Benin Holiday

The small but varied country of Benin sits on the northern coast of the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa between Togo to the west and Nigeria to the east. A narrow coastal strip rises to a swampy, forested plateau and then to highlands in the north. Stilted fishing villages silhouette the skyline in the lagoon near the capital, Porto-Novo.

Benin is home to nearly eight million – mostly African – people, the majority of which speak French, Fon or Yoruba as well as other tribal languages such as Dendi, Ge and Bariba. The population has a fascination with Voodoo and fetishism, both still widely practiced and the annual Voodoo Day celebrations draw thousands of celebrants. Slaves are thought to have taken their Voodoo beliefs with them to America when they were shipped across the Atlantic from Benin's shores - part of what used to be known as the Slave Coast.

This now stable nation has seen a succession of military leaders and the third-highest number of coups for Africa until Major Mathieu Kerekou seized power in 1972 and gradually restored civilian rule.

There are some problems such as bad roads and infrastructure, poor water and health conditions, but the area is comparatively violence-free, richer and economically stronger than its neighbours – becoming one of Africa's largest cotton producers - and has its best pristine tropical beaches and landscapes.

As well as the expected national parks, game viewing and markets, this tiny country has the highest concentration of attractions in West Africa from fetish and voodoo artifacts to exhibits left over from the slave trade.

Grand Marche du Danktokpa is a huge must see market that sells everything from food, pottery and baskets to bat wings and monkey testicles. It is also rumoured to offer visitors a le fetiche d'amour ( a love fetish) – which you rub on your hands, whisper to it seven times the name of the person you desire, then touch that person and they will be yours.

Those hoping for a spending spree will need plenty of CFA (Communaute Financiere Africane) francs, the official currency, although Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Diners Club are also generally accepted in most other places.

The capital Porto Novo is a beautiful and historical place and home to the Musee Ethnographique which has an impressive collection of Yoruba artifacts. Abomey, just north of the capital, offers holiday makers the Musee Historiqu d'Abomey which displays royal thrones and tapestries that once belonged to the ancient kings Ghezo and Glele. The museum also includes fetish items and bones once used as musical instruments.

For nature lovers,on holiday in the area, the Parc National de Penjari is a 275,000-hectare national park in the north of Benin where lions, leopards, elephants, baboons and hippos can be admired from a distance – the best viewing time is near the end of the dry season when animals are near to the water holes.

The best nightlife can be found in Cotonou – the unofficial capital – where bright upbeat bars and nightclubs along the Jonquet strip feature US, West African and Cameroonian beats.

Hungry holiday makers are in for a treat as Benin offers a huge selection of regional and international restaurants and traditional Beninese food is some of the best in the region. Favourite recipes include rice and beans, peanut sauce, Ingame Pile, Pate Rouge, Sauce Legume, Tapicoa, Klui Klui and fried Plantains.

Except for nationals of Denmark, Germany, France, Sweden and other African countries, most people will need a visa to travel to this unique nation. Direct flights to Benin are available from France, Belgium and many African countries and Air France is thought to be the most dependable.

The best time to visit the south is between December and March (the dry season) and the north enjoys a typically tropical climate especially between December and April.