Benin · Culture

5-Day Benin Cultural Tour through Ouidah, Ganvié and Porto-Novo

5 Days Round trip from Cotonou Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Interact with the locals and lake people of Cotonou Ladji
02 Explore the artisan center of Cotonou
03 Visit the Zinsou Foundation Museum and Python Temple
04 Trek along the Slavery Road to the "Door of No Return" in Ouidah
05 Visit Grand-Popo and learn the history of the Xla people
06 Enjoy a boat ride in Ganvié
07 See women cooking the traditional cassava cake in Ganvié
08 Witness the voodoo ceremony in So-Tchanhoue

Explore Benin on a 5-day tour through Cotonou, Ouidah, Grand-Popo, Porto-Novo, Aguegues, Ganvié, and So-Tchanhoue. Visit landmark sites such as the Zinsou Foundation Museum, the Python Temple in Ouidah, and the Ethnographique Museum of Porto-Novo. Trek along the Slavery Road to the "Door of No Return," enjoy boat rides across lake villages, see women cooking traditional cassava cake in Ganvié, and witness a unique voodoo ceremony in So-Tchanhoue.

Trek along the Slavery Road and reach the "Door of No Return" by the seaside of Ouidah, then walk along the shore.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Abomey Calavi, Ouidah, Cotonou, Porto Novo, Ganvié, Grand-Popo

Languages English, French

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival in Cotonou and Lagoon Discovery

Meet the tour guide and transfer from the airport to the hotel in Cotonou.
Visit the lagoon of Cotonou and interact with the locals and lake people of Cotonou Ladji.
Head to the artisan center of Cotonou.

Return to the hotel.

Day 02

Ouidah Heritage Trail and Grand-Popo Excursion

Transfer to Ouidah by car or bus.
Visit the Zinsou Foundation Museum and the Python Temple.
Explore the Sacred Forest of Kpasse.
Trek along the Slavery Road and reach the "Door of No Return" by the seaside of Ouidah, then walk along the shore.
Visit Grand-Popo to learn the history of the Xla people, discover salt making, and visit the mangroves and Bouche du Roi.

Return to the hotel in Cotonou for the night.

Day 03

Porto-Novo Museums and Boat Journey to Aguegues

Transfer to Porto-Novo.
Visit the Ethnographique Museum of Porto-Novo, the Royal Palace of Honmè, and the Da Silva Museum.
Discover Place Bayol Garden and transfer to Aguegues by boat.
Explore the historical places of Soholou and Gouken.
Trek through the village of Aguegues and transfer to Ganvie by boat for the night.

Day 04

Ganvie Floating Market and Local Culture

Enjoy a boat ride to Ganvie's floating market.
Discover women cooking traditional cassava cake, one of the major foods eaten in Ganvié with fish or banana.
Experience the culture of Kpodji.

Day 05

Lake Nokoue and Voodoo Ceremony in So-Tchanhoue

Visit Lake Nokoue by boat to see the contrast between a partial lake village and a total lake village.
See the voodoo "Heviosso" ceremony.
Transfer back to Cotonou airport via Abomey-Calavi.

Where this trip takes you

Door of No Return, Python Temple, Ganvié floating market, Lake Nokoue

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Cotonou 6 cities · 5 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Transportation by car, bus, and boat
Guides
All mentioned activities
Welcome snack
One bottle of mineral water (1.5 L) per tourist per day

What's Not Included

Drinks
Accommodation (5 days/4 nights)
Meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
Extra activities
Photos
Personal expenses
Entrance tickets

What to bring

Camera
Personal important items
Ointment against mosquito bites

Know before you go

Yellow fever vaccination and COVID-19 vaccination are mandatory.
Please respect the measures against COVID-19, including carrying hydroalcoholic gel and wearing a mask.
Note: You will enjoy the cultural rhythms of the Agahoun Festival with the Ganvié people if you arrive on the 1st and 2nd of January, a special time in Ganvié.

Logistics