Best time to visit Benin
Benin experiences a strong north-south divide between its cultures as well as its climate.![]()
Tourists are likely to spend most of their time in southern Benin, which has a tropical, equatorial climate. Rains fall here from April to the end of October, with a brief dry spell in mid-July to August. High humidity means that even the “cooler” months of June to September are still very warm. The desert-like north experiences more extreme temperatures, with November to June searingly hot, and June to October wetter and cooler. The best time to visit Benin is from November to February; not only is it dry, but you’ll be able to attend the annual Vodoun Festival in Ouidah in January.
Benin month by month
Our Benin Vacations
Cultural vacation in Ghana, Togo and Benin
Join an amazing group trip through Ghana, Togo and Benin.
From
£2840 to £3195
13 days
ex flights
Ghana, Togo and Benin vacation, gold and magic
Traditional villages and voodoo in Ghana, Togo and Benin
From
£2849 to £3199
13 days
ex flights
Ghana, Togo and Benin vacation
Tribal culture, colourful customs and Ouidah Voodoo Festival
From
£3130
12 days
ex flights
Ghana, Togo & Benin tour, Ouidah voodoo festival
The magic of Benin's voodoo festival, plus Ghana and Togo
From
£2999
13 days
ex flights
West Africa tour, Bissau to Cotonou
Voodoo heartlands, traditional storytellers and lush islands
From
£8299 to £8499
4 weeks
ex flights
Voodoo Festival tour in Ghana, Togo and Benin
Journey into the spiritual heart of West Africa
From
US $4720
18 days
ex flights
Benin Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
23
31
19
FEB
25
32
40
MAR
25
32
76
APR
25
32
127
MAY
24
31
195
JUN
23
29
334
JUL
23
28
148
AUG
23
28
71
SEP
23
29
142
OCT
24
30
146
NOV
23
31
57
DEC
24
31
21
Our top Benin Vacation
Cultural vacation in Ghana, Togo and Benin
Join an amazing group trip through Ghana, Togo and Benin.
From
£2840 to £3195
13 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2022: 20 Oct, 27 Dec
2023: 26 Jan, 9 Mar, 20 Apr, 23 Jul, 11 Aug, 19 Oct, 16 Nov
2022: 20 Oct, 27 Dec
2023: 26 Jan, 9 Mar, 20 Apr, 23 Jul, 11 Aug, 19 Oct, 16 Nov
Travel Team
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WHAT HAPPENS WHEN IN BENIN
Jim O’Brien, from our supplier Native Eye Travel, shares his tips on the best time to go to Benin:
“A good thing to do in December is to go and see the Gelede dances at a place called Cové. It’s not really voodoo but it shares a lot of the same characteristics, with people getting dressed up as representations – not necessarily of gods but perhaps spirits. It’s the state religion; it doesn’t have the same connotations in Benin as Hollywood has given it.”
“A good thing to do in December is to go and see the Gelede dances at a place called Cové. It’s not really voodoo but it shares a lot of the same characteristics, with people getting dressed up as representations – not necessarily of gods but perhaps spirits. It’s the state religion; it doesn’t have the same connotations in Benin as Hollywood has given it.”
BENIN FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Did you know about…?
The Vodoun Festival
The Vodoun Festival is the greatest event in the voodoo calendar. Taking place on 10th January every year in Ouidah, it is one of the best ways to get under the skin of this often misunderstood religion. People dress up as voodoo gods, complete with colourful, swirling costumes and masks, drums beat hypnotically, and goats and chickens are sacrificed throughout the festival.
More about Benin
When you travel to a country whose state religion is voodoo, you know this is going to be no ordinary vacation.
Click on our interactive Benin map and highlights to learn more about this little-explored nation.
When choosing things to do in Benin, don’t overlook Pendjari National Park – one of the only safari destinations in West Africa.
Discovering the culture in Benin is the highlight of any vacation to this West African nation.
Rhythmic drumming, extraordinary costumes and performers channeling spirits – the Voodoo festival, Benin, is an otherworldly cultural treat.
Many vacations to Togo and Benin explore the vibrant Vodou culture of these nations. While this official religion may not be as “dark” as many Western myths suggest, there is one aspect of it which is very dark indeed.
Here’s our top Benin travel advice and recommendations as shared with us by those who know the country best.
