Peanuts!
A boutique tour designed to expose visitors to the history and daily lives of the Beninese people.
12 days/11 nights ✧ 3 -6 travelers
Where are we going?
Benin, West Africa. One of the most alive and diverse countries in the world.
L’Etoile Rouge.
Cotonou
Cotonou is the economic capital of Benin (Porto Novo is the political), and home to around 800,000 people. It is where you will fly in and out of. Cotonou is a port city that also has one of the largest outdoor markets, Dantokpa. Near Cotonou you will find Ganvie, a lake village that was created in the 16th or 17th centuries.
The Port of No Return
Ouidah
Ouidah is located on the Southern Coast of Benin, and is the Birthplace of Voodoo and home to the Door of No Return. The history of the city engulfs you as you walk through the streets. Ouidah takes you on a journey of the past as you explore the historical areas.
A cashew apple.
Dassa-Zoume
Dassa-Zoume is the region we live in. It is, in our opinion, the most beautiful part of Benin. The trademark of the region are the 41 Hills, Les Collines. Cashew and Teak trees are staples, as well as the 3rd largest outdoor market in Glazoue. There is an annual pilgrammage in August to la Grotte Notre-Dame d’Arigbo where it is said the Virgin Mary appeared.
Where in the world is Benin?
Benin, officially the Republic of Benin, is found in West Africa. It is nestled between Togo and Nigeria, with neighbors Burkina Faso and Niger to the north. The country has a small coastal area on the Bight of Benin, where most of the population resides. Its capital is Porto-Novo, but Cotonou, the largest city, is the government seat. Benin’s population as of 2018 was 11.49 million and it has a surface area of 11,000 sq km (42,000 sq mi). Benin’s tropical climate leads it to highly depend on agriculture. Substantial income and employment arise from subsistence farming.
French is Benin’s official language but the people commonly speak indigenous languages.
“Our visit to Benin opened my eyes to a cacophony of sights, sounds, people and cultural differences. The hearts of the people we met were warm friendly and helpful! Life is less dependent on schedules and more on relationships. Village life was an eye-opening experience. People are resourceful and hard workers, yet no one is in a rush, there is always time for a conversation. From the views atop the Collines to the open ocean at Ouidah, from the village marché(market) to the major port city of Cotonou, the beauty of Benin will never be forgotten.”
4th of July in Benin!
Hippo Foot!
Notre Dame - Dassa
Itinerary
Benin. The hearts mark the major cities we will be in (or near) - Cotonou, Ouidah, and Glazoue.
+ Day 1: Welcome to Cotonou, Benin!
Welcome to Cotonou, the economic capital of Benin! You will arrive in the evening and transported to the hotel where a meal will be awaiting your arrival (you will be hungry)!
Accommodation: Hotel Azalaï in Cotonou
+ Day 2: Walking tour of Cotonou
Enjoy the most complete breakfast buffet at the hotel. Relax in the morning by the pool or join us on a walking tour of the Ghani Market. The afternoon will be for taking measurements and choosing your model and material of choice for the Benin clothing that will be made for you while in the country. Dinner will be at the hotel and enjoy the evening as you prepare for the next day of traveling.
Accommodation: Hotel Azalaï in Cotonou
+ Day 3: Voodoo and the Point of No Return
Travel to Ouidah along the Atlantic coastal road. Take the "Port of No Return" tour, following the route slaves traversed when leaving Africa. After a day of overwhelming emotion, you will enjoy dinner at your hotel next to the ocean.
Accommodation: Hotel Casa del Papa in Ouidah
+ Day 4: Temple of the Pythons and Travel to the land of the 41 hills
Today is a travel day. Enjoy breakfast and then visit the Temple of Pythons, a site of historical and modern symbolism and spiritual practice in Ouidah before departing the city. The road north takes you through major cities of Abomey, Bohicon, and Dassa before your arrival at the Kouda house in Kabole. This is the home base for the tour. Take your shoes off and make yourself at home!
Accommodation: Kouda House
+ Day 5: Farming and Artisans
Wake up and take an early walk around the village or simply enjoy coffee on the veranda. Before the sun gets hot we will be walking out to the Kouda’s cashew tree farm, where they also grow peanuts, chickpeas, and navy beans. Depending on the time of year, you might be able to assist in the harvest! We will have lunch back at the house and will then go to visit local artisans, including one who makes black soap.
Accommodation: Kouda House
+ Day 6: Hippos and Dassa!
This morning we will wake up a bit early to visit the village of Betekoukou, which is next to the Oueme River, to see hippopotamuses! A friend will guide us where we will have the best view of the large mammals. On the way back, we will lunch in Dassa - and possibly explore the market if it happens to be the market day (it is every 5 days in Dassa). Dassa is home to a site where it is said the Virgin Mary was seen, and we will visit Notre-Dame de Fourvière church where a pilgrimage is made by hundreds of Catholics every August to honor this event. Dinner and drinks will be waiting at the house in the evening!
Accommodation: Kouda House
+ Day 7: Visiting the Nomadic people
We will be visiting the nomadic people, the Fulani, and learn how they raise cows, goats, sheep. You will also be able to see how they make Wagassi cheese (fromage).
Accommodation: Kouda House
+ Day 8: Market Day!
Today is Market Day in Glazoue! Time to explore and experience an open-air market that makes Target on Black Friday seem calm! We will have lunch in Glazoue at a local restaurant and then back to the market for a time.
Accommodation: Kouda House
+ Day 9: Schools and Local Beer
Today we will be visiting some schools, elementary and secondary, in the area.
Accommodation: Kouda House
+ Day 10: The hills of Camate and a Farewell Drum Circle
We will be going to the village of Camate and hiking up the Collines - one of the small hills. This is the village where Debra served in Peace Corps and Thomas grew up. After the hike, we will have lunch and rest at CPN les Papillons (if you are not physically able to do the hike, we will have an alternate activity for you). In the evening there will be a traditional drum circle.
Accommodation: Kouda House
+ Day 11: Back to Cotonou with a stop in Abomey
Time to head back south. We will be stopping to visit the Royal Palaces of Abomey, a collection of small traditional houses that were inhabited by the Kings of Dahomey from 1600 to 1900, and which were designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985. We will arrive at the hotel in the evening in Cotonou.
Accommodation: Hotel Azalaï in Cotonou
+ Day 12: Ganvie, The Venice of Africa, and Departure
There is an early check-in available for flights so we will make sure to get you there to do that. Once that is finished, we will go to Ganvie, known fondly as the Venice of Africa. There will be one last Beninese meal and then it will be time to head to the airport. Merci and Bon Voyage!
What’s Included?
You will be well taken care of!
🍴meals
All meals and alcoholic beverages are included.
🛏 accommodations
While we are in the larger cities, we will be staying in nice hotels with hot water. At the Kouda house in Kabole, you will have a minimalist room with a personal bathroom (including flushing toilet) and a cold shower. Hot water can be heated upon request for a warm bucket shower. Trust me, a cold shower after a hot day feels mighty nice!
🚙 transportation
We will have a private vehicle for all transportation needs.
🌴 What’s not included
Airfare, baggage fees | Travel or medical insurance, immunizations, visas, passports | Personal expenses | Gratuities
Traveler Information
Here is what participants need to know. READ THIS!
+ Flight and Transportation
Airfare is not included. Flight prices to Cotonou, Benin vary on average between $700 and $1500. Hubs like YVR (Vancouver BC), SEA (Seattle), JFK (New York), and LAX (Los Angeles) are great for these flights.
Arrival & Departure airport for this itinerary: Cotonou, Benin (COO). The Cardinal Bernadin Gantin de Cotonou International Airport is located in the economic capital of Benin, Cotonou. I would recommend flying Air France from Paris where there is a flight that leaves to Cotonou once a day - arriving at 9:30PM.
I am happy to help with information for ongoing travel and/or to review your potential flight schedule for you to make sure that you are getting the right times, dates, and airports!
+ Travel Insurance
Each participant must have travel insurance coverage, both to protect your own travel investment as well as personal luggage and medical coverage. Click here to read more about travel insurance and get quotes.
+ Immunizations
Click to see the CDC recommended vaccinations for travelers headed to Benin.
+ Roommates/Single Occupancy Supplement
There is no extra charge for single occupancy. If you are traveling with a friend and wish to share a room with them, please let us know and we will put you in the same room. Otherwise, couples will be placed in a room together, and if you are solo traveling you will have a room to yourself.
+ Packing
- Cash & Credit Card: There are ATMs in most of the larger cities (Cotonou, Ouidah, Dassa, Parakou), so you can bring an ATM card in order to access your home bank. Please remember to put a travel alert on all the cards that you are traveling with. If you bring cash with you we will be able to exchange it for you the day after you arrive.
- Towels: You do not need to pack a towel, there will be available at all of the accomodations.
- Laundry: We will have laundry service available at the Kouda Home in Kabole.
- Clothing: Wear baggy, breathable clothing to keep you cool in the heat and humidity.
+ Notes
- Wifi/Cell Service: Wifi will be available in Cotonou at the hotel. Cell service is available in Benin - I have personally used ATT and TMobile with great success, mainly 2G and 3G (if you get lucky LTE!). We will also have two phones that travelers can use if they wish to make international calls or google something.
- Outlets: Benin uses Type C and E plugs (European). Click this link to learn more about this. We will also have Type C (US) adaptors available.
- Water: Drinkable water will be available throughout the entire trip. You are invited to bring a reusable water bottle to help to avoid using single-use plastic bottles.
- Visa: It is required to have a Benin Visa to enter the country. Please purchase this after booking your travel. You will need the 30-day enter once Visa. (add in the info of what they need to put on the visa). Click on this link to be taken to the website to obtain the Visa.
+ Terms
“Benin is alive! The people, food, and culture are worth experiencing. I am 65 and plan on coming back. This should definitely be on your list. I guarantee it will change your perspective on Africa.”
