Walking the West African Slave Trade Routes

It’s one thing to read about the (trans-Atlantic) slave trade and a completely different thing to immerse yourself in an experience that takes you back in time, following the not-so-exact footsteps of millions of men, women and children sold into slavery in the 15th century, when the era began.

Over the last few years, I have had the chance to visit some of the cities and towns along the West African coast, where slave trade thrived because of their proximity to the ocean. I’ve visited Badagry in Lagos, Nigeria, Ouidah in Benin Republic and Cape Coast in Ghana so far. This article isn’t necessarily about slave trade itself – I’m sure we have all heard the gory stories. It’s more about the tours and my experience in each place I went to. My starting point was;

Badagry, Nigeria.

This is a town in Lagos located very close to the Seme border. It served as a major port for the export of slaves to the Caribbean and Americas. Apart from its role during the slave trade, Badagry is also notable for a few historical events in Nigeria. Here, Christianity was first preached, the first story building in Nigeria (which still exists till date) was built and the first education system of Nigeria as a British colony was started.

slave port BadagryYou would think that a town with so much history and cultural heritage would be better preserved but this is not the case. Badagry is almost neglected altogether and there seems to be very little interest in improving the state of things as they are.

One thing I also found oddly disturbing was the fact the a few monuments were named after Nigerian slave trade facilitators. For example, the Brazilian Baracoon was the home of a slave trader named Seriki Abass. This man was captured as a young child and sold into slavery but later became a facilitator himself.

He kept many young men, women and children in inhumane conditions in cells he had them construct. Yet he is ‘honored’ by having this building named after him. I get that it was his home and I agree that he remain in the history books but I simply do not agree that the building be named after him. I also have the same sentiments towards the Mobee family museum.

The tour of the slave trade route in Badagry was at best haphazard. There was a lot to learn but the overall experience still paled in comparison to the tour in Ouidah.

Ouidah, Benin Republic

Ouidah is a city in southern Benin, known as the birthplace of voodoo and also for the role it played during the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

Ouidah

Our tour started from the point where hundreds and thousands of people were escorted out of their cells – in chains – to the point where they were loaded like cargo unto a waiting ship. We didn’t get to visit the Portuguese fort (which is now the Ouidah Museum of History). I reckon that’s where these people were kept before being sold.

We walked past several monuments, sculptures and the forgetting tree. A tree where the captives were made to walk around in order to forget about their families and whatever lives they had before. From that point (the forgetting tree), they were led to the Door of No Return.

Naturally, a city in Togo should come next but I visited only Lome and didn’t get around to exploring the slave trade routes there. My next stop was;

Cape Coast, Ghana

Cape Coast is located about 3hours from Ghana’s capital city, Accra. As you might have guessed already, it is also well known for its role in the slave trade. As for the tours of the slave trade route itself, Cape Coast does a far better job then both Badagry and Ouidah.

Cape Coast Ghana

We took a tour of two castles – Elmina and Cape Coast. Both were very intriguing and our guides were very  knowledgeable and passionate about their narratives. I learnt so much about the slave trade on this single trip than I have ever learned in the past.

I particular loved that both tours ended with the reminder of the ugliness of slavery as experienced in the past, a charge not to dwell but rather learn from it and a reminder that even now, slavery exists in many other forms which we must strive to put an end to.

We cannot change the past but we can learn from it and change the future…

2 comments

  1. Hello!
    I found your post very enlightening. My friends and I would me traveling to a resort in Ouidah, Benin Rep. Could you be kind enough to tell us how to tour the places you visited and probably an estimated cost. Thank you!

    1. Hi Bella, thanks for stopping by & I’m glad you found the post helpful.

      I believe resorts in Ouidah can organize transport for their guests but this will obviously come at a cost. If you want to do it on your own, you can hop on a zemidjan (okada) – which the most common form of transport and visit the places around.

      In Ouidah, there’s the beach, point of no return, Portuguese fort (which is now a museum), Sacred Forest of Kpasse and the infamous Temple des Pythons. I wrote about where I visited here: http://wp.me/p8uiF9-d3 and the costs here: http://wp.me/p8uiF9-cX

      I hope this helps…

I love to hear from you, Leave a comment here!

Close
Help! Why are we losing home and away! 😭🤣 God abeg!

I will resume my complaining once we fix our visa process/make it more accessible for other African travellers!

Side bar: if you have connections in Vietnam, please DM me! 😭😂 I still want to go!
Help! Why are we losing home and away! 😭🤣 God abeg! I will resume my complaining once we fix our visa process/make it more accessible for other African travellers! Side bar: if you have connections in Vietnam, please DM me! 😭😂 I still want to go!
24 hours ago
View on Instagram |
1/9
Mount Kilimanjaro and giraffes - I could cry! 🥹

If you're looking for a great weekend trip from Nairobi to change the pace, Amboseli National Park is truly one of the best places to visit!

For a road trip that's only about 4-5 hours from Nairobi, you get epic views of Mount Kilimanjaro, large elephant herds and if you pick the right lodge, you can watch incredible wildlife come and go, right from the comfort of your dining table or even your room!
Mount Kilimanjaro and giraffes - I could cry! 🥹 If you're looking for a great weekend trip from Nairobi to change the pace, Amboseli National Park is truly one of the best places to visit! For a road trip that's only about 4-5 hours from Nairobi, you get epic views of Mount Kilimanjaro, large elephant herds and if you pick the right lodge, you can watch incredible wildlife come and go, right from the comfort of your dining table or even your room!
1 day ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
💙
💙
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
It was a rainy morning in Nairobi and we went on a walk with the pup 🐶
It was a rainy morning in Nairobi and we went on a walk with the pup 🐶
7 days ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
A not-so-hidden gem in South Korea 🇰🇷 

Suncheon Bay National Garden is absolutely worth visiting.😍
A not-so-hidden gem in South Korea 🇰🇷 Suncheon Bay National Garden is absolutely worth visiting.😍
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
Everyday is a pleasant surprise! 🌻🥹
Everyday is a pleasant surprise! 🌻🥹
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
Oh please, add Gyeongju to your South Korean itinerary! 🇰🇷

It's a charming, beautiful and walkable city that I think is worth visiting. 

When I visited the country for the first time, I picked Jeonju over Gyeongju. Not much thought went into that decision. I just did it - no regrets.

Luckily I got to revisit and what a joy! It's magical in every way! ✨️
Oh please, add Gyeongju to your South Korean itinerary! 🇰🇷 It's a charming, beautiful and walkable city that I think is worth visiting. When I visited the country for the first time, I picked Jeonju over Gyeongju. Not much thought went into that decision. I just did it - no regrets. Luckily I got to revisit and what a joy! It's magical in every way! ✨️
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
Natural, Unfiltered Beauty! 🌸💙

The cherry blossoms were late but that itself was a blessing. I was happy to get clear, gorgeous views of Mount Fuji!

Oh, this trip - this country! Some places leave a permanent mark. This was one of them!
Natural, Unfiltered Beauty! 🌸💙 The cherry blossoms were late but that itself was a blessing. I was happy to get clear, gorgeous views of Mount Fuji! Oh, this trip - this country! Some places leave a permanent mark. This was one of them!
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
Oh, this charming town! 💙

Beautiful cobbled-stone streets, a gorgeous trail that leads to yet another beautiful well-preserved Edo-period post town, temples and shrines... this is Magome-Juku 

If you plan to visit, I recommend staying a night or two. Accommodation is quite limited and everything shuts down by 5pm.

We stayed at Magomechaya for 2 nights. This place has both hostels and private rooms and our stay was absolutely wonderful. I'd definitely revisit!
Oh, this charming town! 💙 Beautiful cobbled-stone streets, a gorgeous trail that leads to yet another beautiful well-preserved Edo-period post town, temples and shrines... this is Magome-Juku If you plan to visit, I recommend staying a night or two. Accommodation is quite limited and everything shuts down by 5pm. We stayed at Magomechaya for 2 nights. This place has both hostels and private rooms and our stay was absolutely wonderful. I'd definitely revisit!
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
9/9
Latest Posts
  • 2 Weeks South Korea Travel Itinerary for First Time Visitors

  • Slow Days in Fast-Paced Tokyo

  • A Serene Weekend at Tawi Lodge, Amboseli

  • Top 10 Easiest Countries for Nigerians to Visit (Visa-Free or Easy Visa)

  • 1000 Days of Learning Swahili – I Quit!

Translate
Become an Insider!
Archives
Close

Travel with a Pen

Seek out New Adventures, Travel Differently

Travel with a Pen © Copyright 2025
Close