09 - 18 april 2022 (10 days / 9 nights) / TRIP COMPLETED

Benin is a small country in territory but big in contrasts and with a lot of cultural richness. From south to north, we can discover different ethnic groups, each one with characteristics that make it unique. Most of these ethnic groups preserve ancestral traditions and animist beliefs, in some areas, they coexist harmoniously with Christianity and Islam, in others they remain pure. Since this route takes place during the time of the Christian Easter, we have thought it appropriate to focus on the concept of death and resurrection from an animist vision.
The route begins with the cities of the south, where the colonial footprint and the mixture of cultures is more evident, followed by the Ije country with tattooed tribes, the Yoruba region with its animist temples, the Agonlín Mountains, populated by nomadic shepherds until reaching the Sahel inhabited by warrior peoples who inhabit adobe castle-type houses known as 'tata'. From the dry north we will go down to Abomey, historical capital of the kingdom of Dahomey, and current epicenter in terms of traditions related to Voodoo; the most widespread animist religion in the world, since the slaves took it with them to the "new world" where it adapted and evolved into different branches that still exist, such as Santería, Candomblé... A trip that will help us understand another way of understanding life and death, and at the same time visit the most interesting points of the country, in a very complete and diverse route.

Cities with a colonial footprint

The Atlantic coast is home to large cities such as Cotonou, Porto Novo, Ouidah or Ganvie. Cities where the colonial imprint and the mixture of cultures is more than evident.

Tattoos and scarifications

Some women from ethnic groups such as the Fulani, the Ije or Holi, and the Ditamari or Soba still sport complex body tattoos.

Epicenter of the Voodoo tradition

Voodoo is the most widespread animist religion in the world, since the slaves took it with them to the "new world" where it adapted and evolved into different branches that still exist, such as Santería, Candomblé...

The monumental complex of the Royal Palaces of Abomey

Abomey is home to the palaces of the historic kingdom of Dahomey. The royal complex was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.

Ancestral architecture of the “tata somba”

The ditamarí or somba are known as adobe artisans, given their great skill in building "tata somba", small two-story castles.

Map of Benin

Currently, there is no map available for this departure.

Coming departures

Next scheduled departures for this destination

We can also organize your tailor-made trip to Benin. In this case, please let us know your interests using the contact form below.

Get in touch with our experts.

    Communications Policy.

    If you want to know more about our communications and data protection policy, please click on this link