BP :
265 LOME – TOGO Tél : +228 2221 68
23 Fax : +228 2221 88 52
e-mail
: transafrica@transafrica.biz
- www.transafrica.biz
Starting and ending point of the excursions will be the
gate of the harbor. This will make things easier and avoid some extra costs
(fees for cars to get inside)
LOME &
VOODOO
18 of
November 2015 (meeting at main entrance of harbor)
Voodoo origins
from the south of Togo and Benin. This religion
is still a strong part of the local culture.
First, visit to the fetish market of Lome, where one can find an eclectic assortment of
all the necessary ingredients for love potions and magical concoctions.
Then we move towards Aneho
region. Historically Aneho was known under the name Little
Popo and it had a Portuguese slave market. It later became the first German
capital of Togo in the 1880s. It gradually declined in importance after the
capital was transferred to Lome in 1897. We can still
admire some colonial building and the spectacular view over the ocean.
We cross by foot the Benin border for a quick stop
across the gate. A Benin Visa is required prior to travel and for Americans the
cost is $140.
If the group decides not to go to Benin then we will meet with a traditional healer who treats
his patients with voodoo rites and herbs. The treatments are effective for
almost all diseases, especially for insanity. His shrine is impressive. The endless
list of voodoos shows the endless powers concentrated in the site.
We discover a sacred village inhabited by the Guen. Three centuries ago the Guen
arrived from around the city of Accra and brought with them their fetishes.
These fetishes are still kept and worshipped in some temples. We will meet with
the religious authorities of the village.
Then in a village hidden in the high grasses of the
Savannah: at least three generations of adepts are having a Voodoo ceremony.
To the hypnotic rhythm of the drums and chants, certain dancers fall into a
deep trance: eyes rolling back, grimaces, and convulsions, impervious to fire
or pain. Sakpata, Heviesso,
Mami Water and other voodoos are showing their
presence and taking possession of their adepts. In this narrow village,
surrounded by the crazy ambiance of the voodoo celebration, finally we understand what
people say: “In your Churches you pray God; in our voodoo shrine we become
God!”.
PRICE
For a group of min.8 paying pax,
per person: 97 Euro (See Payment Terms below)
This includes:
Not included:
KAKUM FOREST
& ELMINA CASTLE
17 of
November 2015 (meeting at main entrance of harbor)
Along the coast of Ghana we have beautiful fishermen
villages, which are hosting important memorials of slaves’ trade, and extended
green tropical forest
First we visit Kakum National park.
A few kilometers north of the coast, in the middle of a rainforest, we
will discover the Kakum National Park. This park
gives you a great opportunity to observe the forest from above as Kakum has a canopy walk hung high up in the trees. The Kakum canopy walkway is the longest and highest rope bridge
in the world. Walking between 120 to 150 feet above the ground, you will enjoy
an incredible view of the rain forest. At this height, instead of revealing
their trunks, the trees offer a breathtaking view of
their canopies and look as if they were trying to touch the sun and sky above.
Then we move to Elmina.
Elmina Castle is the oldest European building in Africa, built by
the Portuguese in the 15th century. At different times the castle has been used
as a warehouse to trade gold, ivory, and eventually slaves.
Outside the castle is found a wonderful fishing
village and its harbor full of large colorful fishing canoes. Every day these canoes are guided
by skilled fishermen who face the strong ocean for a living.
The alleys in the old town have a lively atmosphere,
going back to a time when Elmina was a wild colonial town.
In the old town we will pay attention to the Posuban. The Posuban are the
shrines of the old “Asafo companies” made of warriors
who used to place their offerings on the large colorful
statues.
PRICE
For a group of min.8 paying pax,
per person: 180 Euro (Higher between Takoradi
and Lome excursions is the transportation: Takoradi is implying two days of rent because vehicles are
settled in Accra)
This includes:
Not included:
Payment:
Option 1: 100% within 60 days, via payment to Norman
Dailey via check or PayPal. Cancellation per below.
This option will avoid wire fees.
Wire fees to be funded by Norm, in exchange for a drink on board.
Option 2: 100% within 60 days payment at Tour
operator’s account in Switzerland.
Bank: BSI
Address: Lugano - Switzerland
On the
account of: TransAfrica SRL
Swift:
BSILCH22
IBAN
: CH66 0846 5000 G516 308AB
Cancellation fees:
1. 90 – 61 days prior to departure - 0
2. 60 – 30
days prior to departure - 25 %
3. 29 – 10
days prior to departure - 50 %
4. 9 - 4 days
prior to departure - 75 %
5. 3 – 0 days
prior to departure - 100 %