From $2,250 per person (based on 2 people sharing)
This 9-day Ivory Coast tour explores the cultural traditions, wildlife parks, historical cities, and coastal relaxation spots that define this West African country. It includes visits to Abidjan, Grand-Bassam, Yamoussoukro, Bouaké, Man, and Taï National Park, with authentic experiences ranging from tribal villages to sacred forests and colonial architecture.
Day 1: Arrival in Abidjan – Cultural Introduction and Craft Market
Arrive at Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport in Abidjan. After airport reception and transfer to your hotel, join your guide for a short orientation tour of the Plateau and Cocody neighborhoods.
Visit the CAVA Craft Center, where artisans display masks, bronze work, wood carvings, and local textiles. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner featuring traditional Ivorian dishes such as attiéké and grilled fish.
Accommodation: Seen Hotel Abidjan Plateau or similar
Meals: Dinner included
Activities: Craft market visit, cultural orientation, local cuisine
Day 2: Full Day in Grand-Bassam – UNESCO Colonial Quarter and Beach
After breakfast, drive to Grand-Bassam (approx. 1 hour), the first colonial capital of Ivory Coast and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tour the National Costume Museum, Old Post Office, and Governor’s Palace. Walk through the tree-lined avenues of the French quarter, visit artisan workshops, and enjoy lunch by the beach.
Spend the afternoon relaxing along the Atlantic coast before returning to Abidjan.
Accommodation: Seen Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
Activities: Colonial history tour, beach relaxation, local craft browsing
Day 3: Travel to Yamoussoukro – Basilica and Crocodiles
Depart early for Yamoussoukro (approx. 4 hours). Visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, the largest church in the world by area. Tour the vast marble halls and landscaped grounds with a local guide.
Stop by the Presidential Palace, flanked by a moat filled with sacred crocodiles. If the caretaker is available, watch a crocodile feeding session.
Accommodation: Hotel Président Yamoussoukro
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
Activities: Religious architecture, political history, wildlife viewing
Day 4: Bouaké and Baoulé Culture
Drive north to Bouaké, Ivory Coast’s second-largest city (approx. 2.5 hours). On arrival, visit the Baoulé market, known for traditional textiles, brass jewelry, and hand-carved stools.
Head to a nearby Baoulé village to witness a Goli mask dance ceremony or storytelling session, offering a glimpse into spiritual and ancestral practices of the Akan people.
Accommodation: Hotel Mon Afrik or similar
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
Activities: Ethnic culture, local rituals, traditional crafts
Day 5: Scenic Journey to Man – Mountains and Waterfalls
Depart early for Man (approx. 5–6 hours), passing coffee and cocoa plantations along the forested western route.
In the afternoon, visit the Cascades de Man, a peaceful waterfall near the town’s edge, and take a walk through the sacred monkey forest where colobus monkeys roam freely.
Accommodation: Hotel Les Cascades or similar
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
Activities: Scenic drive, waterfall visit, wildlife experience
Day 6: Mountains, Villages, and Dan Mask Ceremonies
Today is dedicated to exploring the surrounding Toura Mountains and nearby Dan villages, famous for their mask dances, wood carving, and animist rituals.
- Hike Mount Tonkoui or visit Mount Nimba foothills for panoramic views.
- Attend a Dan mask performance, featuring dancers with spiritual significance.
- Visit a local workshop for a demonstration of mask carving techniques.
Accommodation: Hotel Les Cascades
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
Activities: Cultural performances, mountain views, traditional village tour
Day 7: Transfer to Taï National Park – Edge of the Rainforest
Depart from Man to the region near Taï National Park (approx. 5–6 hours). Arrive at a forest lodge near the park boundary, where you’ll receive an orientation on the ecosystem.
Taï is one of West Africa’s last primary rainforests and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, home to chimpanzees, pygmy hippos, and over 1,300 plant species.
Enjoy an evening forest walk or storytelling session with local guides from nearby villages.
Accommodation: Taï Forest Lodge or eco-camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
Activities: Rainforest introduction, community encounter
Day 8: Wildlife Walk in Taï National Park
Set out early for a guided walk in Taï National Park. Rangers and trackers help locate chimpanzees, birds like the white-breasted guineafowl, and possibly forest elephants.
Learn about the conservation challenges and traditional uses of forest plants. Return to the lodge for lunch and enjoy a relaxed afternoon by the river or around the lodge gardens.
Accommodation: Taï Forest Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
Activities: Wildlife tracking, guided nature hike, conservation insights
Day 9: Return to Abidjan and Departure
After breakfast, begin the journey back to Abidjan by road or optional charter flight (depending on availability and budget). Depending on flight time, stop for souvenir shopping or a short walk through the Plateau district.
Transfer to Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport for your international departure.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch included
Activities: Overland transfer, city view, departure support
Included Highlights:
- Historic sites in Abidjan and Grand-Bassam
- Basilica of Yamoussoukro and sacred crocodile visit
- Baoulé and Dan cultural performances and workshops
- Waterfalls, mountains, and wildlife of western Ivory Coast
- Two days at Taï National Park with chimpanzee tracking
- All accommodations, meals, private transport, park entry, and guides included
