Is it safe?
Yes, it is safe to travel in Benin. While you must keep an eye out for petty crime such as pickpockets, overall the country is quite safe and is considered one of the safest in West Africa. The biggest danger on a trip to Benin is the risk of malaria.
Who can travel to Benin?
Anyone can travel to Benin, with it being one of the easiest countries to travel to for other Africans as well. Benin is the only country in Africa that every African citizen can travel to visa free. For others that need visas there is an online visa platform available to all other nationalities, so overall it's a very straight forward visa situation.
Does traveling to Benin restrict my future travel?
No, travelling to Benin does not create any travel problems for you in the future.
Can I explore by myself in Benin?
Yes, you can. However, there is not much English spoken, so if you do not speak French, you might have difficulty navigating the country. Of course to get the most out of your experience it is best to go with a guide or on a group tour with Saiga. But it is absolutely possible to travel independently in Benin if that's what you want to do.
Can I blog about my time in Benin?
Absolutely you can! There is a lot to see and do in this amazing country and you should definitely be telling others about your experience.
How much money should I bring to Benin?
We recommend a budget of around $30 per day to cover food and drinks. Souvenirs are fairly cheap as well with small items such as magnets usually being sold for around 1000 XOF or just under $2 USD.
Is Benin ok for Vegetarians or Vegans?
There are a lot of vegetarian options in the region with things like cassava and fruits, however if you are buying vegetarian dishes there isn’t much care about cross contamination with food. If you are a very strict vegetarian and vegan we would advise you to bring some of your own food or stock up at a supermarket when you arrive. Whilst there are plenty of individual dishes or ingredients that are vegetarian and vegan, there are very few people who don't eat meat, so there is still a lot of misunderstanding about what vegetarianism or veganism actually are.
Is there anything I can’t bring to Benin?
Aside from the usual things such as drugs and weapons, there aren’t any major restrictions on what you can and can’t bring into the country. It is advisable not to try and bring in fresh meat or vegetables as these may be confiscated on arrival. Further, if you have prescription medications it would be best to bring the paperwork with you, however it is unlikely that you will be asked for this when entering the country.
