Escape at Lac Ahémé

8 Days / 7 Nights
Max People : 25
Jan 18’ - Dec 21'
Min Age : 12+
Pickup: Airport

Over the course of a week, you and a team of local people take part in the preservation of the environment and the development of local populations while taking an active part in their daily lives.

This program is not only a total immersion stay, but a participatory experience in the daily life of the inhabitants and in particular of Possotomé, a Beninese village known throughout the country for its spring water and its voodoo ceremonies. All the services in accommodation, catering, transport and activities are managed by the local population to allow a direct economic benefit for the village.

Departure & Return Location

International Airport “Cardinal Bernardin Gantin” (Google Map)

Departure Time

3 Hours Before Flight Time

Bedroom

Available

Bathroom

Available

Price Includes

Transport on the territory of Benin
The meals mentioned
Accommodation
The Carbon Action
Mineral water
The attendant

Price Excludes

The plane ticket
Personal expensesBeverages (excluding mineral water)
Any Private Expenses
Additional excursions and meals on the programme

What to Expect

The tour takes you to the heart of Benin’s nature, on the shores of Lake Ahémé, to discover the flora and fauna, but above all to share unforgettable moments of life with the inhabitants:

Sleep at home in the rural concession of Mister Tossa
Work in the fields and process food yourself
Fish with traditional techniques
Discover the culture and rituals of voodoo
Meet the children in their school
Stroll through the village to discover the local crafts
Relive the last moments of the slaves before their departure for the New World with a pilgrimage to Ouidah, cradle of the slave trade
Prepare a local dish the Dakouin which is the dish of the fisherman
Learn about herbal medicine
Relax on the beach under the coconut trees

Photos

Itinerary

Day 1ARRIVAL IN COTONOU

Reception at the airport in the evening and transfer to the hotel.

Overnight in a hotel.

Day 2COTONOU - POSSOTOMÉ / CULTURE VAUDOU (VODOUN)

Walk through the villages on the shores of Lake Ahémé.

Traditions and Beninese voodoo culture.

Overnight in a hotel.

Day 3POSSOTOMÉ/ BALLADE ON LAKE AHÉMÉ AND PHYTOTHERAPY

Boat on calm waters, swimming and experimentation with fishing techniques.

Discovery of the virtues and uses of medicinal plants.

Overnight in a hotel.

Day 4POSSOTOMÉ - CHEZ TOSSA / ARTISANS ROUTE AND HOMESTAY

Meeting with local artisans.

Walk in the hinterland to the family farm of the peasant Tossa Dossou.

Night at the inhabitant.

Day 5CHEZ TOSSA / MORNING AT HOME AND AFTERNOON AT BENIN

Morning at the heart of family life with work in the fields and transformation and preparation of traditional dishes.

Afternoon in the skin of a Beninese with dance lessons, shows and percussion.

Night at the inhabitant.

Day 6POSSOTOME - KPETOU / MONA MONKEYS, MAT WEAVING AND CARBON ACTION

Walk in the Mona Monkey Forest.

Carbon Action.

Picnic and nap under the coconut trees.

Weaving of a mat.

Night at the inhabitant.

Day 7POSSOTOMÉ - GRAND POPO / RELAXATION AND SWIMMING AT THE MONO RIVER DELTA

Departure for Grand-Popo to embark for the Bouche du Roy, the delta of the river Mono for a picnic on a quiet island and a moment of swimming.

Relaxation at the Awalé Hotel.

Night at the inhabitant.

Day 8GRAND POPO - OUIDAH - COTONOU - DEPARTURE

Departure for Ouidah for the visit of the former Portuguese fort.

Route from the Slave Route to the Non-Retours Gate.

Return to Cotonou for the visit of the Zinsou Foundation and the Centre for the Promotion of Handicrafts.

Transfer to the airport.

Map

FAQ

DEPOSIT & FINAL PAYMENT

Payment of the deposit and / or full payment certifies that you understand and accept all of the terms and conditions.

These conditions apply to independent visits. Group tours have separate deposit and cancellation policies, which are specific to the tour. All payments, deposit payments and cancellation amounts shown are per person. To confirm a reservation, the following deposit and final payment terms must be strictly observed and are required at the time of booking.

The deposit due per person is £ 365 or 25% of the cost of the tour, whichever is greater. We reserve the right to request additional deposits required by hotels and suppliers for peak periods such (but not limited to) Christmas, New Years, Easter and other holidays. Final payments are due 45 days prior to the start of the tour. For reservations received within 45 days of commencement of services, the full amount must be submitted at time of confirmation. Bookings received within 45 days of the start of the tour may be subject to a non-refundable Urgent Booking Fee of at least £ 95 per person to cover additional expenses incurred to expedite the booking.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS, PASSPORT, AND VISA REQUIREMENTS

Every traveller must be in possession of a current passport valid for at least six months after scheduled return date, round-trip airline ticket/continuation ticket, and adequate funds for the duration of the stay. Obtaining a passport is the responsibility of each traveller. All travellers must consult with the appropriate consulates to determine if any visas are needed. Securing needed visas is the responsibility of the traveller.

A pre-departure information packet containing helpful general information on the destination booked, visa application forms, details on our trip insurance plan, and the official tour registration form will be delivered to the booking agent or traveler upon receipt of the required tour deposit and confirmation of the tour. Final documents including trip itinerary, emergency contact information, any airline tickets, luggage tags, travel documents any necessary vouchers will be delivered no later than 30 days prior to start of the service, provided full payment has been received by NewAge Travel.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

Persons who are not fit to travel long because of health restrictions, such as chronic illness, physical disability, advanced pregnancy or mental illness, should not participate in rigorous travel programs. Passengers who fail to inform NewAge Travel of such a condition(s) will be subject to the cancellation penalties described above and will assume the full risk of travelling in this state. NewAge Travel is not responsible for providing medical care or special accommodation.

NewAge Travel and associated companies reserve the right to disqualify a tour participant at any time if, in their sole judgment, a tour participant is not deemed medically fit to travel. NewAge Travel and associated companies assume no responsibility for the provision of medical needs, updates and/or medical accommodation. Our pre-departure information will provide general recommendations for all vaccinations or precautions necessary for the destination(s) booked, however, it is the responsibility of the passengers to check with their healthcare professional, for specific requirements. Malaria is endemic in African regions and precautions must be taken. Consult your doctor for advice. Prior to travel, the required vaccines, if any, must be documented by each passenger’s health practitioner on a valid vaccination certificate, which the traveller must carry to prove inoculation, if necessary. If a traveller is concerned about taking medications or receiving certain vaccines, consult your healthcare provider BEFORE booking.

LUGGAGE

On tour, please note that scheduled internal flights have a baggage restriction of 33 lbs per person. We recommend soft carrying baggage. Baggage and personal effects remain at the owner’s risk throughout the tour. NewAge Travel and associated companies shall not be liable for any losses or damage to baggage and personal effects as a result of negligence by airport baggage agents, hotel staff or other personnel not employed by NewAge Travel and associated companies, including but not limited to airlines, courier services, cargo staff, and the like. One average sized suitcase will be carried on safari, however, passengers, who will be travelling by light aircraft on safari must carry medium sized soft luggage or duffel bags when flying sectors in small light aircraft which have limited space for baggage and a weight restriction to be advised. City hotels do store luggage for guests while they are out on tour/safari.

Why Book With Us?

Get a Question?