5 Days Best of Nigeria & Benin-Lagos, Badagry, Ouidah, Ganvié & Cotonou

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🌍 Private Tour

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Tour Overview

Two Countries — Culture, Black Heritage, Vodun & Floating Village Experience

Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights • Private Experience
Experience: Airport Welcome & Transfer • 3 Full Touring Days
Departure: Private Airport Transfer • Start in Lagos & End in Cotonou

Experience Nigeria and Benin Republic on a five-day private journey from Lagos to Cotonou, combining three full touring days with seamless arrival and departure services. Discover Lagos through its community life, nature and creative culture, trace Black heritage from Badagry to Ouidah, and experience the remarkable floating community of Ganvié.

Begin with a private airport welcome in Lagos before discovering the city through Makoko, Lekki Conservation Centre, Nigerian art and local creativity. Continue west through Badagry’s powerful slave-trade heritage before crossing into Benin Republic for Cotonou’s Amazon Statue and the historic and spiritual landmarks of Ouidah.

After an overnight stay in Ouidah, journey to Ganvié and experience life in one of West Africa’s most distinctive lakeside communities before continuing to Cotonou for your final night. Your journey concludes with a private transfer from your Cotonou hotel to the airport on Day 5.

  • Experience Nigeria and Benin Republic in one journey
  • Discover Makoko Floating Community by canoe
  • Explore Lekki nature and Nigerian art
  • Trace Badagry’s Black heritage
  • Follow the historic route to the Point of No Return
  • See Cotonou’s iconic Amazon Statue
  • Explore Ouidah’s Slave Route and Door of No Return
  • Experience Ouidah’s sacred Vodun heritage
  • Journey by boat to Ganvié Floating Village
  • Finish your journey in Cotonou

Day 1 – Welcome to Lagos: Airport welcome • private hotel transfer • overnight in Lagos
Day 2 – Lagos: Makoko • Lekki Conservation Centre • Nike Art Gallery • Lagos Arts & Crafts Market • overnight in Lagos
Day 3 – Lagos → Badagry → Ouidah: Badagry heritage • Point of No Return • border crossing • Amazon Statue • Ouidah History Museum • Slave Route • Door of No Return • Sacred Forest • Temple of Pythons • overnight in Ouidah
Day 4 – Ganvié & Cotonou: Transfer to Ganvié • boat journey • floating village and community experience • continue to Cotonou • overnight in Cotonou
Day 5 – Farewell Benin: Hotel pickup in Cotonou • private airport transfer • departure

  • Private airport arrival and departure transfers.
  • Private air-conditioned transportation throughout.
  • Professional local guides in Nigeria and Benin Republic.
  • Border transfer and crossing coordination.
  • Makoko canoe experience.
  • Badagry boat crossing for the Point of No Return experience.
  • Ganvié boat journey and community experience.
  • Bottled water during scheduled tours.
  • All entrance fees and taxes for scheduled destinations/attractions are included.
  • Professional tour coordination is provided throughout the tour.
  • International and domestic flights.
  • Accommodation and hotel expenses.
  • Visa/eVisa application fees and passport expenses.
  • Yellow Fever vaccination and personal medical expenses.
  • Meals and beverages unless specifically stated as included.
  • Shopping, artworks, crafts, souvenirs and personal purchases.
  • Tips, gratuities and personal expenses.
  • Optional activities outside the confirmed programme.
  • Nightlife/additional experiences unless arranged separately.
  • Services not specifically stated as included.
  • This is a one-way journey starting in Lagos and ending in Cotonou.
  • Valid travel documents are required for Nigeria and Benin Republic.
  • Day 3 includes an international land-border crossing.
  • Some touring days involve extended road travel and walking.
  • Makoko and Ganvié experiences involve travel by local boats/canoes.
  • Comfortable clothing and suitable walking shoes are recommended.
  • Respectful behaviour is expected in communities and sacred locations.
  • Photography may be restricted at certain cultural or sacred sites.
  • Programme order may change due to traffic, border or local conditions.
How do I book a tour?

Select your preferred travel date, enter the required booking details and complete your reservation through the booking form on this page.

Cancel free until 7 days before departure. Bookings within 7 days are non-refundable. Advance bookings include two free date changes; bookings within 7 days include one. Changes require at least 48 hours’ notice and are subject to availability.

Same-day bookings are welcome, subject to availability. If we cannot provide your tour, you receive a full refund; processing takes 10–14 days. Read the full booking terms.

Yes. Where applicable, we can provide booking-related documents and guidance to support your visa or travel arrangements.

Your booking confirmation and relevant tour information will be sent to the email address provided during booking.

Yes. Our team is available to assist with questions and arrangements before your tour, including through WhatsApp.

Download Full Itinerary PDF

From: $1,497.00

Secure your date now — final price updates automatically based on your group size and selected travel date.

Group Pricing
s
  • 1 Guest- 1979
  • 2–5 Guests- $1775
  • 6–10 Guests- $1639
  • 11–20 Guests- $1497

Cancel free until 7 days before departure; two free date changes. Bookings within 7 days: non-refundable, one free change. Changes require 48 hours’ notice.
Same-day bookings welcome, subject to availability. Full refund if we cannot provide your tour.

💬 Need help before booking? Chat with us on WhatsApp

Google Reviews

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carlos catalan tapia profile picture
carlos catalan tapia
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Se cumplio lo acordado en precio, la puntualidad y la atencion, a pesar de no hablar ingles fluido, estuvieron atentos a cualquier necesidad de mi parte
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Robert A profile picture
Robert A
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Victoria was our tour lead and did an amazing job! She gave us a great history of Nigeria while also sharing some interesting background about the Lekki Conservation Centre Canopy. If you're looking for a great tour in Lagos and want to experience the canopy, I definitely recommend booking through Samap. You won't regret it, guaranteed!
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Thomas Gersdorf profile picture
Thomas Gersdorf
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Excellent service - thank you!
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Mytrail Wright profile picture
Mytrail Wright
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Exceptional Service from Victoria and the Samap travel Team! I cannot say enough wonderful things about Victoria. From the very beginning, she provided outstanding customer service, professionalism, and attention to detail that made the entire travel experience seamless and stress-free. Victoria went above and beyond to ensure every aspect of our African travel arrangements was handled perfectly. Her knowledge of destinations, accommodations, transportation, and local experiences was impressive, and her recommendations made our trip truly unforgettable. She took the time to understand our needs and customized an itinerary that exceeded our expectations. The car service Mikal were equally exceptional. Lagos traffic isnt easy to maneuver but Mikael did so with ease!! Every transfer was punctual, reliable, comfortable, and professionally managed. Knowing that transportation was taken care of allowed us to focus on enjoying our journey without any concerns. What truly sets Victoria apart is her dedication to her clients. She was responsive, patient, and available to answer questions throughout the planning process and during our travels. Her passion for helping people create memorable experiences is evident in everything she does. If you are looking for a travel agency that specializes in African travel, provides dependable transportation services, and delivers personalized attention from start to finish, I highly recommend Samap travel team (Request Victoria)!!!. Their commitment to excellence made our trip an amazing experience, and I look forward to working with them again in the future. Thank you, Victoria, for making our travel experience truly outstanding! 🌍✈️🚗
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edotruce profile picture
edotruce
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A unique and eye-opening experience. Visiting Makoko offered a different perspective on Lagos and its people. The boat ride through the community was very interesting and gave me a deeper understanding of daily life in this remarkable part of the city. Highly recommended.
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Art Cimento profile picture
Art Cimento
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I reached out to Samap Tours to organize a cultural tour of West Africa to add on to a birding trip in Ghana. Very easy to communicate via WhatsApp and advise on getting the necessary entry documents. I had three guides but the handoff worked fine. Easy to customize the itinerary using their 5 day West Africa tour as a starting point. Highly recommended!
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Johannes Funk profile picture
Johannes Funk
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I wanted to learn about Nigeria, but wasn't quite sure how to got about it, so I decided to book a three-day tour featuring some sights of Lagos (among othes, , the Badagry Slave Market, Nike Gallery, Makoko village and Lekki Conservation centre). I haven't regretted it! The communication was flawless, all activities were running gin time, the itinerary they put together made sense and gave me an impression of the country. Most importantly, in particular driver Michael and guide Victoria made the experience very fun and enjoyable! They took good care of me, answered all my questions and were very frank about the country. Plus: Victoria made extra sure to take enough photos for me to remember the trip (something I'm not always good at myself). I can absolutely recommend it!
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Renee Bruns profile picture
Renee Bruns
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This was a fantastic tour! In a short period of time, we visited four countries and experienced an immense amount of culture. Traveling in West Africa can be difficult, especially with border crossings and visa restrictions. However, with the help of Samap Travels, we were able to successfully and painlessly cross each border. We were guided in the process of getting our visas and making sure we were prepared at each border, which can be stressful for a novice traveler. This is a busy tour and you will be on the move, but it is worth it! The tour guides we had were top notch and I couldn't have asked for better guides. The sites we visited were well thought out and the culture and people of West Africa are something you will never forget. If you're looking to get a taste of West Africa, this is a great tour!
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Kerstin P. profile picture
Kerstin P.
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Very reliable tour adviser. We had a great experience in Makoko, Lagos. I would do it again with these agency people. Very warmhearted and friendly. Many thanks!!
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Why Book With Samap Travels

Trusted Local Expertise

Travel with experienced local professionals who understand the destinations, cultures and practical details of travelling across West Africa.

Dedicated Travel Support

Get reliable assistance before, during and after your tour, with our team available to help whenever you need us.

Authentic Local Experiences

Discover destinations beyond the usual tourist routes through carefully planned cultural, historical and local experiences.

Safe & Reliable Travel

Travel with carefully coordinated transportation, experienced local teams and dependable arrangements throughout your journey.

Essential Booking Information

Booking Confirmation

We’ll email your booking confirmation once your payment and tour availability are confirmed.

↻ Flexible Cancellation

Cancel free 7+ days before tour; two free date changes. Within 7 days: one free change. Same-day bookings subject to availability. Full terms.

Need Assistance?

Our team is available to help with booking questions, tour arrangements and other assistance you may need before your trip.

Private Tour Experience

Enjoy a more personal travel experience with dedicated arrangements designed around your booked tour.

Highly Rated on TripAdvisor

Tripadvisor
Benjamin T profile picture
Benjamin T
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Fun Safari had a great gaming view and an amazing touring guide
Tripadvisor
Roam29738446678 profile picture
Roam29738446678
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Great experience helpful staff Wonderfully unforgettable nature adventure
Tripadvisor
Arthur C profile picture
Arthur C
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Interesting Piece of Slave Trade History The Badagry tour is an interesting addition to the slavery sites along the West African coast. It was a former slave who was given freedom in Brazil and went back to present day Nigeria to organize the departure of more slaves to Brazil. The tour has some hands on exhibits, building tours, then a boat ride to where the slaves were loaded on boats bound for the slave ships. A very educational and memorable experience.
Tripadvisor
Borja C profile picture
Borja C
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Makoko is safe, and need your support! I had an amazing tour of Makoko and the entire experience felt very safe, smooth, and perfectly organized from start to finish. A special thank you to the guides — Victoria, Ade, Ben, Respect, and Tobi — for their professionalism, kindness, and for making the visit so insightful and enjoyable. They made us feel comfortable at all times, and their local knowledge truly brought the experience to life. Highly recommended to anyone visiting Lagos and wanting to discover the real spirit of Makoko. Thank you again!
Tripadvisor
ALICIA R profile picture
ALICIA R
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Worth a visit! The experience was unique. Though a bit sad they’re starting to tear down parts of the community, it was interesting to see such a unique way of life.
Tripadvisor
dianinha m profile picture
dianinha m
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Sem dúvida a não perder Este é daqueles sitios imperdiveis a visitar em Lagos. Foi um dos marcos importantes na viagem do grupo pela Nigéria. Este bairro em palafita é uma imagem pungente da pobreza de uma parte da população. Requer que se vá com um guia local.
Tripadvisor
alicia w profile picture
alicia w
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
My first experience in Lekki Today we had a wonderful time. We ordered transportation and Victoria and Michael came ahead of time and was nothing but pleasant and very professional. Answered questions and also gave us an insight of the attractions as I am not from Nigeria but my spouse is from a different part of Nigeria. They gave us a history which I totally enjoyed. Definitely I would use their services again as long as they’re around! The conservation center was interesting! Loved the atmosphere. The longest bridge tour was totally nerve wrecking but it was fun. Maybe me personally will do it again
Tripadvisor
Simon G profile picture
Simon G
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Highly recommend Mr. Respect is a great leader within community. Safe, interesting and sometimes shocking tour. Short but intense experience. Highly recommend. Greetings!
Tripadvisor
Pedro S profile picture
Pedro S
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Makoko is a must see in your lifetime Amazing experience with the local guides where you can actually see how the people live and how they spend their day to day life. Highly recommend it

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