Ganvie Navigation

About Ganvie

Ganvie in Benin is famous for its seafood and stilt houses and floating market. Ganvie budget travel offers an ideal destination for seafood lovers.

Ganvie Budget Travel

Below is a list of Ganvie's top activities, click on the link to view all details and tours.

Canoe to the Village on Stilts

View all activities in Ganvie

Airports

Ganvie airports are:
• Cadjehoun International - Cotonou Airport
• Benin City Airport

Birdlife

Ganvie birdlife includes a fairly abundant number of waterbirds who can be found on the waters along the lake village. Ganvie and its nearby lakes and surrounding woodlands form an important site for a number of waterbirds including the African Openbill, the White-crested Tiger heron, Black Tern and various Malimbe.

Conservation

The tiny lake village of Ganvie is a fairly remote community, and Ganvie conservation mostly aims to keep the village's preserved state. Pollution is a major concern, while environmental hazards such as flooding can also be a huge issue.

Malaria

The following malaria medication can be taken when visiting Ganvie:
• Mefloquine (Lariam)
• Atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone)
• Doxycycline

Money

Ganvie money and banking info includes:
• The village has no form of bank or financial facilities
• Be prepared and draw local currency at the airport or big cities
• US Dollars can sometimes be used - before of hustlers who over-charge tourists for almost all services and goods

Plants

Ganvie plant life is mostly limited to reeds and marsh vegetation around the lake shore, with woodlands further off the banks.

Safety Tips

• Ganvie is very safe to visit
• Tourists are sometimes harassed for money or boat trips however
• Keep valuables safe and out of sight, and keep a certified copy of important travel documents on hand
• Respect for the Ganvie culture is essential

Travel Books

Ganvie recommended travel books include the following:
• Benin: Bradt Travel Guide by Stuart Butler
• Show Me The Magic by Annie Caulfield
• West Africa Travel Guide by Lonely Planet
• Benin and Togo: International Travel Map

Visa Requirements

Get more information on visas in Benin

Wildlife

As a lake village on stilts, Ganvie wildlife is almost non-existent. Occasionally there may be livestock or chickens to be seen, and fish lurk beneath the dark waters, however mostly it is rare to see wildlife in this area.

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