Benin Vacation and Trip Information

In Western Africa between Nigeria and Togo, Benin sits on the bight that shares its name. The narrow strip of mostly flat land reaches south toward a coast with no natural harbors, river mouths or islands. The majority of the population resides in the south, including in the political and economic capital, Cotonou. In the 15th century, the region was the site of the West African kingdom of Dahomey. When Europeans first visited in the 18th century, the kingdom was still expanding. During this time, Portuguese, French and Dutch trading posts were established; eventually the territory became a French colony. The Republic of Benin achieved full independence from French rule in 1960.

In 1991, free elections marked the first successful transfer of power from dictatorship to democracy in Africa. Today, while still a developing country, Benin is one of the most stable democracies on the continent. For visitors, to the north and northwest, the Reserve W du Niger and Pendjari National Park offer elephants, lions, hippos and other wildlife. To the south, the Royal Palaces in the city of Abomey, the ruins of the Dahomeyan kingdom, are noted on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Along the coast, Grand Popo, with one of Benin’s finest beaches, sits on the Togolese border.