Planning a Trip to Benin

Certainly worth it, the Venice of Africa in Ganvie will make a nice (and safe) boat trip, where you will see how some people live on stilts. Ganvie offers souvenir buying galore, and some of the things are really attractive, so bring some extra cash. People friendly, sites varied, lots of photo opportunities here...and generally easy to get to.

Ganvie is cool place in the fact that it is a town of 18,000 people who live in the middle of a lake in bamboo huts on stilts. It's a huge tourist attraction in the area but still quite interesting to walk around. I don't really recommend buying souvenirs here as it's not the best deal.

Make sure to see the Fetish market; one of West Africa's wonders... the entire biology of the region displayed before you... in pieces.

Cotonou is the capital of Benin and it is considered a good place to see various Voodoo related attractions since Benin is a center of the Voodoo religion.

Never buy souvenirs made from wild animal products (such as skins, ivory or bone). It’s illegal, and in most cases, supports poaching practices.

Is one of the sacred town for Voodon in Benin.
There is the Sacred Forest that is worth a visit and the Python Temple (no it's only a name... no reptiles at all).
Is a quiet and nice town.. From town there is the Road of the Slaves that brings you to the beach where the slavers boat left.
There is also a modern monument (the gate of non-return) that was built few years ago.