Small and spirited, this nook of West Africa is among the most culturally wealthy locations on earth. It’s a area filled with historical past and fascinating pure magnificence. From the traditional mud homes of Benin to the huge nationwide parks of Ghana, there’s a lot to see and be taught. You possibly can hike by means of butterfly forests, safari in African plains, and paddle on palm-fringed lakes. Then uncover historical 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 prepared 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 may see eagles, vultures, and hoopoes (not hippos!) within the timber. Plan accordingly as your finest guess for recognizing wildlife is early morning and late afternoon.
Replicate at Cape Coast Fort
One in every of about forty ‘slave castles’ constructed by European merchants within the mid-Sixteenth century, Cape Coast Fort 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’ll be able to go to the darkish and deathly underground dungeon the place enslaved Africans had been stored. In stark distinction, you may as well tour the once-luxurious European residing quarters on higher flooring. Seen collectively, it’s an opportunity to be taught and replicate 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 the event 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 wanting down on the wildlife beneath. The park is dwelling to 300 species of chook, endangered forest elephants, and branch-shaking colobus monkeys. There are additionally over 600 species of butterfly! The very 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
House to the spirits of ancestors watching over the area’s indigenous individuals, Mount Afadjato (aka Mount Afadja) is among the highest factors in Ghana. The climb to the highest takes about 2.5 hours and also you’ll be rewarded with beautiful valley views. For a shorter hike, attempt Tagbo Falls taking you thru butterfly forests and low farms. If you attain the waterfall, strip off and dive in for a well-earned swim.
For the final word cultural journey, we are able to take you from Accra by means of the Shai Hills Reserve to a small village the place you’ll study conventional Ghanaian bead jewelry. Then from Akosombo you’ll be able to try the Afadjato hike. Alongside the best way, our native information helps you notice 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 Seaside
Just one hour from Ghana’s capital, Kokrobite Seaside is a world away from the chaos of town. Locals and travellers share the golden sands, some opting to surf and swim, others blissful to lounge below the swaying palms. The shore-side shacks promote chilly drinks and contemporary meals, whereas native musicians fortunately serenade anybody who will pay attention. In the event you go to on a Friday or Saturday, carry your dancing sneakers and head to Huge 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 bounce off level for hikes to Mount Agou and Mount Kloto. It’s a kingdom of espresso farms, butterflies, and quite a few waterfalls. You possibly can spend just a few 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 crops. The native individuals additionally love a singsong so be ready!
To take advantage of West Africa, you’ll be able to journey alongside the Ghana coast, up into Togo, and again down by means of 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 by means of clouds of butterflies to Mount Kloto.
See it for your self on: Ghana, Togo, & Benin: Castles, Coastlines and Voodoo Discoveries
Summit the nice Mount Agou
The very best level in Togo is a reasonable climb by means of forests and farms. Take the unpaved paths and also you’ll weave by means of banana crops, conventional villages, and dealing fields. Summit Mount Agou for an awesome view into neighbouring Ghana.
Discover handicrafts at Lomé Grand Market
Testing the native market is a should when visiting a brand new place. You’re instantly thrown right into a microcosm of town, the place individuals 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 domestically crafted items. Chat to the sellers, study 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 thought to be 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 residing 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 surprise 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 residing panorama the place nature, society, and ritual are entwined. Now a UNESCO Heritage website, we may be taught quite a bit from the Batammariba — caretakers of land, not the homeowners.
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 fashionable Western tradition). Each January in Ouidah there’s a celebration the place individuals costume up, dance, feast, carry out rituals and sacrifices within the identify of Vodun. It attracts fetish clergymen and followers from far and extensive. Devotees costume up as gods rising from the forest, scaring onlookers and vacationers daring to get too shut. It’s enjoyable, theatrical, and albeit unmissable in the event 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 filled with (you guessed it) enormous snakes. These resident pythons are sacred symbols, worshipped by followers of Vodun, a faith that impressed the follow of Voodoo and Vodou. The temple is dwelling to some sixty snakes, all pretty sleepy and innocent, until you’re an area rooster 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 properties 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 Mission, which maps the journey many of those Africans took earlier than being deported. On both facet 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 shield Pendjari Nationwide Park
Benin’s Pendjari Nationwide Park has turn out 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 sources. The wildlife and native communities have struggled however are actually protected because of a brand new partnership recognizing the wonder 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 may see hippos, buffalos, cheetahs, leopards, and loads of antlered quadrupeds.
Ponder components at Dantokpa Market
In the event you’re available in the market for fish, goats, or spell components, you then’ve come to the appropriate 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 thing Vodou. You’ll discover dried animal elements, stay rats, and conventional medicines. The smells are fairly overpowering so be sure you’ve strengthened your abdomen muscle mass earlier than visiting.
See it for your self on: Togo and Benin: Native Markets, Koutammakou and Voodoo Traditions
Be taught a brand new however historical talent
Selecting up new abilities on vacation is a part of the journey however West Africa has extra on provide than most. You possibly can be taught the historic artwork of Batik in Ghana, creating vibrant cloths printed in scorching wax to make distinctive designs. Or, attempt your hand at Djembe drumming, excellent for these nights across the campfire. Ever puzzled the right way to make Shea butter? Nicely, a visit to Benin can change that. West Africa is filled 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 may have 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 historical 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.
