Benin tours for seniors.

The West African country of Benin has much to offer the curious traveller looking for something different. Benin is the birthplace of the voodoo religion, a complex and fascinating religion very different to the Hollywood stereotypes. The country also has a tragic colonial history: the capital city, Porto Novo, was established by the Portuguese as a slaving port, and today is home to Portuguese and French colonial buildings. Outside the cities, Benin is home to one of Africa’s best nature reserves, brimming with magestic flora and fauna and a diverse array of landscapes, ranging from the savanna of north Benin to the beach paradise of the Atlantic Coast. If you’re interested in getting of the beaten path on your next vacation, join Odyssey Traveller and uncover one of the most underrated African countries.

Benin Tours

Crafted Tours for Mature World Travellers

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Tour of West Africa - Markets

21 days

May, Sep

Explore the History, Culture & Wildlife of West Africa: Ghana, Togo & Benin

Visiting Benin, Ghana

This small group tour for couples and solo travelers concentrates on the history, culture and wildlife of coastal Central Africa. Meet the friendly local people and come to a greater understanding of just what has made them what they are today.

From A$14,995 AUD

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Articles about Benin

Colours of West Africa

Portuguese in Africa: The Definitive Guide

The Portuguese in Africa The Kingdom of Kongo and the Transatlantic Slave Trade The Kingdom of Kongo was a former kingdom that dominated West Central Africa in the fourteenth century (Heywood, 2009). Located south of…

20 Apr 19 · 10 mins read
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Travel Details

Getting around

Odyssey travels by coach and occasionally uses local transport, including trains and ferries. Specifics are always outlined in your tour itinerary. Bus routes connect the main cities in Benin, though services to more isolated areas may be limited. Bush taxis are commonly found in the cities and towns of Benin, though costs and safety standards can vary vehicle by vehicle. Train services are largely limited to a single line that runs between Cotonou and Parakou.

Accommodation

In major cities, Odyssey stays in centrally located 3-4 star hotels, with easy access to public transport. In smaller towns or rural areas, we usually stay in family-run hotels or guesthouses. On our longstay tours, during which you spend the length of the tour in a single location, we use serviced apartments.

Tour guides

Odyssey always engages local guides with regional knowledge to ensure an authentic experience during which you can learn as much as possible about the history and culture of places you visit.

Geography, Environment, & Weather

Benin is a small, narrow country that covers an area of 11,622 square km. Marshes and lagoons characterise the coastal areas to the south, while wooded savannah makes up much of the country’s central area. Most of the country is flat, apart from mountains in the northwest of the country.

Benin has a tropical climate with high year-round temperatures and humid conditions. Precipitation can be high during the rainy season, so depending on when you intend to travel, check the weather reports and dress accordingly.

World heritage sites

There are 2 properties in Benin listed on the World Heritage List, with a further 5 on the Tentative List. You can view the listed properties here: (https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/bj). Benin’s listed properties include:

Royal Palaces of Abomey, which stand as the last physical remains of the once mighty Kingdom of Dahomey
W-Arly-Pendjari Complex, one of the largest stretches of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in West Africa, and home to the largest population of elephants in West Africa.

Festivals & Events

Many of the unique traditions, customs and beliefs of Benin’s people are preserved through the country’s many festivals and events. Perhaps the most important day of the year in Benin is Voodoo Day. Held on January 10th every year, it is a celebration of the West African Voodoo religion, with the occasion marked with music, dance performances and elaborate religious rituals. The Yoruba people in the south of the country hold many colourful festivals to celebrate their own cultural traditions, including the Gelede Festival, whereby thanks are given to the mothers of the community and masked men stage comical performances and festive dances. Wrapping up the year is the International Festival of Dahomean Cultures. Running over 10 days in December, it is dedicated to showcasing the cultural diversity of Benin, and features traditional songs, dances, and stories of the ancient Dahomey Kingdom.

Reading list

The Kingdom of Benin, by Dominique Malaquais
The Art of Benin, by Nigel Barley
Life & Afterlife in Benin, by Alex van Gelder
Why Monkeys Live in Trees and Other Stories from Benin, by Raouf Mama

Eating & Drinking

The cuisine of Benin is centred around staple crops such as corn, yams, and rice. Yams form the basis of numerous dishes, including fufu (a savoury paste made from mashed yams) and nam pilé (mashed yams served with tambo chili, onions, tomatoes, chicken consome, peanuts and beef). Similarly, corn and corn meal are the central ingredients to many recipes, including akpan (fried corn dumplings served with dipping sauce) and amiwo (tomato and corn maize dough served with peppers, onions and diced tomatoes). Rich, flavoursome sauces characterise Beninese cooking, with many dishes served with generous helpings of sauce, including peanut sauce and spiced tomato sauce. Beverages popularly consumed in Benin include choukachou (millet beer) and sobadi (a liqueur made from palm wine).

Health & Safety

As of writing, smartraveller.gov.au advises travellers to exercise a degree of caution when travelling through Benin, and in particular avoid travelling to W National Park or the Mékrou and Djona hunting zones due to potential violence and banditry. Crime is a problem in Benin, while outbreaks of Yellow Fever do occur, so you will need a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate to enter Benin.

Electrical Supply

Whenever you travel overseas, it’s always wise to take an appropriate travel adaptor. The electricity supply in Benin runs at 220V and 50Hz. Benin uses the Type E electric plug, so make sure you have the right travel adaptor with you.

Tour Reviews

A tour beyond expectation. Egypt has so much to offer from the past and Odyssey did a fantastic job.

Participant 2018

Egypt tour: escorted small group history & cultural tour of Egypt

THE TRIP WAS FANTASTIC.

BARRIE ASHTON

Southern Africa Tour | Fully Escorted Africa Tour for Seniors

Both cruise ships exceeded our expectations for cleanliness and quality of service.

Participant 2018

Egypt tour: escorted small group history & cultural tour of Egypt

Our Egyptologist, Mohammed, was excellent. Not only was he a very experienced tour guide and very knowledgeable, he was very organised and friendly and we always felt secure with him. He contributed greatly to our enjoyment of the trip.

Participant 2018

Egypt tour: escorted small group history & cultural tour of Egypt

Mal was a wonderful Program leader. She would be the best tour leader we have ever experienced. Her obvious experience and her calm demeanor contributed greatly to the cohesiveness of our group which, in turn, contributed to our enjoyment.

Participant 2018

Egypt tour: escorted small group history & cultural tour of Egypt

The Victoria Falls were an outstanding treat.

Participant -16

Southern Africa Tour | Fully Escorted Africa Tour for Seniors

This was a fascinating program and the support was outstanding

Participant 2018

Egypt tour: escorted small group history & cultural tour of Egypt

This tour was excellent, encompassing not only historical Egypt but also introducing us to modern Egypt. The varied travel by bus, small cruise ship and air, contributed to our interest and enjoyment. The extremely high quality of our tour leader, the Egyptologist and the local guide enhanced our knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of this tour.

Participant 2018

Egypt tour: escorted small group history & cultural tour of Egypt

FAQs

What is the time zone?

Benin has a single time zone, West Africa Standard Time (UTC+1). Benin does not observe daylight savings.

Is tipping customary in Benin?

If you’re on an Odyssey tour, we take care of tipping so you don’t need to give it a second thought. However, in your free time, or if travelling independently, it’s essential that you tip an appropriate amount for services. Tipping is not customary in Benin, although restaurants are a general exception. A tip of around 10% is appropriate for upscale restaurants, while in smaller establishments, it is polite to round up the bill.

What is the internet access like in Benin?

Wifi should be freely accessible in most hotels in Benin’s major towns and cities

Can I use my mobile/cell phone while in Benin?

Check with your cell phone provider to see whether you’re able to make calls and use data while in Benin. Many providers will allow you to pay a daily fee that allows you to make calls and check the internet while only being charged your regular rates. However, be certain to inform your provider that you’re heading overseas, because just like a bank they can turn off your service as a result of unusual activity.

Articles about Benin published by Odyssey Traveller:

Discover Central and West Africa: Ghana, Togo, Benin and more.

Portuguese in Africa.

For all the articles Odyssey Traveller has published for mature aged and senior travellers, click through on this link.

External articles to assist you on your visit to Benin:

The voodoo priests, kings and ghosts of Benin.

Story of Cities No. 5: Benin City, the mighty medieval capital now gone without a trace.

Slave trade history sites in West Africa.

Responsible travel tips for Benin

  • Learn at least the local greetings to break the ice. Although some locals speak English, the more you know of the native language, the greater your experience of the country will be.
  • Carry a business card in your wallet or purse from your local hotel, to assist you with the return journey if you do become lost.
  • Always ensure that you are covered by travel insurance. If you need advice on this feel free to contact Odyssey and we’ll be able to help.
  • Before departing, make sure you have a number of lekë in a range of denominations. You don’t want to be carrying around enormous amounts of cash, but take enough to make it easy to pay in locations that might not accept credit card. It will also help you avoid card transaction fees, and it makes tipping a breeze.
  • When travelling independently, make sure you check the opening hours of shops and museums so that you don’t miss out! Also be certain to check whether your trip coincides with any public holidays, so you can plan accordingly.
  • Before departing, make sure you have a number of CFA francs in a range of denominations. You don’t want to be carrying around enormous amounts of cash, but take enough to make it easy to pay in locations that might not accept credit card. It will also help you avoid card transaction fees, and it makes tipping a breeze.

About Odyssey Traveller

We specialise in educational small group tours for seniors, typically groups between six to 12 people from Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada and Britain. Our maximum number of people on a tour is 18 mature aged travellers. We have some 150 tours and offer 300 scheduled departures on offer each year. Odyssey has been offering this style of adventure and educational programs since 1983.

Odyssey Traveller is committed to charitable activities that support the environment and cultural development of Australian and New Zealand communities.

Odyssey Traveller scholarship for Australia & New Zealand University students.

We are also pleased to announce that since 2012, Odyssey has been awarding $10,000 Equity & Merit Cash Scholarships each year. We award scholarships on the basis of academic performance and demonstrated financial need. We award at least one scholarship per year. We’re supported through our educational travel programs, and your participation helps Odyssey achieve its goals. Students can apply for the scholarship by clicking on this link to find out more details.

Join our loyalty program when you join an international small group tour.

Every International small group tour taken typically contributes to your membership level in our Loyalty Program for regular travellers. Membership of the alumni starts when you choose to take your first international small group tour with Odyssey Traveller, discounts in tour pricing for direct bookings accrue from your third tour with Odyssey Traveller. To see the discounts and benefits of being a Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Diamond alumni member with us, please see this page.

For more information on Odyssey Traveller and our educational small group tours, visit and explore our website., remember to visit these pages in particular

Alternatively, please call or send an email.

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