Experience the authentic heartbeat of West Africa & immerse yourself in Guinea’s rich drumming and dance traditions in an enriching & unforgettable music & cultural tour
Study with master drummers and dancers in the vibrant epicentre of African music
Take your drumming and dance skills to new heights through intensive daily training while experiencing the blissful chaos and pure magic of Guinea’s culture
Learn traditional rhythms, dances, and techniques passed down through generations
Mohata is presented by Mohamed Bangoura and provides participants with the ultimate African experience, focusing on the musical and dance traditions of Guinea. The Mandinke people, having created the djembe some 7 centuries ago, are the rightful holders of this ancient tradition.
In Matam, Conakry, the vibrant epicentre for music and dance training in Africa, we present an incredible opportunity to learn rhythms and dances from the highest calibre artists.
Ready to book? Click here ›
Programme
Daily programme will generally comprise morning & afternoon
1.5 hours sessions:
2 x drumming or dance classes
1 x dun dun dance
Classes cater for the comfort range and experience levels of all participants from beginners to advanced.
Be part of the end of tour performance
with local community in a truly authentic
local celebration.
Evenings & weekends will be filled with laughing, jamming, outings to authentic local venues and a chance to experience performances by Ballet African and
going to Doundounba Parties.
Planned Itinerary
Week 1: Conakry, capital of Guinea
Week 2: Travel to one of the
gorgeous island off the coast
Week 3: Return to Conakry before heading to the idyllic beaches of Belle Air
Week 4: Return to Conakry for
showcase before heading home
Your Instructors
Bangoura Ke – Djembe
(Griot Master Djembe)
Layeba Ramos Cissse – Djembe (Director/performer with Ballet Sankaran)
Marietou Camera – Dance
(Performer with Ballet Sourahata)
Plus an entourage of accompanying musicians uniting to showcase their rich musical and dance traditions.
Mohamed Bangoura
aka “Bangoura Ke”
Mohamed Bangoura, was born into a Griot family in Guinea, West Africa and is considered a West African drum master, one of Guinea’s finest.
Mohamed has been sharing his musical heritage, culture and West African customs by teaching drumming and dancing to students globally.
“Going to Guinea took my drumming and cultural understanding to an entirely new level – my life will never be the same.” – JADE T.
Prices
Drum OR Dance tuition $4500
Drum AND Dance tuition $4900
MOHATA DRUM AND DANCE COURSE
Morning & afternoon classes
Monday – Friday over 4 weeks.
Drums will be provided for use.
All group tuition, meals, accommodation and internal transport are included in the price.
All instruments played during the tour (djembes, flutes, balafons, koras, dun duns) may be purchased and taken home
by students.
About the Study Program
The Mohata drum & dance study tour is designed to meet your individual needs. With classes for beginner level or more advanced. Our teachers are highly experienced experts and will make sure to challenge you and also guide you as you progress on your musical journey.
There will be morning and afternoon lessons for approximately 1.5hrs per lesson for both drumming and dancing. There will also be opportunities for group jamming, singing lessons and opportuinity to witness and experience many styles of Guinea’s amazing drum, dance and music culture.
Whether it be drum, dance, or a combination of the two, you will be encouraged and challenged to develop as far as you want to go!
Drumming
- We offer you world class Djembe and Dunun teachers that come from a rich musical and cultural background. Offering some exciting traditonal and contemporary African drumming rhythms.
- Our team of Master Drummers are great fun and dedicated to push you to grow and get the most out of your experience.
- Each class will feature the Master drummer and a support team of amazing dun dun players and local musicians. Sharing their songs, accompaniments, breaks, technique and solos.
Dance
- For those interested in dance, this is an amazing opportunity to learn from the source. Featuring 2 x 1.5 hour dance classes each dance, you can choose to focus on that or also do drum classes as well.
- You will have amazing and inspiring dance teachers that will share the cultural context of the dance moves whilst accompanied by awesome live drumming
- Get fit whilst developing your endurance, technique form and repertoire.
Extra Tuition Option
There will be time for individual private lessons in a range of instruments including: Djembe, Dun Dun, dance, singing, Balafon (tradtional wooden xylophone) and Kora (traditional stringed instument)
Drums & More
- All drums will be provided for use during the tour. We will be offering premium, Guinea made Djembes from local master drum makers.
- In addition you will have the opportunity to see how the drums are made as well as being able to purchase your own to bring back home.
- Djembe, dun dun, African percussion Ballaphone and Kora also available
Accomodation
‘Mohata’ means ‘my home’ and you will be welcome at Mohamed’s home with his extended family, friends and community.
We will be staying in Mohamed’s 10 bedroom / 10 bathroom house situated on a peacful riverfront property in the capital city Conakry. Settle in to the local lifestyle and rooms will be basic twin share or single (depending on availability) each featuring own bathroom.
Food On Tour
Each day you can expect fresh home cooked meals with a variety of local and western style dishes. You can expect fresh fruits and vegetables, rice, meats, delicious local sauces as well as western type food such as pasta and fresh baked Baguettes.
Vegetarians and special dietary requirements can be catered for so please let us know your dietary requirements.
Ceremonies & Cultural Excursions
This journey will feature a variety of opportunities to see the local life in Guinea and immerse yourself in the rich and vibrant culture. Cultural ceremonies, often including traditional drum and dance, are a big part of the daily life in Guinea. We will have the opportunity to do some cultural excursions and hopefully witness local ceremonies depending on what is on offer at the time.
Activities and excursions:
- Visiting local markets
- ‘Dundunba’ Guinea style drum and dance cultural events
- Boat trip and visiting beautiful, local islands
- Village trip – journey to see traditional village life
- Concerts and live music
- Local nightclubs in Conakry
Shopping
There will be opportunities to visit local markets for shopping and to take in the sights and local culture. Choose your own African fabrics and have the local tailors make you colourful African clothes. Plus check out the local instruments plus arts and crafts of Guinea.
Tour Rates
- $4500 Drum or Dance
- $4900 Drum and Dance
The Tour rate includes:
- Group Airport transfers
- Accommodation for 4 weeks
- 3 freshly cooked meals a day
* Private tuition and optional excursions are not included so we suggest bringing some extra cash for these things and shopping
** The Tour rate does not include Airfares, Visas, Travel Insurance or Drums
Getting There
FROM AUSTRALIA
Tour goers are responsible for booking and paying for their own airfare. Fares usually range from $3000 – $4000, depending on where you depart and who you book with. Keep in mind that prices tend to rise after the 30th of June.
- Contact us as Mohamed has a travel agent that may be able to offer a group discount if we book together
Airline options include: Emirates, Qatar, Qantas, Turkish, KLM, Kenyan, Ethiopian
FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD
You are welcome to fly in from anywhere, however arrival time needs to be considered carefully so you arrive in time to join us for the transport to the house.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Each person is responsible for their own travel and medical insurance. Please arrange your own traval insurance policy for the journey.
*link for travel insurance
Visas
All Tour goers will need a Guinea visa, which must be arranged personally before the commencement of the tour.
APPLYING FROM AUSTRALIA
Visa applications can be done online
Guinea visa
Other FAQ’s
- There will be wi-fi available at the house, however, consider that it may not be the quality that you are used to at home.
- ATM’s are available in town to withdraw cash in local currency
- It is also recommended to bring some US or EU currency as a back up to exchange to local currency for incidentals and shopping.
Ready to book? How to apply:
1. Email us to register:
For bookings & enquiries:
Saul: 0425 283 382
info@souldrummer.com.au
Mohamed: – 0415 297 104
Bangourake24@mail.com
2. Payment
A $1,500 deposit is required upon booking and secures your accommodation.
The remaining balance should be settled by 1st Nov 2025 or at your earliest convenience.
Payment can be made via EFT to:
Mr Mohamed Bangoura
ANZ bank
BSB: 012235
Account: 5645 26112