What to see, what to do Benin?
The 10 good reasons to go Benin
The diversity of nature
From the sea to the mountains, from the savannah to the palm groves, nature is everywhere and multiple.
Going back in time
The rulers of the kingdom of Dahomey or the slave trade, the story here is poignant
The welcome and the smiles
Don't hesitate to go and meet people, smiles and long discussions guaranteed!
Traditions well present
Everywhere, Beninese are attached to traditions, history and elders
Villages and rural life
In Benin, the discovery of the villages is essential to touch the soul of the country.
The cradle of voodoo
It is here that we can try to penetrate the secrets of this traditional religion
Go for a real adventure
The routes are not marked everywhere and adventure is always around the corner
A mixed population
About fifty ethnic groups make the population a symbol of diversity
Political stability of the country
Despite some upheavals, presidents succeed one another and democracy reigns.
A sanctuary for African wildlife
Antelopes and elephants await you for an unforgettable safari in the Pendjari.
What to visit Benin?
Interview: My Benin
with Baptiste Tharreau
Baptiste Tharreau has been traveling around Benin for the Petit Futé for nearly 15 years. Here, he likes the contrast between the fervor of Cotonou and the languor of the beach of Grand-Popo, sleeping on the roof of a tata somba and working on his fishing techniques on a pirogue of the lake Ahémé at sunrise. And, above all, to feel at home everywhere in this welcoming country!
See the video of the interviewGood to know to visit Benin
Timetable
To discover the forests and parks of the country, it is advisable to get up at dawn to explore the nature and have the best chance to observe the wildlife. As for the few museums in the country, they are generally open from Monday to Saturday, and even on Sunday, from 9am to 6pm
To be booked
You can visit all the museums in the country without a reservation, although it is advisable to have a guide (and therefore a visit planned with an agency) to fully enjoy it. In the Pendjari Park, no reservation is necessary. However, if you want to sleep there, the only solution is the Pendjari Safari Lodge... where it will be necessary to make a reservation.
Budget & Tips
In Benin, there are no free passes of any kind. In any case, prices rarely go up... However, traveling with an incoming agency, and therefore a guide and a driver, will always avoid you some "extras" at the time of checkout...
Guided tours
Incoming agencies, which hire only local people to guide the visits, are the best way to discover the country. Especially, in an agency in the North, it is the local guides who will make you discover the Atacora and the tata somba. As in the South, where the guides of Ouidah or Ganvié are generally from the region. In short, this is the best way to get a feel for the sites, especially since the guides will always have the right address to offer you a little local break.
Tourist traps
Some locals may act as guides to make a little money. Make sure that the person is trustworthy.
