8 experiences you can have only in Benin

This small West African country of Benin is blessed with lush natural beauty, miles of beaches, unique markets and cultural riches.

It’s a popular destination for travelers in search of a different kind of adventure. Indeed, Benin is the birthplace of Vodou – the internationally famous but not-very-well-understood religion that worships natural spirits and reveres ancestors.

There’s a tragic aspect to Benin’s history: much its population was enslaved by European traders, who forcibly dispersed much of the population across the Atlantic. At the country’s museums, you’ll learn more about this difficult but important history.

If you’re thinking about a trip to Benin, these are the eight best things to do in the country.

1. Go shopping in Cotonou

Benin’s largest city, bustling Cotonou has something to offer all travelers. Shoppers in particular will love the Artisanal Center, where vendors sell a range of handicrafts that make for ideal souvenirs, and the Grand Marché du Dantokpa, where a panoply of stalls heaves with everything from fresh seafood to handmade soap. In the northern part of this bazaar, the Vodou Fetish Market is where Vodou priests buy supplies for rituals.

2. Float through Ganvie, the largest stilt village in Africa

With its numerous canals, Ganvie is a must-visit place for anyone traveling to Benin. This stilt village is full of “watermen,” residents who have adapted to living in the shallow waters and islands of Lake Nokoue.

The village traces its founding to the days of the transatlantic trade of enslaved people, when the Tofinu people fled inland from the coast, seeking to avoid getting trafficked into the trade by warriors from the Fon culture. (The Fon earned notoriety as hunters and traffickers of human beings during this era.)

Today, Ganvie’s population of 20,000 pursues fishing and tourism as their main sources of income. Only a 33km drive from the capital of Cotonou, the village offers a welcome taste of local Beninese culture.

Bird-watchers in particular will be in heaven, for African openbills and white-crested herons call the 16,000-hectare Lake Nokoue home.

Planning tip: Ganvie is one of Benin’s most popular spots for tourists, and unscrupulous operators have been known to overcharge. Make sure to book a reputable guide for a reliable, good-value experience.

3. Take a safari in Pendjari National Park

A large wildlife population – including lions, hippos, elephants and buffaloes – inhabits Pendjari National Park, a remote reserve covering 2755 sq km. The tropical climate of the area ensures an abundant annual supply of rainfall, enabling lush vegetation to flourish in the area. The most scenic areas are hidden away in the hills and cliffs.

We recommend hiring a guide to enhance your viewing of large land mammals and reptiles. You can also go bird-watching to take in the full scope of the area’s extraordinary wildlife.

Planning tip: Remember to carry a hat and wear sunscreen during your excursion in Pendjari.

4. Detour to Natitingou to celebrate the joys of shea butter

Just 50km from Pendjari National Park, you’ll find the famous shea butter producers of Natitingou – a place well worth the detour. Here, local artisans extract the rich oil from the seeds of the indigenous shea tree (Vitellaria), creating products that make skin glow. Be sure to buy a few jars of shea butter as souvenirs.

Beyond skin care, this small city has a museum, in a former colonial building, that tells a detailed history of the Somba people of Benin. If you have an affinity for African culture, this where you can learn in great detail about the Sombas’ unique building methods.

5. Learn about Vodou in Ouidah

When visiting Benin, the city of Ouidah – a center of Vodou – should be at the top of your itinerary. At the Temple of Pythons, some 60 giant snakes hang around in between Vodou rituals. At the Musée de la Fondation Zinso and the Musée d’Histoire de Ouidah, you can learn more about Benin’s colonial history. Finish your visit to this compelling place by following the Route des Esclaves, which will take you along the harrowing journey of enslaved persons, from getting sold as a commodity in the market to the Door of No Return, a monument that honors those Beninese forever lost to the trade of the enslaved.

Planning tip: When hiring a driver for your Ouidah excursion, negotiate a rate that includes entrance fees to all its sites to save money and time.

5. Explore the remnants of Portuguese culture in Porto-Novo

Porto-Novo is the capital of Benin, and full of rich history relating to the kingdom of the Goun (Gun). While the city retains strong ties to the French, who made the city their capital when they were the colonial rulers, its name derives from the Portuguese, who established a center of the enslavement trade in the coastal city in the 17th century.

Today, you can can pay a visit to Porto-Novo’s Grand Mosque, built in 1912 in the Afro-Brazilian style, which was inspired by colonial church architecture. Other Porto-Novo sights include the Musée Ethnographique de Porto Novo, which will teach you about the customs of Benin’s diverse tribal cultures; the Centre Songhai, celebrating sustainable farming; and the Musée de Silva, which celebrates Benin’s fascinating Afro-Brazilian community.

Planning tip: If you want to avoid Ganvie’s touristy vibe, head to the stilt villages of Aguégués, a 37km drive from Porto-Novo.

7. Dive into history at Abomey

If you love history, make sure you visit the Royal Palaces of Abomey. In the northern part of the country, Abomey was once the capital of the powerful West African Kingdom of Dahomey, which ruled from 1600 to 1814. While the the palace buildings are in a sad state of conservation, the UNESCO World Heritage site still has great historical significance, and during a visit you’ll learn about the monarchs who once lived here. Make sure you get a local guide to tell you all the tales.

Planning tip: As Abomey is quite far from Benin’s other major cities and towns, you’ll need to arrange a car and driver to get here.

8. Unwind at the secluded beach getaway of Grand-Popo

On a barrier island bordering Togo, this is the place to relax and kick back during your visit to Benin. Uniquely and wonderfully non-commercial, Grand-Popo retains its local feel. Don’t miss Bouche du Roy, where the river meets the ocean; and Villa Karo, a beachfront institution that celebrates the cultures of both West Africa and Finland (!). For a more cultural experience, visit Lac Ahémé, where women collect salt in the old-fashioned way, and residents practice other methods of traditional farming.

Planning tip: Visit Grand-Popo in the March-to-May low season, when you’ll have the beaches almost all to yourself. (This is also the best-value season to visit.)