welcome to the region of the 21 hills

Are you looking for a weekend away from Cotonou?

Or are you simply looking for a way to explore the country a bit more without the hassle of planning down to the last detail?

Look no further! We here at The Kouda Company would be more than happy to show you around the Dassa-Zoume region of Benin - known for the 21 hills and pounded yams!

Depending on your time frame, we will organize a weekend where all you have to do is show up! Activities could include any of the following:

seeing the hippopotamuses
enjoying a meal and learning the history of an infamous colline (hill) in Dassa
walking through local farms and seeing out cashew tree farm
watch local sports (soccer!)
listen and watch drums and dancing in a local village
eat some delicious homemade meals (which could even include donuts and pancakes for breakfast if requested!)

If you are ready to plan out a trip or have any questions please contact us with the button below!

Contact Us!

Who are We going with?

hello! we are the Kouda’s…Here is our story.

Debra served as a Peace Corps volunteer from 2007-2009, where she lived in the village of Camate-Shakaloke. Three months (or so) into her service, she met Thomas D’Aquin, who grew up in Camate. Soccer games and hiking the local hills started this love story and they married in June of 2009.

When the Peace Corps was over, the married couple made the big move to the US - and to Debra's hometown of Fairbanks, Alaska. Yep - from Africa to Alaska! Thomas ended up loving the minus 35-degree temperatures!

While living in the US, Alaska and Washington, they maintained strong ties with Benin and over the years have built a house and started a cashew tree farm.

Their family grew to include two boys, Aden and Benjamin.

We wish to share our Beninese home with you in a way that a couple with our special background can. A true glimpse into what living in Benin is like and to help give back economically to the country that brought us together.

This tour is not the typical wake up at 3AM to catch a bus and ride for 20 hours. There will be time to sit, watch, and absorb all that is happening around you. We will visit the significant historical areas in southern Benin, but will be spending the majority of the time at our home just north of Dassa. Outings will happen from there to experience the lives of local people.

This tour is not about seeing all the things - it is about feeling, culture, and community. It is showing you the country that sits between Nigeria and Togo in an authentic manner.

We invite you into our family - to experience Benin in a way very few would be able too!

Come and join us!