Home · The journal
Travel tips
Our answers to the questions travelers ask, country by country: entry rules, health, transport, where to stay, budget. And what is changing.
How many days in Benin: the south only, or the north too?
Allow 5 to 7 days for the south (Cotonou, Ganvié, Porto-Novo, Ouidah), 10 days to add Abomey, Lake Ahémé and Grand-Popo, and 14 days for Dassa-Zoumè or Togo. The north is not an option today: Pendjari and W are formally advised against, and Natitingou is too unless the reason is imperative.
November 14, 2026Visiting Benin with a local guide: what Miwa Bénin offers
A Benin tour guide helps most in Ouidah, Abomey and Porto-Novo, and on the roads. Miwa Bénin, a Cotonou agency and Hambya partner, runs tailor-made trips focused on culture and on Afro-descendants reconnecting with their roots. Every trip is priced on a quote.
November 10, 2026Pendjari National Park safety: can you visit right now?
No. As of November 2, 2026, France, the UK, Canada and Belgium advise against all travel to the Pendjari and W parks, where attacks still target soldiers and rangers. Don't go for now. For nature, southern Benin offers Ganvié, Porto-Novo, Ouidah and Lake Ahémé.
November 2, 2026How to rent a car with driver in Cotonou, and how much does it cost?
Go through an agency or a recommended driver, and ask for a written quote. Published rates range from about 30,000 to 100,000 CFA francs per day, depending on the vehicle and what is included. Have fuel, tolls, hours and the driver's overnight costs spelled out before you leave.
October 26, 2026Where to stay in Cotonou: which neighborhoods to choose?
For a first stay, Haie Vive, central and lively, or Fidjrossè, residential and close to the airport. For business, downtown (Ganhi) or the Marina area. For a small budget, Akpakpa, across the lagoon. At night, avoid the port, the railway tracks and the beaches, and choose car taxis over motorcycle taxis.
October 22, 2026
