9-Day Nigeria, Benin, Togo & Ghana Itinerary: Route, Cost and Tips

The coast of the Gulf of Guinea links four very different countries within a few hundred kilometers of each other: English-speaking Nigeria and Ghana, and French-speaking Benin and Togo. Travelers who want to understand West Africa's history and culture often ask the same question: can you really see all four in a single trip? The answer is yes, and this guide walks through how a nine-day route works, what it costs and what to prepare.

Why link these four countries?

On a map the four countries form a continuous coastal strip. Historically, they are tied together even more closely. The stretch of coast between Lagos and Accra was one of the main departure points of the transatlantic slave trade, and the sites that remember that history are spread across all four countries: the Badagry slave route in Nigeria, the Route des Esclaves and Door of No Return in Ouidah, Benin, and the great castles of Cape Coast and Elmina in Ghana.

The route is also a way to experience four distinct cultures in short order. You move between Yoruba, Fon, Ewe and Akan communities, between English and French, and between very different cities: Lagos, Cotonou, Lomé and Accra. If you only have one or two weeks, there is no more efficient way to see so much of West Africa.

The 9-day route at a glance

The private nine-day tour from Confidence Aguiyi follows this route. It starts in Lagos and ends in Accra.

• Day 1, Lagos (Nigeria): arrival, hotel transfer and an evening orientation walk on Lagos Island.
• Day 2, Lagos and Badagry: the Badagry slave route and Point of No Return, then the Lekki Conservation Centre canopy walk.
• Day 3, Cotonou and Ouidah (Benin): the Nigeria–Benin border crossing, Dantokpa Market and the transfer to Ouidah.
• Day 4, Ouidah: the Route des Esclaves, the Door of No Return and the Python Temple.
• Day 5, Lomé (Togo): the Benin–Togo border crossing, the Akodessewa fetish market and Grand Marché.
• Day 6, Lomé and Accra: the Lomé beachfront, the Togo–Ghana border crossing and the transfer toward Accra.
• Day 7, Cape Coast (Ghana): a guided tour of Cape Coast Castle (UNESCO) and Cape Coast town.
• Day 8, Kakum and Accra: the Kakum National Park canopy walkway, then back to Accra.
• Day 9, Accra: Jamestown, Makola Market and the airport transfer.

Day by day

Days 1 and 2: Lagos and Badagry (Nigeria)

You arrive in Lagos, Nigeria's largest city, and settle into your hotel. An evening walk on Lagos Island is a gentle introduction to the city's energy without committing to a long day after a flight.

The next day goes west to Badagry, a coastal town with a rich and sobering history. The Point of No Return and slave relic sites there tell the story of the trade from the Nigerian side. Back in Lagos, the Lekki Conservation Centre offers a very different experience: a nature reserve with a canopy walkway above the trees.

Days 3 and 4: Cotonou and Ouidah (Benin)

On day three you cross the Nigeria–Benin border and head to Cotonou, where Dantokpa Market is one of the largest open-air markets in West Africa, a maze of stalls selling everything from textiles to spices. From there you continue to Ouidah.

Ouidah is the spiritual and historical heart of the Benin leg. The Route des Esclaves leads to the beach and the Door of No Return memorial, and the Python Temple introduces you to Vodun tradition. If your dates are flexible, consider timing the trip around Benin's National Voodoo Festival on January 10, which is covered in our guide to the Benin Voodoo Festival.

Days 5 and 6: Lomé (Togo) and the road to Ghana

Day five takes you across the Benin–Togo border to Lomé. The Akodessewa fetish market is one of the most unusual markets in the world, selling objects used in Vodun practice, and your guide's explanation is what makes it meaningful rather than shocking. Grand Marché, the main market, gives a more everyday view of the city.

On day six you spend time on Lomé's beachfront before crossing the Togo–Ghana border and continuing toward Accra.

Days 7 and 8: Cape Coast and Kakum (Ghana)

Cape Coast Castle is the emotional center of the Ghana leg. This UNESCO-listed fortress was a major holding site for enslaved people, and a guided tour of its dungeons and courtyards is a powerful experience. Allow time to explore Cape Coast town afterward.

On day eight, Kakum National Park offers a canopy walkway roughly 40 meters above the forest floor, a lighter and often welcome contrast after the heaviness of the castle, before you return to Accra.

Day 9: Accra and departure

The last day covers Jamestown, one of Accra's oldest neighborhoods, and Makola Market, a lively place for last-minute shopping, before your airport transfer.

Who is this route for?

The coastal route suits travelers who care about history and culture more than beaches or wildlife, and who are comfortable with long days on the road. It works well for first-time visitors to West Africa because the logistics are handled for you, for members of the African diaspora tracing the story of the slave trade, for photographers and writers, and for anyone who wants to compare four countries in one journey. It is less suited to travelers who want a slow, single-base holiday, in which case a shorter itinerary focused on one country is a better fit.

What does the trip cost?

Confidence Aguiyi's private nine-day tour starts from $2,450 per person. The price includes:

• Airport transfers
• A professional tour guide
• Private transportation
• Accommodation
• Daily breakfast

It does not include:

• International flights
• Visa fees
• Travel insurance
• Lunch and dinner
• Personal expenses
• Tips and gratuities

Because the trip is custom-quoted for your group, the final price depends on how many people travel together, the standard of accommodation and any changes you make. For a broader breakdown of what to budget for, see our guide on how much a West Africa tour costs.

How do the border crossings work?

Land borders are the part of the trip that worries people most, and it is a good reason to travel with someone who does it regularly. A few general points:

• Each country has its own entry rules. Visas, fees, forms and vaccination certificates differ, and they change over time. Always check the official sources for each country before booking flights.
• Carry your documents together. Keep your passport, visas, yellow fever certificate (if required) and printed confirmations in an easily reachable place.
• Allow time. Crossings can take from under an hour to several hours depending on queues and paperwork, which is why the itinerary leaves room.
• Have local cash. Nigeria uses the naira, Benin and Togo use the West African CFA franc, and Ghana uses the cedi. Small notes help with incidental costs.
• Expect language changes. English is widely used in Nigeria and Ghana, French in Benin and Togo.
• Time zones differ slightly across the four countries, so check your phone and your pickup times.

On this tour, your guide crosses every border with you, so you are never handed off to a new operator at each country line. That continuity is one of the biggest advantages of a private multi-country trip.

What makes a multi-country trip run smoothly?

A few habits make the biggest difference on a route like this. Keep your documents organized in one place and carry digital copies. Pack light, because you will be loading and unloading a vehicle at every stop. Keep a small stock of cash in each local currency for tips and snacks, and keep your phone charged for navigation and messaging. Finally, stay flexible: border crossings and traffic can shift the schedule, and the best travelers treat a delay as part of the journey rather than a problem.

When is the best time to go?

The dry season, roughly November to March, is the most comfortable for overland travel: less rain, better roads and fewer weather delays. December is the busiest month for events and returning visitors, so book accommodation and guides early. The heaviest rains tend to fall around June and July and can slow road travel and make some outdoor sites more difficult.

What to pack

• Light, breathable clothing and a light rain layer
• Modest clothing for markets, religious sites and village visits
• A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
• Comfortable walking shoes
• A small day pack and a money belt or hidden pouch
• Copies of your passport, visas and insurance, stored digitally and on paper
• A power bank and a universal adapter
• Insect repellent and any personal medication

Talk to a travel health clinic well before you go about vaccines and malaria prevention.

Is nine days the right length?

Nine days lets you see the key coastal sites but moves quickly. Some travelers love that momentum. Others prefer more time in each country. Confidence Aguiyi offers alternatives:

• A 3-day tour of Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana from $1,054 per person, a whirlwind option for travelers short on time.
• A 13-day tour that adds Côte d'Ivoire, from $4,950 per person, for a slower and wider journey across five countries.

Itineraries can also be adjusted. If you want to skip a country or spend longer in one, say so when you ask for a quote.

How do you get started?

1. Choose your dates. Dry season is easiest, but festival timing can matter too.
2. Check visas and vaccines for all four countries based on your passport.
3. Message Confidence with your dates, group size and any special interests.
4. Receive a plan and a quote, usually within 24 hours. A deposit secures your date and the balance is due before departure.
5. Book flights into Lagos and out of Accra once your plan is confirmed.

Final thoughts

Four countries in nine days is ambitious, but along this stretch of coast the geography, history and logistics make it surprisingly achievable. With a private guide who handles the borders and the planning, you can concentrate on what matters: the places, the people and the stories you came to understand. To see the full itinerary and request a quote, visit the 9-day tour page.