Solo backpacking trip to Benin (page 1 of 3)

Hi everyone, thanks for your advice! I’m starting a new thread because it seems my first one about Senegal was deleted—or maybe it’s just my computer acting up again 😉. Anyway, I’ve decided to go to Benin instead. I’ll be there from January 5th to February 2nd—why count the days when you love traveling😄? I’d love all your tips on accommodations, restaurants, and itineraries. I’m basically starting from scratch to plan my trip.

Hi,

Your discussion about Senegal still exists. It hasn’t been deleted.

My accommodations in Benin https://afriqueparciafriqueparla.blog4ever.com/articles/par-ou-comment#google_vignette

Of course, you’ll need to check for updates, but I hope this helps. These are simple, inexpensive, but clean places to stay.

January 10th is Voodoo Festival. I much preferred the one in Grand Popo over Ouidah, which felt a bit too touristy. I have three addresses in Grand Popo. Try to find out if there’s a Gaani (a celebration honoring one of the local kings) happening somewhere in Benin... it’s an incredible experience and totally worth going to.

hi Béatrice thanks for your advice—I’d booked an Airbnb from January 8 to 11 in Ouidah, but you’re saying it’s better to go to Grand Popo instead. Now I’m not sure what to decide. What’s the difference between the festivals in these two places?

Hi, you can't go to northern Benin—terrorists are there, and you have to wear a veil on buses, not to mention the kidnappings. I have my house in Natitingou, and I can't go back anymore. Pendjari Park is closed. The south is still accessible, up to Abomey. In Cotonou, I recommend Canelia’s place.

Hi Nadine, I’m a bit disappointed—I’d planned to stay for a month, but now the territory to explore seems really limited.

I was excited to go to Benin, but I'm starting to regret choosing this destination after seeing the recommendations from France Diplomatie :/ On the other hand, their map shows you can head further north in the country while avoiding the border towns

Well, it depends on how you're traveling—whether by bus or taxi—and if you're stopping for a few days. Personally, I prefer Ouidah over Grand Popo. Did you book your flight ticket? Otherwise, Senegal is safer, and the boat trip from Dakar to Casamance is a lovely journey.

The difference is that Benin hopes to attract tourists by "showcasing" its heritage. The idea is good, but it ends up feeling more like folkloric festivities than anything else. In Grand Popo, that aspect isn’t there. Very few tourists, and it’s very "natural" (I don’t have the right word). It’s really impressive (in a good way). If you’re in Ouidah, you can do the round trip in a day. Just find a zem to get back in the evening.

One of my nephews owns a hostel in Natitingou. He works in the south but has a manager for that hostel. I’ll ask him how things are going there. As of the last update, yes, the park has been closed for 2 or 3 years, but the rest of the north of the country is safe. Still, double-check. Otherwise, the entire south is gorgeous and packed with enough to fill your month. Don’t panic when you read the French diplomatic recommendations. They open umbrellas as big as Cirque du Soleil tents. No regrets. I’ll get back to you about the north.

Thanks Béatrice, I’m reassured—I won’t take any risks, but I’ll try to fully experience my trip. I’m waiting for the *Petit Futé* guide I ordered to start planning my itinerary. I’m really starting from scratch!

I just spoke with the guide I’ve used several times in Natitingou to visit the tatas sombas and Pendjari. He tells me no problem, he’s currently working there with tourists. My nephew says the same thing. Pendjari has been closed for several years. But terrorism isn’t established in the region. Since you always have to double-check everything, I asked my sister for her opinion—she just got back from there.

If you’ve got any questions, no worries.

I’m finding my peace again 😄 could you give me the contact details for your guide? It’s a guarantee they’re good, and I’ll definitely have tons of questions—I get my book tomorrow. Have a great day

How can you say that? I get that you want to help your nephew and Noël out, but the situation is serious. There are a lot of attacks and kidnappings in the north—you can’t be complicit in this.

Hi there, When I see what the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicates about security and its map, I don’t think the "umbrella" (i.e., extra precautions) is really necessary. It just states what everyone already knows and observes about the continuous security deterioration in the Sahel and its spread to the northern parts of coastal countries, particularly Benin or Togo. There are indeed issues in the North, and it’s best to avoid going there. That still leaves a large part of the country to explore.

Benin - Ministère de l’Europe et des Affaires étrangères

Nothing to do with the nephew or Christmas... it would be irresponsible.

I just got a reply from my sister. There are indeed frequent and deadly attacks.

So yes, the north is to avoid.

I just got a reply from my sister who’s back from there

So yeah, the situation is getting worse and it’s better to avoid the north. I feel bad for answering too quickly—I’ll touch base with the guide to check in on what he’d told me.

Fingers crossed it doesn’t spread to the south.

I’m wary of the French diplomatic service’s assessments. They often exaggerate. I saw this firsthand in Mauritania, Mali... things aren’t as bad as they were several years ago, and I struggled to agree with their warnings. I was wrong.

Good evening,

Personally, I don’t think the site is being overly cautious or exaggerating. The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MAE) is usually very well-informed, and I take their information for what it is: an additional, official source of security updates to cross-check with all the others.

Having lived through I don’t even know how many crises over the nearly 25 years I’ve been on the continent—often living in or traveling to places that weren’t exactly safe—I always take their advice into account. In Mali in the early 2010s, I remember how some of the site’s recommendations weren’t followed by travelers, even though the situation was far worse than what was being reported or appeared on the surface. Some paid a terrible price for it, especially on the road to Bamako. Even back then, France was actually *less* cautious compared to other embassies.

Thanks everyone for your advice—I won’t take any unnecessary risks and will stick to the safe regions since you’re telling me there’s so much to see in the south.