Lac Nokoue, Atlantique Department, Benin
4.5 (61 reviews) Spent 1-2 hours Ranking #1 in Ganvie Bodies of Water
Highlight of my weekend off work
Well worth a trip to this interesting village with all buildings on stilt over the lake. Went with a local so no trouble finding dock for boats or negotiating price. Fees really minimal and a bargain if going in a group since boat was a flat rate. Our boat had a young man who offered to act as a guide "for whatever we wished to pay" though there was a suggestion of CFA5000 - less than $10. Stanislaus said he was a resident, told us all about the history and explained how the fishing works. Was open to any question and though he spoke very little English he spoke slowly in clear French making most of the tour understandable to my limited French. Only two stops to shop and nothing at all pushy in either place. They were pleasant interludes. All in all a fascinating half day visit in a country not long on things to do in down time/
Address
Ganvie Lac Nokoue, Ganvie, Benin.
Current local date and time now
Sunday, May 12, 2024, 15:48
User Ratings
4.5 based on (61 reviews)
Reviews
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4trainfan2000 5:00 PM Jul 7, 2014
Very Worthwhile Visit
This is a fascinating trip to take if you can. You travel by a wooden flat bottomed boat out the village that rests on stilts in the lake. On the way out you see fishermen, people "commuting" to the mainland, and some wildlife. Once at the village you can see that most of the buildings rest on stilts over the water. There are a couple of structures on dry land, but these are not numerous. There is a small shop and nightclub that we stopped at and they have some good handicraft items. It is quite amazing to see how the town functions on water. It is sort of a very primitive form of Venice (although nowhere near as beautiful - we are seeing wooden huts here). The city arose when people moved away from the coast to escape slavers and it continues to be inhabited into the 21st century.
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4NamasteHello 5:00 PM Jan 18, 2018
Interesting way of life
The great thing about travel is that you see such different ways of life. This is an interesting lifestyle and yes, in answer, to the Singaporan this is a giant sewer. It's how some people live and far more interesting than the over clean Singapore. It's not the locals who are rude. We as tourists intrude on their life. We do not have a good given right to poke our cameras in everyone's faces. We have to respect their culture. How would you like someone In your front room taking your picture!
