Ouidah to Abomey. We make our way to Cotonou which is a bustling city, and take some time to check out the fetish markets to give us a further look into the world of Voodoo. Then we will head north to the former capital of the Dan-Homey empire, Abomey. The Dan-Homey empire was at a time one of the strongest empires in West Africa's history and although it never occupied as much territory as some of the more famous kingdoms, it easily matched and quite often surpassed all others in terms of violence. One of the remaining palaces that now houses an excellent museum displays a throne used by King Ghezo who ruled from 1818 to 1858. The four legs rest on 4 human skulls symbolizing his domination of weaker peoples. Ghezo was also responsible for developing a 6000 strong regiment of 'Amazon' female warriors. They were an extremely well trained group of soldiers and legend has it that the women would cut off a breast if it got in the way whilst drawing their bows. Luckily the town we see today has chilled since these wild times, however, the stories of this period are truly fascinating.

Ganvie to Grand Popo. After taking breakfast in the hotel, we board our boat ready for the trip back to the safari vehicle. It is a short drive back into Cotonou and from there we will head west towards the beach resort at Grand Popo beach. We will be staying here for two nights. There is an opportunity to do a boat trip on the inland waterways and visit isolated villages where voodoo is an important part of their life and also witness the villagers produce salt in the same way they have done for centuries. We camp next to a protected area and this is where we can take some time out to volunteer at a sea turtle conservation program.

Lomé to Kokrobite (Ghana).  From Lomé, we leave the Francophone countries behind for the time being, and enter the former British Colony and English speaking Ghana. Prior to independence, the Gold Coast was a hub of trade and wealth and was aptly named due to its astounding gold deposits. Ghana's resources meant an increase in trade networks and consequently a platform for the Akan kingdoms to flourish. Foremost of those was the Ashanti. Through the 18th Century, the Ashanti controlled the trade routes between the north and the coast, including that of ivory and slaves.

We head for the capital, Accra, where we drop of those passengers finishing in Accra. We then continue on 30km west of Accra to Kokrobite, a fishing community that is quickly becoming one of the most visited destinations in the region. We spend two nights at legendary Big Milly's Backyard which will serve as our base for the next few days activities, as well as a place to relax on the beach and experience the rhythms and beats of Ghana to the full.

Arriving in the late afternoon, we have the remainder of the day to settle in, relax and perhaps sip on a cocktail while watching the fisherman mend their nets on the beach in front or catch up on some journal time while you soak up some sun.

The next day we will be getting involved in a few of the local community projects and learning some new skills. Based in Kokrobite, BOKTAL is a community initiative aimed at building a safer, cleaner community, counting the building and facilitation of Kokrobite's first police station amongst its early achievements. We will spend a day lending a hand to one of the projects run by BOKTAL with a break at lunch to enjoy some local food, a cool drink and a chat with the community volunteers.

Another option whilst you are in Kokrobite, is a visit to the Solo Forest Monkey Sanctuary. It is a sacred forest with lesser-spot nosed monkeys, palm vultures, parrots and a sacred spring. It is the largest patch of original forest in Greater Accra.

Music plays a very important role in West African societies and drums play one of the most important as they portray the words to the story. The drummers can manipulate the sound of the 'talking drum' to mimic the human voice, forming words and sentences though sound. Of course, if you speak Ga you will understand, for the rest of us it forms an intricate melody to an amazing musical composition. On Friday night a drumming team visit Big Milly's, complete with traditional dancers it is an awe inspiring event. You may even like to enrol in drumming classes.

There is always something to happening in Kokrobite so your biggest problem is deciding what to do!

Please note that you may be joined by new passengers in Krokobite, who are either just doing the rest of Ghana with us, or maybe continuing through to Bamako.

Kumasi to Accra. We arrive back in Accra in the afternoon at our destination, normally arriving at approximately 18.30pm.

Please do not book flights for that evening, should there be an unforeseen delay you may miss the flight.

Accommodation is NOT included on Day 14. Post tour accommodation can be arranged by Kumuka.

Please be aware that arrival times and the itinerary may change due to unforeseen delays or events such as festivals and public holidays. However, we shall endeavour to ensure all sites are visited and that your tour runs as smoothly as possible but please note that Africa does not run like clockwork, therefore do not expect the streamlined travel arrangements associated with some other continents. Things do not always go to plan; there will be times when you will need to be patient and philosophical about your travels. Conditions in Africa can vary dramatically; but we always try to use the best campsites available. 

Be flexible, you will enjoy your tour much more. Kumuka makes a point of visiting the indigenous populations of each country you visit, in order to give a true reflection of the country; please treat the local people and their customs with respect.

Lastly, your tour leader is always conscious of everybody's views, but sometimes he/she will have to make an unpopular decision and your understanding will be appreciated in these circumstances.

Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours. All clients MUST be insured to cover personal accident, medical expenses, cancellation, curtailment, repatriation, etc. Also, be aware that many activities such as trekking, bungy jumping or white water rafting may not be covered on your insurance policy. If you plan on doing any of these activities please purchase additional insurance. We recommend that you have a photocopy of this document, which you keep separate from the original. If you have not already arranged your own travel insurance then Kumuka can do this for you. Please visit http://www.kumuka.com/Travel-Insurance.aspx for more details or contact your nearest Kumuka office.

Please Note: You will not be permitted to join a Kumuka Tour without travel insurance.

It is important that you obtain the appropriate visas before you embark on your Africa trip. Country entry regulations change daily, www.kumuka.com provides up-to-date visa information. Please consult your Travel Agent or relevant embassy for all details such as opening hours or costs.

EACH CLIENT IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING ALL NECESSARY VISAS BEFORE JOINING A TOUR.

Kumuka does not accept responsibility for changes in regulations or requirements for visas. The information provided is given in good faith.

For tours that return to a country, a multiple entry visa should be obtained.

Ghana - A visa must be obtained in advance. A multiple entry visa is required for those clients doing the AFWA1, AFWA3, AFWA3R, AFWA6, & AFWA6R Tours. Please note that as visas for foreign nationals are no longer available on arrival into Ghana, these visas must be obtained in advance prior to travel.

Togo - Visas are generally available on arrival at the Togolese Border. A double entry visa is preferred.

Benin - Visas must be obtained in advance.

Please also consult your local embassies for detailed information. For any visas obtained from embassies, be sure to carry any relevant receipts with your passport and check the information on the visas such as validity dates, and ensure spellings are correct.

Anti-malaria tablets are essential. Get professional advice from your GP or Travel Clinic about types of tablets, as resistant strains exist. These tablets may need to be taken at least 1 week before travelling to Africa, during your travels and sometimes for 4 weeks after leaving a malaria area. DO NOT forget to follow your prescribed routine. DO NOT CHANGE THE ROUTINE, once prescribed by your Doctor. As there is considerable resistance in parts of Africa, the only effective prevention is to NOT get bitten. Dusk till dawn is the time when mosquito's bite therefore, always protect your self with repellents and long clothing during this time. Malaria is the most common serious ailment that affects our clients; do not expose yourself to unnecessary risk.

Whilst all Kumuka Worldwide vehicles have secure doors and are fully lockable, it always pays to be cautious.

Do not bring any unnecessary valuables such as jewellery or electronic equipment with you.   Be aware of your surroundings and keep your personal belongings close to you at all times as pickpockets operate everywhere, particularly in built-up tourist areas.

A money belt or something similar worn close to your body is the best way to carry passports and other important documents.    DO NOT be overt about how much money you are carrying or walk around with your camera dangling around your neck, no matter where you are travelling on the globe, you will be a walking target for opportunistic thieves.

If staying in hotels, do not leave your valuables in the room, make use of the safety deposit boxes available.  Likewise, do not leave ANYTHING of value in your tent unattended, leave these onboard the truck in the safe.

We suggest passengers budget for between 50 Euro and 100 Euro per week for personal expenses, souvenirs, evenings out, alcoholic drinks etc.

Visa credit/debit cards are widely accepted in ATM’s. MasterCard service however is not as developed so we suggest not travelling with one. As always, traveller’s cheques are the safest way to carry money but at times it can be a painful process to change them. Receipt of purchase is necessary when trying to exchange them.

Your money should be taken in a combination of Cash and Travellers Cheques (we suggest 1/4 Travellers Cheques and 3/4 Cash in Euro). These should be carried in a mixture of denominations. In some cases your crew will recommend you only change a small amount of money, however banks, forex bureaus and money changers will not have change for breaking a larger note.

Mali, Burkina Faso, Togo and Benin all share a common currency, the West African CFA. It is pegged against the Euro and will always have a value of 655 CFA to the Euro. You can exchange $US and GBP in the banks and bureaus but far and away the most accepted and transparent exchange is with the Euro. At times, the rates offered for the other currencies are not nearly as good as what you would get in Europe.

In Ghana, the currency is the Ghana Cedi. It was revalued in June 2007 and is currently trading at 0.974 Ghana Cedi’s to the US Dollar. The banks use the international rates of the day so Dollars, Pounds and Euro’s are all good for exchange.

In the Francophone countries, the CFA is locked to the Euro so it is advisable to carry your spending money in the Euro currency.

How much should I take?

• The best rule for packing is to limit yourself to a weight limit of 15 KGs. It will inconvenience you and your fellow passengers if you bring more. If your luggage does not arrive at the airport, please inform your crew at the Pre Departure Meeting.
• A frameless or internally framed backpack is the best way to carry your belongings since it is easy to lift on and off vehicles. Please note that we do not recommend that passengers bring suitcases.
• A small daypack is practical for keeping general items (e.g. camera, books, wallets etc.) at hand when your main pack is out of reach. It is also handy for day trips and excursions. This can also be used for carrying 2 days of clothing so it is not always necessary to unload the large backpacks every night.
• Sleeping Bag 
• Inner Sheet - for your sleeping bag. Can also be used as a sleeping bag when it's hot.
• Sleeping Mat - A self-inflating mat eg "Thermarest" is best, although a compressed foam mat is adequate.
• Mosquito Net - if you wish to sleep outdoors. All tents have built in mosquito nets. Nets can be obtained cheaply in some parts of Africa.
• We also recommend that you keep your passport, credit cards travellers cheques etc. on you at all times, preferably in a money belt worn under your clothes.

You might be tempted to buy a few souvenirs here and there, so leave a little room for those extra purchases!!

Africa has some of the most spectacular photographic opportunities in the world. To capture these scenes you will need to bring a camera with a good zoom lens. For game photography, a 200mm lens or higher is recommended. Tripods tend to be bulky and cumbersome and a versatile beanbag is a good substitute.

If you are using print film, all supplies plus any filters and other accessories should be obtained prior to departure. We do not recommend that you develop your film whilst in East Africa, as the standards vary considerably and are often unreliable.

NOTE:- Protect your camera from the elements, particularly dust, as getting your camera repaired will be impossible in most places.  A good idea is to use an old tea towel or t-shirt to wrap your camera up inside it’s dustproof camera bag when not in use.

Please remember, we are guests in the countries through which we travel and we may sometimes inadvertently cause offence by taking photographs without first asking permission. It is absolutely forbidden by law to take photos at any borders, as they are all active military installations

The more you put into your tour the greater the experience you will get from your trip. It is all about participation and mucking in with your fellow passengers!

Participation is a key factor on a tour of this nature and everyone is expected to pull their weight and get involved with the daily duties (e.g. cooking, cleaning and food shopping)

The most successful trips are those where people become involved. This is not only the best way to get to know your fellow passengers, while cooking dinner or flapping the dishes dry, but also the local people while you are putting your bartering skills to the test at the local markets!

Please note: The longer Kumuka journeys are combinations of shorter tours. Kumasi and Accra are pickup and drop off points for passengers so new faces and personalities will join the tours.

All our tours begin with a pre-departure meeting when you meet your tour leader, driver and fellow travellers. If you wish to spend a few additional days in your start city before the departure of your tour, then we can arrange accommodation for you.

On the last day of the tour we usually arrive at our final destination in the late afternoon, when the tour ends. If you would like to book accommodation for that night or even stay additional nights, we will be more than happy to arrange this for you as well. All our accommodation is carefully chosen, conveniently located, clean and comfortable. (All rates per person per night and subject to availability).

Kumuka endeavors to advertise a compliment of optional activities available locally during tours with selected ground handlers to make your tour more enjoyable. These ground handlers and activity partners are selected for their standards in quality, professional ability and reputation. Whereas Kumuka has developed a travel insurance policy to cover all activities offered during your journey, Kumuka cannot be held responsible for injuries or claims arising from adventurous activities by third party.

Below is a list of optional excursions available at your expense on your African tour. Please note that these are intended as a guide only and prices and availability cannot be guaranteed. Your tour leader will be able to organise any optional excursions on your behalf. The list below is by no means comprehensive. There will be many other optional activities available. All activities are undertaken at passenger's own risk.

All costs are in Euro.

Ghana

Solo Forest Monkey Sanctuary - Euro 5

Kokrobite Drumming & Traditional Dance School - Euro 10 per/hour

KUMUKA WORLDWIDE

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www.kumuka.com

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