IVORY COAST + GHANA + GUINEA + SIERRA LEONE + LIBERIA

Dates: January 7 — 20, 2025

Duration: 14 days / 13 nights

Number of participants: 9 — 12

Cost per person:
— 5 490 EUR subject to 12 participants, or
— 5 690 EUR subject to 10 — 11 participants, or
— 5 890 EUR subject to 9 participants.

10% early booking discount (in case you book before August 7, 2024)

Everything is included (also 2 domestic flights), except for:
— International flight to Conakry (Guinea) and back from Accra (Ghana),
— international flight from Abidjan (Ivory Coast) to Accra (Ghana),
— International medical insurance,
— Visa of Guinea (80 — 100 USD),
— Visa of Sierra Leone (100 USD),
— Visa of Liberia (150 EUR),
— Visa of Ivory Coast (200 EUR),
— Visa of Ghana (150 USD),
— dinners.

Estimated cost of the international flight Moscow – Conakry (Guinea) and Accra (Ghana) – Moscow: 1300 — 1600 EUR.

Estimated cost of the flight from Abidjan (Ivory Coast) to Accra (Ghana): 250 — 300 EUR.

Single supplement: 1 370 EUR




TRAVEL PROGRAM: tour to West Africa: Guinea Conakry, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana
DAY 1. January 7, 2025 (Tuesday). CONAKRY (GUINEA)

Any time arrival in Conakry by international flight. Meeting the guide, transfer and accommodation at the Noom hotel 5* or similar.
Meet the guide and discuss about the trip and short briefing.

Accommodation included: Noom Hotel 5*
Meals included: no

Recommended flight:
— any flight arriving in Conakry (Guinea) from any city any time on January 7 or in the night from January 7 to 8.


DAY 2. January 8, 2025 (Wednesday). CONAKRY — KILISSI WATERFALLS — KINDIA (150 km, 4–5 hours drive)

In the morning we will have a city tour in Conakry. We will first visit the Faisal Mosque that is the biggest and central mosque of Guinea, we will pass through the Guinea’s biggest market of Madina to visit the Monument Liberty, Palace of People.
After the city tour, we will head towards Kindia to visit Kilissi waterfalls and see traditional Kilissi dwellings. On the way also visit Fulani ethnic group.
Upon arrival in Kindia, we attend Baga tribe’s performance, mask dance called Nimba. Baga mask dance is an iconic dance of Guinea.
Overnight in Kindia in Grand Syli Hotel Kindia.

Accommodation included: Grand Syli Hotel Kindia
Meals included: breakfast


DAY 3. January 9, 2025 (Thursday). KINDIA — DUNDUNBA DANCE — KAMBIA (SIERRA LEONE) — FREETOWN (370 km, 6–7 hours drive)

Early in the morning we will head to the border with Sierra Leone. On the way we will witness the dance of Dundunba in Guinea, before crossing the border.
Dundunba dance is traditionally performed by Malinke people, those who founded the Great Mali Empire. It is also called the dance of strong men, and we will try to figure out why.
After crossing the border and go into Kambia town, we will meet and get welcomed by a powerful cultural performance called Jollay (dance of initiation). It is a group of youth who believe to belong to the Ojeh secret society. It origins from Limbaand Susu tribe of Sierra Leone. Ojeh is a male secret society that always do in the findings in the community for witchcraft or loose items.
After that, we will drive off straight to Freetown and check-in at the hotel at the tiny stripe of Lumley beach.

Accommodation included: Atlantic Lumley Hotel
Meals included: breakfast


DAY 4. January 10, 2025 (Friday). FREETOWN — SOKO BANA PORO SECRET COMMUNITY IN WATERLOO — BONDO SECRET SOCIETY — BO (250 km, some 4 hours drive)

After breakfast, head for short city tour in Freetown to visit the national museum and time permitting, also Cultural museum.
Drive to Waterloo area to meet Soko Bana Poro tribe, who is famous for their secret community in Songo village.
We will attend the black devil ritual.
Another shoking ceremony is slicing the mouth with a sharp knife.
Drive to Bo for the Bondo secret society dance. This secret community is an early cultural female school that teaches moral behaviours, dancing, singing and all women initiations process. This ceremony is a kind of rite of passage, which symbolises the passage of girls to the adulthood (becoming women and making them able to attract men).
Accommodation in Bo Dohas Hotel.

Accommodation included: Bo Dohas Hotel 3,5*
Meals included: breakfast


DAY 5. January 11, 2025 (Saturday). BO — BOMI COUNTY (LIBERIA) — MONROVIA (280 km, some 5 hours drive)

Drive to the border with Liberia. Upon crossing and entering in Liberia, we will first visit Bomi County for traditional cultural and mask performance in Deman — highly traditional town. The different dances represent the spirit of the traditional deities worship in the community from the ancestors. The first performance is the Zogbe which represents the priority of the women. In this community women are very important. The next mask dance is the Korkpoh, that is to welcome the guests. After the Korkpoh, we proceed with the Naffa which welcome the traditional masks on stage for performance followed by the youth who represent their ancestors. The last is the Gbaytu dance which is the entertaining mask.
Transfer to Monrovia, capital of Liberia.
Accommodation in Boulevard Palace hotel in Monrovia.

Accommodation included: Boulevard Palace Hotel 5*
Meals included: breakfast


DAY 6. January 12, 2025 (Sunday). MONROVIA — GANTA (260 km, some 5 hours drive)

In the morning we will have a city tour in Monrovia. We will visit National Museum of Liberia,
J J Robert Monument, the Providence Island and the Providence Baptist Church.
Also in the focus of our interest are the house of first Liberia President J J Robert and abandoned 5-star Ducor Palace hotel.
After the city tour, we will head to a village near Monrovia for another traditional dance. This dance is from a troop and they showcase different cultural dances of the country.
Late in the afternoon we will drive towards the border with Ivory Coast, via Gbarnga to Ganta city.
We finish in Ganta city to spend the night in Alvino new hotel.

Accommodation included: Alvino hotel
Meals included: breakfast


DAY 7. January 13, 2025 (Monday). GANTA — KPANTIAPLAY — DANANE (IVORY COAST) — VATOUO — MAN (240 km, some 6 hours drive)

Early in the morning we will drive to Cote d’Ivoire border in order to cross it in Kpantiaplay/Custom.
After crossing the border, we will drive to Danane.
Here we drive 25 km southward to Vatouo to explore natural liana bridge over the Cavalli River. This bridge is fully intertwined from vines.
Transfer to the city of Man, where in the suburbans we visit the monkeys forest and the waterfall.
Overnight in Hotel Beau Sejour de Man.

Accommodation included: Hotel Beau Sejour de Man
Meals included: breakfast


DAY 8. January 14, 2025 (Tuesday). MAN AREA (some 50 km, some 1-2 hours drive)

In the morning we will drive to a village near Man for the Juggler dance of snake girls of Yacouba tribe. Juggler dance aka Snake dance is one of the visit cards of the country: men lift the young Yacouba girls and throw them to the air, popping up the knifes under the girls while the latter landing. Very intriguing and sure the jugglers are skilful enough in order not to hurt the snake girls.
In the afternoon we attend the Wader dance performed on stilts. This mask dance is remarkable for the region of Touba in the extreme east of Ivory Coast.
The next dance we attend is the Gla mask of Guere tribe, performed with massive and elaborative Gla mask.
Back to the hotel for exchanging impressions and overnight.

Accommodation included: Hotel Beau Sejour de Man
Meals included: breakfast


DAY 9. January 15, 2025 (Wednesday). MAN — BOUAFLE — YAMOUSSOUKRO (330 km, some 5–6 hours drive)

In the morning we will drive to Bouafle for Zaouli dance. It is one of the best mask in Côte d’Ivoire and probably the most remarkable touristic picture of the country. We will be amazed with colours and speed with which the mask is moving during Zaouli dance.
From here we continue to Yamoussokro.
Check-in at the Hotel Les Parlementaires de Yamoussoukro

Accommodation included: Hotel Les Parlementaires de Yamoussoukro
Meals included: breakfast


DAY 10. January 16, 2025 (Thursday). YAMOUSSOUKRO — ABIDJAN (300 km, some 5 hours drive)

In the morning after breakfast, we will drive to the village near Yamoussoukro, where we have another famous dance of Boloye by Senoufo people. This acrobatic dance originates from the northern Ivory Coast.
After that we witness the dance of Goli mask of Baoule people. It is performed with 2 different straw masks, appearing in turn.
After the dances, we will visit the basilic Notre Dame, the biggest church in the world, the enlarged copy of St Peter’s cathedral in Vatican.
Heading to Abidjan and accommodation in Radisson Blue Hotel 5* in Abidjan.

Accommodation included: Radisson Blue Hotel 5*
Meals included: breakfast


DAY 11. January 17, 2025 (Friday). ABIDJAN — GRAND BASSAM — ABIDJAN — ACCRA (GHANA) (60 km, about 1 hour drive)

In the morning, before flying to Ghana, we drive to the city of Grand Bassam that was the first capital city of Cote d’Ivoire. Visit its colonial downtown, the museum of Grand Bassam, the artisanal market and fishermen village of Grand Bassam.
Early in the afternoon we drive back to the airport of Abidjan to take flight with Emirates. Direct flight to Accra departs at 15:30 and arrives in Accra, the capital of Ghana, at 16:35 (the flight schedule may change).
Upon arrival in Ghana, transfer and accommodation in La Palm Royal Beach Hotel located right on the beach of Atlantic Ocean.

Accommodation included: La Palm Royal Beach Hotel
Meals included: breakfast

Recommended flight:
— direct flight with Emirates, departing from Abidjan (Ivory coast) at 15:30, arriving in Accra (Ghana) at 16:35 on January 17.


DAY 12. January 18, 2025 (Saturday). ACCRA — KROBO — ACCRA (160 km, about 3 hour drive)

In the morning we will drive to Krobo for the Dipo ceremony. Dipo is initiation ceremony of Krobo tribe, in the course of which young girls pass to the adulthood.
This is done by a special ritual mother, the girls parade to the entire community as the initiates. After this they are given a ritual bath by the chief, who then also pours libation to ask for blessings for girls.
Later visit to the Cedi beads makers.
In the evening we will drive back to Accra.
Accommodation La Palm Royal Beach Hotel.

Accommodation included: La Palm Royal Beach Hotel
Meals included: breakfast


DAY 13. January 19, 2025 (Sunday). ACCRA — AKWASIDAE FESTIVAL IN KUMASI — ACCRA (1 hour flight roundtrip)

Early in the morning, at 8 am or so, we will fly to Kumasi in the central Ghana, the native region of Akan people.
Akan are famous for their king’s Ashanti honouring ceremony called Akwasidae. Akwasidae is a frequent calendar event (basically once in 6 weeks) for the Akans, honouring the ancestors and the deities of the Akan tradition, where one can see the king in full of gold attire.
And today is the day of Akwasidae! On this day, the Asantehene (King of Ashante) meets his subjects and subordinate chiefs in the courtyard of the Manhyia Palace. The Golden Stool (throne) is displayed at the palace grounds in the presence of the king, and people visit in large numbers, singing and dancing. The king holds his durbar on the occasion of the festival, and people have the liberty to shake hands with him. Before holding the durbar, the king goes in a procession in a palanquin decorated with gold jewelry. He also witnesses a colourful parade, from his palace grounds at Kumasi. Participants of the parade include drum beaters, folk dancers, horn-blowers and singers.
Time permitting we will also visit the arts center of Kumasi.
From 5 to 8 pm, we take return flight to Accra.
Transfer and accommodation in La Palm Royal Beach hotel in Accra.

Accommodation included: La Palm Royal Beach Hotel
Meals included: breakfast


DAY 14. January 20, 2025 (Monday). ACCRA — RETURN FLIGHT

In the morning we will have a city tour in the beautiful colonial city of Accra, former Jamestown. We visit the Black Star square, Kwame Mkrumah museum, Jamestown castle and strip along the streets.
In the evening, transfer to the airport of Accra for return international flight.

Accommodation included: no
Meals included: breakfast

Recommended flight:
— any flight departing from Accra (Ghana) to any city not earlier than 5 pm on January 20.

Cost includes:

• 2 domestic flights in Ghana (Accra — Kumasi — Accra),
• all transportation by AC equipped cars with experienced drivers: 4WD Land Cruiser cars (or similar) throughout the entire itinerary from Guinea until Yamoussoukro, and Toyota Hiace (or similar) minibus in Abidjan (Ivory Coast) and Ghana, with comfortable accommodation (including maximum 2 people on the back seat of Jeep car),
• accommodations in 5*, 4*, 3* hotels based on twins rooms and double rooms,
• breakfasts and lunches,
• bottled drinking water throughout the entire itinerary,
• all entrance fees and activities,
• all traditional dances, masks, rituals and folklore as per the program,
• all photography fees and support of local communities,
• experienced English speaking guide through all the entire itinerary,
• local guides
• — English and Russian speaking team leader MZUNGU throughout the entire itinerary.

Cost excludes (additionally paid):

• iternational flight to Conakry (Guinea) and back from Accra (Ghana),
• international flight from Abidjan (Ivory Coast) to Accra (Ghana),
• international medical insurance,
• visa of Guinea (80 — 100 USD),
• visa of Sierra Leone (100 USD),
• visa of Liberia (150 EUR),
• visa of Ivory Coast (200 EUR),
• visa of Ghana (150 USD),
• dinners,
• drinks and personal expenses,
• tips.

To take with:

• Clothes sets fitting weather conditions, set of clothes for hot weather and one warm set
• long sleeve wear set,
• repellents (is a must!),
• mosquito net for sleeping place (is a must!),
• comfortable closed shoes and open shoes,
• forehead torch,
• big backpack for luggage,
• small backpack for personal items and camera,
• sunblock set (cream, sunglasses, cap),
• personal hygiene items,
• personal medical kit (analgesics, sanitizers, antibiotics, your personal medicine),
• certificate on vaccination from yellow fever (mandatory),
• certificate on vaccination from meningitis and cholera (not mandatory, up to you to decide),
• anti-malaria prevention pills (up to you but recommended),
• all COVID-19 requirements lifted (the requirement may change),
• photo and video camera


VISAS:

GUINEA CONAKRY
You can get an electronic visa in advance for $ 80 at the link: https://www.paf.gov.gn/visa/
Alternatively, the guide can apply for a visa on arrival based on the documents provided. This service costs 100 $, and we will need the following documents: a copy of your passport, a certificate of vaccination against yellow fever, a passport-format photo and an air ticket.
(The yellow card must be provided upon entry along with the visa).

SIERRA LEONE
A local guide can apply for a visa using a copy of a passport for 100 $.
The registration period is 5 days. The visa will be sent to you by e-mail in PDF format.

LIBERIA
A local guide can apply for a visa for 150 € only upon arrival, and only when crossing the land border from Sierra Leone.
You will only need a passport for a visa.

IVORY COAST
The guide can get a visa for you remotely for 200 € with copies of foreign passports.
Electronic Visa is also available but is not recommended due to frequent refusals for Russian citizens.

GHANA
You can get a visa at the Embassy of Ghana in Moscow with an invitation issued by our partner from Ghana (copies of foreign passports will be required). The cost of a visa in Moscow: 150 $.