A Safari in All Its Glory

We leave very early this morning from Cotonou to head to the north of Bénin. A long day of driving punctuated by numerous stops and visits.

Our lunch break takes place in Dassa-Zoume. The latter became famous for its 41 Dassa Hills granite and its cave "Notre – Dame d'Arigbo". The beauty of the surrounding nature leaves us speechless.

We arrive in the late evening at Tanguiéta and settle into our hotel right away to rest.

Today we will venture into the Pendjari National Park. After about forty kilometers along the edge of the park, we stop at Batia, the reserve entrance where we must complete the various required formalities.

Once the formalities are completed, we set off on a laterite track that over 78 km takes us to the Pedjari Hotel, in the north of the park. We spot baboons and antelopes on the road, or even, if we are lucky, elephants.

After a brief pause at our hotel our guide takes us into the bush in search of antelopes, elephants, buffalo, lions and other hippopotamuses that populate the area.

Night at the hotel in the heart of the reserve.

We leave the park and on the road to Boukoumbé and make a stop in Tanougou.

This small eco-village is known for its magnificent waterfalls. We refresh ourselves in this idyllic setting and take a short walk to a Fulani village located in the hills.

We continue our journey to Boukoumbe where we will meet the Otamari people.

This community is distinguished by its "tata somba": fortified houses with an atypical appearance, surrounded by vegetable gardens and tobacco nurseries.

We make a detour through the ecological village of Kossoucoingou known for its large hollow baobabs, before taking the road to Natitingou where we spend the night.

We continue our journey to Djougou. Along the way, we stop for a swim in the magnificent natural pool of the Kota Falls.

We set out to visit the Tanéka-Koko region, inhabited by animist hunters who live from millet farming.

In the Yaka camp lives an animist ethnic group isolated from the wave of Islamization in the region. They undergo spectacular male circumcision initiation rites.

We speak with sorcerers who are guardians of tradition to experience and understand their culture based on the veneration of the dead.

Night in a guesthouse in Djougou.

Course is set this morning towards the city of Dassa.

Impressive Dassa Hillsrock formations surround the city forming a natural amphitheatre of great beauty.

After a courtesy visit to the city mayor, we continue our journey south and reach Bohicon.

We discover the underground houses of Le village souterrain d'Agongointo and the fascinating fetish market.

Night in a guesthouse in the neighboring town of Abomey.

We set out to discover the kingdom of Abomey. Former capital of Dahomey, the city of Abomey is home to the royal palaces of ancient kings.

Founded in the 16th century, Abomey houses the museum that preserves ancient royal objects, ornaments and treasures of the former kingdom. The places were abandoned following the defeat of King Behanzin by French colonizers. Later, these castles were renovated by UNESCO and became historical museums.

Our journey towards the south coast takes us to Allada, also called Adanhounsa, in the heart of the Aizo region.

Upon arriving in this city, we make a stop at the foot of the statue of General Toussaint Louverture, a native of the city and leader of the revolt that led to Haiti's independence.

Continuation towards the historic city of Ouidah and night in a beachfront hotel.

We spend the day on long hours of strolling through this historic city and begin with the Python Temple. This is located opposite the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, the city's cathedral, with which it forms a striking contrast.

The Slave Route remains a must-visit circuit in Ouidah. We cover several kilometres of beach to trace one by one the 5 stages of this path, symbol of the slave trade in Bénin.

We end our visit to the city with a short stop at the Zinsou Foundation to admire contemporary art from Africa.

Short transfer to Abomey-Calavi where we spend the night.

Before taking our return flight, we first head to Ganvié.

This village is built in the middle of Lake Nokoué and has been inhabited since 1770 by the Toffin, a tribe that fled inter-ethnic conflicts and the evils of slavery.

The spectacle that unfolds before our eyes is exceptional: its floating market with a thousand colors and a thousand scents, and its bamboo and straw houses on stilts.

We join this morning Cotonou, 25 kilometres away, and take advantage of our last day to take a little tour of the city.

We start with a visit to the open-air international market in Cotonou: the Dantokpa market.

This vast space has the gift of making our heads spin with its diverse and multiple items: amulets, fabrics, cloths, religious objects, etc. Also, food products, craft and industrial goods rub shoulders there.

Many traders come from all corners of Africa to set up their stalls, hoping to conclude a golden deal. Each day, this large bazaar brings together thousands of customers and sellers.

We then go to the Craft Promotion Centre to do some last-minute shopping.

After some free time we are transferred to the airport for our return flight.