes; welcome to the land of voodoo! On this truly unique adventure we gain an insight into this intriguing religion, to look at the myth and reality in the place where it all began, thousands of years ago in this remote corner of west Africa. Voodoo Villages and Python Temple Overlooking the Gulf of Guinea, Togo's vibrant capital Lome provides our introduction to West Africa and the cult of voodoo. We visit Akodessewa fetish market with its bizarre display of religious and medicinal ingredients before heading east to rural villages where voodoo shrines and fetish ceremonies dominate the lives of local people. Over the border in Benin, we visit the python temple and Portuguese fort in the old slave trade post of Ouidah, before taking pirogues across Lake Nokoue to the stilt village of Ganvie. We spend a night in this traditional fishing community and may have a privileged encounter with a local Bokono oracle. Ancient Kingdoms and Gelede Ceremony At Abomey we visit the Royal Palaces of the pre-colonial kingdom of Dahomey. With thrones of human skulls and walls made with human blood, the history of Dahomey is steeped in tales of brutality and extravagance before its eventual conquest by the French. At nearby Cove, we aim to witness a Gelede mask ceremony, dedicated to the great earth mother divinity Oudua. Returning south at Ketou we hope to meet the local Oba (Yoouba king) before our journey ends in Benin's capital Porto Novo. Here we visit the markets and old Portuguese town as
Ref AWA
FACTFILE
Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Lome (Togo). 2 Sightseeing in Lome; drive Agbodrafo via voodoo villages. 3 Drive and pirogue to Ganvie stilt village (Benin) via Ouidah. 4 Drive Abomey; visit Royal Palace; mask ceremony at Cove. 5 Drive Porto Novo via Ketou; visit local king and sightseeing. 6 Early flight to London. Accommodation & Meals: 3nts hotel, 1nt stilt village; 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 3 dinners included. See p42. Mode of Travel: 4WD Landcruisers and/or minibus/Boat. Comment: An extraordinary short journey to two of Africa's least-known nations. Travel is mainly on roads and well-maintained tracks but come prepared for some rough rides. Accommodation is basic in some locations. Whilst we expect to follow the itinerary above, please note that some of the visits included on this tour are by their nature unpredictable and cannot be guaranteed. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader, driver(s) & cook. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16. Land Only Prices also available
well as King Toffa's palace, the old throne of one of Sub-Saharan Africa's longest royal dynasties.
DATES AND PRICES 6 DAYS FROM LONDON
REF: AWA
2007 start Tue end Sun Price in £ 27 Nov-02 Dec 1069 18 Dec-23 Dec 1149 2008 start Tue end Sun Price in £ 08 Jan-13 Jan 1099 21 Oct-26 Oct 1099 29 Jan-03 Feb 1099 25 Nov-30 Nov 1099 19 Feb-24 Feb 1099 23 Dec-28 Dec 1169 18 Mar-23 Mar1099 30 Dec-04 Jan 1169 Single Room Option: £60*. See p41 for details. Insurance: £69 These are guide prices, see p45 for details.
TOGO · BENIN
Togbe Amenoudji/Peter Eshelby
Voodoo Villages Ref AWA
BENIN
BOHICON
Abomey Royal Palace Ketou Visit local Yoouba king
Cove Gelede mask ceremony
NIGERIA
Ou em e
Co
Mo no
uffo
TOGO
Voodoo Villages
Pirogue on Stilt village Porto-Novo Lake Nokoue King Toffa Palace
GANVIE
AGBODRAFO & slave route LOME
Fetish market
COTONOU Ouidah Python temple
km 75
Gulf of Guinea
0
Lake Nokoue/Peter Eshelby
33
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inbro