Ethnographic trip to Benin ► Voodoo ceremonies and tribes

Ethnographic trip to Benin from 28 Mar. to 6 Apr. 2026 / From 2,100€

Ethnographic trip to Benin to discover one of the most complete and fascinating destinations in West Africa. For decades, Benin was forgotten by tourism due to its political situation and lack of accommodation. In the last 10 years, it has established itself as the ideal country for exploring the most authentic Africa.

We present a ethnographic trip to Benin that combines ethnography and architecture. We'll begin in the animistic south, attending voodoo ceremonies and exploring the Afro-Brazilian neighborhoods of the coastal cities. After immersing ourselves in the tropical south, we'll continue to the Muslim north to discover beautiful adobe villages and tattooed nomadic tribes. We'll travel in a comfortable minibus and take canoes to reach the most remote places.

Download the itinerary for this ethnographic trip to Benin

Using the form below, you can download the detailed itinerary for this trip. Click here to easily reach the form.

Discover the highlights of this ethnographic trip to Benin

► We will delve into Voodoo culture and religion

During this ethnographic trip to Benin, we'll delve deeper into Voodoo culture and religion to understand the religion's cosmology. We'll explore the Black River, a sacred area for Voodoo followers. We'll navigate the river's murky waters in a traditional canoe through the jungle to reach a Tohoso temple, a branch of Voodoo that worships children born with some type of deformity.

► We will meet different traditional tribes of Benin

Ije tribe

During this ethnographic trip to Benin, we'll meet the Ije or Holi people, famous for the body tattoos worn by older women. The traditional architecture of their villages is also noteworthy.

Taneka tribe

During this ethnographic trip to Benin, we will take an excursion into the Taneka tribal territory. This people is originally from Togo and emigrated to these hills, fleeing Islamic expansion and slavery. The Taneka Mountains are one of the most magical places in northern Benin. We will visit the animist priests and walk to the village of the blacksmiths at the top of the sacred mountain.

Ditamari people

On this trip to Benin, we will have the opportunity to visit a Ditamari or Somba community. They are the so-called ‘adobe artists’ as they build beautiful two-story structures to house their livestock on the lower part and their families on the upper part. The young Ditamari single men usually live in a kind of battlement on the terrace of these mini-mud castles. We will explore several ‘tatas’ or fortified houses around Boukombé. The more traditional Ditamari still scarify their chest and face with a special knife during the dry season.

Tofi tribe

We will visit the lake city of Ganvié, the mythical “African Venice”. We will tour this large town of houses on stilts inhabited by the Tofi ethnic group, who have lived on the lake since the 18th century.

Bariba tribe

During this ethnographic trip to Benin, we will visit the Nikki Kingdom, the historic capital of the Bariba tribe. Upon arrival in this small town, we will greet the king and admire the royal horses and the rides of decorated riders.

Fulani Borgu tribe

We will visit a camp of Fulani borgu nomads, famous for their facial tattoos and decorative hairstyles.

► We will discover Afro-Brazilian architecture

Throughout this ethnographic trip to Benin, we will visit various examples of Afro-Brazilian architecture. In Porto Novo, we will explore the Afro-Brazilian neighborhood, with its magnificent central mosque, and visit some family homes.