Benin Travel Guide

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The Republic of Benin is one of the most intriguing countries that most people can't place on a map. Infamous for it's role in the slave trade and renowned for being the birthplace of voodoo, Benin is an up-and-coming tourist destination. It's not the easiest country to navigate but Benin is the place for you if you have a sense of adventure, a good amount of patience and a desire to learn about West African culture.

A former French colony, Benin gained independence in 1961 and is still trying to define itself as a peaceful country that is advancing when compared to its West African neighbors. There is a good amount of international development money that has aimed Benin in the right direction. But, problems including infrastructure, HIV/AIDS and corruption still plague the small nation. Nonetheless, it is still an incredible place to visit.

The Southern part of the country, made up mostly of the Fon people, has far more infrastructure than the North, which is made up of various different ethnic groups. In the South, it's not uncommon to see cell phones, cyber cafes, and of course the ubiquitous zemidjan, or motorcycle taxi. In the North, one can view traditional ceremonies, roaming giraffes or the rolling mountains of the Atacori region.

The staple dishes of Benin include pate-corn or manioc served with hot sauce, igname pile-pounded yams with sauce and finally rice with beans. The food is no major draw but the beaches of Grand Popo on the Southwestern coast are. As far as culture goes, the stilt villages of Ganvie, the fetish markets of Cotonou and the Parc de Pendjari in the Northwest are definitely worth seeing.

Bring your camera and your patience. Your high school French will suffice or many people speak broken English. Chat with a few Beninese and you'll realize why Benin is one of the most favorable travel destinations in West Africa.

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