2-Day Cultural Tour of Cotonou and Ouidah with Vodun Heritage

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Trek along the lagoon side of Cotonou
• 02 Visit the voodoo market of Dantokpa
• 03 Meet the lake people of Ladji
• 04 Pay respects at the famous Python Temple
• 05 Observe the artefacts at the Ouidah Museum of History
• 06 Explore the Sacred Forest of Kpasse, the first king of Ouidah
• 07 Follow the slavery road to the Door of No Return
• 08 Meet a voodoo Ifa priest in Ouidah

Delve into the culture of Beninese people on this 2-day trip through Cotonou and Ouidah. Trek along the lagoon side of Cotonou, visit the lake people of Ladji, explore the artisan center, and discover the voodoo market of Dantokpa. In Ouidah, see the famous Python Temple, the Ouidah Museum of History, and the Sacred Forest of Kpasse, then follow the slavery road to the historic Door of No Return by the seaside.

Meet a voodoo Ifa priest and learn much more about voodoo in Ouidah.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 2 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Ouidah, Cotonou

Languages English, French

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Arrival in Cotonou and Cultural Discovery

1. Meet your tour guide in Cotonou and get transferred to a 3-star hotel in Cotonou by air-conditioned car or bus. A welcome snack will be served upon check-in at the hotel.
2. Trek along the lagoon side of Cotonou.
3. Visit the lake people of Ladji. Most of these people are fishermen.
4. Visit the artisan center of Cotonou.
5. Visit the voodoo market of Dantokpa, where an Ifa priest will tell you about voodoo powers.

2

Day 02

Ouidah Heritage and Spiritual Sites

• Transfer to Ouidah after breakfast.
• Visit the following places during the day:
• Zinsou Foundation Museum: The Musée de la Fondation Zinsou hosts an annual selection of works from the Zinsou family collection.
• Python Temple: The Temple of Pythons is a site of historical and modern symbolism and spiritual practice in Ouidah, Benin. The snakes are a significant totem for followers of Vodun, a religion practised by groups of people in West and Central African nations such as Ghana, Togo, and Benin.
• Ouidah Museum of History: It contains a wealth of objects and illustrations of historic and cultural significance, which together give visitors an intimate understanding of the region's past.
• Sacred Forest of Kpasse: The Sacred Forest of Ouidah is a highly spiritual place. It was the preferred place of King Kpasse, the first King of Ouidah, who lived in Savi.
• Trek along the slavery road and reach the Door of No Return at the seaside of Ouidah to walk along the shore.
• Meet a voodoo Ifa priest and learn much more about voodoo in Ouidah.
• End of the tour. Return to the airport in Cotonou.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Accommodation
• Meals
• Transportation
• All included activities
• Welcome snack
• One 1.5 liter bottle of mineral water
• Entrance tickets

What's Not Included

• Personal expenses
• Photos
• Extra activities

What to bring

• Camera.
• Personal important objects.

Know before you go

• Rooms are on double sharing.
• Air-conditioned rooms are available in the hotel.
• Yellow fever vaccination.
• Malaria prevention.
• Ointment against mosquito bites.
• Covid19 vaccination.
• Please respect barrier measures against Covid19, such as carrying hydroalcoholic gel and wearing a mask.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

COO Airport, Rue 2100, Cotonou, Bénin

Tour start

Rue 2100, Cotonou, Benin

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.