Benin : The Bradt Travel Guide

by Stuart Butler

• ISBN13: 9781841621487
• ISBN10: 184162148X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2006-04-01
• Publisher: Bradt Travel Guides

Summary

This new guide to Benin expands the Bradt range of West African guides further, exploring this small but varied country which is gaining popularity with adventure and exotic travel enthusiasts. National parks, game viewing, markets, pristine tropical beaches, and surfing are just some of the highlights of Benin that are readily available with aid of this guide, which caters to cultural and historical visitors, those tracing their roots in Benin's slave trade, overland adventurers, and wildlife enthusiasts. Features include: >Where to find the best music, dance, and food in Benin >Wildlife in depth--with an exploration of the Parc National du W and Parc National de la Pendjari >Detailed focus on the slave kingdom of Dahomey >Wide-ranging historical background information including the history and culture of voodoo

Author Biography

Stuart Butler is an English-born freelance journalist and photographer who has spent considerable time in West Africa. He has traveled extensively as a professional surfer and has interests in African history, cultures, and wildlife which have provided a background to his research for this guide.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	viii
Introduction	ix
PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION
Chapter 1 Background Information	3	(32)
Geography and climate	3	(1)
Natural history and wildlife	3	(13)
History	16	(4)
Government and politics	20	(1)
Economy	20	(1)
People	21	(1)
Language	21	(1)
Voodoo and Beninese culture	22	(13)
Chapter 2 Planning and Preparation	35	(28)
When to go	35	(1)
Highlights	36	(2)
Tour operators	38	(2)
Red tape and visas	40	(1)
Getting there and away	41	(1)
Health	42	(14)
Safety	56	(1)
What to take	57	(2)
Money and budgeting	59	(4)
Chapter 3 Travelling in Benin	63	(20)
Where to go	63	(1)
Getting around	63	(2)
Sleeping, eating and drinking	65	(5)
Public holidays and festivals	70	(1)
Shopping	70	(1)
Media and communications	71	(1)
Business	72	(1)
Cultural guidelines	73	(5)
Africa is Hell	78	(1)
Giving something back	79	(4)
PART TWO THE GUIDE	83	(122)
Chapter 4 Cotonou	85	(24)
History	85	(2)
Highlights	87	(1)
Orientation	88	(1)
Getting there and away	88	(1)
Getting around	89	(1)
Where to stay	90	(4)
Where to eat	94	(2)
Bars and nightlife	96	(1)
Entertainment	96	(1)
Practicalities	97	(2)
Crime, safety and police	99	(1)
Health	99	(1)
Foreign embassies	99	(1)
Travel and tourism	100	(1)
What to see	101	(1)
Excursions from Cotonou	102	(7)
Chapter 5 West of Cotonou	109	(26)
Allada	109	(4)
Comè	113	(1)
Ouidah	113	(10)
Passotomè and Lac Ahémè	123	(5)
Grand-Popo	128	(4)
Les Bouches du Roi	132	(1)
Hilakondji	133	(2)
Chapter 6 East of Cotonou	135	(12)
Porto-Novo	135	(8)
Kraké	143	(1)
Sakéte	143	(1)
Affamè	144	(3)
Chapter 7 Central Benin	147	(24)
Kétou	147	(3)
Abomey	150	(9)
Bohicon	159	(1)
Dassa-Zoumé	160	(3)
Bétékoukou	163	(1)
Glazoué	163	(1)
Savé	164	(2)
Savalou	166	(3)
Bassila	169	(2)
Chapter 8 Northwest Benin	171	(16)
Djougou	171	(4)
Natitingou	175	(4)
Boukoumbé and the Tata Somba	179	(3)
Parc National de la Pendjari	182	(5)
Chapter 9 Northeast Benin	187	(18)
Parakou	187	(6)
N'Dali	193	(1)
Nikki	193	(2)
Kandi	195	(3)
Malanville	198	(2)
Parc National du W	200	(5)
Appendix 1 Language	205	(1)
Appendix 2 Further Reading	206	(5)
Index	211