Our Staff

CEO & Tour Leader

The man behind Dahomey African Tours, Sardou Gbedjinon also popularly known as Emmanuel, born October 22, 1990, is from Ouidah, Benin the birthplace of Vodoun and specialises in cultural and historical tours. Raised by his father a Vodoun Priest (more commonly known as Voodoo) Sardou come from a poor background and had to finance his own studies from the age of 14 by guiding tourists around Benin. Graduated in Literature and Tourism, due to his hard work, focus and dedication Sardou was able to obtain his first touristic diploma in 2011 with Ouidah Tourism Office.

Sardou went on to earn several more formal qualifications in tourism with the Benin Tourism Ministry in 2013, 2014 and 2015. In 2018 he joined a tour company in Ghana where he expanded his knowledge and experience in tourism, working with a wide range of clients from around the world.

Keen to stay at the forefront of local tourism Sardou completed First Aid training in 2018, supplemented in 2022 and 2023 and gained further tourism qualifications in 2020 with Benin DDTCA Atlantic. In 2022 as part of the Benin Government's "Benin Révélé" tourism project in collaboration with World Bank and World Tourism Organization, Sardou was selected among the 54 most elite tour guides to officially represent Benin tourism on the global stage.

Always looking to the future Sardou has played a major part in the development of tourism in his hometown Ouidah and country Benin. General Assistant Accountant of the Association of Independent Guides of Ouidah and Region, Information and training officer of the Tour Guides Association of Benin Atlantic Region and General Secretary of the Supervisory Board of the national federation of Benin Tour Guides. Speaking several languages including English and French, his personable, fun, and sociable nature make him a very popular guide in West Africa. Sardou has led many tours across West Africa and is very dedicated, competent and passionate about his work.

Stadermin Sardou Gbedjinon