Email address: [email protected]
© SAIGA Tours
Start
Feb 11, 2027
Lome
Lome
2027-02-11
End
Feb 25, 2027
Lagos
Lagos
2027-02-25
Duration
15 days
Price
EUR3995.00
TOUR OVERVIEW
Lomé to Lagos in fifteen days — Saiga’s classic Best of West Africa itinerary combining the Voodoo Coast of Togo and Benin with the cultural heartlands of Nigeria. The journey begins in Lomé with the famous Akodesawa Fetish Market, a canoe trip across the lagoon to historic Togoville, visits to Kpalimé’s highland forests and waterfalls, and the fire-dancing traditions of Sokodé that still draw on Vodun practices.
Crossing into Benin, the focus turns to the Dahomey Kingdom and living Vodun culture: the Dankoli Voodoo Temple with its powerful fetish, the UNESCO-listed Royal Palaces of Abomey and the striking Chameleon Temple, a boat trip to Ganvié (the largest stilt village in Africa, often nicknamed the Venice of Africa), Ouidah’s Python Temple where sacred snakes can be held, the Door of No Return and Slave Route memorials, Cotonou’s enormous Dantokpa open-air market, and the Afro-Brazilian architecture of Porto-Novo.
The final section enters Nigeria for the chaotic energy of Lagos, including the floating settlement of Makoko, modern Nigerian art galleries, the Kalakuta Museum linked to Fela Kuti, Abeokuta’s Olumo Rock and Alake Palace, the sacred Yoruba city of Ile-Ife with the Oranmiyan Staff and Sacred Grove of Oduduwa, and the UNESCO Sacred Grove of Osun-Osogbo — one of the last remaining primary forests and an active centre of traditional worship.
This Best of West Africa tour is perfect for travellers searching for Togo Benin Nigeria itinerary, Voodoo Coast tours, fetish markets in Lome, Ganvie Venice of Africa, Ouidah Python Temple, Sacred Grove Osun, and authentic multi-country West Africa group tours. Expect intense markets, royal histories, living spiritual traditions, excellent spicy food, beach evenings, and the full contrast between quieter highland towns and the overwhelming scale of Lagos.
If you like the look of this tour but the dates don't work for you, or you'd like to do part of the tour, please get in touch and let us know. All our tours are able to be split into smaller sections, we're always scheduling new tours and your dates might work for one of them, or we can always organise an independent tour.
For those who like the sound of this, but are looking for something shorter, this tour is made up of the Voodoo Coast Tour: Togo & Benin and The Best of Nigeria February Tour . On the other hand, for those looking to explore even more of Africa, this three-country tour can be joined up with our West Africa Sahel Tour: Mali, Burkina Faso & Niger to make up an epic six-country tour: West Africa & Sahel Combo Tour: Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Togo, Benin & Nigeria .
INCLUSIONS:
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Accommodation in twin share at roughly 3 star hotels, breakfast included, except when other accommodation is mentioned in itinerary |
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Transport as per itinerary |
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Entrance fees to most sites (as per itinerary) |
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Western and local guides |
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: EUR 600
What is the single supplement? This is paid to guarantee a single room. If you are travelling alone and would like to be roomed with another single traveller, you do not need to pay this.
EXCLUSIONS:
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Visa fee (everyone is eligible for an evisa) |
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Meals other than breakfast |
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Transport to Lome at the start and from Lagos at the end of tour |
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Personal expenses such as souvenirs or any optional activities |
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Explore the fetish market in Lomé
Take a boat to the stilt village of Ganvié
Visit the floating village of Makoko in Lagos
Itinerary
Day 1Thu Feb 11
Lomé, Togoville, Lomé
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Today we begin exploring the city of Lomé the beating heart of Togo.
- First up, we will head to the famous Akodesawa Fetish Market where we will be experiencing the vodoun religion which is where we get voodoo from. This market is filled with all kinds of dried animals, all of which need to have died from natural causes to be able to be used in natural medicine.
- After we finish buying all our voodoo items, we will head to Lake Abodrogo to cross on canoe to Togoville. Togoville is where Togo gets its name from, after the signing of the treaty between the local rulers and the Germans.
- After a trip to Togoville we will head back to Lomé, to see some of the amazing architecture of Lomé including the ECOWAS Development Bank building and the cool Independence Monument.
- In the afternoon we will take a trip to the National Museum before hitting up the Grand Marché, the largest in the city. Nearby the market we will also check out the Lomé Cathedral with its cool and interesting spires and great stain glass windows. The Grand Marché is a great place to pick up any Togo-themed souvenirs.
- After sightseeing, we will check out one of the many beachside BBQ places and settle in for a relaxing drink on the beach.
- Overnight in Lomé.
Day 2Fri Feb 12
Lomé, Kpalimé
- In the morning, we will head north to the town of Kpalimé. Here we will be up in the highlands of Togo. This area is the premier eco tourism part of the country, with lush rainforest covering the hills.
- After arriving we will go for lunch before heading to the surrounding areas to take in the scenery.
- We will make our way to Cascade de Womé where we will have a chance to have a dip, a reprieve from the hot humid weather.
- We will then head to check out the local Grand Marché of Kpalimé to take in some local life.
- We will head out to a local restaurant for dinner and then overnight in Kpalimé.
Day 3Sat Feb 13
Kpalimé, Sokodé
- Once again we are heading further north through Togo to the city of Sokodé, a city famous for its fire dancing.
- Fire dancing comes from voudon traditions and involves dancers playing with fire and entering a hypnotic state with drums and embers. It’s absolutely incredible to witness.
- If we have time we will head to the Sokodé Regional Museum to learn about the local Tem ethnic group.
- Dinner and overnight in Sokodé.
Day 4Sun Feb 14
Sokodé, Savalou (Benin)
- Today we are leaving Togo and heading to our second country of the trip, Benin!
- In the morning, we will leave Sokodé to begin the border formalities into Benin at the Prakete border stop. We will then continue on to Savalou, where we'll spend our first night in Benin.
- Arriving in Savalou we will be visiting some of the secret villages of Dankoli. The Dankoli Voodoo Temple is one of the most famous voodoo temples in all of West Africa and has a giant wooden fetish omen that is believed to represent powerful spirits.
- We will also check out the Royal Museum of Savalou which is all about the local monarchy.
- Dinner in a local restaurant and overnight in Savalou.
Day 5Mon Feb 15
Savalou, Abomey
- Heading further south back towards the coast we will be stopping in Abomey, the centre of the once great Dahomey Empire that used to control this area and was one of the most powerful empires in African history.
- In Abomey, we will begin our visit to the UNESCO site of the Royal Palace which showcases royal artifacts such as sculptures and thrones of one of Africa’s most powerful kingdoms.
- Later on, we will go to see the amazing Chameleon Temple if it is open. Even if it's not open, we'll check it out from the outside, which is probably the most interesting part of it anyway. This impressive 10-metre-high Chameleon-shaped building is truly impressive and should not be missed. The Chameleon is the symbol of the Dahomey King and is an important symbol in voudon that acts as a messenger between he human and spirit worlds.
- Dinner and overnight in Abomey.
Day 6Tue Feb 16
Abomey, Ganvie, Cotonou
- We begin the day by heading further south again back, to the Atlantic. On the way (about 2 hours) we will stop on the shores of Lake Nokoué where we will see many people engaging in local fishing practices. We will board a boat and then head to the largest lake village in all of Africa.
- Originally this village started when African people fled to the lake to flee slavers in the 1700s. Here we will explore the colourful village and even stop for some amazing fresh fish. People in Ganvie are super friendly and the town itself is a really interesting mix of cultures and religions with voodoo, Islam and Christianity all mixing together.
- After our visit to Ganvie, we will head to Cotonou.
- Arriving in Cotonou we will have a chance to go for a nice dinner and check out some of the amazing local nightlife or even just go for a walk along the beach.
- Overnight in Cotonou.
Day 7Wed Feb 17
Cotonou, Ouidah, Cotonou
- In the morning, we will drive 45 minutes to the heartland of Vodoun, to the town of Ouidah.
- Once we arrive, we will check out some of the architecture of the town as well as see the 4km path from Chacha Square to the Door of No Return, which is an important memorial for the slaves who went from Ouidah to the Americas. During the slave trade this area of the coast is where approximately 2 million slaves left the shores for the Americas, making it one of the biggest slave trading places in the world.
- We will then head to the famous Python Temple which was newly renovated in 2025. Here we will learn about some of the rituals that take place and be able to interact and hold the scared royal pythons.
- We will then enjoy lunch in Ouidah before visiting the old fort which is now the Ouidah History Museum.
- In the afternoon we will drive back to Cotonou for a relaxing afternoon.
- Dinner and overnight in Cotonou.
Day 8Thu Feb 18
Cotonou, Porto Novo, Cotonou
- In the morning we will explore some of Cotonou, beginning with the Dantokpa Market, the largest open-air market in all of West Africa, which covers more than 20 hectares. After the market we will make our way to the impressive 30m high Amazon statue dedicated to the once feared Amazon female warriors of the Dahomey Kingdom. Along the way we will also get to see some amazing street art at Africa’s largest outdoor mural.
- After exploring the chaotic streets of the market we will head to the capital of Benin, Porto Novo. Located only 30km away from Cotonou this smaller city is the seat of government in the country and also houses the Royal Palace.
- We will take a visit to the Royal Palace, often called the Palace King Toffa to learn about the past royal history of Benin.
- In the centre of Porto Novo, we will visit the Temple Zangbeto Kpakliyao which is the headquarters of the secret society of the voodoo night guardians.
- Later on, we will take a visit to the interesting architecture of the Porto Novo grand Mosque, which is one of the only mosques in the world done in an Afro-Brasilian style.
- In the afternoon we will return back to Cotonou for our last dinner together in Benin, before we head to Nigeria tomorrow.
- Overnight in Cotonou.
Day 9Fri Feb 19
Cotonou, Lagos (Nigeria)
- In the morning, we will begin the journey into Nigeria. Hopefully after not too many checkpoints with the police we will make it into Lagos for early afternoon.
- After we arrive we have some time to adjust to the chaotic energy of the city and we will head out for our first Nigerian group dinner.
- Overnight in Lagos.
Day 10Sat Feb 20
Lagos
- Today we will start by exploring the amazing chaos that is Lagos! We will start with a visit to Makoko, the huge floating village in the centre of the Lagos. In 2026, the government decided to try and get rid of Makoko by burning part of it down. Despite this people continue to live here. This stop is intense but helps you understand the city.
- We will then head over to the Yoruba Centre to learn about the Yoruba people who make up one of the main ethnic groups in Nigeria, alongside Igbo and Hausa peoples.
- We will of course stop along the way for some typical Nigerian fare. Nigeria has some amazing food and is especially great for spice lovers!
- We will then make our way to Ikeji to visit the Kalakita Museum which houses rare instruments and showcases the work of Fela, a famous political activitist and musician. Fela Shrine in this area still does weekly performances and should definitely be on anyone’s go to list if there is a show!
- In the afternoon we will make a stop by the Nikke Art Gallery which has several floors of amazing modern art all done by locals.
- We then return back to the hotel before heading out for dinner.
- Overnight in Lagos.
Day 11Sun Feb 21
Lagos, Abeokuta
- Today we will be heading out of the big city to the north to a city called Abeokuta in the heart of Egbaland.
- One of the highlights of Abeokuta is the great Olomu Rock. This amazing geological feature is said to be where the Egba people hid during the Yoruba civil wars in the 19th century.
- It is an easy 15-20 minute walk up to the top of the rock which will give us amazing panoramic views over Abeokuta.
- Afterwards we will head to visit the Alake Palace which is the Royal seat of the Alake of Egbaland, the head of the Egba people.
- Then we will head to see some of the markets in Abeokuta famous for voodoo items and fabrics.
- Dinner and overnight in Abeokuta.
Day 12Mon Feb 22
Abeokuta, Ife-Ife
- Today we continue our journey north to Ife-Ife, the cultural cradle of the Yoruba people.
- Arriving in Ife-Ife we will begin with a visit to the Royal Oodua Palace which houses the Sacred Grove of Odudwa, the city’s creator. This is an extremely special site to the Yoruba people and it is filled with many sacred sites and shrines.
- We will then head to marvel at the Oranmiyan Staff, a 6 metre high monolith which is said the belong to a legendary Yoruba King Oranmiyan, who is the founder of the Benin Kingdom and the Oyo Empire.
- We will then head out for dinner and overnight in Ife-Ife.
Day 13Tue Feb 23
Ife-Ife, Osogbo
- Today we will see one of Nigeria’s UNESCO world heritage sites, the Sacred Grove of Osun. The Scared grove is one of the last surviving tracts of primary high forest in southern Nigeria and the largest of the sacred groves that once bordered every major Yoruba city before urbanisation swallowed them. This particular site is over 400 years old and hosts more than 40 shrines and is still an active place of worship.
- After our visit to this truly special site, we will check out the local Osogbo Central Market which is another great chance to see chaotic local life of the Osogbo people.
- Dinner and overnight in Osogbo.
Day 14Wed Feb 24
Osogbo, Lagos
- Today we will hit the road back to Lagos (4-5 hours depending on traffic).
- Along the way we will stop to try some more local Nigerian delicacies.
- Arriving into Lagos in the early afternoon we will make a stop by the Lekki Conservation Centre which has the highest and longest treetop walk in all of Africa. Here we may see monkeys, snakes and even crocodiles hiding in the water.
- We will then check into our hotel for our last night in Nigeria.
- We will go for one more group dinner and maybe a drink at one the local microbreweries on Victoria Island.
- Overnight in Lagos.
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