This tiny country is packed with more attractions than many countries twice its size: ancient religions, a rich colonial history, pleasant beaches, exotic wildlife, markets selling everything from colorful textiles to voodoo accoutrements, and warm local hospitality.

Benin has a fascinating cultural heritage. A strong indigenous culture mingles with French influences, remnants of colonial rule dating to the 1800s. French is the official language, but the lilting rhythms of more than 100 African dialects can also be heard throughout the Beninois countryside. Many anthropologists identify Benin as the “cradle of voodoo,” a religion based on spirit and ancestor worship, which was exported to Haiti and parts of Brazil via slaves in the 1700s. Today, 50% of Beninois still practice voodoo or animism (the belief that all things have a spirit or soul), while the remaining 50% are roughly divided between Muslims and Christians.

Benin offers adventurous travelers a rich variety of things to see and do. Known as “African Venice,” the northern town of Ganvié is the only village entirely built on a lake, with schools, houses, and restaurants all on teak stilts. Elsewhere you will see villages composed of traditional “tata samba,” the thatched mud huts characteristic of the area. The coastal port of Ouidah is not to be missed: formerly one of the most important centers of slave trade in West Africa, here you will find the “Route des Esclaves,” the path followed by thousands of slaves on their tragic journey out of their homeland. Ouidah is also the voodoo capital of Benin, and the center of the town is dominated by the curious contrast of a large Catholic cathedral standing just opposite the fascinating Python temple – complete with live pythons! Further inland you’ll find the wildlife park Pendjari and the magical Tanougou falls cascading into a sparkling natural swimming pool.

Benin’s peaceful political climate is the envy of some of its more unstable neighbors. While during the latter part of the 20th century the country was tormented by a rapid and unrelenting series of political coups, over the past decade Benin has settled into a peaceful democracy whose residents are very welcoming of foreigners.

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