We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
Accordingly you should allow approx. £50 for gratuities for local staff.
Local Costs
| |
UK |
Benin |
Togo |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
€1.20 |
€1.80 |
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
€0.40 |
€1.80 |
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
€0.60 |
€0.80 |
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
€0.60 |
€1.70 |
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
€6.00 |
€8.50 |
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
€15.00 |
€12.50 |
| Bottle of Wine |
£14.50 |
|
|
| Breakfast |
£5.00 |
|
€4.00 |
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
Important Information
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
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Visa Requirements
Entry visas are required by all nationalities.
A single-entry visa for Benin and a multiple entry visa for Togo for UK citizens must be obtained before travel.
All passport information should be made available at the time of booking as Explore are required to produce letters of guarantee to support some visa applications. Passports must be valid for 6 months and have four blank pages for the visas.
Visas are available through the individual countries Embassies, or you may choose to use Explore’s recommended visa service, Visa Swift. In order to take advantage of the discounted fees Visa Swift will need to receive your passport by the dates listed next to your respective tour date below. The date when your passport will be returned is quoted too. Passports that are received after the dates below will be charged at the full rate (this service will take 13 working days to turn around). Please note this tour will be closed to new bookings 3 days prior to the deadline.
BWA 19/12/2012 - Apply by 21/11/2012 - Passport Returned by 14/12/2012
BWA 16/01/2013 - Apply By 12/12/2012 - Passport Returned By 11/01/2013
BWA 06/02/2013 - Apply By 09/01/2013 - Passport Returned By 01/02/2013
BWA 14/08/2013 - Apply by 24/07/2013 - Passport Returned By 09/08/2013
BWA 16/10/2013 - Apply by 18/09/2013 - Passport Returned By 11/10/2013
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All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
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Vaccinations & Protection
Although rarely checked, a Yellow fever certificate mandatory as condition of entry for all travellers to Togo and Benin. We recommend protection against malaria, hepatitis A, diphtheria, tetanus, typhoid and polio. Although the risk is low you may also consider immunisation against rabies and meningococcal meningitis. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against Malaria. Take all your vaccination certificates with you as they may be requested on entry to any of the countries visited.
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The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
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Know before you go
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Preparing for your tour
Climate
The climates in Togo and Benin are mostly tropical with two main rainy seasons in the central and southern regions - May to June and September to November. This should not adversely affect the trip as the tour operates outside the rainy seasons.
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Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
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Packing for your tour
To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
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Luggage
Unfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company
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Take a tough soft bag or holdall (or rucksack with detachable frame) suitable to be carried by 4WD vehicle. Total allowance: 33lbs/15kg maximum (due to weight restrictions on our vehicle). Also take a day sack for items needed during any walks (20- 30 litre). The limit does not include your camera equipment.
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Clothing
Clothing should be lightweight but a warm sweater is also advisable, as nights can be cool. Don’t forget your swim gear. Although we strongly advise against swimming in the ocean, some of the hotels have a swimming pool. A scarf is also recommended as protection against dust whilst driving in the drier areas.
Please note: Some areas we travel through have strong Muslim influences and people may be offended by shorts or revealing dresses, which can attract unwelcome attention. Therefore you should dress with respect for local sensibilities. Women should also cover their heads when entering a sanctuary, though in general, mosques are forbidden to non-Muslim.
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Footwear
Lightweight walking/hiking boots with good ankle support, plus trainers or sandals for relaxing and travelling in.
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Equipment
Bring a minimum 2-season sleeping bag (temperature 0°C to 5°C) and sleeping sheet. The Stilted village provides mosquito nets and tents have sewn-in mosquito screens so nets are not required. A torch, sunhat, sun cream and insect repellent are essential. Bottled water is readily available throughout the tour. Binoculars are useful for bird watching. Foam sleeping mats and eating utensils are provided. You may consider bringing swimwear for the occasional hotel pool.
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General Information
General Information
Due to the unpredictable nature of travel in this region, the day-to-day itinerary should be regarded as a rough outline of the route we plan to take. Our crew might have to adapt the route, or number of nights spent in each place, to allow for changeable road conditions; the possibility of mechanical problems or punctures (hopefully not, but pot-holed or mud-laden roads can create unpredictable problems even for the more robust and best designed of vehicles); weather conditions; or perhaps to take in local festivals and other events worth visiting (or avoiding). Of course, we will endeavour to include all the highlights listed, but for whatever reason, this may simply not be possible. Please also note that you will be visiting very remote areas in developing countries and the accommodation is at times basic, with shared facilities and limited supply of water and hot water. This is a remarkable, off the beaten track part of the world, which has still retained unique cultures and rituals and if you have a flexible approach, an open minded attitude and a kind sense of humour, it is likely to be one of the most rewarding and memorable trips of your life!
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Electric Supply & Plugs
For comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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