Sights in Benin

1. Parc National de Pendjari

   • Benin
   • Sights › Outdoors

   This 275,000-hectare national park 45km (28mi) north of Natitingou, is the wildlife park par excellence in this part of West Africa. Visitors may spot lions, leopards, elephants, baboons and hippos. The best viewing time is near the end of the dry season when the animals start to hover around the water holes.

   With waterfalls, a woody landscape and good tracks, it is a pleasure to drive around. The park adjoins the Parc National d'Arli in Burkina Faso and is bordered to the west, north and east by the Pendjari River.

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2. A Map

   Grand Marché du Dantokpa

   • Cotonou, Benin
   • Sights › Market

   The seemingly endless Grand Marché du Dantokpa is Cotonou's exhilarating, exhausting heart, bordered by the lagoon and Blvd St Michel. Everything under the sun can be purchased in its labyrinthine lanes, particularly if 'everything' happens to be a dodgy Lucky Dube CD or a pair of plastic sandals. More traditional fare, such as batiks and Fon jewellery, can be found in the market building. There is also a fetish market, located near the pirogues arriving from the lagoon.

   Look out for the so-called 'Mama Benz', the haughty matriarchs of the market who are named after their favourite make of car.

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3. Grand Marché du Danktokpa

   • Benin
   • Sights › Market

   This huge must-see market sells everything from food, radios, waxed cloth, pottery and baskets to bat wings and monkey testicles. Hunt down a le fetiche d'amour (a love fetish). Rub it on your hands, whisper to it seven times the name of the desired one, then touch that person and they're yours!

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