15 days 14 nights cultural tour of Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.
Experience the culture, lifestyle and the daily activities of the Nigerian people and the amazing cultural immersion of the Benin people. Let these cities, towns and villages in West Africa come under your skin, have a moment with nature's most astonishing moments where your breath is almost taken away. Indulge and engage with the locals as we explore these beautiful and amazing places.
Day 1. Abuja
Arrival and picked up by Vincent, initial orientation takes place at your hotel.
Overnight in Abuja.
Day 2. Abuja city tour.
Visits include.
The Bwari pottery village.
The Nike art centre.
The national mosque.
The jabi lake.
The geographical centre point of Nigeria, the katampe hills.
Overnight in Abuja.
Day 3. Abuja/ Niger / Gurara waterfalls.
After breakfast we set off for the Gurara waterfalls, explore the waterfalls, and then get entertained on a prearranged fadawukuci or Burunkuci traditional dance display from the gwari people (optional). Stop at the iconic Zuma rock for some good photo shots.
Return trip to Abuja and overnight.
Day 4. Idanre. Trip to Idanre from Abuja.
A full day drive to Idanre and overnight in Idanre.
Day 5.
Idanre hills also known as Oke Idanre, a striking natural and cultural landmark a tentative UNESCO's world heritage site list measuring about 3000 feet above sea level. The hill served as a refuge for the Idanre people who lived atop the hill for almost a millinium from the 12th century until their decent in the early 19th century. Attractions on the hill includes the following.
The ancient palace.
The kings court.
The first primary school.
The court house and various shrines.
Idanre simply translates to to the phrase "this is magical"
Overnight in Idanre.
Day 5. Ile Ife.
Proceed to Ile Ife and embark on a tour of the paramount ruler and palace of the Ooni of Ife, the highest ranking king of the Yoruba people.
Visit the Ife museum.
The statue of Queen Moremi Ajasoro.
The gigantic and historic Oranmiyan statue.
Drive to Oshogbo and overnight in Oshogbo.
Day 6. Oshogbo.
Oshogbo the capital city of Osun state is home to UNESCO's world heritage site the Osun Oshogbo shrine and groove. Delve into the spiritual significance of the Yoruba culture, admire the intricate sculptures and artworks dedicated to the various dieties of the Osun goddess of fertility.
See the abode of Susanne Wenger an Austrian woman who came to Oshogbo and became an adept, got married to a local, loved the tradition, became an adept and priestess and lived among the people.
Visit the Oshogbo central mosque.
Have a local market experience.
Visit the place of the talking drum or see a prearranged songo fire dance performance. (Optional)
Overnight in Oshogbo.
Day 7. Abeokuta.
The capital city of Ogun state is home to several museums and galleries one of which is the Olusegun Obasanjo presidential library. Nigeria's leadership history will be incomplete without the mention of the ex general who ruled as a head of state as a military President and also a democratically elected President. Abeokuta formerly known as egba kingdom played an important role in the struggle against colonialism.
Visit the Olumo rock, which is one of the countries most popular attractions that's directly connected to the history of the Yoruba people.
See the Adire Batik market.
The Alake's palace.
Drive to Lagos and overnight in Lagos.
Day 8. Lagos.
Today's visit is to one of the busiest open markets in Lagos. The Balogun market is the hub for wholesale and retail trades around West Africa. This market attracts hundreds of thousands of traders and suppliers every week all through the year from neighbouring countries around the West coast.
Proceed to the kalakuta Republic, the abode of the former afeobeat maestro Fela Anikulapo Kuti now turned into a museum who through his songs criticized the then military government against harsh economic policies against the citizens.
Visit the John Randle centre for Yoruba culture and history.
Overnight in Lagos.
Day 9. Lagos.
A trip to the Makoko stilth village, immigrants from Badagry whose major source of livelihood is fishing.
Proceed to the 78 hectares natural resource Lekki conservation centre, experience the natural surroundings via a birds eye view on a canopy walk.
Some take home souvenirs at the Lekki arts and crafts market.
Visit the Nike art gallery a four floor building with over 25000 art works and sculptures by indigenous Nigerians.
Overnight in Lagos.
Day 10. Lagos/ Badagry/ Benin.
A two hour drive to Badagry a historical coastal town which played a significant role in the transatlantic slave trade era in Nigeria. Badagry was a major port for the export of slaves and it has several historic sites that recount Nigeria's role in that tragic history.
Visit the seriki Abass Williams museum a slave returnee.
The heritage museum
The slave market and point of no return if time permits.
Proceed to the Nigeria/ Benin border for immigration procedures and onward in the Republic of Benin.
Overnight in Cotonou.
Day 11. Porto-Novo / Cotonou
Visit the musee ethnographic museum
King Toffa's palace
Grand Mosque of Porto Novo
Da Silva museum with exhibits of slavery repatriation and local arts
See the gigantic statue of the female Amazon warriors, drive through the graffiti walls and paintings on the street of Cotonou housing the palace de Congress and various country consulars.
Proceed to Ouidah for overnight.
Day 12. Abomey/Ganvie
Ganvie a floating village which could be likened to the Venice of France with a population of over 30000 inhabitants, built entirely on stilth in the middle of lake Nokuoe. The Tofino people or watermen as they are also known have existed here since the 18th century with attractions mainly centered on water ranging from schools, market, bars and a floating restaurant.
Drive to Abomey for 3 hours to visit the kingdom of Dahomey to see the old palaces turned into a museum. See the war room and the common grave of the 12 wives of king Glele and the throne room.
Return trip to Ouidah for overnight.
Day 13. Ouidah.
Ouidah is the spiritual capital of the voodoo religion in West Africa and also a major slave trading port during the trans Atlantic slave trade. Visits include
The kpasse sacred forest
The cathedral
The temple of the sacred pythons
The point of no return
The slave market
The Ouidah museum
Overnight in Ouidah.
Day 14. Grandpopo
Explore villa Karo in grandpopo.
The common grave
The turtle bay and a prearranged zangbeto dance display (optional)
Overnight in grandpopo or Ouidah.
Day 15.
Relaxation and drop off for departure.
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