DAYS 1 – 3

Upon your arrival on Day 2 you will be greeted and transferred directly to your hotel. For centuries, Mali was a crossroads when caravans crisscrossed the region. Slaves, gold and ivory were brought from the south and traded in the Middle East and Europe for weapons, jewelry and salt. Take a tour of Bamako on Day 3 and visit the National Museum, with exhibits on local crafts and Dogon artifacts. This afternoon, explore Bamako’s Maison des Artisans (artisan market), one of the largest markets in West Africa.

Azalai Hotel Salam, Bamako

DAY 4

Timbuktu played host to an endless stream of European explorers during the 19th century. Visit Djinguereber Mosque; the famed Koranic Sankoré University and the House of Explorers. Later this afternoon, travel into the Sahara Desert by 4-wheel-drive to the encampment of the ancient Touareg people. You will receive a dramatic welcome — the traditional colorful dances of the tribesmen. Called the “blue men of the desert” (named for their indigo robes and turbans) they are an ancient nomadic tribe still eking out a desert existence.

Hendrina Khan Hotel or La Maison Hotel

DAYS 5 & 6

Mopti has been a commercial crossroad since the 14th century and is the most important river port of the Niger River. On your morning tour of Mopti, see the Grand Mosque, built in 1806. At the market you can shop for masks, West Africa’s finest blankets, indigo Dogon cloth, gold and silver jewelry, wood carvings and much more. 

Djenné was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for two main reasons: its mosque and its market. Your Djenné sightseeing includes the biggest mud mosque in the world, the Koranic schools, the architecture and the museum which is dedicated to the archeological site of Jenne Jenno. And you will have ample time to explore the colorful Djenné Monday market.

Hotel Kanaga, Mopti

DAY 7

Board a 4-wheel-drive vehicle bound for Sangha. Your local expert will give a lecture about the Dogon culture during your panoramic tour. Continue your drive on to Tireli, a unique area of the Dogon Escarpment, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Witness a thrilling Mask Dance performance.

Hotel Cheval Blanc, Bandiagara

DAY 8

This morning drive to the Dogon village of Songo, set on the elevated plain of the Dogon Plateau. View the cave paintings; the vivid red of these ancient sketches of animals, warriors and prehistoric life will amaze you. This afternoon, board canoes for a ride on the Niger River. Your flotilla of canoes explores the region, visiting Fulani and Bozo villages.

Hotel Kanaga, Mopti

DAY 9

This morning, fly back to Bamako. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure to relax or explore the local area. Your hotel is located alongside the Niger River and walking distance to the bustling market and the Craftsmen House, and next to the National Museum of Mali.

Azalai Hotel Salam

DAY 10

Late this morning, fly to Burkina Faso to connect to your flight to Accra in Ghana. Formerly known as the Gold Coast, Ghana is a young republic that became independent from Britain in 1957 — the first black African colony to achieve its independence. Modern-day Accra is a low-rise city with plenty of shade trees.

Hotel Labadi Beach, Accra

DAY 11

This morning take a short flight inland from Accra to Kumasi. This afternoon explore Kumasi, the “Garden City of West Africa,” and the historic and cultural capital city of the Ashanti people. Visit Manhyia Palace and Museum, the Prempeh II Museum, the Ghana National Cultural Center and the Central Market — the largest open-air market in West Africa.

Golden Tulip Kumasi City, Kumasi

DAY 12

Visit several Ashanti artisan villages after breakfast to observe craftsmen at work and have the opportunity to purchase items from them. Return to Kumasi in late morning to attend the very special Akwasidae Festival. View the climax of the festival, with color, pomp, pageantry and endless traditional drumming and dancing. After lunch, depart Kumasi for Cape Coast in the Central Region.

Elmina Beach Resort, Cape Coast

DAYS 13 & 14

Start the morning with a visit to Kakum National Park, a 145-acre tropical rainforest refuge, with wildlife including the endangered Mona-meerkats, pygmy elephants, forest buffalos, civet cats, a wide array of birds, and over 500 species of butterflies. Next, explore Cape Coast Castle, dating from 1683. 

On Day 14 visit the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum & Park and the National Museum, housing a fascinating collection of Ghana’s historical treasures. Then stop at the Arts Center to bargain for a varied collection of Ghanaian handcrafted items. This evening, enjoy dinner at a Ghanaian home. Meet and interact with the residents, while dining on local specialties and enjoying traditional entertainment.

Hotel Labadi Beach, Accra

DAY 15

The tiny country of Togo was first populated 600 years ago with the migration of the Ewe people from the kingdoms of the Niger Valley. After lunch at your hotel, explore Lomé, “the pearl of West Africa.” See the imposing government buildings with their unusual architecture, the National Museum, then the Grand Marche and Akodesewa Fetish Market where you can buy strange concoctions to ward off evil spirits in this mostly animist country.

Mercure Lomé Sarakawa, Lome

DAY 16

Travel via Ancho, former capital of Togo, to Hlande village, famous for its voodoo practices. Witness the amazing performance of the Zangbeto, traditional night guardians. Later, arrive at the ancient Portugese city of Ouidah, where the first contact between European and African cultures was established. Tour the Sao Joao Batista Museum of History, a former Portugese slave fort, and learn about the Slave Route and “The Door of No Return.”

Benin Marina Hotel, Cotonou

DAYS 17 – 19

Travel to Abomey, the capital city of the great Danhomey Kingdom. On arrival, visit the reigning king of Abomey, King Agoli Agbo. In his palace, witness the women warriors, “the Amazons,” perform a war dance in his presence. 

On Day 18 take a breathtaking excursion to Lake Nokoue and the fishing village of Ganvie. Visit the Maison de la Francophonie, Lovers’ Lane and the floating market. Day rooms at Benin Marina Hotel allow you to freshen up before your transfer to the Cotonou airport for your late evening flight home (arriving the following day) or on to your next destination.

Benin Marina Hotel, Cotonou

Package price is per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplement applies. Intra-tour air pricing is subject to change. International airfare is additional. Other restrictions may apply. Contact us for complete journey details.

Azalai Hotel Salam
Bamako, Mali

Located on the banks of the Niger, in front of the administrative city and the adjoining International Conference Center in Bamako, this prestigious hotel is one of the most beautiful in the sub-region by its authenticity and decor Sahel.

Hendrina Khan Hotel
Timbuktu, Mali

Hôtel Hendrina Khan is the best & newest hotel in Timbuktu. It has 33 double rooms including 02 presidential suite rooms with all possible comforts & services. We want to make your stay a home away from home and you will, therefore, find such extras as Wardrobe, Shower, Shampoo, Hair-dryer, and alarm clock in all the rooms. Reading materials such as Times/Newsweek will also be made available. All this at reasonable rates. Boat trip and Hippo sightseeing is arranged by Hotel Hendrina Khan.

Hotel Kanaga
Mopti, Mali

With another fine location on the banks of the River Niger, the Hotel Kanaga in Mopti is one of the best hotels in Mali. 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. The Kanaga hotel is ideal both for travelers seeking maximum comfort and for the organization of incentive trips, seminars and professional meetings.

Hotel Labadi Beach
Accra, Ghana

Situated in tropical gardens adjacent to Labadi Beach, this 4-star Ghana hotel is located about 7.3 km from Accra's city center. Both Kotoka International Airport and Ohene Djan Stadium are 6.5 km (4 mi) away. Labadi Beach Hotel features a private beach, as well as a terraced outdoor pool with poolside bar. Full English breakfast is complimentary each morning at The Akwaaba Restaurant, and Primavera Restaurant offers Italian fare. This 4-star Accra hotel includes a hair salon, sauna, and massage facilities. 2 tennis courts, a volleyball court, and a gymnasium are on site. For business and social events, the property includes 3 meeting rooms with air conditioning and audiovisual equipment. The business center offers fax and Internet services, and complimentary wireless Internet access is also available in public areas. The hotel includes concierge, travel, and car rental desks, as well as an onsite nurse. Laundry service, luggage hold, and airport shuttle service (surcharge) are available.

Golden Tulip Kumasi City
Kumasi, Ghana

This remarkable hotel, the Golden Tulip Kumasi City is a first class African style business hotel set in extensive tropical gardens in the central business district of the Ashanti regional capital in Kumasi. Kumasi is the capital city of the Ashanti Region, a very important and historical centre. This elegant hotel has 160 luxuriously furnished air-conditioned rooms with a variety of lodging accommodation like apartments, suites, executive, deluxe, superior and standard rooms. Our restaurant also offers a la carte style menu and buffets with international standards and local flavor.

Elmina Beach Resort
Cape Coast

Located in the heart of the historic Central Region; an hour and a half drive from Accra the capital of Ghana, Elmina Beach Resort is just a few kilometers from famous World Heritage sites such as Elmina Castle, Cape Coast Castle, and Fort St. Jago. A 30-minute drive rewards you with the unique Kakum National Park featuring the famous Canopy Walkway. Elmina boasts of 100 rooms and suites, 5 ultra modern conference and banqueting rooms, restaurants and a cocktail lounge. Enjoy a variety of leisure activities such as volleyball, basketball, tennis and squash. For fitness buffs there is a jogging track and gym. For golfers, there is a nine-hole course 10 minutes drive away. The Kakum National Park offers also many trails for hiking and after a long day of touring, the plush Ngwa nightclub is the place to be. This is an ideal locale for businessmen, tourists and eco- adventurers alike. Elmina Beach Resort combines rich Ghanaian culture with international class making it the ideal destination for business and pleasure.

Mercure Lome Sarakawa
Lome, Togo

The 3-star Mercure Sarakawa hotel sits at the heart of a 62 acre (25 ha) coconut grove on Lomé Beach, close to the center of Lomé. The hotel has 211 rooms, including 82 with a sea view, and offers two restaurants (including the gourmet "Le Mercure" restaurant), two bars, an Olympic-size pool, two tennis courts, a golf course and a riding center. There are also eight function rooms that can accommodate between 20 and 300 people. The hotel is ideal for both business trips and vacations.

Benin Marina Hotel
Cotonou, Benin

When it comes to business as well as pleasure the Benin Marina Hotel (formerly Sheraton) offers you all that's best in Africa. As a business traveler, you will be presented with superb surroundings providing conference facilities and versatile meeting rooms, all designed to make a comfortable and efficient environment, and adaptable enough to suit individual needs. Then, when work is done for the day, the recreation begins. The Benin Marina Hotel is situated right at the beach and is an idyllic spot for you to unwind. Enjoy a game of tennis, relax by the pool or have a drink at the bar. In addition, the hotel prides itself on its superb cuisine, attentive staff and luxurious accommodation. Staying at the Benin Marina Hotel you will find you're enjoying best of all worlds.

Yvonne Buheiry

The Baroness Yvonne Buheiry Daller von Fleschenberg has been escorting travelers for over 20 years. She is conversant in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and some Arabic. Yvonne specializes in Western and Mediterranean Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Travel Dates: October 31, 2012