Programs · After Vodundays & Beyond 2027 · Ouidah, Benin
11 days, 10 nights.
A lifetime isn't enough to forget them.
From Monday, January 4 to Thursday, January 14, 2027, 11 days and 10 nights, around the official core of January 7, 8 and 9. An unofficial program, offered by ONG Wa Afriki in collaboration with the Grand Conseil Vodun Hwendo, with the FRABO as technical partner. Residence and workshops at the Palais d'Agondji, to live the Vodun Days from the inside, in deliberately small teams. Optionally, before the program: year-end at the Palais d'Agondji, from December 30 to January 3, for those who want to stay longer.
3
official days, the core
11
days, 10 nights
10 / 5
team size, Standard / VIP
3
staff per team: guide, hostess, specialized guide
The Program
Your journey,
day by day.
🌅 Year-end at the Palais d'Agondji, for those who want to stay longer
Dec 30
Arrival in Ouidah
For those who want to stay longer. Welcome at Cotonou airport, accompanied transfer to Ouidah, settling in at the Palais d'Agondji, welcome dinner. Nobody has to arrive on this day: arrivals can be staggered from late December.
Dec 31
Year-end rituals & the vigil into the new year
Year-end rituals at the Palais d'Agondji: a time of remembrance and rebirth, through baths and offerings, open to those who wish to take part. Nothing is imposed, nothing is put on show. In the evening, a vigil to cross into the new year according to local custom, in a small group.
Jan 1
First steps in the city
Orientation tour of Ouidah, practical pointers, free time. Team dinner, presentation of the ritual days ahead.
Jan 2
Ouidah before the crowd
A day to discover the city at its own pace, before the buzz of the official core sets in: the beach, the Slave Route, a stroll along the lagoon, meetings with the artisans, sector by sector. In the evening, an informal gathering, questions and answers with the team about the week ahead.
Jan 3
Rituals for the start of the year
Rituals for the start of the year, for those who wish to take part, by prior registration, overseen by the families who guard the tradition. This is not a show: it is a time the guardians share with discernment. Exchanges with the elders and notables. In the evening, entertainment by folk groups, ballets and artistic tableaux.
📅 Ouidah, Ganvié, Cotonou: the Vodun Days, from the inside
Jan 4
Arrival & settling in at the Palais d'Agondji
Welcome by the After Vodundays team at Cotonou airport, private transfer, settling into residence at the Palais d'Agondji, welcome briefing. Anyone who has been at the Palace since late December rejoins the group on this day.
Jan 5
Workshop 1 & a night on Lake Nokoué
Morning: workshop 1, local language and customs, under the mango trees of the Palace. Greeting, showing respect, the codes to know. 3 pm: boarding at Abomey-Calavi, crossing Lake Nokoué in a private motorized boat. 3:30 to 6 pm: Ganvié with a guide, the rue des Amoureux, the stilt quarters, the acadjas, the return from fishing, sunset on the water. 6:30 to 9 pm: settling in, dinner on stilts, night on Lake Nokoué.
Jan 6
Cotonou, workshop 2: the Fa & Warm-up Vodun Days
6 to 8 am: the lake wakes, the floating market while it is quiet, breakfast on the water, return crossing at 8 am. Morning: Cotonou by air-conditioned vehicle, the Boulevard de la Marina and its monuments, the Place de l'Amazone, the Bio Guéra monument, the arts market. 3 pm: workshop 2, the Fa, understanding the consultation and the signs, under the mango trees of the Palace. 8 pm: “Warm-up Vodun Days”, Ouidah lit up, by night, on the eve of the official festivities.
Jan 7
Memorial circuit & official sites
In-depth memorial circuit, memory and slavery, from Savi to the Door of No Return. Full guided assistance at the official Vodun Days sites.
Jan 8
Vodun circuit & Grand Ceremony
Vodun circuit: private meetings and exchanges with crowned heads and sworn guardians of Vodun. Guided assistance at the Grand Ceremony. Comfort option: live broadcast at the Palais d'Agondji, commented and decoded in real time by our experts.
Jan 9
Heritage circuit, continued and concluded
Ouidah's quarters and their cultural spheres, the Portuguese Fort (under renovation: visit depending on its opening), the basilica, the Afro-Brazilian architecture. Full guided assistance and supervision at the Vodun Days celebration areas.
Jan 10
After Party Exclusive & Vodun Vibes evening
The royal palaces of Ouidah, then a meeting and exchanges with His Majesty, his royal court and the Grand Conseil Vodun Hwendo, with the crowned heads, researchers and historians, on the theme “Why Ouidah is the world cradle of Vodun”. The Story of January 10: His Majesty himself tells the origin of this date, first the homage of a family to its ancestors gone to sea, then the celebration of a whole people. Evening: Vodun Vibes evening, a festive close.
🌍 Togo and Ghana
Jan 11
Togo: Togoville and Lomé
11 am: arrival in Togo and start of the circuit. Togoville: the history of Togo, the origin of its name, the coexistence of religions, barter as a means of exchange. Lomé: the Palais de Lomé, the cathedral, the Grand Marché. Night in Lomé.
Jan 12
Kloto, then flight to Ghana
7 am: departure for the Kloto mountains (3 hours 30 by road). Yikpa waterfall: a walk of 1 hour 20 to reach it, 1 hour 20 back to the vehicle. The village of the bats. A tasting of the regional cuisine. 6 pm: return to Lomé, transfer to the airport, evening flight from Lomé to Accra. In Accra: welcome at Kotoka International Airport, a word of welcome and presentation of the circuit, hotel check-in, traditional dinner.
Jan 13
Safari Valley
Drive through the Eastern Region. Wildlife viewing, feeding the zebras. A nature walk and the canopy walkway. Buffet lunch at Safari Valley. Return to Accra, evening in the city.
Jan 14
Accra, departure
Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, Independence Square, the Arts Centre, Labadi Beach. Transfer to Kotoka airport and departure.
Option A: tickets and visas, to settle before you leave
- •Flight ticket: you arrive in Cotonou on January 4 and leave from Accra on the evening of the 14th. Book a multi-city ticket, not a Cotonou round trip.
- •Benin: the e-visa is requested on evisa.bj. A single entry is enough, since you leave from Accra.
- •Togo: for non-African passports, the e-visa is mandatory and is requested on voyage.gouv.tg at least 5 days before arrival; visa on arrival is suspended. Nationals of African Union states are exempt from a visa for up to 30 days, provided they file their travel declaration on voyage.gouv.tg at least 24 hours before arrival.
- •Ghana: visa on arrival has been abolished since May 25, 2026. The e-visa is requested before departure on evisa.immigration.gov.gh, allow 72 to 96 hours for processing. ECOWAS and AES nationals enter without a visa; other African Union nationals apply for an electronic travel authorization, free of charge.
- •Yellow fever: the vaccination certificate is required in all three countries.
- •We tell you, nationality by nationality, what to apply for and when. Formalities checked on October 3, 2026: they may change.
The Lomé-Accra flight on January 12
- •Tuesday, January 12, after the day in the Kloto: back in Lomé at 6 pm, then transfer to Gnassingbé Eyadéma International Airport (LFW).
- •Brussels Airlines flight SN 278: departs Lomé at 7:55 pm, arrives in Accra at Kotoka International Airport (ACC, terminal 3) at 8:40 pm. A 45-minute flight, no time difference.
- •Times noted in October 2026: they are confirmed at booking, which is done early, with the After Vodundays team.
- •Documents to present: passport, e-visa or travel authorization for Ghana, yellow fever vaccination certificate.
🧭 Historic Benin and the royal cities
Jan 11
Allada and Abomey
A stop in Allada, cradle of Adjahouto. The royal palaces of Abomey (UNESCO), the history of King Béhanzin and the Agojié. Night in Abomey.
Jan 12
Porto-Novo
The Afro-Brazilian heritage: Great Mosque, Honmè Museum, da Silva Museum. The sacred forest of Adjarra. Night in Porto-Novo.
Jan 13
Grand-Popo
By pirogue on the Mono river to the Bouche du Roy. Night by the ocean.
Jan 14
Cotonou, return flight
Back to Cotonou, shopping for crafts, transfer to Cotonou airport, return flight.
Three formulas: The Core, January 7 to 9 (3 days) · The Programme, January 4 to 10 (7 days and 6 nights) · Vodun Days Week, January 2 to 9 (8 days and 7 nights). The full programme, January 4 to 14 (11 days and 10 nights), is The Programme plus one option.
What kind of traveler are you?
Three quests.
One destination.
The Modern Pilgrim
Their quest
Search for meaning · Spiritual connection · Return to the essential
What they find
Intimate ceremonies · Meditation · Dialogue with elders
The Cultural Explorer
Their quest
Artistic discovery · Human encounters · Hands-on learning
What they find
Craft workshops · Private concerts · Traditional cooking
The Identity Seeker
Their quest
Identity reconstruction · Connection to ancestors · Family transmission
What they find
Guided genealogy · Talking circles · Memorial rituals
Whatever your profile, we adapt your experience. Every day offers activities for all three quests.
Standard or VIP
Choose
your level of immersion.
The full programme
11 days, 10 nights, January 4 to 14, 2027
The Programme, then four more days: historic Benin and the royal cities (option B), or Togo and Ghana (option A). You arrive before the crowd, you live the Grand Ceremony on January 8, and you are still there on the 10th, once the crowd has gone. The options are detailed below.
€2,290
Standard, with option B
€2,540
Standard, with option A
Standard
Team of 10, per person
- The Core
January 7 to 9, 2027, 3 days€750 - The Programme
January 4 to 10, 2027, 7 days and 6 nights€1,590 - Vodun Days Week
January 2 to 9, 2027, 8 days and 7 nights€1,790
Per person, nights included, all-inclusive at the Palais d'Agondji: circuits, guided assistance, meetings with tradition-guardians, meals and local transport.
- •Team of 10, with three people assigned to your group for the whole stay
- •At the Palace, an individual tent, with mats woven by Ouidah's artisans
- •Community contribution of €50 included
Recommended
VIP
Team of 5, per person
- The Core
January 7 to 9, 2027, 3 days€1,750 - The Programme
January 4 to 10, 2027, 7 days and 6 nights€3,390 - Vodun Days Week
January 2 to 9, 2027, 8 days and 7 nights€3,790
Per person, nights included, all-inclusive at the Palais d'Agondji, in a small team. Everything in Standard, plus what Standard does not open: the one-to-one time, the private Fa consultation, the rituals it prescribes.
- •Team of 5, with three people assigned to your group for the whole stay
- •One-to-one time with the crowned heads and the sworn guardians, with more time than the group
- •Private Fa consultation, with an individual and confidential reading
- •If the Fa prescribes them, the rituals and offerings are carried out for you by the guardians
- •Initiations are not for sale: if the Fa and the guardians open the way, they prepare you for it
- •VIP at the official Vodun Days too: we secure the official VIP Pass for you as soon as the State opens its ticketing (pass price on top)
- •4x4 vehicle with driver
- •At the Palace, a large tent with a lit area, and mats woven by Ouidah's artisans
- •Community contribution of €50 included
For an organised group, one place is free for every ten paid places: the place of the person who brings the group together.
Options
To be added to The Programme. The full programme, January 4 to 14, 11 days and 10 nights, is The Programme plus one option: €2,290 in Standard with option B, €2,540 with option A.
- Option B, historic Benin
January 11 to 14: Allada, Abomey, Porto-Novo, Grand-Popo, return flight from Cotonou+ €700 in Standard, + €1,100 in VIP - Option A, Togo and Ghana
January 11 to 14, return flight from Accra+ €950 - Year-end at the Palais d'Agondji
December 30 to January 3+ €890 in Standard, + €1,650 in VIP
What is included
- •The circuits: memorial on the 7th, Vodun on the 8th, heritage on the 9th, and Gléxwé on the 10th for The Programme
- •A team of three people assigned to your group for the whole stay: a licensed guide, a hostess, a guide specialised in Vodun and Fa
- •Assistance by day and in the evening
- •Meetings with tradition-guardians
- •Evening events at the Palais d'Agondji
- •Meals and local transport
- •Nights at the Palais d'Agondji: individual tent in Standard, large tent with a lit area in VIP, mats woven by Ouidah's artisans
- •For The Programme and The Week: the night on the lake at Ganvié and the private boat
- •The community contribution of €50
What is not included
- •International flights
- •Visas
- •Yellow fever vaccine
- •Insurance
- •Concerts and official Vodun Days passes: access to concerts follows the official ticketing
- •For option A: hotels in Lomé and Accra, meals on site and the Lomé-Accra flight
What you can check before you commit
- •The organiser: the NGO Wa Afriki, registered under No. 0108/MISP, tax ID (IFU) 6202683958025, in Ouidah.
- •The technical partner: the FRABO, registered under No. 030/MISP.
- •Your guide carries a professional card. Ask to see it.
- •No invented reviews, no bought stars: our testimonials follow a written rule.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the After Vodundays 2027 programme cost?
Three formulas, per person, nights included, all-inclusive at the Palais d'Agondji. In Standard (team of 10): The Core, January 7 to 9, 3 days, €750; The Programme, January 4 to 10, 7 days and 6 nights, €1,590; Vodun Days Week, January 2 to 9, 8 days and 7 nights, €1,790. In VIP (team of 5): €1,750, €3,390 and €3,790. Options can be added to The Programme: option B, historic Benin, + €700 in Standard and + €1,100 in VIP; option A, Togo and Ghana, + €950; year-end at the Palais d'Agondji, + €890 in Standard and + €1,650 in VIP. The full programme, January 4 to 14, 11 days and 10 nights, costs €2,290 in Standard with option B and €2,540 with option A.
What is the price for January 2 to 9, 2027?
January 2 to 9, 2027 is the Vodun Days Week, 8 days and 7 nights: €1,790 in Standard, €3,790 in VIP, all-inclusive at the Palais d'Agondji.
What does the price include?
The price includes the circuits, a team of three people assigned to your group for the whole stay, assistance by day and in the evening, meetings with tradition-guardians, evening events at the Palais d'Agondji, meals, local transport, nights at the Palace and the community contribution of €50. For The Programme and The Week, it also includes the night on the lake at Ganvié and the private boat. Not included: international flights, visas, the yellow fever vaccine, insurance, and access to concerts, which follows the official Vodun Days ticketing.
Can we come only on January 7, 8 and 9?
Yes. The Core covers January 7, 8 and 9, 2027, 3 days: €750 in Standard, €1,750 in VIP. It includes the memorial circuit on the 7th, the Vodun circuit on the 8th and the heritage circuit on the 9th, with meals, local transport and nights at the Palais d'Agondji.
Who organises After Vodundays?
ONG Wa Afriki (No. 0108/MISP), in Ouidah, in collaboration with the Grand Conseil Vodun Hwendo. After Vodundays is an unofficial programme, separate from the Vodun Days festival run by the State.
Where do we sleep?
At the Palais d'Agondji, in Ouidah. In Standard you sleep in an individual tent; in VIP, in a large tent with a lit area. The mats are woven by Ouidah's artisans. For The Programme and The Week, one night is spent on the lake at Ganvié. For option A, hotels in Lomé and Accra are not included.
Is there a free place for the group leader?
Yes. For an organised group, one place is free for every ten paid places: the place of the person who brings the group together.
Is the program suitable for people who don't know Vodun?
Yes. After Vodundays is designed for every profile, from complete newcomers to advanced practitioners. Guides adapt every moment to each participant's level and sensitivity. No prerequisite is needed, only openness.
What size are the teams?
Two formats: teams of 10 in Standard, or teams of 5 in VIP, each guided by three staff members (a licensed guide, a lead hostess, a specialized Vodun and Fa guide). This is a deliberate choice: to guarantee the quality and depth of every encounter. We run as many teams as demand justifies, without ever mixing groups.
Are Vodun ceremonies open to everyone?
Public ceremonies, yes. Some initial rituals require preparation and authorization from tradition-guardians. Our team handles the mediation, you will never be left facing something you are not ready for.
Can we come as a family, with children?
Yes. Some moments are especially suited to children: activities, nature, cooking, arts. Others, more spiritually intense, are recommended for adults. Contact us for a custom family program.
Travelling as a group? Price per person, teams, the free place for the group leader, commission and deadline are gathered on the page Groups, associations and agencies.
Teams are limited.
10 in Standard. 5 in VIP. No more.
After Vodundays 2027, January 2 to 14. Ouidah, Benin, at the Palais d'Agondji, in collaboration with the Grand Conseil Vodun Hwendo. Confirm your place before Tuesday, December 15, 2026. WhatsApp +229 01 61 70 36 66, contact@aftervodundays.com. No travel agency in the world can organize this program: access to tradition-guardians, convent rituals and intimate encounters rests on a relationship built on the ground by ONG Wa Afriki, impossible to buy. This is not a trip. It is a transmission.