Benin Tours & Holidays

Small Group Tours & Tailor-Made Holidays

Overview

Bordered by Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east and Burkina Faso and Niger to the north, Benin’s cultural complexity and rich heritage has long been shackled to the slavers who haunted this corner of West Africa for nearly three centuries. The spiritual birth place of voodoo, Benin is a land of fetishes and spirits, whose palm-fringed beaches and rugged northern landscapes play host to a colourful Afro-Brazilian culture and one of the finest wildlife parks in West Africa. Home to nearly ...

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Group tours

Travel to Benin with like-minded people on one of our small group tours (usually max size 12), featuring knowledgeable local guides and an expert tour leader.

HIGHLIGHTS OF BENIN

BEST EXPERIENCES

Ganvie by boat

Ganvie by boat

Glide through the water channels of Ganvie, the largest stilt village in Africa.

Door of no return

Door of no return

Visit the moving memorial arch in Ouidah, Benin, dedicated to the enslaved Africans who were taken to the Americas.

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WHEN TO GO

The rainy season runs from around June to September, making travel in the country more challenging than usual, so it's best to avoid these months. The best time to visit is October through to April though it will be hot whatever time you choose to travel, with high levels of humidity throughout much of the year.

LGBTQIA+ Guidance

When planning to travel as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, there may be additional things you wish to consider doing, such as:

  • Speaking to one of our travel experts for information about travelling in your chosen destination and local attitudes towards members of the LGBTQIA+ community
  • Checking the Human Dignity Trust map of countries that criminalise LGBTQIA+ people, which highlights potentially dangerous regions and countries
  • Checking the ‘Local laws and customs’ section of your country's official foreign travel advice page
  • Looking for any updates for your desired destination on the Human Rights Watch LGBTQIA+ rights page
  • Buying a recommended guidebook, as many include an LGBTQIA+ section and advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers

USEFUL INFORMATION

Health and Vaccinations 

For travel to Benin you will need to have a Yellow Fever Vaccination prior to travel. There are no other mandatory immunisations for travellers to Benin though you should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. Malaria is present in most parts of Benin so we recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments. 

Currency 

In Benin the official unit of currency is the West African CFA.  

To check out the latest exchange rate for the places that you are visiting you can go to www.oanda.com

Cultural Sensitivity 

On our tours you will frequently interact with local people, each with their own distinct customs and traditions. We therefore ask you to be considerate and to treat them with respect. Your tour-leaders and guides will always be able to advise you accordingly.  

Please note that some areas we travel through have strong Muslim influences and people may be offended by revealing clothing. You should dress with respect for local sensibilities on this tour.  

Benin is one of the main centres of voodoo practices and that culture remains prevalent. You should respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities. 

Language & Religion 

In Benin, the official language is French. The main religions in Benin are Christianity, Islam and traditional beliefs. 

Time 

Benin is 1 hour ahead of GMT. 

A useful website to check the time zone differences is www.worldtimezone.com.  

Food and drink 

The food in Benin is some of the best in West Africa and there are lots of places to try it. As is the same in most West African countries’ meals are usually based on a starch staple accompanied by sauces. In Southern Benin, fish is a highlight in the local cuisine including barracuda, dorado or grouper and are served grilled or fried.  

Benin has its fair share of local drinks ranging from local beers, La Beninoise or you can try the palm wine, Tchapallo, which is a fermented millet-based drink. For those adventurous types, why not try Sodabe, a clear coloured alcohol distilled from palm wine which will knock your socks off!