Atacora Tours is a family run business on a human scale.. We have a single passion: to show you all the hidden gems West-Africa has to offer.
West-Africa and Benin in particular, has everything to make your vacation into a unique experience. Although it is less known than other popular tourist destinations in Africa, it is a lot more authentic and off the beaten track with little or no crowds!
Atacora Tours is managed by Mathieu Yokossipé and Bart Stes.
Mathieu was born in Natitingou, but he moved to Ivory Coast with his parents when he was a baby. They lived in the Southwest part of the country in a small village by the name of Buessovoda close to Oumé.
He returned to Benin in 1997 and went back to live in Natitingou where he worked with the Chinese for 5 years in building construction.
He became friends with some young French volunteers in Natitingou and started to guide for them. So Mathieu has over 17 years of experience in guiding.
He loves football and he even played with some of the best players in the world as a youngster in Ivory Coast, including Bonaventure Kalou.
What characterizes Mathieu the most, is that he wants to make the most out of his life, even in very difficult circumstances. That, and his eternal smile. He really loves to laugh, but won’t say no to good food and drinks either.
Mathieu loves work that is well done and he values the truth above all else, even to the extent that his nickname in Ivory coast was Gbé (which translates to “the truth”).
And most of all, Mathieu also places his clients wishes above his own.