Benin · Culture

2-Day Benin Cultural Tour from Cotonou with Ganvié and Ouidah

2 Days Round trip from Cotonou Easy pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore Cotonou's vibrant landmarks, including the Bio Guerra Statue
02 Experience Ganvié's unique stilt village life on Lake Nokoué
03 Discover Ouidah's sacred Python Temple
04 Wander through the mystical Sacred Forest while learning about Voodoo traditions
05 Witness traditional Voodoo ceremonies for deeper cultural insight
06 Reflect on history along the Enslaved African's Road

Explore Cotonou's vibrant cityscape, Ganvié's remarkable stilt village life, and Ouidah's cultural and spiritual heritage on this guided tour of Benin. Led by local experts, discover landmarks such as the Bio Guerra Statue and Amazon Square, then continue to Lake Nokoué for an introduction to Ganvié, known as the Venice of Africa. In Ouidah, visit the sacred Python Temple, the Zinsou Foundation Museum, and the Sacred Forest while gaining insight into Voodoo traditions. The journey also includes the Enslaved African's Road, offering a powerful reflection on Benin's history and culture.

Explore Cotonou's vibrant cityscape, Ganvié's remarkable stilt village life, and Ouidah's cultural and spiritual heritage on this guided tour of Benin.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 2 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Ouidah, Cotonou, Ganvié

Languages English, French, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Cotonou Landmarks and Ganvié Discovery

Our professional local tour leaders will meet you.
Introduce yourself to the guides who will accompany you throughout your time in Benin, and they will take care of you from here.
Board our dedicated vehicle, which will serve as your transportation for the tour, as we begin the Cotonou city tour.
The first stop is the Statue of the Hero Bio Guerra, dedicated to the Wassangari prince warrior born in 1856. Inaugurated in 2022, this statue pays homage to Bio Guerra's anti-colonial resistance in the north-eastern part of Benin.
Next, we visit Amazon Square, home to the giant monument of the Dahomey Kingdom's powerful women, the Amazon or Agojie of Dahomey. Known for defending their territories against enemies and colonial powers from the 17th to the 19th centuries, these female warriors inspired the film Woman King.
Our tour then proceeds to the Cotonou Craft Market for souvenir shopping.
Leaving Cotonou, we head to Ganvié, known as the Venice of Africa, a stilt village with over 40,000 inhabitants on Lake Nokoué.
A serene day may include trying fishing with locals and, if successful, enjoying a local-style grilled fresh fish.
Finally, we transfer you to your accommodation for check-in and relaxation.

Accommodation: Cotonou or Ouidah

Day 02

Ouidah Sacred Heritage and History Tour

After breakfast, we explore the sacred Python Temple in Ouidah, where pythons are revered, protected, and given proper burials as sacred beings.
A visit to the Zinsou Foundation Museum follows. Founded in 2005, it showcases modern contemporary art from global artists.
The tour continues to the Sacred Forest of Ouidah, offering insight into Voodoo religion, a prominent practice in Benin.
Witnessing the annual Voodoo festival is a unique and unforgettable experience.
After lunch, we embark on the Enslaved African's Road tour, reflecting on the historical shipping of enslaved Africans from Ouidah during the 17th and 18th centuries.
This tour concludes with a transfer to the airport for departure or to your chosen final destination.
Departure or drop-off.

Where this trip takes you

Ganvié stilt village, Lake Nokoué, Sacred Forest of Ouidah, Cotonou Craft Market

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Cotonou 3 cities · 2 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Water
Accommodation
Air-conditioned transportation
Fuel
Guide
Driver
Excursion fees

What's Not Included

Flight
Visa
Travel insurance
Beverages (soft drinks, beer, whisky)

What to bring

Long clothes
Insect or mosquito repellent
Sun protection cream or spray
Comfortable trainers or sneakers

Know before you go

Visas: Most travellers planning to visit Benin, Togo, and Ghana will need to obtain a visa before travel. Depending on the specific requirements of the embassy where you apply, you may also need an invitation letter. We are here to assist you by providing the necessary invitation letter if required. However, visa regulations are subject to change, so it is advisable to contact your nearest embassy for the most current and accurate information.
Health and vaccinations: We are not medically qualified and cannot provide advice on recommended vaccinations. It is important to consult your doctor or nearest health professional for personalized recommendations based on your specific health condition and travel plans. They will be able to assess your individual needs and provide guidance on necessary vaccinations to protect against potential health risks at your destination. Additionally, for further information and guidance on vaccinations, you can visit the website. Remember, it is always better to be proactive and prioritize your health and well-being while travelling. A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for entry to Benin, Togo, and Ghana, and you must bring this with you.
Insurance: It is a condition of joining our tours that you have suitable travel insurance in place, and we cannot accept travellers without insurance. All policies differ in terms of what they will cover, but at a minimum, you need medical and health cover for the whole time that you are away. Most policies will also include cancellation cover, which will protect you if an unforeseen circumstance obliges you to cancel your trip. We recommend that you obtain your insurance as soon as you book your trip. Please note that government travel warnings often affect the validity of your travel insurance, and you should check this with your insurance company.
Money: The local currency in Ghana is the cedi, while in Togo and Benin it is the West African CFA, a currency shared with many other countries in the region. It is not, however, the same as the Central African CFA, and the two are not interchangeable. It is best to bring Euros for exchange purposes, as the CFA is not obtainable outside the region. It is not difficult to change money here, either at banks or hotels, and your guide can assist with this. There are also an increasing number of ATMs in larger towns. However, these are not always reliable, so it is best to think of them as a backup rather than a main means of obtaining money. Credit cards are accepted in larger hotels and better restaurants, usually in larger cities only, but are not commonly accepted elsewhere. You should also be aware that credit card fraud is not uncommon in the region, so if you choose to use one, do bear this in mind.
Local conditions: When travelling to some of the destinations we offer, you need to bear in mind that things will not always work here as we are used to them working at home. Travelling in underdeveloped and untouristed destinations requires both patience and a sense of humour. There may be problems with infrastructure, attitudes may be different, and maintenance may not be to the standard we would always like, but this is very much part and parcel of travelling in such a place. We aim to resolve any issues as quickly as possible, and we thank you for your patience.
Travel advice: We keep a very close eye on the travel advice issued by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office so that we can keep you up to date with any warnings. At the time of writing, the FCO does not advise against travel to any parts of Benin, Togo, or Ghana that we visit. This relates to advice from the British government - other nationalities need to check the stance of their own governments. Please note that the information contained above is highly susceptible to change, and while we endeavour to keep up to date, we recommend that you use this as a guide only. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. Updated July 2023.
More than 75% of the population actively practices Voodoo alongside new faiths.
Nearby, Africa's longest graffiti wall, inaugurated in 2021, narrates the history of the Kingdom of Dahomey and modern Benin.
Martyrs Square, also known as Souvenir Square, commemorates the victory of Benin's martyrs on January 16, 1977, when they defended the nation against mercenaries.