Vodun Days
Three days of ceremony in Ouidah with the people it belongs to, then the coast to recover.
[ 6°22′ N, 2°05′ E ]Every January, Ouidah becomes the centre of the Vodun world for three days around the 10 January public holiday. We attend as guests of a temple, whose elders explain what you are seeing and what you should not photograph. Then two days on the coast to let it settle.
- Duration
- 6 days
- Group
- Up to 8
- Season
- January
- Experience
- Festivals
- Three days of Vodun Days as guests of an Ouidah temple
- The great ceremony on the beach and the processions of the 10th
- Egungun and Zangbeto masquerades explained, not consumed
- The Route des Esclaves walked on a quiet morning
- Two days in Grand-Popo to come down
The journey
- Day 1Night in Ouidah
Arrive in Ouidah
Airport meeting and the road to Ouidah. Evening briefing on protocol: dress, photography, offerings.
- Day 2Night in Ouidah
Opening
The Route des Esclaves in the morning. The opening evening on the beach.
- Day 3Night in Ouidah
The great ceremony
A full day with our host temple, then the great ceremony at the Door of No Return.
- Day 4Night in Grand-Popo
10 January
The processions and the masquerades. We leave when it is right to leave.
- Day 5Night in Grand-Popo
Grand-Popo
The beach, the Mono by boat, nothing scheduled.
- Day 6
Departure
Transfer to the airport.
Where you go
- 01Ouidah[ 6°22′ N, 2°05′ E ]
- 02Grand-Popo[ 6°17′ N, 1°49′ E ]
Nights along the way
Chosen for where they are and who runs them. Rooms are confirmed with your dates; we tell you the exact houses when you book.
OuidahA guesthouse with a courtyard
A quiet house a short walk from the Route des Esclaves, run by a family.
Red earth, a mango tree, a long table where dinner is cooked for the house. Rooms open onto the courtyard. This is where the Return journey sleeps, because the days are heavy and the evenings should not be.
CotonouA five-star hotel on the marina
The first and last night of most journeys, with the Atlantic on one side and the lagoon on the other.
Terraced stone balconies over a long pool, a lobby hung with Beninese painting and sculpture, a bar under a glass chandelier, a spa and tennis courts. Close enough to the airport to arrive late and leave early without losing the day.
- Private driver throughout, English and French speaking
- All road transport in an air-conditioned 4×4 with driver
- Accommodation as described, breakfast included
- All entry fees, permits and ceremony contributions
- Airport meeting and transfers in Cotonou
- Round-the-clock support from our Cotonou office
- International flights
- E-visa fees
- Travel insurance, which we require
- Lunches and dinners unless stated
- Tips and personal purchases
Departures
Scheduled small-group departures. Private departures run on any date from two travellers.
| Dates | Duration | Per person | Availability | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 7 – 12, 2027 | 6 days | From 1 250 000 F≈ €1,905 | 8 places left | Book |
Good to know
Are the 2027 dates confirmed?
The festival is set by the government around the 10 January holiday; the 2026 edition ran 8 to 10 January. We hold the dates above and adjust by a day or two once the programme is published.
How do I pay?
A 30% deposit confirms your dates. Pay in FCFA by MTN or Moov mobile money, or in euros by card. The balance is due 45 days before departure.
Can I travel on other dates?
Yes. Every journey runs privately on request, from two travellers. Private departures carry a small supplement outside the dry season.
Is Benin safe?
The south and centre are calm and welcoming. For the far north we follow the latest government advice and adapt routes with our local partners; we will tell you plainly if a leg has to change.
1 250 000 F
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