Benin Travel Guide and Lodging Directory

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Republic of Benin is a small country in Western Africa , previously known as Dahomey.It is surrounded by Niger, Togo,Nigeria and Burkina Faso. As the country shares its coastline with the water body - Bligh of Benin, it has been named so. Its capital is Porto Novo but the government seat is Cotonou, which is a 20 minutes drive from Porto Novo.

With a history of recruitment of slaves from the country and voodoo as the national religion, Benin has since then evolved into a multi ethenic cultural country but is still rooted in ancient customs and traditions. Although many major towns have got an international flavour with modern restaurants and good hotels .

One can see a multitude of collection of Yoruba artifacts at the Musée Éthnographique de Porto Novo while Cotonou has the well known huge and picturesque Grand Marché de Dantokpa. The places of attraction are the Musée Historique d'Abomey, consisting of the palaces of the ancient kings Ghézo and Glélé. The museum displays royal thrones and tapestries, human skulls that were once used as musical instruments, fetish items and Ghézo's throne which is mounted on four real skulls of vanquished enemies. It may seem send a shiver down your spine but it is worth looking at the mystic and occult remnants of the country’s past.

The unique feature to travel and see would be Ganvie, "the Venice of Africa" a village build on stakes in the lake or and mud fortresses is a few kilometers north of Cotonou.

Another popular destination to visit is Parc National de Pendjari where lions, leopards, elephants, baboons and hippos can be found in natural environment. With huge waterfalls, heavily wooded landscape and good forest tracks are a pleasure to drive around in.

For visiting this beautiful country, try to avoid the rainy seasons (April to mid July) as the roads are bad and get flooded. The hottest time of the year is from February to April and seems to be the best time to see animals. So, choose your time and pack your bags, Benin is waiting for you!

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