TRAVEL EXPERIENCE IN BENIN

Benin is a great travel destination for culture lovers. Tourism in Benin is still under developed and this is in fact one of its assets. Benin is still a virgin country with a great touristic potential. Benin’s main characteristic, and main attraction, is the Voodoo religion. Benin citizens are mostly Voodoo worshipers and many amazing rituals, music, dances, and traditions accompany their celebrations. Together with this cultural element, Benin outstands because of its village life, colourful markets, lakes, coastline, and history, deeply related to slave trade and Atlantic commerce. If you travel to Benin you will find a deeply African country, full of surprises, easy to travel, and very safe.



TRAVEL HIGHLIGHTS OF BENIN

Voodoo ceremonies around Lake Ahemé (villages of Bopa and Ouedemé Pedah). Important Voodoo festival in Ouidah every January. With a good local guide the curious tourist will be able to assist to authentic Voodoo rituals and understand the complexity of this ancient African religion.

Other traditional dances that you can see and experience in Benin are: Zangbetos (spiritual police), Egun guns (returned from the dead), and Geledé (masquerades). The best areas are around the rural areas of Central and Southwest Benin. In Middle-Africa we inform the traveller the best season and best places to attend theses dances and ceremonies in Benin.

Stilt lake villages, known as ‘African Venices’. The most famous one in Benin is Ganvié in Lake Nokué, but there are many more, less visited by tourists that Middle-Africa guides know well. The key to visit in depth countries such as Benin is to have a good guide, and this is one of Middle-Africa’s motto: ‘A good guide means a good trip’.

Old colonial towns of Porto Novo, Benin’s capital, Ouidah, and Grand Popó. Benin is a great destination for architecture lovers. The Afro-Brazilian decorative style is only found in Benin and Nigeria. Porto Novo is full of architectonic hidden secrets to be discovered.

The Yoruba cultural area, in south-eastern Benin with its particular religious ceremonies, known as Orissa (the Yoruba Voodoo). Ketou is the capital of the Yoruba people in Benin, and there you will encounter the great Ifa diviners (middle men between the spirit world and the earthly life). You may also want to explore the Holi tribal area. The Holi are a sub-group of the great Yoruba nation which continue to tattoo their faces and bodies and still practice the traditional way o life.

The great Benin North is a completely different country. It is drier, and most part of the population practices the Islamic religion. Around Natitingou city we propose you visiting the Somba adobe castle-like constructions. The Somba are a proud people that practice an Animistic form of religion and depend on agriculture and hunt for survival. Both men and women practice facial and body scarification.

In the North of Benin we can organise a fauna safari in Pendjari National Park and in ‘W’ National Park. Both parks receive little tourism and are considered the best spots in West Africa to observe big mammals such as elephants, giraffes, and lions. On the way to Pendjari you can stop at the Tanogou waterfalls for a swim (the best season for animal safari is from December to April).



ORGANISING YOUR TRIP TO BENIN

Middle-Africa organises travel tours to every corner of Benin all year around. Please feel free to contact us at any time.