» Travel Destinations and Attractions Benin :: Africa

Travel Destinations and Attractions Benin

Filed under:

Benin

Travel Destinations and Attractions Benin

Cotonou
Cotonou is Benin’s capital in everything but name, Cotonou thrived after the abolition of slavery, growing as Beninese, Togolese and Nigerian expatriates returned to the region.

There is a crowd of bright, upbeat bars and nightclubs along the Jonquet strip. The clubs feature US, West African and even Cameroonian beats. Cotonou offers a huge selection of regional and international restaurants, and – perhaps, the highlight – the huge, picturesque Grand March de Dantokpa. Here you can buy a wide variety of items, ranging from blank cassettes, food and radios to monkey’s testicles and voodoo love fetishes. Cotonou is slowly welcoming the age of the Web – there are a few Internet centres but access is often slow and expensive.

Just north of Cotonou is Ganvi, a town of 12,000 inhabitants who live in bamboo huts on stilts several kilometres out on Lake Nokou. In the 18th century, the Tofinu people built the village as protection against the aggression of the Fon and Dahomey kingdoms; religious custom forbade warriors from venturing into water. Now, houses, restaurants, shops and even a hotel are built 2m (6ft) above the water. Very early or at dusk are the best times to visit Ganvi. The locals object to up-close photography, so be sensitive to their wishes.

Porto Novo
Port Novo is officially the capital of Benin. The government long ago moved itself and most of its business 32km (20mi) west to Cotonou. Nevertheless, this town of some 180,000 people remains a beautiful and historical place. Its proximity to the Nigerian border gives the appearance that more is going on than actually is, though there are still some hot spots:

-Grand March d’Adjara: You can buy drums, cloth, baskets and the best pottery in Benin.
-The Muse thnographique de Porto Novo – A great collection of Yoruba artefacts.
- ornate Brazilian-style church – now a mosque.

Ouidah
This place is the voodoo centre of Benin, and the next most popular destination to Cotonou. Ouidah was the only sea port in Benin until 1908. A major cultural and historical destination, Ouidah features the Muse d’Histoire d’Ouidah (also called the Voodoo Museum), various other museums and temples, a park known as the Sacred Forest and the sacred, symbolic and historical Route des Esclave (the Route of the Slaves). This 4km (2.5mi) road from the town to the fabulous beach features fetishes, statues and small villages along the route the slaves took to the ships. Ouidah is 40km (25mi) from Cotonou, on the main road to Togo.

Abomey
Another rival for the most interesting spot outside of Cotonou is Abomey, the former capital of the great Dahomey kingdom. The main attraction is the restored Royal Palace of the Fon and the museum inside. Most of the buildings, originally commenced in 1645, were destroyed by fire in 1892, but the remaining structure is beautiful and spectacular. The museum features voodoo, skulls, Portuguese artefacts and traditional housing. Photos are strictly forbidden. Abomey is best reached by taxi from Cotonou. The trip takes two and a half hours.

Related Travel Information

Burundi : Travel Destinations and Attractions

Burundi : Travel Destinations and Attractions Warning Burundi remains a dangerous destination. Fighting is at its worst in outlying areas but gunfire is not uncommon on the streets of the capital, Bujumbura. Civilians, the Burundi military and government officials have been targeted, and the presence of a South African peace force has failed to curb hostilities.

Ouidah : Benin

Ouidah : Benin Made famous by Chatwin's "The Viceroy of Ouidah" the city of OUidah in Benin is a major voodoo centre and a nice city to visit. The old slave port still has many historical sites and museums. Oudiah is only 40 km form Cotonou and can be seen as a day trip. Ouidah Attractions - Musee d'Histoire - Musee des Artes et Cultures Vodun - Musee des Tapisseries et des Tentures

Suggested travel Activities in Benin

Suggested travel Activities in Benin Benin is a perfect destination for those seeking a facinating glimpse into a complex culture. As far as organised tourist programs are concerned, though, it's pretty light-on. For a low-key safari experience, head to the far-north to Pendjari Park and W Park. Pendjari is more developed for tourists than W, and is only open between mid-December and mid-May. The park contains elephants, hippos, buffalo and lions, but you'll be lucky if you see more than a few forlorn-looking antelope, a couple of wart hogs and maybe a monkey or three. The coastline is spectacular, and especially well

Porto Novo : Benin

Porto Novo : Benin Porto Novo is the capital city and one of the most interesting towns in Benin. It has a number of buildings dating from the period when the Portuguese used it as a base for buying slaves which were shipped off to the New World. Other sights in town include the Musee Ethnographique which retraces the history of Porto Novo and has a good collection of Yoruba masks, the Palais Royal of King Toffa now a museum which gives you a good impression of how African royalty lived before Colonial times. Just outside of town is the Grand

Abomey : Benin

Abomey : Benin Abomey is the trade center for an agricultural region where grain, peanuts, and palm products are processed. The town is linked by railroad with Cotonou. Abomey was the capital of the kingdom of Dahomey (see Benin, founded in the early 17th cent. It dominated production and trade with European companies on the Slave Coast until the late 19th cent. Abomey was conquered by the French between 1892 and 1894. Ruins of the palaces of former Dahomey kings remain, and there is a museum.