A narrow strip of land in West Africa, this poor but stable, welcoming democracy has an ancient history and traditions dating from its centuries-old kingdom of Dahomey, including the vodun (aka voodoo) religion and a palace complex declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Eco, wildlife, beaches, and community tourism are also growing lures – for example in Bako Djaouga, a village on stilts.

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An interesting video about the royal palaces of Abomey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

 This UNESCO World Heritage compound, located a three-hour drive inland from Benin's capital Porto-Novo and 2½ from its largest city Cotonou, was the centre of the Dahomey kingdom which from 162 through the end of the 19th century became rich and powerful especially thanks to the transatlantic slave trade. Dahomey conquered surrounding peoples, then sold them to European slavers. It's a sobering reminder that the evils of chattel slavery were the responsibility not just of white Europeans by of…

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Started by Riccardo R
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  • David Paul Appell August 8, 2023 at 12:23pm
    There´s not an awful lot out there on travel in Benin, which is why this detailed write-up from a Michigan solo female traveler who calls herself Babeesh is such a help (and traveling solo as a woman in Africa - maybe I´m wrong, but to me that´s brave!): https://beyondbabeesh.com/backpacking-benin-travel-guide-itinerary/
    My Ultimate Benin Travel Guide and Itinerary: Budget Backpacking in Benin
    The secret's out...traveling around Benin is awesome! I decided to write this travel guide to Benin because, well, there isn't a lot of information T…
  • Max Pesling July 21, 2023 at 12:50pm
    Benin is also home to one of West Africa´s most impressive game reserves, Pendjari National Park, and here´s a look at it from the conservation NGO African Parks: https://www.africanparks.org/the-parks/pendjari
    Pendjari
    Pendjari is a conservation stronghold in West Africa, which forms part of a critically important triad of national parks and reserves where 90% of th…
  • Helen Brown October 6, 2022 at 9:32am
    You've no doubt heard of watery cities/towns referred to as "the Venice" of the USA, Asia, Russia, or wherever. Well here's a look at "the Venice of Africa": it's a village on stilts called Ganvie, in the middle of Lake Nokoué, right in the country's largest city, coastal Cotunou. Pretty cool! https://talkafricana.com/ganvie-the-african-village-built-entirely-...
    Ganvie – The African Village Built Entirely On Stilts - TalkAfricana
  • Jeffrey Kunst February 24, 2022 at 8:36am
    In honor of February’s Black History Month in the USA, MSN’s Travel Noir channel put together a list of six subsaharan landmarks of remarkable black African achievements - and this pieces cites the Great Mosque : https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/tripideas/beyond-the-pyramids-of-e...
    Beyond The Pyramids Of Egypt: 6 African Sites That Are Worthy Of A Mention
    Surely, the pyramids of Egypt are included on the list of the most iconic architectural sites in world history. Located in northern Africa, the amazi…
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