South West Tour

South West Tour in Benin

Duration of trip: 7 days
Program

1st Day: PORTO NOVO

Arrival at MB Hotel in Porto Novo

2nd Day: CITY TOUR

After breakfast, depart for Porto Novo; visit the tourism office, and museum HONME, participate in the Zangbeto mask show, have dinner, and overnight at the hotel.

3rd Day: CITY TOUR

Breakfast; departure to Agriculture SONGHAI Center then city tour of Porto Novo.

4th Day: KETOU

Departure from Kétou and visit of Akaba Idena museum and the magic doors, visit the Guelede museum which is UNESCO Heritage, and departure to Bohicon

5th Day: MUSEUM TOUR

Visit the Royal Museum of Abomey then visit the underground park of AGONGOUINTO

6th Day: SAVALOU

Departure for Savalou; visit of the palm tree with seven trunks and nine branches; lunch (tasting of crushed yam), overnight at Jeco Hotel in Dassa

7th Day: DEPARTURE

Breakfast and return back to Cotonou

Best Places to Visit in Benin:

A trip to Benin will feel like a true adventure as there is still so much to discover and the country is only just beginning its life as a tourist destination. Benin is a good introduction to Africa as it has it all: great wildlife, great beaches, great people, and culture.

Parc National de la Pendjari

This 2750-sq-km national park is one of West Africa’s finest for wildlife. Tourists may locate lions, leopards, elephants, baboons, and hippos. The finest observing time is close to the conclusion of the dry season (November to February) when the animals gather at water bodies. With waterfalls, a jungle landscape, and fine routes, it’s a delight to drive around.

Zinzou Foundation Museum

This museum of modern African art, accommodated in a wonderful 1920s Afro-Brazilian villa, exhibits drawings and statues as well as light, video, and sound equipment. It’s an exclusive matter, managed by the Zinzou Foundation out of Cotonou, a reputable organization with a rich history of backing Beninese painters. Most of the guides can speak minimum acceptable English.

Centre Songhai

The Centre Songhai is key experimenting, learning, and production center in sustainable defendable farming. There are one-hour guided trips to explore the plantations and factories. You can also purchase the center’s yield – anything from firm quail eggs to biscuits and jam, and jellies. Songhai is nearly 1km north of the city. Every gem is aware of its location.

Cotonou

It may not be the true capital city of Benin but Cotonou sure does feel like it. The city is an intense blast of urban energy combined with African charm. If it is your first time in Africa, the city can be a little bit daunting and full-on but for those willing to risk the adventure, Cotonou has plenty of rewards These rewards include a number of stunning paradise beaches with golden sand and palm trees. The Pendjari National Park is also a must-see in Cotonou and is seen as one of the leading animal reserves in Africa.

Ouidah

Ouidah is a city that has a mix of influences from the French and the Portuguese due to various events in history. The city is located about 40km away from Cotonou and in contrast, is more relaxed. If you are interested in African history (and you should be) then this city should be top of your itinerary. It has fantastic museums exploring slavery and voodoo. If all the history gets too much for you, there are more stunning beaches to laze on in Ouidah too.

Porto Novo

Porto Novo is the capital city of Benin and the former French capital of Dahomey. If you have visited Cotonou first, you will probably struggle to understand why Porto Novo is the official capital city, the population is only around 250,000 and the pace is much more leisurely than Cotonou. The influence of the Portuguese in this area is still clear to see in the present day.

Abomey

Abomey was the capital of Ancient Dahomey for around 300 years starting in the 17th Century. The main attraction and reason for visiting the city are the Unesco World Heritage Site of the Abomey Royal Palaces. Although the palaces have largely been destroyed and are in a ruinous state, the site still has enormous historical value and the tales of kings that once resided here are fascinating.

Grand-Popo

The town of Grand-Popo has an intriguing history mainly due to the important role it played in the slave trade. The town oozes with African charm and the people are friendly. The town is about an hour's drive from Cotonou and offers a perfect change of pace from the busy city. There are many backside hotels and resorts in the town and the beaches are a great place to relax and swim. The nearby Mono River is a great place to walk and offers a chance to see mangroves and exotic birdlife.

Nikki

The epicenter of historical Bariba, Nikki is also the abode to an old mansion that even now controls a big region incorporating some of Nigeria. Nikki is a comparative visitor free which makes it a wonderful tourist attraction to find Benin in all of its unharmed prestige. Additionally, the bazaar in this place is well worth exploring as well as the city center which has amusing stores and locations to eat. The key vision, however, is obviously the Royal Palace and the museum of the Royal Palace which is ever-developing and enlarging.