Cotonou, Place to Go Ganvié

Destination: Ganvié

This is one of the most popular day-trips from Cotonou. Ganvié is a traditional fishing village made of thatched bamboo houses perched on stilts over a lagoon. Visitors here travel by pirogue (small wooden boats), which are poled through the lagoon by local guides (for a fee) and can view the daily life of the town, all of which takes place via the pirogues. Women sell fish, fruits and vegetables from the pirogues; or one can see the men returning in boats laden with nets filled with the day's catch. Because of it's popularity, the people here have been photographed extensively and now demand money before letting you photograph them. You can negotiate the fees yourself or ask a guide to do it for you.

For a day trip from Cotonou, it's about an hour ride to Ganvié. Wear a hat and sunscreen and bring your own bottled water, it's cheaper than buying it at one of the small bars. The best time to go is early in the morning, when the day is coolest. The pirogue rental place - where you'll find your guide - opens at around 8 a.m. every morning.

The south: Abomey | Allada | Cotonou | Dassa zoumé | Ganvié | Grand Popo | Ouidah | Porto Novo| Possotomé | Savalou |
The North: Kandi | Kota falls |Koussoukouangou | Natitingou | Tanéka-Koko | Parakou | Nikki | Pendjari park | Tanougou waterfalls |

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