Travel to Benin Republic From Nigeria – All You Need to Know

Travelling to Benin Republic From Nigeria – All You Must Know
If you’re planning to go to the Republic of Benin from Nigeria, this put up is for you. It’ll cowl all the things you’ll want to learn about crossing one of many busiest borders in West Africa. It’ll additionally cowl the price, the place to remain, locations to go to and so forth. The Benin republic/Nigeria border is in a city known as Seme. The Nigeria Benin border is popularly known as the Seme Border.

In regards to the Republic of Benin

The Republic of Benin is likely one of the many international locations that share a border with Nigeria. Different international locations that share a border with Nigeria embody Chad, Cameroun and Niger Republic. Benin Republic shares a border with Nigeria at Seme in Lagos State and round Idi Iroko in Ogun. Seme is a couple of minutes drive from Badagry. The nation was previously often known as Dahomey. It was, nonetheless, renamed Benin in 1975.

The Capital of Benin Republic is in Port Novo. Nevertheless, the most well-liked metropolis in Benin Republic is Cotonou. Additionally it is the financial capital of Benin Republic. The nation was colonized by France. It bought its independence on August 1, 1960. The official language of the Republic of Benin is French.

The Republic of Benin is house to pristine seashores, sturdy tradition, wildlife, and exquisite vacationer points of interest.

Necessities For visiting Benin Republic from Nigeria

For Nigerians planning on visiting Benin Republic, the next are the necessities:

1. Nigerian Passport: Nigerians visiting Benin Republic should current their Worldwide Passport on the border. The Nigerian Worldwide Passports is a doc issued by the Nigerian Immigration Service.
2. The Yellow Fever Card: The second requirement is the yellow Fever card. This yellow card is proof that you’ve obtained a dose of the yellow fever vaccine. The cardboard can be for holding data of vaccines required to go to different international locations. You’ll be able to solely journey after ten days of getting the dose.

Additionally Learn: How to Get A Yellow Fever Card

Vaccines To Take Earlier than Visiting Benin Republic

Make sure you take these two vaccines earlier than you go to Benin republic. If you don’t, you’ll have points with the Port well being on the border. While you go for the yellow fever vaccine, make sure you ask them for Meningitis too. They may most likely repair one other date for that. These are the 2 fundamental vaccines you’ll want to take earlier than visiting Benin Republic.

1. Yellow fever vaccine: This vaccine is to guard you towards yellow fever
2. Meningitis Vaccines:

The Languages

French is the official language. The opposite languages embody Yoruba, Fon and a Gbe languages. These are the indigenous languages of the Republic of Benin. They’re all thought of nationwide languages.

Foreign money

The official forex of the Republic of Benin is Cefa, additionally it is often known as the West African CFA Franc. It comes within the following denomination.
Cash 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200
Notes: 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000, 20000

How you can Get To the Republic of Benin By way of Seme Border

If you’re in search of stress-free entry. You will get a direct bus to the Republic of Benin from Lagos. These are some main transport firms that go to Benin Republic Efex, ABC transport, Chisco Group Transport and so forth. They may deal with the border protocols, the stamping and so forth. They provide air-conditioned buses.

Nevertheless, if you’re on a low finances or an adventurer like me, you may determine to do the stamping by yourself.
From Ikeja board a bus to Egbeda – 200 to 300 Naira
At Egbeda board one other bus to Iyana Iba – 300 Naira
From Iyana Iba board a bus or automotive to Badagry – 500 to 700 Naira

When you get to Badagry, get a bus going to Seme. Inform the motive force you’ll cease on the border. Please notice they could scare you that stamping is tough, don’t thoughts them. Simply ignore and inform them to cease you on the border.
On the border, simply stroll straight into the complicated. Ask for the place to stamp, and do it your self.
When you stamp your passport, you’ll undergo one other set of routine checks by Port Well being who will ask on your yellow fever card.
Then one other routine test by the NDLEA and customs.

Relying on the place you might be coming from, if you’re coming from the mainland round Ikeja and environs, you may undergo Egbada, Iyana Iba axis. If you’re coming from Oshodi, you will have to undergo Mile

Crossing to the Seme Border

On the park, the motive force might attempt to cost you to cross the border, simply inform them to cease you on the border you’ll deal with the border protocols your self.

As soon as you might be approaching the border’s small gate, flash your Passport, this may grant you entry into the premises and generally you could get questioned by the Immigration officers on obligation. You’ll be able to transfer to the purpose the place you may stamp your passport.
To stamp your passport, you can be requested pay some cash. Properly this shouldn’t be the case however it’s what it’s.
For virgin passports, you’ll pay 1,000 or extra relying in your negotiation energy and for already stamped passports, you’ll pay 500 Naira.

As soon as your passports have been stamped,
You’ll undergo the Port well being who will ask on your yellow fever card, then the customs who may also attempt to test your baggage, then the NDLEA who may also test for medicine and different forbidden substances,
As soon as you might be clear, you’ll transfer to the Benin facet the place you’ll undergo one other test.

Suggestions While you get to Benin

1. Perceive the Nation: The very first thing it’s best to do is to know the nation, their forex, change charges and so forth. You must also know some fundamental legal guidelines of the nation. Additionally, it’s best to familiarise your self with among the beliefs and tradition.
2. Change your cash from naira to Cefa: The very first thing it’s best to do is to alter from Naira to Cefa. Please don’t depend on your ATM card. It could not work there as a result of CBN restrictions.
3. Maintain Your Transport Fare: As a rule, guarantee you’ve the transport that can take you from the border to your home saved individually. That is to keep away from spending your transport fare whenever you journey.
   Please hold your transport fare separate out of your different cash.
4. Get a SIM card: Nigerian networks don’t work over there until you roam them. Nevertheless, the community firm will excessively whenever you make and obtain calls. Due to this fact you could have to get a Benin SIM card. I’ll recommend both MTN or Airtel. When you get that, you can load it up and activate web connections, this may prevent numerous stress.
5. Get a Common Adapter: they use a special sort of socket totally different from those we have now right here. It’s worthwhile to get a common adapter that can help you plug in your gadget. This is essential, it could be troublesome getting one when you step out of the border.
6. Get an English talking driver: Search for an English talking driver to take you to your vacation spot. This may enable you with the language barrier. If you’re going to take one other bus after attending to your vacation spot, you may additionally inform the motive force that will help you out.
7. Be taught fundamental Vocabulary: It’s best to study fundamental vocabulary like bonjour(good morning), Bonsoir (good night), Anglais (English). And many others

Issues to Do at Benin Republic

1. Benefit from the Road Meals: The very first thing you’ll discover whenever you go to Benin is the presence of avenue meals distributors all over the place. Road meals is well-liked right here. Get adventurous and have a style of the road meals.
2. Go to the Python Temple: The temple of the pythons has grow to be one of many main vacationer points of interest in Benin Republic.
3. The Slave Route: That is the journey to the unique slave route in Benin. You additionally get to see the door of no return. It’s the place the place slaves are shipped to Europe and different unknown locations, by no means to return once more.
4. Go to the Nationwide Park: Benin Republic has a wealthy nature and wildlife expertise. A go to to the Nationwide parks will blow your thoughts.
5. Attend a Competition: The nation has a wealthy cultural heritage, it’s best to attend one in every of its cultural festivals.
6. Go to the Seashore: Benin Republic is a coastal nation with totally different seashores. Benefit from the blue skies, the pristine seaside sand and the beauties of its lovely seashores.

The Price of Visiting Benin Republic

Transport to Badagry Between 1,000 to 2,000 (is determined by the place you keep in Lagos)
From Badagry to Seme 500 to 1,500 (Depends upon whether or not you employ a bus, automotive or bike)
Crossing on the Border (between 1,000 and a pair of,500) is determined by your negotiation energy and if you’re utilizing a virgin passport or an already stamped one
From Seme to Cotonou (1500 to 2,500)

Whole – Between 4,500 and seven,000

Resorts In Benin Republic

Resorts are reasonably priced in Benin Republic, the price of a normal resort in Benin varies from 6,000 Naira per evening to fifteen,000. Although there are costlier ones between 20,000 to 150,000 per evening.

Resorts in Benin Republic

• Le Jardin Secret
• Diaspora Auberge
• Lodge Dk
• Auberge de Grand Popo
• Lodge La Casa Cielo
• Lodge de la Diaspora

Vacationer Points of interest in Benin Republic

• There are such a lot of vacationer points of interest in Benin Republic
• Zinsou Basis Museum
• Pythons Temple
• Slave Street
• Bab’s Dock
• Ganvie
• Grand Popo
• Fidjirosse Seashore
• The Cotonou Littoral Monument

Variations Between Nigeria and Benin republic

Roads: Benin republic has much better roads than Nigeria can ever think about. All the foremost freeway are tarred. All through my keep, I didn’t encounter a single pothole within the locations I visited. This isn’t an exaggeration, all the foremost highways are tarred.

Facilities: They’ve fundamental facilities like good roads, avenue mild, water and so forth.

Improvement: When it comes to growth, Nigeria is way extra developed than the Republic of Benin. It’s uncommon to see a brand new main building across the metropolis.

Knowledge: Web Knowledge is fairly costly right here within the Republic of Benin in comparison with Nigeria.

Street indicators: There are highway indicators on each avenue, each freeway.

Driving: Driving right here is simply too sane that I used to be virtually freaking out. LOL.

Automobiles: There are extra unique vehicles in Nigeria than within the Republic of Benin. I hardly see the newest vehicles round.

Transportation: Many of the residents personal bikes, bikes are one of many well-liked technique of transportation on this nation. Additionally it is quite common to see ladies using bikes.