Benin, a coastal country in West Africa with a glorious past, has enormous and countless natural and cultural tourist potentials. It is naturally endowed with five major coastal cities (Sème-Kpodji, Cotonou, Abomey-Calavi, Ouidah, and Grand-Popo) from the southern region to the west. These cities offer wonderful and pleasant sandy beaches to live in at sunset. They generate, among many others, several tourist activities contributing to the sustainability of its economic, social, environmental, and cultural development.

Numerous watercourses and bodies of water cross and beautify the country. It has certain bodies of water in the South and even the West, bordering and/or sheltering a rich, multiple, and diverse ecosystem. Among these natural assets are Lake Nokoué (138km²), Lake Ahémé (78km²), Lake Porto-Novo (35km²), Lake Toho, Lake Azili in the Commune of Zagnannado. The Beninese basin of the Niger River includes rivers (the Mékrou: 480km, the Alibori: 427km, the Sota: 257km, and the Pendjari), the Volta basin which includes the rivers of the Pendjari (420km) and the Perma, the Mono-Couffo basin which includes the Mono rivers, 190km (of which 170km in Benin) flowing into Lake Ahémé which itself flows into the Atlantic Ocean, the Mono with 500km serving as a border between Benin and Togo on its lower course and then flowing into the Atlantic Ocean. The Ouémé basin with 608km which flows into Lake Nokoué and also communicates with the Atlantic Ocean.

Benin enjoys two (02) types of climate subject to climate changes that spare no country. In the South, a subequatorial climate with high humidity. Alternation of two (02) dry seasons (from November to March and from mid-July to mid-September) and two (02) rainy seasons (from April to mid-July and from mid-September to October). The center of the country, from the city of Savè to Bembèrèkè, benefits from a transitional climate characterized either by an alternation of the four (04) seasons of the South or by an alternation of the two (02) seasons of the North. The north of Benin has a humid tropical climate characterized by a dry season from November to April and a rainy season from June to September. The harmattan, a hot and dry wind from the Sahara, blows over the entire territory during the dry season.

Benin mainly enjoys three (03) types of relief: the coastal plain, low, sandy, often marshy and dotted with lakes and lagoons; the sedimentary plateaus, the most important of which are those of lower Benin; the mountain in the northwest of the country.

The country has in the northern region, two large national parks (Pendjari National Park: 275,000 ha and W Park: 275,000 ha) which make it a flagship and popular destination in the West African and African sub-region.

The ethnic diversity of the country gives it cultural diversity. It is composed of seven (07) ethnic groups divided according to the language spoken: Adja-fon and related, Yoruba and related, Bariba and related, Peuhls and related, Otamari and related, Yoa-Lokpa and related, Dendi and related. These inhabitants, apart from the Adja Tado source for some, have origins in Nigeria, Togo, and others. This diversity confers immense strength and richness to the cultural and architectural heritage of Benin.

So, whatever type of tourism you are passionate about, you will not be left unsatisfied in Benin.

Practical arrangements for a pleasant and unforgettable stay in Benin

Entry to Benin is subject to the presentation of an entry Visa for certain nationalities.

If you are nationals of one of the member states (Benin, Burkina-Faso, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo) of ECOWAS, you do not need a visa. Countries that have signed visa abolition agreements with Benin (South Africa, Algeria, Brazil, China, Congo-Brazzaville, South Korea, Cuba, Gabon, France, Haiti, India, Iran, Italy, Morocco, Mexico, Namibia, Chinese SAR of Hong Kong, Chinese SAR of Macao, Russia, Rwanda, Central African Republic, Singapore, Switzerland, Chad, Tunisia, Turkey) can also enter and move freely in Benin under certain simplified conditions and for a given duration. The entry visa is mandatory for countries whose names do not appear in the previous lists. The procedure for obtaining an entry visa to Benin is very simple. Since April 23, 2018, Benin has launched the E-visa platform which simplifies this administrative formality which was once troublesome. So no more worries today about getting a Beninese Visa. Health provisions

The best time to come to Benin

Benin, the land of the Amazons, is and remains available to welcome you at any time. You just have to plan, and we will be delighted to count you as one of ours. However, if you do not like the rains, we advise you to opt for the dry seasons (from November to March and from mid-July to mid-September) depending on your objectives and expectations. Thus, the best time to come to Benin is between winter, summer, and autumn. But, specifically, the summer period.

Useful links

Plateforme e-visa

Agence Nationale des Patrimoines Touristiques

Pays signataires des accords de suppression de visa avec le bénin