Benin Tours & Holidays
At this stage we don't have any organised trips to Benin.
That said, Intrepid can create tailor-made tours to many destinations, including Senegal. Our fully customised trips still offer the same small group experiences with local leaders, but made just the way you want it. Simply fill out your details on our Tailor-Made page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch.
Benin at a glance
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CAPITAL CITY
Porto Novo (population 223,600)
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POPULATION
9.6 million
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CURRENCY
XOF
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LANGUAGE
French, Fon, Yoruba, Dendi, Bariba, Ge
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TIME ZONE
(GMT+01:00) West Central Africa
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CALLING CODE
+229
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ELECTRICITY
Type C (European 2-pin) Type E (French 2-pin, female earth)
Learn more about Benin
Best time to visit Benin
The most pleasant months to visit Benin are between November and February when temperatures drop along with the humidity. From April to July and September to October expect heavy rains. The dry and dusty harmattan winds from the Sahara blow between December and March, and this period (particularly February to April) can be uncomfortably hot, with temperatures in the mid-40s (Celsius).
Geography and environment
This relatively small slice of Africa has a beautiful coastline dotted with palm trees and beaches. Behind the coast is a network of lagoons which flood during the rainy months. Further inland the plateau gradually rises into the highlands and the Atakora Mountains. Benin shares a border with Nigeria to the east, Burkina Faso and Nigeria to the north and Togo to the west.
Top 5 distinctly Beninese moments
1. Paddle a pirogue
A good chunk of Benin is under, over, or around water and when the roads disappear, there’s only one way to travel – by pirogue! These dugout canoes have serviced the Beninese for centuries.
2. Walk in the footsteps of slaves
Ouidah was often the last bit of Africa slaves saw as they were sent around the world to be traded and worked. The Portuguese, English and French all constructed forts here to protect their trading interests, one of which now houses a museum that gives you a unique glimpse into the terror and destruction that the slave trade wreaked on this part of the world.
3. Stay in a stilt city
Over 10,000 people call the waters of Ganvie home. Perched up above the lagoon in stilted houses, they eat, sleep, fish and live miles away from dry land. Stay in an auberge for a taste of life on the water.
4. Learn voodoo
Over 60% of Beninese practice voodoo. Dive right into the traditions and everyday rituals as you travel through villages. The Musée d'histoire d'Ouidah gives an interesting insight into voodoo history and culture in the area.
5. Tuck into yams
They’re the favourite, number one food of the Beninese. Mashed, fried, as chips or slathered in peanut sauce - it’s not a meal until it’s been yammed.
Further reading
Title | Author |
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To Benin and Back | Chris Starace |
The Viceroy of Ouidah | Bruce Chatwin |
Show Me The Magic | Annie Caulfield |
Benin travel FAQs
Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).
However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.
Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
Australia: Yes - in advance
Belgium: Yes - in advance
Canada: Yes - in advance
Germany: Yes - in advance
Ireland: Yes - in advance
Netherlands: Yes - in advance
New Zealand: Yes - in advance
South Africa: Yes - in advance
Switzerland: Yes - in advance
United Kingdom: Yes - in advance
USA: Yes - in advance
Please obtain your Benin visa in advance. We advise you to check current visa requirements with your nearest Embassy or Consulate. Australians & New Zealanders will need to apply through the Embassy in London.
Please note however that visas are valid for three months from date of issue. If you send your application by post or courier, it will be returned the same.
VISITORS WILL REQUIRE THE FOLLOWING: 1. Valid Passport 2. Valid Visa (See below) 3. Yellow Fever Certificate 4. Typhoid and Malaria Protection (Recommended)
VISAS: Visas may be applied for by post or personal application at the Consulate. Callers at the Consulate will normally be able to obtain visas while they wait. All applications must be accompanied by the following: a. Valid Passport b. Complete application form c. 2 Passport type photographs d. Appropriate fee: 15 days =£50 Postal applications MUST be accompanied with a pre-paid registered or recorded envelope large enough to hold a passport for return.
OPENING HOURS: The Consulate is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10.30 am to 4.00 pm You will need a letter of invitation to apply for the Benin visa. Please contact Peregrine for a copy of this invitation. Please allow between 2 -3 weeks for the courier and visa issue time.
It may also be possible for most nationalities to obtain a visa for Benin in Accra, Ghana. An express visa in Accra takes 1-3 working days but may be subject to additional fees.
Tipping 10% is customary in most touristy places.
Internet access is fairly sparse outside of the largest city, Cotonou.
Mobile phone coverage is limited outside of major centres. Ensure you have global roaming activated with your carrier if you wish to use your phone.
Benin’s toilets may be basic. Be prepared for squat toilets, even in major centres.
Credit cards aren’t commonly accepted outside major tourist areas.
ATMs are very uncommon and cannot be relied upon to work. Payment in cash is always preferred.
Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.
For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance
- 1 Jan New Year's Day
- 10 Jan Vaudoun Day
- 17 Apr Easter Monday
- 1 May Labour Day
- 25 May Ascension Day
- 5 Jun Whit Monday
- 25 Jun Korité / End of Ramadan
- 1 Aug Independence Day
- 15 Aug Assumption Day
- 1 Sep Tabaski / Feast of Sacrifice
- 1 Nov All Saints' Day
- 30 Nov The Prophet's Birthday
- 25 Dec Christmas Day
Please note these dates are for 2017. For a current list of public holidays in Benin go to: http://www.worldtravelguide.net/benin/public-holidays
Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travellers seriously and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure:
From Australia?
Go to: Smart Traveller
From Canada?
Go to: Canada Travel Information
From the UK?
Go to: UK Foreign Travel Advice
From New Zealand?
Go to: Safe Travel
From the US?
Go to: US Department of State
The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.