Small and spirited, this corner of West Africa is one of the most culturally rich places on earth. It\u2019s a region full of history and captivating natural beauty. From the ancient mud houses of Benin to the vast national parks of Ghana, there\u2019s so much to see and learn. You can hike through butterfly forests, safari in African plains, and paddle on palm-fringed lakes. Then discover ancient traditions, mingle in the markets, and immerse in spiritual ceremonies with local communities. It\u2019s a land of magic and mystery, primed for travellers who think they\u2019ve seen it all but are willing to go further. With that in mind, here\u2019s our rundown of the best places to visit in West Africa. <\/p>\n
Seek wildlife at Mole National Park<\/h2>\n
Unlike the tiny burrower, Mole National Park (pronounced \u2018Moh-lay\u2019) in Ghana is humongous. It\u2019s home to over ninety mammal species, including elephants, buffalo, leopards, lions and, yes, we checked \u2014 eleven species of mole. It also hosts hordes of pretty deer-like animals and you might see eagles, vultures, and hoopoes (not hippos!) in the trees. Plan accordingly as your best bet for spotting wildlife is early morning and late afternoon.<\/p>\n One of about forty \u2018slave castles\u2019 built by European traders in the mid-16th century, Cape Coast Castle tells the harrowing history of African slaves before they were shipped off and sold in the Americas. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can visit the dark and deathly underground dungeon where enslaved Africans were kept. In stark contrast, you can also tour the once-luxurious European living quarters on upper floors. Seen together, it\u2019s a chance to learn and reflect on a sobering moment in human history.<\/p>\n See it for yourself on: West African Adventure: Highlights of Ghana, Togo and Benin<\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n If you\u2019re sick of craning your neck to see birds and other tree-dwellers then Kakum National Park in Ghana has just the answer \u2014 a 30-metre-high (98.42 ft) canopy walkway. Stroll over the treetops looking down on the wildlife below. The park is home to 300 species of bird, endangered forest elephants, and branch-shaking colobus monkeys. There are also over 600 species of butterfly! The best time to explore the rainforest is at first light when the residents have that early morning energy.<\/p>\n See it for yourself on: Ghana: Beaches & Breathtaking Coastlines<\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n Home to the spirits of ancestors watching over the region\u2019s indigenous people, Mount Afadjato (aka Mount Afadja) is one of the highest points in Ghana. The climb to the top takes about 2.5 hours and you\u2019ll be rewarded with stunning valley views. For a shorter hike, try Tagbo Falls taking you through butterfly forests and coffee farms. When you reach the waterfall, strip off and dive in for a well-earned swim.<\/p>\n For the ultimate cultural adventure, we can take you from Accra through the Shai Hills Reserve to a small village where you\u2019ll learn about traditional Ghanaian bead jewellery. Then from Akosombo you can attempt the Afadjato hike. Along the way, our local guide helps you spot birds, butterflies, and fruit bats fluttering across the cliffs.<\/p>\n See it for yourself on: Complete Ghana: The Beauty of Travelling West Africa<\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n Only one hour from Ghana\u2019s capital, Kokrobite Beach is a world away from the chaos of the city. Locals and travellers share the golden sands, some opting to surf and swim, others happy to lounge under the swaying palms. The shore-side shacks sell cold drinks and fresh food, while local musicians happily serenade anyone who will listen. If you visit on a Friday or Saturday, bring your dancing shoes and head to Big Milly\u2019s for a Reggae and Highlife party to remember. This is by far the best beach close to Accra.<\/p>\n Kpalim\u00e9 is a playground for walkers and the jump off point for hikes to Mount Agou and Mount Kloto. It\u2019s a kingdom of coffee farms, butterflies, and numerous waterfalls. You can spend a few days surrounded by nature, recharge your batteries, and completely switch off. It also hosts a lively market bringing together handcrafted goods from the region, including batik fabrics dyed with pigments from local plants. The local people also love a singsong so be prepared!<\/p>\n To make the most of West Africa, you can travel along the Ghana coast, up into Togo, and back down through Benin. Enjoy staying the night in Kpalim\u00e9 after visiting Atitovou for a hands-on demo by its community of traditional Kente cloth weavers. In the afternoon, head out on a hike through clouds of butterflies to Mount Kloto.<\/p>\n See it for yourself on: Ghana, Togo, & Benin: Castles, Coastlines and Voodoo Discoveries<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The highest point in Togo is a moderate climb through forests and farms. Take the unpaved paths and you\u2019ll weave through banana plants, traditional villages, and working fields. Summit Mount Agou for a great view into neighbouring Ghana.<\/p>\n Checking out the local market is a must when visiting a new place. You\u2019re immediately thrown into a microcosm of the city, where people shop, eat, drink, barter, and earn their money. Grande March\u00e9 in Lom\u00e9, Togo is a colourful maze of cheap cosmetics, knock-off sportswear, fresh food, and locally crafted goods. Chat to the sellers, learn about their art, and be prepared to haggle!<\/p>\n See it for yourself on: West African Adventure: Highlights of Ghana, Togo and Benin<\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n Lake Togo is the country\u2019s largest lake, fringed by sacred forests and historic towns. There\u2019s Togoville, still watched over by a king and home to the country\u2019s most powerful high priestess. It\u2019s small, slow, and very spiritual. Then there\u2019s An\u00e9ho, widely regarded as the ancestral home of Vodun aka voodoo. And Glidji, known for Vodun temples and the Storming of the Sacred Stones festival. From shore to shore, there\u2019s plenty of culture to explore. And when you\u2019ve had your fill, paddle to Agbodrafo to unwind on the palm-lined beaches.<\/p>\n Transcending the border of Benin and Togo, Koutammakou is the home and birthplace of the Batammariba, which translates as \u2018those who shape the earth’. It\u2019s a seldom visited wonder known for its unique mud tower-houses, or sikien<\/em>, which have been an important cultural tradition for hundreds of years. The conical buildings are grouped in villages and include ceremonial sites, granaries, and sacred spaces. It\u2019s a truly unique living landscape where nature, society, and ritual are entwined. Now a UNESCO Heritage site, we could learn a lot from the Batammariba \u2014 caretakers of land, not the owners.<\/p>\n See it for yourself on: Togo and Benin: Local Markets, Koutammakou and Voodoo Traditions<\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n Ouidah in Benin is considered the spiritual capital of one of the world\u2019s most misunderstood religions \u2014 Vodun (often referred to as Voodoo in popular Western culture). Every January in Ouidah there\u2019s a celebration where people dress up, dance, feast, perform rituals and sacrifices in the name of Vodun. It draws fetish priests and fans from far and wide. Devotees dress up as gods emerging from the forest, scaring onlookers and tourists daring to get too close. It\u2019s fun, theatrical, and frankly unmissable if you\u2019re planning a trip to West Africa in January.<\/p>\n See it for yourself on: Ghana, Togo, & Benin: Castles, Coastlines and Voodoo Discoveries<\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n Like something from the final scene in an Indiana Jones<\/em> movie, the Ouidah Python Temple in Benin is full of (you guessed it) huge snakes. These resident pythons are sacred symbols, worshipped by followers of Vodun, a religion that inspired the practice of Voodoo and Vodou. The temple is home to some sixty snakes, all fairly sleepy and harmless, unless you\u2019re a local chicken or a mouse. Once a week the snakes get released to find food, like a slithery serpentine Hunger Games<\/em>. Many end up in homes where they are looked after and returned in time for their nap.<\/p>\n The Door of No Return in Ouidah is a bronze arch built on the beach to remember the one million enslaved Africans taken to be sold in the Americas. For many of them, the doors of slave castles or the beach at Ouidah was their last sight of Africa. This memorial is part of the Slave Route Project, which maps the journey many of these Africans took before being deported. On either side of the arch are murals of the men and women forced to leave their homeland. It\u2019s a sombre and important place, a must-visit.<\/p>\n See it for yourself on: West African Adventure: Highlights of Ghana, Togo and Benin<\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n Benin\u2019s Pendjari National Park has become the last refuge for the region\u2019s elephants and endangered West African lions. It\u2019s a long suffering region, battered by political instability, poor management, and dwindling resources. The wildlife and local communities have struggled but are now protected thanks to a new partnership recognizing the beauty and importance of these areas. It\u2019s now a haven for wildlife, employment, education, and, luckily for you, eco-tourism. Along with the African forest elephant, you might see hippos, buffalos, cheetahs, leopards, and plenty of antlered quadrupeds. <\/p>\n If you\u2019re in the market for fish, goats, or spell ingredients, then you\u2019ve come to the right place. Grand March\u00e9 de Dantokpa is big, buzzy, and bursting with goods you never knew you needed. You will get lost, but that\u2019s okay, there\u2019s plenty to see. Head to the fetish market at the northern end for everything Vodou. You\u2019ll find dried animal parts, live rats, and traditional medicines. The smells are quite overpowering so make sure you\u2019ve strengthened your stomach muscles before visiting.<\/p>\n See it for yourself on: Togo and Benin: Local Markets, Koutammakou and Voodoo Traditions<\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/media-gadventures.global.ssl.fastly.net\/media-server\/dynamic\/blogs\/posts\/G-Adventures\/2025\/03\/blog-west-africa-places-mole.webp\" "\\"Mole")
<\/figure>\nReflect at Cape Coast Castle<\/h2>\n
![\"Blue](\"https:\/\/media-gadventures.global.ssl.fastly.net\/media-server\/dynamic\/blogs\/posts\/G-Adventures\/2025\/03\/blog-west-africa-places-castle.webp\" "\\"Cape")
<\/figure>\nWander Kakum National Park canopies<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/media-gadventures.global.ssl.fastly.net\/media-server\/dynamic\/blogs\/posts\/G-Adventures\/2025\/03\/blog-west-africa-places-kakum.webp\" "\\"Kakum")
<\/figure>\nHike Mount Afadjato butterfly forests<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/media-gadventures.global.ssl.fastly.net\/media-server\/dynamic\/blogs\/posts\/G-Adventures\/2025\/03\/blog-west-africa-places-shai.webp\" "\\"Shai")
<\/figure>\nDance with locals at Kokrobite Beach<\/h2>\n
Go green in the hills of Kpalim\u00e9<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/media-gadventures.global.ssl.fastly.net\/media-server\/dynamic\/blogs\/posts\/G-Adventures\/2025\/03\/blog-west-africa-places-kpalime.webp\" "\\"Kpalim\u00e9")
<\/figure>\nSummit the great Mount Agou<\/h2>\n
Find handicrafts at Lom\u00e9 Grand Market<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/media-gadventures.global.ssl.fastly.net\/media-server\/dynamic\/blogs\/posts\/G-Adventures\/2025\/03\/blog-west-africa-places-textiles.webp\" "\\"Grand")
<\/figure>\nSail to Lake Togo’s sacred forests<\/h2>\n
Enter Koutammakou’s living landscape<\/h2>\n
![\"Conical](\"https:\/\/media-gadventures.global.ssl.fastly.net\/media-server\/dynamic\/blogs\/posts\/G-Adventures\/2025\/03\/blog-west-africa-places-koutammakou.webp\" "\\"Koutammakou")
<\/figure>\nImmerse in West African Voodoo in Ouidah<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/media-gadventures.global.ssl.fastly.net\/media-server\/dynamic\/blogs\/posts\/G-Adventures\/2025\/03\/blog-west-africa-places-festival.webp\" "\\"Voodoo")
<\/figure>\nSnake around Ouidah Python Temple<\/h2>\n
Stand before the Door of No Return<\/h2>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/media-gadventures.global.ssl.fastly.net\/media-server\/dynamic\/blogs\/posts\/G-Adventures\/2025\/03\/blog-west-africa-places-retour.webp\" "\\"Ouidah")
<\/figure>\nHelp protect Pendjari National Park<\/h2>\n
Ponder ingredients at Dantokpa Market<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/media-gadventures.global.ssl.fastly.net\/media-server\/dynamic\/blogs\/posts\/G-Adventures\/2025\/03\/blog-west-africa-places-market.webp\" "\\"Market")
<\/figure>\nLearn a new but ancient skill<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/media-gadventures.global.ssl.fastly.net\/media-server\/dynamic\/blogs\/posts\/G-Adventures\/2025\/03\/blog-west-africa-places-batik.webp\" "\\"Ghana")
<\/figure>\n