GREAT EMPIRES OF WEST AFRICA ITINERARY:
Days 1 - 4, Wednesday - Saturday - Depart for Bamako &
Timbuktu, Mali
Depart from home on Wednesday.
Travel among desert warriors, and explore ancient mosques,
distinctive mud dwellings and teeming markets in Bamako and
Timbuktu. Trek through the Sahara Desert by camel to meet the
Tuareg tribe who welcomes you with colorful dances.
Days 5 - 7, Sunday - Tuesday - Mopti, Djenne & Bandiagara
Fly to Mopti to find a bustling fish and salt port at the
confluence of the Niger and Bani rivers. Then visit Dogon cliff
villages to discover their unique architecture. Their
superstitious culture is famous for their animist beliefs and
strange death rituals. Back in Bamako, walk the Maison des
Artisans, one of the largest markets in West Africa, and find a
treasure to accompany your golden memories of these great
empires.
Day 8, Wednesday - Abidjan, Ivory Coast
The modern and beautiful city of Abidjan is the pearl of the
African Riviera. Drive to the Abidjan Plateau, the Cocody
residential quarters and visit one of the largest cathedrals in
Africa.
Days 9 - 13, Thursday - Monday - Accra, Kumasi & Cape Coast,
Ghana
Visit the Manhyia Palace with time to explore the vibrant
Kumasi central market. Experience Durbar, the climax of the
Akwasidee Festival, where a procession of chiefs, resplendent in
their gold ornaments, drum and dance. In Accra, we will enjoy an
authentic dinner in a private Ghanaian home.
Days 14 & 15, Tuesday & Wednesday - Ouidah, Lome, Togo
Travel along the Bight of Benin and the Slave Coast of Togo
where fishing villages dot the scenic coastline. For over a
century, in the trading towns of Porto Novo and Ouidah, the
Portuguese bartered slaves for guns—mainly to the Caribbean and
particularly Haiti. Haitians imported their practice of voodoo
from the slaves. In Ouidah, see the Sacred Python Temple, where
fetish rituals are performed, and visit a voodoo cemetery.
Days 16 - 18, Thursday - Saturday - Cotonou & Ganvie, Benin
Benin excites everybody’s love for the mysterious and
unfamiliar with its title, “the cradle of voodoo.” Shop the
unique fetish market in Cotonou. In Ganvie, cruise to bamboo
huts built on stilts above the lagoon. The natives of this
African version of Venice tend their fishing traps and move
about in pirogues (dugout canoes).

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Overrun by sands of time, the great civilizations of West Africa
await for you to rediscover them. Explore the fabled desert city
of Timbuktu, which guards its secrets as the sands of the Sahara
come ever closer. Travel off the beaten path to a voodoo market
in Benin, where witch doctors buy and sell exotic fetishes and
potions. Journey deep into the interior to witness a great
procession of tribal kings, adorned in jewels and their best
robes. This modern-day exploration of remote West Africa calls
to the adventurous and curious traveler who wants to go where
few have gone before.
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DATES & RATES |
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Meeting Point: |
Bamako, Mali |
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Departure Point: |
Cotonou, Benin |
Duration: 18 Days
Departure Dates:
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Price From: $8,695
Single Supplement: Please call for rates
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ACCOMMODATIONS |
On this adventure journey, hotels will not be up to Travcoa’s
usual deluxe standards of accommodations. The best available
accommodations will be provided in all areas.
Bamako, Mali, Sofitel Amitie Hotel: Your hotel is
in the city center of Bamako. Located alongside the Niger River
in the Embassy district, it is walking distance to the Market
and the Craftsmen House, and next to the National Museum of
Mali. Designed in contemporary style, the hotel features three
restaurants, two bars and a nightclub. Additionally, it offers a
fitness center, massages, an outdoor swimming pool, 9-hole golf
course, clay tennis court and boulodrome/petanque. Your room
enjoys a view of the river.
Bamako, Mali, Salam Hotel: Hotel Salam is situated on the
left bank of Niger river, adjacent to the congress center, and
has a fine, international quality level of service. You will
notice the touareg-influenced style in both the outside
architecture and indoor decoration.
Timbuktu, Mali, Hendrina Khan Hotel: This boutique
size hotel opened just four years ago. It offers modern
conveniences and facilities.
The Hendrina Khan probably has the best rooms in town - tiled
and spacious, and include satellite TV and fridge. Hotel
services include a laundry, an open air restaurant as well as an
indoor air-conditioned restaurant, a bar and a small reading
library.
Mopti, Mali, Mopti Kanaga Hotel: This typical
Sudanese hotel is located on the Niger River, near the town
center. Most of the 80 rooms are pleasantly decorated with local
Malian handicrafts, offer good size bathrooms, air-conditioning
and satellite TV. The hotel also has a swimming pool and
restaurant, with the opportunity to dine outside if the weather
is good.
Bandiagara, Mali, Kambary Hotel: This typical hotel for
the area – basic amenities including private bathroom and TV.
This 17 room hotel also has a restaurant, bar and swimming pool.
Abidjan, Ivorie Intercontinental: The Labadi Beach
Hotel presents a traditional African style throughout. It is
situated adjacent to a palm-fringed beach. Your guestroom is
newly refurbished, and hotel amenities include health club,
open-air terrace bar and restaurant, 15 acres of landscaped
grounds and a large swimming pool and fountain.
Accra, Ghana, Labadi Beach Hotel: The Labadi Beach Hotel
presents a traditional African style throughout. It is situated
adjacent to a palm-fringed beach. Your guestroom is newly
refurbished, and hotel amenities include health club, open-air
terrace bar and restaurant, 15 acres of landscaped grounds and a
large swimming pool and fountain.
Kumasi, Ghana, Miklin Hotel: The 54-room Miklin
Hotel strives to give you a real welcome away from home. The
hotel features a poolside bar, cyber cafe, and Business Center.
Rooms are air-conditioned. The Restaurant serves Continental and
regional dishes.
Cape Coast, Ghana, Elmina Beach Resort: The Elmina
Beach Resort is located in the heart of the historic Central
Region of Ghana, and just minutes away from Cape Coast. Near the
historic town and the fishing community of Elmina on Atlantic
coast, the resort overlooks the Elmina Castle Heritage Site.
Elmina is where the Portuguese first made contract with West
Africa and constructed Fort Sao Jorge.
All 50 rooms have individual private balconies, and feature Air
Conditioning, Mini Bar, Satellite / Cable TV, In-Room Safe.
At Elmina Beach Resort facilities include two swimming pools,
basketball and volleyball courts, table tennis, squash and
tennis courts, a jogging track and gymnasium, as well as a
restaurant offering Ghanaian dishes and seafood cuisine served
with a Continental flavor.
Lomé, Togo, Hotel Mercure Sarakawa: Located on the
oceanfront in the heart of coconut palms and 250 species of
tropical flowers, your hotel features a restaurant, bar, Olympic
swimming pool and three tennis courts.
Cotonou, Benin, Marina Hotel: The Benin Marina
Hotel is situated right at the beach and is an idyllic spot for
you to unwind. The hotel prides itself on its superb cuisine,
features a pool and bar; the staff is attentive and the
accommodations luxurious. Staying at the Benin Marina Hotel you
will find you're enjoying best of all worlds.
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