Border information: if you are joining in Accra, then you will most likely enter Ghana at Accra Kotoka International Airport (IATA code: ACC). There will be an important group meeting at 10:00am at the joining hotel - please look out at the hotel reception for a note from your leader with more details about this important meeting. Your leader will collect your kitty and check your passport, visas, and insurance details at this meeting. The afternoon will be free to explore the city of Accra.  Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Accra before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Accra. In Accra we will stay in a comfortable hotel with good facilitie...

This morning, we will apply for Togo visas at the Togolese Embassy in Accra. Once they are issued, we will leave Accra and head north to the village of Akosombo. In Akosombo we will stay in a campsite next to the River Volta. Estimated Drive Time - 3-4 hours (please note that all drive times given here are the approximate number of hours that the truck will be in motion only, and does not include any time taken for coffee or lunch stops, border crossings, photo stops, activities en route, comfort breaks, shopping stops, toilet stops, etc. The times given are approximate estimates only and whilst given with the best of intentions, the drive times are heavily dependent on traffic, road conditions, weather, police roadblocks, and many other factors - flexibility is essential on any overland trip!). About Akosombo: The small ...

Today we will have an included visit to the nearby Akosombo Dam, a major project built in the 1960s to provide almost all of Ghana's energy needs. The rest of the day will be free to relax at our campsite in Akosombo. INCLUDED ACTIVITIES  Visit Akosombo Dam, the colossal 1960s project that provides almost all of Ghana's energy needs and created Lake Volta, one of the world's largest man-made lakes : Included in Kitty  About Lake Volta: Lake Volta in Ghana spreads over a massive 3275 square miles and runs for over 320 miles from the most northern point, to the most southern point. The White Volta River and The Black Volta River combine to form the Volta River which eventually flows into the Atlantic Ocean. There are tropical temperatures most the year round, which has created the opportunity to find many local fisheries. ...

Border information: Exit Ghana at Klouto, enter Togo at Klouto. Today we will have a full day's drive to the spectacular Mont Klouto, crossing the border into Togo.  Estimated Drive Time - 5-6 hours. In Mont Klouto we will stay in a campsite, with the option to upgrade to dorm accommodation. About Mont Klouto: Hidden away in mountains of central Togo is the serene village of Mont Klouto - only a couple of hours north of Lomé, it is a welcome relief from the heat of the coast. The mountains here are covered in dense forest, punctuated by gently cascading streams and waterfalls. A nature reserve has been established in the area because Klouto is an important habitat for butterflies - over 500 different species can be found here, many of them incredibly beautiful. It's an ideal place for doing some short hikes, and you ca...

Today we will have a free day around the beautiful Mont Klouto region, with the opportunity to head out on optional forest walks or to visit Kpalimé town nearby. In the evening, we will head to the village centre to see a spectacular show of drumming and dancing from the local villagers.  INCLUDED ACTIVITIES  Head out for evening of energetic drumming and dancing from the local villagers in Mont Klouto, with dinner included : Included in Kitty OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES  Go on various guided walks around Mont Klouto looking for butterflies and enjoying the beautiful forest scenery : XOF 5000

" Day 6 to 7 " Over the next 3 days we will drive up the length of Togo, all the way through the remote northern border with Benin. We will wild camp for 2 nights en route. Estimated Drive Times - 8-9 hours each day. 

Border information: Exit Togo at Ketao, enter Benin at Ouaké. Today we will cross the border into Benin, before continuing our journey to the Tata Somba region close to the town of Tanguiéta. In Tanguiéta we will stay in a basic local eco-lodge. Estimated Drive Time - 6-7 hours.  About Tata Somba region: The Somba people (also known as the Tammari people) are an Oti-Volta speaking people in the far north of Benin and Togo. They are famous for their two-storey fortified houses, known as Tata Somba ("Somba house"). The ground floor is used for housing livestock at night, internal alcoves are used for cooking, and the upper floor contains a rooftop courtyard and is used for drying and storing grain as well as sleeping quarters. These evolved by adding an enclosing roof to the clusters of huts joined by a connecting wall ...

This morning we will go on an included walking tour of the nearby Tata Somba villages with some of the local villagers. This is a fascinating visit to an area rarely visited by tourists, where we will learn a lot about the local traditional way of life and explore the famous two-storey mud huts of the area. In the afternoon, there is the option to walk through the stunning area to some nearby waterfalls.  INCLUDED ACTIVITIES  Go on a guided tour of the Tata Somba villages of northern Benin, learning about the traditional culture and way of life and visiting their incredible 2-storey 'mud castle' homes : Included in Kitty  OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES  Head out on a guided walk through the beautiful scenery in the hills of the Tata Somba region to visit some local waterfalls : XOF 2500 

" Day 10 to 11 " From the Tata Somba region we have a short journey north to the beautiful Pendjari National Park. We will stay for two nights wild camping in the National Park, where we will have freedom to explore and head out on game drives in the truck in search of wildlife. Estimated Drive Time - 4-5 hours to the park, then as much time as required on game drives.  INCLUDED ACTIVITIES  Visit the stunning landscapes of Pendjari National Park, famous for being one of the best wildlife reserves in West Africa : Included in Kitty About Pendjari National Park: The Pendjari National Park is situated in north western Benin, adjoining the Arli National Park in Burkina Faso. The park is named after the Pendjari River and is known for its wildlife. It is home to some of the last populations of big game in West Africa, an...

Today we have a full day's drive heading south through Benin. We will wild camp somewhere en route between the towns of Natitingou and Abomey. Estimated Drive Time - 8-10 hours. 

Our journey today continues to Abomey, the ancient capital of the Dahomey kingdom. On arrival we will take an included tour of the Dahomey Palace and Museum. In Abomey we will stay in a campsite, with the possibility to upgrade to rooms. Estimated Drive Time - 6-7 hours.  INCLUDED ACTIVITIES  Take a guided tour of the Dahomey Palace and Museum, the old royal enclave of the capital of the ancient Dahomey empire, one of West Africa's most important old kingdoms : Included in Kitty About Abomey: Abomey is the ancient capital of the Dahomey Kingdom, once one of the most powerful empires in Africa. The Dahomey Empire developed on the Abomey plateau in around the year 1600 CE, becoming an important regional power in the 18th Century after conquering key cities on the Atlantic coast. The Dahomey economy was built around co...

This morning we will drive to Abomey-Calavi (a port on the outskirts of Cotonou), where we say goodbye to the truck for the night and jump aboard motorised pirogues to Ganvie, a fascinating town built entirely on stilts in the middle of Lake Nokoué. In Ganvie we will stay in a basic hotel in the stilt village itself! Estimated Drive Time - 6-8 hours. About Ganvie: Ganvie is a phenomenal feat of human ingenuity - home to more than 20,000 people, the village is built entirely on stilts in the middle of the large Lake Noukoue and can only be reached by pirogue (dug-out canoe). The ancestors of the Tofinu people used the lake as a refuge from slave traders from the Fon and Dahomey tribes in the 17th Century and the Tofinu have lived on the lake ever since - the stilt village has slowly grown over the past few hundred years. Th...

Today we will start with an included tour of the stilt town of Ganvie, exploring deeper on our pirogues and soaking up the unique way of life in the floating village. Following this, we will head back to land to re-join the truck and drive along the coastal road to Ouidah, where we may hopefully see many of the local fishermen bringing their catch in. In Ouidah we will camp at an auberge on the beach. Estimated Drive Time - 1-3 hours.  INCLUDED ACTIVITIES  Visit the incredible stilt village of Ganvie, where an entire community of fisherman live in a town entirely built on stilts in the middle of Lake Nokoué near Cotonou : Included in Kitty About Ouidah: Benin is a country that takes the Vodun religion very seriously - it is recognised as an official religion and is practiced by over 60% of the population. Vodun is spr...

Today we will take a very interesting half-day tour of the sites in Ouidah, including the Voodoo Python Temple, the "Route des Esclaves" (Slave Route), La Maison du Brésil art gallery and the Ouidah Museum of History in the old Portuguese Fort of São João Baptista de Ajudá. After this, a short drive from Ouidah brings us to Grand Popo, where we have 2 nights of well deserved relaxation on the beaches! In Grand Popo we will camp at an auberge. Estimated Drive Time - 1-2 hours.  INCLUDED ACTIVITIES  Visit the Ouidah History Museum at the old Portuguese Fort of São João Baptista de Ajudá, and learn all about the terrible history of the slave trade in West Africa : Included in Kitty See the Vodun Temple of Pythons in Ouidah, dedicated to the voodoo snake Deity Dangbe and home to hundreds of revered pythons! : Inclu...

Today we will have a free day at Grand Popo for relaxing on the beach or taking a pirogue trip around the nearby ocean and mangroves.  There is also an option this evening to visit an incredible local vodun (voodoo) ceremony in the nearby village, complete with very energetic dancing and incredible magic tricks! It may also be possible to take a night walk in search of Atlantic turtles, which lay their eggs on the beaches between November and March.  OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES  Relax on Benin's Grand Popo Atlantic beaches, meeting the local fishermen and soaking up the ambiance of the coast  : Free Observe a local voodoo celebration in the nearby village of Grand Popo, watch the hypnotic drumming and dancing of the 'Night watchman', and see some mind-blowing black magic! : USD 20 Explore the rivers, mangroves and villages o...

Border information: Exit Benin and re-enter Togo at Hilla-Condji. Leaving the beach behind, our journey continues over the border from Benin and back into Togo. We will head to the small quiet town of Agbodrafo on the southern shores of Lake Togo. This afternoon we will take an included pirogue trip to Togoville, the centre of Vodun culture, where you will have a guided city tour and church visit. In Agbodrafo we will camp in the grounds of an Auberge on the lake shore. Estimated Drive Time - 2-3 hours.  INCLUDED ACTIVITIES  Take a trip in a local non-motorised pirogue across Lac Togo to the famous village of Togoville, where you can explore the town and learn all about its history and culture : Included in Kitty OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES  Relax on the beach of the stunning Lac Togo at Agbodrafo : Free  About Agbodr...

Border information: exit Togo at Lomé, enter Ghana at Aflao. Today we will cross back into Ghana and head for Keta, where we will visit the very atmospheric and evocative ruins of the abandoned Fort Prinzenstein, built by the Danes 300 years ago as a transit point for transporting slaves to the Americas. In Keta we will stay in a small local hotel. Estimated Drive Time - 4-5 hours.  INCLUDED ACTIVITIES  Visit the ruins of the small Danish slave fort of Fort Prinzenstein, and take in its haunting and moving atmosphere : Included in Kitty About Keta: Keta is a coastal town lying in the Volta estuary region, a wetland in the south east of Ghana which comprises of several small islands and a complex of lagoons along the coast. The town has some pleasant beaches and contains the haunting ruins of the Danish Fort Prinzens...

The final drive of this trip takes us back to Accra, the chaotic capital of Ghana! In Accra we will stay in a comfortable hotel with good facilities. Estimated Drive Time - 4-5 hours. 

Border information: if you are leaving in Accra, you will most likely exit Ghana at Accra Kotoka International Airport (IATA code: ACC). Today is the end day for passengers finishing their trip in Accra. Please note there is no accommodation included on the trip tonight - please contact the Dragoman Sales team if you are interested in booking extra nights of accommodation in order to fully explore and take part in some of the optional activities listed below.