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Cotonou,

Place to Go Borgou

Destination: Kandi

Kandi has little to offer in terms of activities, but it is an interesting and friendly town and is very different than the South. North of Kandi is Alfakouara, which is one of the prime destinations for elephant viewing; these animals can be seen as early as December and as late as April, but February and March are the most reliable times for sightings.

Attractions

- Elephants at Alfakouara

Forty kilometers north of Kandi, there is a project under the management of CENAGREF, Centre Nationale de Gestion des Reserves de Faune, an organization dedicated toward the preservation of wildlife, based in Cotonou. In this area, known as Alfakouara, there is a natural watering hole frequented by elephants during the dry season. Monkeys, warthogs, and a variety of birds also visit the watering hole. In February and March, the ideal time of the year to come, as many as fifty elephants a day come to the site, most often in the mornings and near dusk. Currently visitors must pay by the month, with foreigners paying 5.000 CFA (plus an additional 500 CFA for those who want to bring a camera and 1.000 CFA for a video camera). You can bargain for a day price, and the money is refunded if the elephants do not appear. Fifty percent of the profits go back to the community and there is a guided forest walk available upon request. Low end lodging is available at the site, but most would choose to stay in Kandi and make the easy day trip. The site is open from December to when the rains arrive in April. Sunday is market day in Alfakouara.

- Sota Falls:

There is a pretty waterfall en route to Segbana called Sota Falls

General Information

Cost of travel from Cotonou:

9000 FCFA - 10.000 FCFA for one place in a n auto-taxi

9400 by bus

By taxi, the journey takes about 8 or 9 hours; by bus, 10 hours. The bus travels to Kandi from Cotonou on Thursdays and Saturdays and returns from Kandi on Fridays and Sundays. Direct taxi fare may be less than the listed price; taxis usually stop in Parakou.

Best time to visit

Harmattan season is cooler. The majority muslim population celebrates the end of Ramadan as well as Tabaki, but neither fete has a fixed date. The best time for elephant watching is February and March.

Lodging

Motel de Kandi has 12 rooms. Prices range from 6.500 FCFA for a room with a fan, single or married couple; to 9.000/fan, double; and 12.000 FCFA for an air-conditioned room with double bed; or 12.000/fan and 4 people. All rooms have a private bathroom. The restaurant serves a variety of foods; omelettes are priced at 1.000 FCFA; for a main dish of meat with a side order, prices range from 1.600-2.000/meal; or 3.500 for entrée, main course, side dish and dessert. Phone 63-03-03.

The Auberge de Kandi is located on the outskirts of tow, and features six rooms with private baths. You can choose from rooms for two with a double bed and (floor) fan with 7.000 FCFA; or pay 9.000 for a room with a ceiling fan and double bed. It also has a small restaurant with meals available from 1.500 to 3.000 FCFA.

Auberge La Rencontre boasts hot water, good service, and breakfast included in the rate. There are seven rooms, ranging from 6.000 FCFA for a single room with fan and shared bath to an air-conditioned room for two with private bath for 15.500 FCFA. It also offers discounts for groups and extended stays. The roof-top restaurant serves chicken, fish and porc with prices ranging from 2.500 to 4.000. Reservations are suggested in high season, telephone: 63-01-76.

Restaurants

There are a variety of restaurants and buvettes to choose from in Kandi. Sous les Neems is a popular buvette with a good atmosphere and a lot of street food nearby (beans and rice, meat, wagasi and omelets can be found for around 200 to 400 FCFA). Also good is La Maison Blanche, a clean, inexpensive and quiet spot for dinner serving chicken, couscous, peas, omelets, drinks. Prices range from 700-1500 CFA for dinner. Slightly more upscale is the Maquis Tara's, serving chicken (1800 FCFA), tuna sandwiches (1500F) and salads (800 - 1500F).

Local Markets:

The Kandi marché takes place every day, although Saturday is the most popular day for vendors. It is extremely diverse culturally - you can find vendors from many ethnicities here. Local products are cheap, and there is a small selection of fruits and vegetables (look for the mangoes in April and May). If you're heading north to view the elephants, the Alfakouara marché takes place every Sunday and has an interesting mix of people.


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