This carefully curated journey through Benin and Ghana offers an in-depth exploration of the origins and impact of the Atlantic slave trade, grounded in African history and contemporary perspectives. The tour moves beyond iconic sites to examine the political systems, economic networks, and cultural traditions that shaped West Africa and connected it to the wider Atlantic world. Encounters with journalists, artists, historians, and cultural leaders provide informed insight into how this history continues to influence societies today.

Traveling from inland royal capitals to coastal ports, sacred landscapes to documented slave routes, the itinerary follows the geographic and historical pathways of the trade while highlighting the complexity of the societies involved. From the former Kingdom of Dahomey in Benin to the Ashanti heartland and Ghana’s historic forts and castles, the program balances major historical sites with contemporary cultural experiences, including urban art, women-run enterprises, traditional crafts, and Pan-African institutions. The result is an intellectually engaging travel experience that combines historical depth with present-day cultural life.

Tour Highlights

• Walk the Route des Esclaves in Ouidah to the Door of No Return, with historical interpretation and discussion of Vodun traditions.
• Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites including the Royal Palaces of Abomey, Ashanti shrines, and the slave castles of Cape Coast and Elmina.
• Engage with artists, journalists, and scholars as we travel from Benin to Ghana.
• Explore key sites of historical memory such as the Nkyinkyim Museum and Assin Manso.
• Experience regional cultural traditions through Kente weaving, Adinkra symbolism, women-run cooperatives, music, and cuisine.

Tour Host André Robert Lee is an award-winning filmmaker, educator, and public historian whose work focuses on race, history, and social justice. He is best known for directing The Prep School Negro (2012), a Peabody Award–winning documentary that examines race, class, and identity through the lens of elite American education. His films are widely used in classrooms and community settings and are recognized for their rigor, accessibility, and attention to historical context.

Lee has served as a visiting professor and lecturer at institutions including Brown University, where he taught courses on race, documentary filmmaking, and African American history. His work bridges scholarship and storytelling, emphasizing careful research, firsthand engagement, and dialogue with scholars, artists, and activists. As tour host, Lee brings a critical, informed perspective to the history of the Atlantic slave trade, helping participants connect historical sites in Benin and Ghana to broader narratives of power, resistance, and cultural continuity within the African diaspora.

Please note that Benin and Ghana require all travelers be vaccinated against yellow fever.  For additional information on contraindications and precautions, see yellow fever vaccine and consult with your doctor prior to committing to this tour. 

See the itinerary for complete details. Questions? Contact us using the “Learn More” button or call us at 212-209-5401.

100% of the proceeds from our travel programs support The Nation’s journalism.

The Nation purchases carbon offsets to cover the emissions generated by our travel program in order to help mitigate effects on the climate.