Best time to go to 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.
Our Benin Vacations
Cultural vacation in Ghana, Togo and Benin
Join an amazing group trip through Ghana, Togo and Benin.
From
£2840
13 days
ex flights
Ghana, Togo and Benin vacation, gold and magic
Traditional villages and voodoo in Ghana, Togo and Benin
From
£2675
13 days
ex flights
Ghana, Togo and Benin vacation
Tribal culture, colourful customs and Ouidah Voodoo Festival
From
£3160
12 days
ex flights
Ghana, Togo & Benin tour, Ouidah voodoo festival
The magic of Benin's voodoo festival, plus Ghana and Togo
From
£2825
13 days
ex flights
Benin wildlife vacation
Intrepid safari to West Africa's most exciting destination
From
£2795
12 days
ex flights
West Africa tour
Discover two small, mighty West African countries
From
US $2290 to US $2940
15 days
ex flights
Ghana, Togo and Benin cultural vacation
Explore the unique African culture in three countries
From
£2012.35 to £3189.38
8 days
ex flights
West Africa tour, Bissau to Cotonou
Voodoo heartlands, traditional storytellers and lush islands
From
£7599
4 weeks
ex flights
Benin small group tour
Explore Benin's voodoo culture and ethnic diversity.
From
£2799
12 days
ex flights
Ghana, Togo and Benin tours
In-depth tour of three unique African countries
From
US $3495
14 days
ex flights
Togo & Benin vacation
See voodoo, unique cultures & slave history in Togo & Benin
From
£3295 to £3395
15 days
ex flights
Benin remote safari in Pendjari National Park
Trailblazing safari to West Africa's finest savanna ecosystem
From
£3895 to £14850
7 days
ex flights
West Africa explorer tour, Marrakech to Cotonou
An epic journey from Morocco to the voodoo coast of Benin
From
£13999 to £14849
8 weeks
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
Benin month by month
Our top Benin Vacation
Cultural vacation in Ghana, Togo and Benin
Join an amazing group trip through Ghana, Togo and Benin.
From
£2840
13 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2022: 24 Feb, 7 Apr, 30 Jun, 11 Aug, 22 Sep, 21 Oct, 27 Dec
2022: 24 Feb, 7 Apr, 30 Jun, 11 Aug, 22 Sep, 21 Oct, 27 Dec
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.
