Rhythm Power – West African Drum & Dance Tour Dec 2023 - Jan 2024
2023-12-29 10:30 - 2024-01-25 17:00 (Australia/Sydney) | Ghana Drumming Camp, Ghana
Our 15th tour – A drum & dance journey to change your life!

Tour Date: December 29th 2023 – Jan 25th 2024
Tour Rate: Sold Out
Location: Accra and Volta Region, Ghana West Africa
Join Soul Drummer and friends from African Drumming for a journey of a lifetime. This tour is a unique cultural experience, while offering some of the best drum and dance tuition available in the region. Featuring world class tuition, healthy delicious meals, tropical beachside accomodation with safe, wonderful and friendly local community. With added festivals & excursions, shopping and live entertainment, your time in Africa will be an unforgettable experience.
Contact us for sign up form ›
Download the tour pack ›

For more information and booking inquiries on our Rhythm Power tour, please contact us now

Learn to Drum - Manly Term 3 2024
2024-07-30 19:00 - 2024-09-24 20:30 | Manly Seniors Centre, 275 Pittwater road, Manly, Sydney, NSW, 2095, Australia
Join us for this 9 week African drumming course starting 30th July until 24th September

Drumming course for all levels
These dynamic workshops are uplifting, engaging and fun. In each course you will learn traditional African rhythms, songs, technique, warm up exercises and jamming. Connect with your community and have fun and then come and play at the end of term community celebration.

9 week drumming course

Designed for beginner to intermediate level

Advanced course also available at our Bondi location

Drums are provided free of charge or BYO

Limited places – booking early to secure your place

Drums and accessories available for purchase here

Participate in the end of term student celebration event

Gift vouchers are available

Parking / Transport
Free street parking is available surrounding the venue.

Learn to Drum - Bondi Term 3 2024
2024-07-31 19:00 - 2024-09-25 20:30 | Waverley College, 131 Birrell Street, Waverley, NSW, 2024, Australia
Join us for this 9 week African drumming course starting 31st July until 25th September 2024

Drumming course for all levels
These dynamic workshops are uplifting, engaging and fun. In each course you will learn traditional African rhythms, songs, technique, warm up exercises and jamming. Connect with your community and have fun and then come and play at the end of term community celebration.

9 week drumming course

Designed for beginner to intermediate level

Advanced course also available at our Bondi location

Drums are provided free of charge or BYO

Limited places – booking early to secure your place

Drums and accessories available for purchase here

Participate in the end of term student celebration event

Gift vouchers are available

Parking / Transport
Pedestrian access through gate 9 on Birrell Street (opposite St Mary’s Avenue – Also opposite Waverley park)
There is free street parking close by. Free parking is also available in one of the school car parks on Henrietta St, right near the corner of Birrell Street.

Buses – From Bondi Junction take the 360 bus to Birrell Street. From Bondi Beach take the 333 or 380 and walk from Bondi Road to Birrell Street.

Learn to Drum - Newtown Term 3 2024
2024-08-01 19:00 - 2024-09-26 20:30 | North Newtown Public School, Carillon Ave, Newtown, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Join us for this 9 week African drumming course starting 1st August until 26th September 2024

Drumming course for all levels
These dynamic workshops are uplifting, engaging and fun. In each course you will learn traditional African rhythms, songs, technique, warm up exercises and jamming. Connect with your community and have fun and then come and play at the end of term community celebration.

9 week drumming course

Designed for beginner to intermediate level

Advanced course also available at our Bondi location

Drums are provided free of charge or BYO

Limited places – booking early to secure your place

Drums and accessories available for purchase here

Participate in the end of term student celebration event

Gift vouchers are available

Parking / Transport
Free parking is available on the school grounds. From Carillon Avenue, turn into Elizabeth street (near the school). Drive to the end and turn left (ignore the ‘no entry’ sign). Follow straight into the school through the gates.

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2024-12-09 08:00 - 17:00 | Waverley College, 131 Birrell Street, Waverley, NSW, 2024, Australia

Learn to Drum - Newtown Term 3 2025
2025-07-31 19:00 - 2025-09-25 20:30 | North Newtown Public School, Carillon Ave, Newtown, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Join our new African drumming course.
It started on 31st July but ok to join this week for the remaining at a discounted rate.

Drumming course for all levels
These dynamic workshops are uplifting, engaging and fun. In each course you will learn traditional African rhythms, songs, technique, warm up exercises and jamming. Connect with your community and have fun and then come and play at the end of term community celebration.

9 week drumming course

Designed for beginner to intermediate level

Advanced course also available at our Bondi location

Drums are provided free of charge or BYO

Limited places – booking early to secure your place

Drums and accessories available for purchase here

Participate in the end of term student celebration event

Gift vouchers are available

Parking / Transport
Free parking is available on the school grounds. From Carillon Avenue, turn into Elizabeth street (near the school). Drive to the end and turn left (ignore the ‘no entry’ sign). Follow straight into the school through the gates.

Learn to Drum - Newtown Term 1 2026
2025-12-20 08:00 - 17:00 | Bamarang Bush Retreat, 145 Bamarang Rd, Nowra, NSW, 2541, Australia

Mohata Drum & Dance Study Tour with Mohamed Bangoura - Jan-Feb 2026
2026-01-04 09:30 - 2026-02-01 17:00 | NSW
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
https://www.paf.gov.gn/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

Learn to Drum Manly Term 3 2026
2026-07-28 19:00 - 2026-09-22 20:30 | Manly Seniors Centre, 275 Pittwater road, Manly, Sydney, NSW, 2095, Australia
Join our ‘Learn to Drum’ course!

The course started Tuesday 28th July but it’s ok to join this week for the remaining 8 weeks.

Drumming course for all levels
These dynamic workshops are uplifting, engaging and fun. In each course you will learn traditional African rhythms, songs, technique, warm up exercises and jamming. Connect with your community and have fun and then come and play at the end of term community celebration.

9 week drumming course

Designed for beginner to intermediate level

Advanced course also available at our Bondi location

Drums are provided free of charge or BYO

Limited places – booking early to secure your place

Drums and accessories available for purchase here

Participate in the end of term student celebration event

Gift vouchers are available

Parking / Transport
Free street parking is available surrounding the venue.

Learn to Drum - Bondi Term 3 2026
2026-07-29 19:00 - 2026-09-23 20:30 | Waverley College, 131 Birrell Street, Waverley, NSW, 2024, Australia
Join our ‘Learn to Drum’ course!

The course started Wednesday 29th July but it’s ok to join for the remaining for 8 weeks.

Drumming course for all levels
These dynamic workshops are uplifting, engaging and fun. In each course you will learn traditional African rhythms, songs, technique, warm up exercises and jamming. Connect with your community and have fun and then come and play at the end of term community celebration.

9 week drumming course

Designed for beginner to intermediate level

Advanced course also available at our Bondi location

Drums are provided free of charge or BYO

Limited places – booking early to secure your place

Drums and accessories available for purchase here

Participate in the end of term student celebration event

Gift vouchers are available

Parking / Transport
Pedestrian access through gate 9 on Birrell Street (opposite St Mary’s Avenue – Also opposite Waverley park)
There is free street parking close by. Free parking is also available in one of the school car parks on Henrietta St, right near the corner of Birrell Street.

Buses – From Bondi Junction take the 360 bus to Birrell Street. From Bondi Beach take the 333 or 380 and walk from Bondi Road to Birrell Street.

Learn to Drum - Newtown Term 3 2026
2026-07-30 19:00 - 2026-09-24 20:30 | North Newtown Public School, Carillon Ave, Newtown, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Join our ‘Learn to Drum’ course!

The course started Thursday 30th July but it’s ok to join this week for the remaining 8 weeks.

Drumming course for all levels
These dynamic workshops are uplifting, engaging and fun. In each course you will learn traditional African rhythms, songs, technique, warm up exercises and jamming. Connect with your community and have fun and then come and play at the end of term community celebration.

9 week drumming course

Designed for beginner to intermediate level

Advanced course also available at our Bondi location

Drums are provided free of charge or BYO

Limited places – booking early to secure your place

Drums and accessories available for purchase here

Participate in the end of term student celebration event

Gift vouchers are available

Parking / Transport
Free parking is available on the school grounds. From Carillon Avenue, turn into Elizabeth street (near the school). Drive to the end and turn left (ignore the ‘no entry’ sign). Follow straight into the school through the gates.
