Small and spirited, this nook of West Africa is without doubt one of the most culturally wealthy locations on earth. It’s a area filled with historical past and charming pure magnificence. From the traditional mud homes of Benin to the huge nationwide parks of Ghana, there’s a lot to see and study. You may hike via butterfly forests, safari in African plains, and paddle on palm-fringed lakes. Then uncover historic traditions, mingle within the markets, and immerse in religious ceremonies with native communities. It’s a land of magic and thriller, primed for travellers who suppose they’ve seen all of it however are keen to go additional. With that in thoughts, right here’s our rundown of the very best locations to go to in West Africa.
Search wildlife at Mole Nationwide Park
Not like the tiny burrower, Mole Nationwide Park (pronounced ‘Moh-lay’) in Ghana is humongous. It’s dwelling to over ninety mammal species, together with elephants, buffalo, leopards, lions and, sure, we checked — eleven species of mole. It additionally hosts hordes of fairly deer-like animals and also you would possibly see eagles, vultures, and hoopoes (not hippos!) within the timber. Plan accordingly as your finest wager for recognizing wildlife is early morning and late afternoon.
Mirror at Cape Coast Citadel
One among about forty ‘slave castles’ constructed by European merchants within the mid-Sixteenth century, Cape Coast Citadel tells the harrowing historical past of African slaves earlier than they had been shipped off and offered within the Americas. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Web site, you possibly can go to the darkish and deathly underground dungeon the place enslaved Africans had been saved. In stark distinction, it’s also possible to tour the once-luxurious European dwelling quarters on higher flooring. Seen collectively, it’s an opportunity to study and mirror on a sobering second in human historical past.
See it for your self on: West African Journey: Highlights of Ghana, Togo and Benin
Wander Kakum Nationwide Park canopies
In case you’re sick of craning your neck to see birds and different tree-dwellers then Kakum Nationwide Park in Ghana has simply the reply — a 30-metre-high (98.42 ft) cover walkway. Stroll over the treetops trying down on the wildlife beneath. The park is dwelling to 300 species of fowl, endangered forest elephants, and branch-shaking colobus monkeys. There are additionally over 600 species of butterfly! One of the best time to discover the rainforest is at first mild when the residents have that early morning vitality.
See it for your self on: Ghana: Seashores & Breathtaking Coastlines
Hike Mount Afadjato butterfly forests
Dwelling to the spirits of ancestors watching over the area’s indigenous folks, Mount Afadjato (aka Mount Afadja) is without doubt one of the highest factors in Ghana. The climb to the highest takes about 2.5 hours and also you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous valley views. For a shorter hike, strive Tagbo Falls taking you thru butterfly forests and low farms. Whenever you attain the waterfall, strip off and dive in for a well-earned swim.
For the final word cultural journey, we will take you from Accra via the Shai Hills Reserve to a small village the place you’ll find out about conventional Ghanaian bead jewelry. Then from Akosombo you possibly can try the Afadjato hike. Alongside the best way, our native information helps you see birds, butterflies, and fruit bats fluttering throughout the cliffs.
See it for your self on: Full Ghana: The Fantastic thing about Travelling West Africa
Dance with locals at Kokrobite Seashore
Just one hour from Ghana’s capital, Kokrobite Seashore is a world away from the chaos of the town. Locals and travellers share the golden sands, some opting to surf and swim, others joyful to lounge underneath the swaying palms. The shore-side shacks promote chilly drinks and contemporary meals, whereas native musicians fortunately serenade anybody who will pay attention. In case you go to on a Friday or Saturday, deliver your dancing sneakers and head to Massive Milly’s for a Reggae and Highlife get together to recollect. That is by far the very best seaside near Accra.
Go inexperienced within the hills of Kpalimé
Kpalimé is a playground for walkers and the soar off level for hikes to Mount Agou and Mount Kloto. It’s a kingdom of espresso farms, butterflies, and quite a few waterfalls. You may spend a couple of days surrounded by nature, recharge your batteries, and utterly swap off. It additionally hosts a vigorous market bringing collectively handcrafted items from the area, together with batik materials dyed with pigments from native vegetation. The native folks additionally love a singsong so be ready!
To profit from West Africa, you possibly can journey alongside the Ghana coast, up into Togo, and again down via Benin. Take pleasure in staying the evening in Kpalimé after visiting Atitovou for a hands-on demo by its neighborhood of conventional Kente material weavers. Within the afternoon, head out on a hike via clouds of butterflies to Mount Kloto.
See it for your self on: Ghana, Togo, & Benin: Castles, Coastlines and Voodoo Discoveries
Summit the good Mount Agou
The very best level in Togo is a reasonable climb via forests and farms. Take the unpaved paths and also you’ll weave via banana vegetation, conventional villages, and dealing fields. Summit Mount Agou for an incredible view into neighbouring Ghana.
Discover handicrafts at Lomé Grand Market
Trying out the native market is a should when visiting a brand new place. You’re instantly thrown right into a microcosm of the town, the place folks store, eat, drink, barter, and earn their cash. Grande Marché in Lomé, Togo is a vibrant maze of low cost cosmetics, knock-off sportswear, contemporary meals, and regionally crafted items. Chat to the sellers, find out about their artwork, and be ready to haggle!
See it for your self on: West African Journey: Highlights of Ghana, Togo and Benin
Sail to Lake Togo’s sacred forests
Lake Togo is the nation’s largest lake, fringed by sacred forests and historic cities. There’s Togoville, nonetheless watched over by a king and residential to the nation’s strongest excessive priestess. It’s small, gradual, and really religious. Then there’s Aného, extensively considered the ancestral dwelling of Vodun aka voodoo. And Glidji, recognized for Vodun temples and the Storming of the Sacred Stones pageant. From shore to shore, there’s loads of tradition to discover. And once you’ve had your fill, paddle to Agbodrafo to unwind on the palm-lined seashores.
Enter Koutammakou’s dwelling panorama
Transcending the border of Benin and Togo, Koutammakou is the house and birthplace of the Batammariba, which interprets as ‘those that form the earth’. It’s a seldom visited marvel recognized for its distinctive mud tower-houses, or sikien, which have been an essential cultural custom for a whole lot of years. The conical buildings are grouped in villages and embrace ceremonial websites, granaries, and sacred areas. It’s a very distinctive dwelling panorama the place nature, society, and ritual are entwined. Now a UNESCO Heritage web site, we might study rather a lot from the Batammariba — caretakers of land, not the house owners.
See it for your self on: Togo and Benin: Native Markets, Koutammakou and Voodoo Traditions
Immerse in West African Voodoo in Ouidah
Ouidah in Benin is taken into account the religious capital of one of many world’s most misunderstood religions — Vodun (sometimes called Voodoo in well-liked Western tradition). Each January in Ouidah there’s a celebration the place folks costume up, dance, feast, carry out rituals and sacrifices within the identify of Vodun. It attracts fetish monks and followers from far and huge. Devotees costume up as gods rising from the forest, scaring onlookers and vacationers daring to get too shut. It’s enjoyable, theatrical, and admittedly unmissable when you’re planning a visit to West Africa in January.
See it for your self on: Ghana, Togo, & Benin: Castles, Coastlines and Voodoo Discoveries
Snake round Ouidah Python Temple
Like one thing from the ultimate scene in an Indiana Jones film, the Ouidah Python Temple in Benin is stuffed with (you guessed it) enormous snakes. These resident pythons are sacred symbols, worshipped by followers of Vodun, a faith that impressed the observe of Voodoo and Vodou. The temple is dwelling to some sixty snakes, all pretty sleepy and innocent, until you’re an area hen or a mouse. As soon as every week the snakes get launched to search out meals, like a slithery serpentine Starvation Video games. Many find yourself in houses the place they’re taken care of and returned in time for his or her nap.
Stand earlier than the Door of No Return
The Door of No Return in Ouidah is a bronze arch constructed on the seaside to recollect the a million enslaved Africans taken to be offered within the Americas. For a lot of of them, the doorways of slave castles or the seaside at Ouidah was their final sight of Africa. This memorial is a part of the Slave Route Venture, which maps the journey many of those Africans took earlier than being deported. On both aspect of the arch are murals of the women and men compelled to go away their homeland. It’s a sombre and essential place, a must-visit.
See it for your self on: West African Journey: Highlights of Ghana, Togo and Benin
Assist defend Pendjari Nationwide Park
Benin’s Pendjari Nationwide Park has grow to be the final refuge for the area’s elephants and endangered West African lions. It’s an extended struggling area, battered by political instability, poor administration, and dwindling assets. The wildlife and native communities have struggled however at the moment are protected because of a brand new partnership recognizing the sweetness and significance of those areas. It’s now a haven for wildlife, employment, schooling, and, fortunately for you, eco-tourism. Together with the African forest elephant, you would possibly see hippos, buffalos, cheetahs, leopards, and loads of antlered quadrupeds.
Ponder components at Dantokpa Market
In case you’re available in the market for fish, goats, or spell components, then you definately’ve come to the suitable place. Grand Marché de Dantokpa is huge, buzzy, and bursting with items you by no means knew you wanted. You’ll get misplaced, however that’s okay, there’s a lot to see. Head to the fetish market on the northern finish for every little thing Vodou. You’ll discover dried animal components, stay rats, and conventional medicines. The smells are fairly overpowering so ensure you’ve strengthened your abdomen muscular tissues earlier than visiting.
See it for your self on: Togo and Benin: Native Markets, Koutammakou and Voodoo Traditions
Study a brand new however historic talent
Choosing up new abilities on vacation is a part of the journey however West Africa has extra on supply than most. You may study the historic artwork of Batik in Ghana, creating vibrant cloths printed in scorching wax to make distinctive designs. Or, strive your hand at Djembe drumming, excellent for these nights across the campfire. Ever puzzled find out how to make Shea butter? Effectively, a visit to Benin can change that. West Africa is stuffed with heritage arts going again centuries, excellent for a vacay of self enchancment.
See it for your self on: West African Journey: Highlights of Ghana, Togo and Benin
So there you’ve gotten it, the very best locations to go to in West Africa particularly for these keen to go to locally-run neighborhood partnerships and getting a real understanding of historic traditions and cultures. From African artwork and weaving workshops to studying about endemic bees, this area of West Africa is an journey for the thoughts, physique, and soul.
