From Porto-Novo to Ouidah, passing through Cotonou and Abomey, you can discover Beninese customs. It’s natural and cultural contrasts will immerse you like no others

Visit the capitals

Circuit length : 2 days

Day 1: In the morning, leave the hotel for Cotonou. Visit the most famous market in the country and the region, Danktopa, a noisy and welcoming cultural show.

Discover the Center for the Promotion of Craftsmen, in the heart of Cotonou, an excellent time to buy souvenirs.

Eat lunch in a restaurant specializing in Beninese cuisine: Le Costa Rica, with a large choice of grilled meat and fish (around 4 000 or 5 000 FCFA a plate).

In the afternoon, visit the neighbourhoods of Cadjéhoun and Haie-Vive, where there are numerous bars, artisan boutiques, and fabrics.

Return to your hotel on the Fishing Road.

Day 2: Leave your hotel for Porto-Novo, the capital of Benin (around 30 km from Cotonou). Visit ADANDE, the ethnographic museum (entrance is 1 000 FCA), whose rich collections are an excellent introduction to Beninese Culture. Visit the HONME Museum, the former royal palace (entrance is 1 000 FCFA), where you can see the lifestyle of the royal family and the meaning of several objects.

Eat lunch at the SONGHAI center (around 1 000 FCFA per plate), where several typical Beninese dishes are available.

During the afternoon, visit the center (entrance is 500 FCFA), which is a training ceter for agriculture, farming, and rice raising. Visit the Oganla neighbourhood to see afro-brazilian architecture.

Return to your hotel mid-afternoon.

Visit Ouidah and Grand Popo

Circuit length : 1.5 days

Day 1 : Leave your hotel in the morning to go to Ouidah, former slave fort, center of Vodoun. A melting-pot, the cathedral and the sacred Python Temple (entrance is 1 000 FCFA + 2 000 FCFA to take pictures) are across the street from one another. Both are a part of the tour. This visit is followed by a tour of the sacred forest ‘Kpassé.

Eat lunch at the ‘Jardin Brésilien’ on the shore (around 5 000 FCFA per plate).

During the afternoon, visit the Historic Museum (1 000 FCFA) in the former Portuguese Fort, built in 1721 and named ‘Fort Saint Jean-Baptiste d’Ajuda.’ The museum focuses on the history of the atlantic trade and the culture of the African diaspora, particularly in Brazil and Cuba.

Traverse the Slave Route and visit the Door of No Return before returning to your hotel.

Day 2: Leave for the Mouth of the King and discover the delta of the Mono River as well as the Aho Canal. Canoes are available.

Eat lunch at Grand Popo at FARAFINA, where you will enjoy seafood dishes at 3 500 FCFA per plate.

After spending the afternoon at the Beach in Grand Popo, return to the hotel.

Visit Abomey and Ganvié

Circuit length: 2 days

Day 2: Leave the hotel in the morning to go to Abomey, royal city where the statue of King Béhanzin, who lead the fight against colonial invasion, is majestically enthroned.

Visit the Historic Museum of Aboney (1 500 FCFA) in the belly of the former royal palace. In the exposition rooms, you can see royal objects: beautifully sculpted throne and benches, the royal jewellery, swords, many weapons . . . a giant statue of Mahou, old war cannons . . .

Visit the Houndiro market and discover its history (UNESCO site).

Eat lunch at the Hotel LE GUEDEVY (2 500 FCFA le plat).

Visit the market.

The tour will finish at the sculptures of Banamé (around 30 km from Abmoney), who create beautiful and authentically African seats.

Return to the hotel.

Day 2 : In the morning, leave for Ganvié.

Visit abord motored or non-motored canoes (motored : 5 000/ person ; non-motored : 1 000/ person). You can see the village, admiring the skill and agility of the pilots, the ingeniousness of fishers, the richness of those that one could call the lake civilisation, the floating market, etc.

Eat lunch in a restaurant at Ganvié.

In the afternoon, visit the mouth of the Sô and discover other semi-lake villages.

Return to the hotel mid-afternoon.

Practical Information

Transportation by van from the hotel to the site chosen :

• Adounko Togmin : 20 min from Cotonou
• Avlékété = 35 min from Cotonou
• Djégbadji = 45 min from Cotonou

Car Rental

• 25000 FCFA per day for a car.
• 60000 FCFA per day for an SUV.

Taxi : prices are negotiable.

Bush Taxi : the cheapest option

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