Assinie Beach

Assinie Beach is located just south of Ivory Coast's capital Abidjan. The stunning shoreline is sprawling and unblemished. The warm crystal clear waters beckon you to come for a swim. Along Assinie Beach you can see lush vegetation including coconut trees and even rubber trees. See for yourself why these shores have been labeled one of Côte d'Ivoire's most beautiful beaches.

Following a leisurely morning, and having breakfast at the hotel, we will make our way to Assinie Beach for lunch. You will dine at the luxurious Maison d'Akoula - a veritable meeting spot for the who's who of Ivory Coast. You will spend the afternoon on the beach enjoying fantastic food, stunning views, good music, and great company.

Grand Bassam

Grand Bassam was the first capital of Ivory Coast and is full of history, monuments, and relics. At one point, it was the most important trading port, the economic, and the judicial center of Côte d’Ivoire. It attracted populations from all parts of Africa and the Mediterranean. You will spend the day learning about pre-colonial Ivory Coast.

Zaouli Dance

Zaouli is a traditional dance of the Guro people of central Ivory Coast. The Zaouli mask, used in the dance, was inspired by a girl named "Djela Lou Zaouli" (meaning "Zaouli, daughter of Djela"). However, stories on the origins of the characteristic mask are varied, and each mask may have its own symbolic history. 

After a hearty breakfast, we will travel outside of Abidjan to a local village. Here you will be able to experience some of Ivory Coast's most famous traditions. Including a traditional dance for which the training sometimes can take up to 7 years! We will then make our way back Abidjan to enjoy your last night in the city before we depart for Lagos in the morning.

Welcome to Lagos! Once you arrive, a private shuttle will take you to the hotel in no time. Once settled, you’ll have the rest of the afternoon to decompress. In the evening, we’ll enjoy an appetizing dinner at a local restaurant as we go over the plans for the remainder of the tour. Your Nigerian adventure is about to begin!

Lagos, Nigeria

Lagos, Nigeria—the most populous city in all of Africa—is a diverse metropolis teeming with life. Lagos is widely-known for giving the world Afrobeats music and "Nollywood" films. It is also a melting pot of 250 ethnic groups that inhabit the country's rolling mountains, vast forests, sprawling savannas, and glamorous islands. Unearth the deep history, colorful cultures, and impressive nature that Lagos has to offer.

Hotel Amenities: 

WiFi, Spa, Bar, Restaurant, Room Service, Fitness Center, Swimming Pool, Meeting Rooms, Air Conditioning, Wheelchair Accessible 

Nike Art Gallery

Witness Nigerian art and design as you’ve never seen them before. This five-story gallery is the largest in West Africa, housing more than 8,000 pieces from Nigerian artists. Operating as an exhibition gallery and cultural center, the Nike Gallery celebrates African heritage and traditional textile work. Explore the gallery, enjoy new takes on design trends, and get to know the work of its creator, world-renowned textile artist Nike Davies-Okundaye.

Lekki Conservation Centre

Get up close and personal with Nigerian wildlife. The lush Lekki Conservation Centre has plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy: climb through ancient trees, see tortoises that are 100 year old, and interact with playful monkeys. Dedicated to sustainable tourism and conservation, it houses thousands of local fauna and has the longest canopy walkway in Africa. It’s the perfect getaway for those searching for adventure!

Freedom Park

This site was once a colonial-era prison. Here, the British imprisoned and executed many of the brave Nigerians who opposed them. However, in the 1990s, the plot that contained the former prison’s shell was given new life and transformed into a space where people from all walks of life can come together and rejoice in their love of freedom and music. Freedom Park is now known for its monthly Afropolitan Vibes show—a major musical highlight in Lagos. A former place of sorrow, Freedom Park now spreads joy throughout the community; the space has been reclaimed by the descendants of the very people it was meant to hurt.

Kalakuta Museum 

Visit the former house, and headquarters, of musician Fela Kuti. Considered the inventor of “Afrobeat,” Fela Kuti gained popularity as an artist thanks to his social-conscious lyrics and his open rejection of Nigeria’s military dictatorship.

This fascinating museum is a tribute to his art, his life, and his politics.

Nigerian National Museum

In Lagos, you will find The Nigerian National Museum—with an extensive collection of some of the nation's most significant works, it’s definitely worth a visit. The museum displays artifacts from different ethnic groups across the country. You can investigate nearly 50,000 relics ranging from masks and musical instruments to jewelry and ancestral figures.

Yaba Market/Tejuosho Market

Yaba is one of the busiest market sites in Lagos and is also known as the Tejuosho Market. The old market stalls were demolished in 2008 and rebuilt into a more modern shopping complex. Yaba is now one of the go-to places for technology start-ups. The area has even been nicknamed “Yabacon Valley,” a nod to America’s infamous “Silicon Valley.”

Badagry

The coastal town of Badagry, traditionally known as Gbagle, is situated between the city of Lagos, and the border with Benin. Because of its proximity to the ocean, Badagry was a major port for export of African slaves to the Americas. Here we will visit the museum that showcases relics of the barbaric slave trade. We will also have the opportunity to pay homage to our ancestors, at the "Point Of No Return."

Landmark Beach

Hailed as one of the most breathtaking beaches in Lagos, Landmark Beach is a destination you surely don’t want to miss. The beach offers a plethora of activities and you will be able to choose what you participate in while we are here. If sports are your forté, you can play volleyball, basketball, mini-golf, soccer, and even paintball. Meanwhile, if you’re hankering to get into the water, jet-skiing, windsurfing, or kitesurfing would be right up your alley. Here, you will also find a myriad of tantalizing dining options; there’s something for everyone at Landmark Beach.

Your time in lively Lagos has come to an end. After a hearty breakfast, you will gather your belongings as we make our way to the airport. From there, we will catch a flight taking us back to Abidjan where we will conclude our journey..

Your time in West Africa has come to an end. After a warm breakfast you will collect your bags from the hotel as we prepare to journey to the airport. From there, you will catch your flight for your departure out of Ivory Coast. We look forward to seeing you on the next Maximum Impact Experience!