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Nature and Culture of Benin
Benin

culture

group

Nature

Prices are variable and should be requested from the agency

Length of stay

14 days / 13 nights

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Day 1

Cotonou

Arrival

Arrival

Arrival in the evening at Cotonou Bernardin GANTIN international airport. After passing
customs formalities, baggage handlers can collect your luggage.
Welcome by a member of ECO-BENIN. Transfer to the hotel and check into an air-conditioned room,
Arrival dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 2

Ganvié - Porto Novo

Discovering the Venice of Africa

Discovering the Venice of Africa

Breakfast session. Cultural immersion session. City tour to discover the different
monuments of Cotonou, the graffiti wall, the Amazon square. Transfer to Ganvié, the
Venice of Africa. Its houses, markets, schools, places of worship, etc. are only accessible to the general public.
by pirogue. Then lunch. Afternoon visit to the colourful Dantokpa market.
Continuation to Porto Novo, the political capital of Benin, check-in, dinner and overnight at the
Ouadada Centre.

Day 3

Adjarra

City with three names

City with three names

We have breakfast. Discover the city with three names. From the Place Bayol, where we will be told
the history of Xogbonou to the statue of King Toffa 1st, not forgetting the Jardin des Plantes and the Jardin de l'Etoile.
la Nature (JNP) for a hike to meet the white-bellied monkeys (Mona) and the
century-old trees, medicinal plants, aromatic species and the Honmè museum.
which is a real architectural jewel of surprising originality.
marvel at the city's many facets. Then lunch. Continuation to Adjarra,
hike on the Rivière Noire to discover an extraordinary ecosystem, visit the
village to discover local crafts. Return to Porto Novo, dinner and overnight at the Centre.
Ouadada.

Day 4

Dassa

Okuta site

Okuta site

We have breakfast. Visit to the Songhai Centre, a leading centre for integrated agriculture. Departure by
towards Dassa. Lunch en route. Visit to the Okuta granite site.
Yoruba. The best part about visiting the site is the walk you can take along the
of its grounds: it offers a superb panorama of Dassa, while along the
As you make your way up the hill, you'll discover some of the works of art carved into the rock. Dinner and overnight at CPN les
Butterflies.

Day 5

Dassa

Rando Coline

Rando Coline

We have breakfast. Curiosity to find out more about the past of the Shakaloké, a people of
traditional healers will take you to the top of the hill to discover
evidence of their existence. Then lunch. Afternoon visit to the village to find out more about
get to know the way of life of the local people. Dinner and overnight stay in a bungalow.
with private bathroom.

Day 6

Tanéka Béri - Natitingou

Immersion in Somba country

Immersion in Somba country

Then breakfast. Departure for the north to Natitingou (Nati), nestled between the hills of
Atacora. Visit the markets en route if it is market day. Lunch en route.
route. Stopover at Tanéka Béri. For two hours, meet the culture and people of the region.
traditions of this unusual village. Follow the local guide and let him tell you all about it.
the history of his village. The Tanekas have earned their reputation thanks to
to their exceptional mastery of the forces of nature and the important role played by the spirits of
their ancestors played in the wars of invasion. You will have the opportunity to meet
one or more dignitaries. True guardians of tradition and customs, the dignitaries
play an important role in the life of the community, thanks to their great mastery of the
elements of nature and their divinities. A change of scenery guaranteed !!!! Continue on
Natitingou. Dinner and overnight stay at the Centre Pastoral Mgr Nicolas Okioh.

Day 7

Kota

Relaxing at the foot of the waterfalls

Relaxing at the foot of the waterfalls

Then breakfast. A refreshing trip to the Kota Falls. They form a string of
waterfalls to the east of the Atacora mountain range in Benin. They form part of the protected areas of the
Benin and are located in the district of Kotopounga, some twenty kilometres from the town centre.
of Natitingou. Then lunch. Transfer to Koussoukoingou, nestling on the plateaux of the
Atacora, has a rich natural environment. But Somba country is above all
known for its exceptional architectural heritage, with the Tatas Somba, the dwellings
traditional. Check-in at the Otammari lodge or in a traditional Tata. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 8

Koussoukoingou

Immersion in Somba country

Immersion in Somba country

Then it's time for breakfast. A three-hour walk will allow us to discover the hidden beauties of the region.
the small valley near Koussoukoingou: a river where women used to draw water,
Ancestral granary, Tatas scattered across the savannah. Lunch made with local produce
by the restaurateurs from the Perle de l'Atacora association. We are leaving for two
hours of visits to the heart of the village to learn about the Bètammaribè way of life and the way of life of the Bètammaribè.
their exceptional expertise in the design and construction of Tatas: these little
castles are a harmonious blend of aesthetics and functionality. The small
fortified huts, known as "Tata", is the ingenious way of life of the Bètammaribè, a tribe of the Bètammaribè.
outstanding builders. Dinner and overnight at Otammari Lodge in a ventilated room with shower.
and shared outhouse.

Day 9

Koussoukoingou

Charming Somba country

Charming Somba country

Breakfast. Spend a day with the valiant Tammari ladies and you'll have the
learn how to make cheese from soya or cow's milk, butter, etc.
or maintaining a Tata. Local techniques will hold no secrets
for you. Return to the lodge in the early evening. For our dinner, a cooking workshop. With
With the help of a local restaurateur, prepare your local dinner with cheese you've made yourself
during the day. Overnight at Otammari Lodge.

Day 10

Abomey

Royalty and the conquest of territory

Royalty and the conquest of territory

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Abomey, the city of kings. Lunch en route. In the space
Over 300 years, 12 palaces were built in the capital of the kingdom of Abomey, since the
any new sovereign had to build a new palace alongside that of his predecessor.
predecessor. The result was a gigantic royal city covering more than 40 hectares.
Including a visit to the Abomey Historical Museum, a former royal palace listed as a World Heritage Site.
UNESCO World Heritage site. Territorial conquests, resistance, colonisation, cults and traditions,
all aspects of Benin's history will be covered in order to gain a better understanding of the country.
today. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Tennessee.

Day 11

Local crafts

Local crafts

Then breakfast. Departure for Sè, a pottery village. Discovery of the
pottery making. Then lunch. Transfer to Possotomé on the shores of Lake Ahémé.
Arrive and check into the Gîte de Possotomé, which has simple rooms equipped with
shower and in-house toilet. Departure for the DJOSSA farm, discovery of the farm's activities.
firm. Treat your senses! Dinner at Chez Préfet campsite, a restaurant on the lake
Ahémé. Night at the Gîte.

Day 12

Possotomé

Learning traditional fishing techniques

Learning traditional fishing techniques

We have breakfast. We leave for the tour : ''Along the water'' During this walk
in a rowing boat on the calm waters of Lake Ahémé, the eco-guide explains the various
fishing techniques used by the villagers, and what types of fish they caught.
capture. He also talks about the Vodoun water divinities and the role of water areas.
devoted to the Avlékété fetish, as well as the history of the unique
lake hippopotamus. Swimming possible. Lunch at Chez Préfet campsite. In the afternoon,
Traditions and Culture" walking tour through Possotomé and the surrounding area
villages of Okomé and Sèhomi. It will be punctuated by the presentation of vodou divinities
and their temples, the role of the Tolègba, rituals and ceremonies, and the importance of
the sacred forest. We will also be introduced to the Sehomi barter market, where the women
meet up at the end of the afternoon to exchange their products. Dinner and overnight at the Gîte.

Day 13

Kpétou - Grand Popo

Life of the women of Assouvicodji

Life of the women of Assouvicodji

Then breakfast. Transfer to Kpetou. The morning will be devoted to exploring the forest.
visit a population of Mona monkeys in their natural habitat. Lunch
in a local home. In the afternoon, you will take part in the women's socio-economic activities.
of Assouvicodji, such as mat weaving. If you're lucky, you'll be able to visit a
local distillery to take part in the preparation of a local drink commonly
called "Sodabi". Sodabi and coconut juice tasting are on the programme. Transfer to
Grand Popo, arrival and check-in at the Centre Nonvignon in an air-conditioned room with en-suite bathroom.
private bathroom. Dinner and overnight stay at the Centre Nonvignon.

Day 14

Ouidah - Cotonou

Visit to the Bouche du Roy reserve

Visit to the Bouche du Roy reserve

Transfer to Avlo. Transfer to Avlo, the small village of Grand Popo, situated between the river and the sea.
Departure by motorboat to discover the Mono MAB Biosphere Reserve
UNESCO in its Bouche du Roy river and sea site, we are taking part in the socio-economic activities of the women of the reserve, such as the preparation of toffi, a caramel made from the
coconut milk; preparation of coconut oil, traditional salt and much more. Lunch under
the lodge's straw hut facing the sea. In the afternoon, transfer to Ouidah for a homework assignment.
memory. Ouidah was one of the main centres of the slave trade during the 18th century.
Visit to the Python Temple, dedicated to the vodou cult. Visit to the Fondation Zinsou museum
of contemporary art. We follow the Slave Route to the Gate of No Return,
UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to Cotonou. Transfer to
the airport.
End of services.

Price per person €2136 based on 2 people

Contact the agency for a group rate

These prices include :

 Transport during your stay
 Breakfasts and lunches
 Accommodation in a double room
 Visits mentioned in the programme
 Mineral water at the table (2 bottles 1.5L/day/person)
 An accompanying guide

Our prices do not include :

 The plane ticket
 Dinners
 Personal expenses
 Drinks (excluding mineral water)
 Excursions suggested or not mentioned in the programme
 International insurance or assistance

 

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