Situated on Ghana's southern coast, Accra is the bustling capital of the country, characterised by the Ghanian slang word ‘vim’ - ‘energy and industriousness’. The city offers an intriguing combination of city and village life. Affluent neighbourhoods complete with upmarket restaurants, glitzy shopping malls, and western fast food chains are interspersed with the Ghanian street culture that engulfs much of the rest of the country. While the city’s vibrant atmosphere and daily life is undoubtedly its primary drawcard, visitors should also take the time to visit Osu Castle; Nkrumah Memorial Park; the raucous Labadi Beach; and the hidden alleys, old stone houses, and wonderful cliff-top harbour vistas of Jamestown. The National Museum is also certainly worth a visit and provides great insight into Ghana’s fascinating history and culture from prehistory to the present.
Situated in the Asuogyaman District, in Ghana, the small town of Akosombo is home to the world’s second-largest artificial lake, after the Three Gorges Dam in China. Visitors can enjoy daily tours to the dam through the Volta River Authority and learn about its history and the integral part it plays in Ghana’s economy. Soak up incredible lake views from an airy bungalow along the magnificent Volta River, camp in the lush surrounds and enjoy some thrilling adventure sports including: canoeing, boating and jet skiing. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy scenic sundowners on a floating bar on the lake.
Kpalime is a city located in Togo and is within close proximity to Mount Agou and Mount Kloto. Hidden among the forest hills of the cocoa and coffee plantations, Kpalime offers some of Togo's best scenery and hiking, as well as bird and butterfly watching. In the surrounding countryside, travellers can enjoy exquisite waterfalls at Tomegbe, Kpoeta and Amegape. Travellers can enjoy local specialities such as grilled chicken or fish served with fufu or visit the craft centre in Kloto featuring traditional crafts such as wood sculpting, batiks and decorated calabashes. The city also offers various accommodation facilities, restaurants, cyber cafes and pubs.
Set along the magnificent Atlantic Coast in West Africa, the off-the-beaten-track country of Togo is known for its varied landscapes, pristine white-sand beaches, and diverse cultural heritage. Togo also offers a huge dose of tradition, with almost 40 different ethnic groups celebrating their rich culture and traditions with an array of festivals held throughout the year. Visitors can laze on the palm-fringed beaches of Lome and Aneho, view the amazing 17th-century mud huts of Koutammakou, and explore the country’s spectacular interior, known for its cocoa and coffee plantations and undulating savannah-covered hills traversed by a network of scenic hiking trails. Other highlights include visiting hilltop villages, browsing the fascinating fetish market, and soaking up Togo’s beautiful wilderness at the national parks of Fazao and Keran.
Kara is the capital of the Kara Region in Northern Togo, where the majestic Kara River snakes its mesmerizing way through the city. The city is buzzing with marketplaces, pubs, and luxury hotels to enjoy, and for nature lovers, majestic Parc Sarakawa lies just beyond Kara's borders, easily accessible as a day trip. Sprawling over 607 hectares, this park is teeming with antelope and buffalo as they roam freely beside ostriches and zebras. Moving further afield, travellers will be enchanted by Koutammakou; 50 000 hectares of UNESCO-protected land in Kandé, housing Batammariba tower houses - the iconic symbols of the region. For the artistically inclined, Musée AFRICART Kara, the museum for the art of African masks and sculptures, is an ideal stop to admire the breathtaking artistry of different cultures of Africa.
Situated in West Africa, Benin is known for its pristine beaches, bountiful wildlife and rich history. Benin features stilted villages, numerous national parks and a dark past linked to the slave trade. This French-speaking West African nation is also known as the birthplace of the Voodoo religion. Visitors can explore French colonial architecture in the laid-back capital of Porto Novo; discover the bustling commercial hub of Cotonou, home to an impressive cathedral and the vibrant Dantokpa Market; and spot aardvarks and cheetahs at W National Park. Other popular attractions include: the Royal Palaces of Abomey, the Ouidah Museum of History and the eerie Door of No Return.
As previously described
As previously described
Located on the infamous strip of West Africa’s shoreline known as the Slave Coast, Ouidah was once the country’s human trafficking trade capital. During the 18th and 19th centuries, enslaved people were captured from all over the region and taken to the town to be shipped to other parts of the world. Today, this tragic episode is commemorated with a memorial trail lined with monuments, including the Tree of Forgetfulness and the Door of No Return. Benin is the birthplace of the original form of voodoo – known here as Vodun – and one of Ouidah’s most intriguing attractions is the Temple of Pythons, home to around 60 snakes held holy in this animist religion. Another must-see is the Sacred Forest – dotted with statues representing Vodun deities.
