For detailed departures, itineraries and prices please visit our website68BENIN / TOGO / GHANAItineraryGold Coaster 10 daysVoodoo rituals and distinct local cultures on this remote adventure.From a golden stretch of Ghana coast, travel by magnificent villages, mountains views, butterfly-strewn forest and waterfalls, and on to the seat of ancient kingdoms, the birth place of voodoo and the fetish markets of Togo. It's hot work on the trail, so a dip at the beautiful Kpime Falls is well-earned luxury. Afterwards, we keep well off-the-beaten-track by staying at a remote mountain abbey. Trip InfoDeparture DatesDay 1 / Kokrobite Beach Arrive in Accra anytime and head to Kokrobite Beach: swim, surf, wander and kick back with happy, easy going locals. Big Milly's, our beach camp, is local legend and a great first port of call in West Africa.Day 2-3 / Acra - Kpalime - Mt Agou Cross the border into Togo and head into the steamy green forest and orange dirt roads of Kpalime. In the morning, trek through local villages with magnificent views to the summit of Mt Agou. On return, we stop at the beautiful Kpime Falls for a refreshing swim. Keep an eye out for chameleons and butterflies on this fascinating 4 hr walk. We stay two nights in a remote mountain abbey.Day 4 / Klouto - Abomey Get up early - morning is the best time of day to see the butterflies and beautiful views at Klouto. After leaving the cool mountains we cross the border into Benin and continue to Abomey.Day 5-6 / Abomey - Ganvie Stilt Vilage Visit the Palace of Abomey, the former royal seat of the Dahomey kingdom. Take a boat out to Ganvie stilt village, set on a huge lake on the border with Nigeria. Watch life unfold by the tranquil waters and stay overnight in a thatched home on stilts.Day 7 / Ouidah Experience the shuffling, writhing, drumming and music of Voodoo while watching a ceremony in its birthplace. See the temple of pythons where snakes are revered and learn about the mystical and largely misunderstood practices of Voodoo. Walk the 'Avenue of Slaves' and see the 'Door of No Return' at the beachfront.Day 8 / Togovile - Lome Cross back into Togo and visit the cathedral and voodoo shrines of Togoville. Continue to the capital, Lome, where we visit the local fetish market - filled with the bizarre and often gruesome ingredients used by voodoo practitioners.Day 9-10 / Kokrobite Beach (Acra) We cross back into Ghana and spend our final days relaxing at Kokrobite beach. Please book additional accommodation or a departure transfer if you'd like, at the time of booking.Group size: Maximum 24.Grade: Culture Remote / Trekking Moderate.Transport: Custom-built safari vehicle, Riverboat.Accommodation: 7 nights camping, 1 night hotel, 1 night stilt village.Meals: 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 6 dinners.Start Day: Wednesday End Day: FridayTour code: GAGCNEWStart FinishStart Finish201105-Oct 14-Oct30-Nov 09-Dec201225-Jan 03-Feb21-Mar 30-Mar11-Apr 20-Apr

BOOK NOW at www.imaginative-traveller.com or CALL 0845 287 0769BURKINA FASO / GHANA / MALI69ItineraryDay 1-2 / Bamako - Kalabankoro Arrive anytime in Mali's capital, Bamako. In the evening, we delve deeper into West African rhythms via a drumming session.Day 3-4 / Bamako - Mopti Drive to Mopti. The following day, explore Mopti, the 'Venice of Mali', including the grand mosque and bustling port replete with salt slabs arriving from Timbuktu.Day 5 / Niger River Take a classic journey by local 'pinasse' down West Africa's grandest river. Watch the sun set over tiny fishing villages and spend a night camping on the river's remote banks.Day 6-7 / Djenne Arrive in Djenne in the morning and visit the colourfully adorned Fulani at a nearby village in the afternoon. The following day, wander through Djenne's rich mix of tribes at the Monday market beneath the huge mud walls of the Grand Mosque. We camp on the rooftops in the heart of the old town.Day 8-9 / Dogon Country Trek down the escarpment into the Pays Dogon and walk through this wondrous region of the fascinating Dogon tribe. The mythology, architecture and culture of this area are truly astounding, and to learn about them in such remote, unusual climes is a rare and special experience. Trek over flat sandy terrain from four to six kilometres per day and spend nights sleeping beneath the stars on village rooftops.Day 10-11 / Ouahigouya -Ouagadougou We camp the night in Ouahigouya, former seat of the Yatenga kingdom. Drive to Ouaga, Burkina Faso's vibrant capital.Day 12-13 / Bobo-Dioulasso Bobo-Dioulasso is made for relaxed daytime wandering. At night, however, Bobo is a hotbed of live music and dance, no more so than on Saturday night. Day 14 / Banfora Take a walk through mango orchards for a refreshing swim at the beautiful Karfiguela waterfalls.Day 15-16 / Gaoua - Tiebele Visit the symbolic and intricately decorated village of Tiebele and spend another day in some of the least visited and most remote climes in the world.Day 17-18 / Bolgatenga - Mole National Park Over two days, we explore and camp in the park, going on safari in search of antelope, monkey, warthog, baboon and elephants. A highlight is an early morning guided walk.Day 19 / Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary Here monkeys are sacred and live in harmony with the villagers. Wander the sanctuary trails, look out for the shy colobus monkey and get up close to the inquisitive mona monkeys.Day 20-21 / Kumasi - Cape Coast - Kakum National Park Soak up the welcome sight of the Atlantic Ocean, before learning of the harrowing history at the Cape Coast slave castle. We camp at Kakum National Park.Day 22-24 / Kakum National Park - Kokrobite Beach Take a guided canopy walk amongst the tree-tops and learn about the flora before heading to the beach: swim, surf, wander and kick back with happy, easy going locals. Big Milly's, our beach camp, is a local legend - you're sure to relish your two final days here.Wild West Africa 24 daysGet off the beaten track and discover tiny villages and richly adorned people.Explore the fascinating lands, rivers and cultures of Africa's wild West. Discover lost civilizations, languid waterways, grand mosques and jaw-dropping fetish markets and voodoo ceremonies. Bobo's streets are alive with music - take a walk and seek out open-air bars where Burkina Faso's distinctive sounds roll out, grab a local mijo bar and enjoy.Trip InfoDeparture DatesGroup size: Maximum 24.Grade: Culture Remote / Trekking Moderate.Transport: Custom-built safari vehicle, Riverboat.Accommodation: 19 nights camping, 3 nights hotel, 1 night stilt village.Meals: 23 breakfasts, 21 lunches, 19 dinners.Start Day: Tuesday End Day: ThursdayTour code: GAWINEWStart FinishStart Finish201113-Sep 06-Oct08-Nov 01-Dec201203-Jan 26-Jan28-Feb 22-Mar20-Mar 12-Apr