Visa from South Africa to Benin
- South Africans travelling to Benin can stay for a duration of 90 days without a visa.
- South Africans visiting Benin should have a certificate of yellow fever vaccination.
- Travellers must possess a Passport valid for a period of six months before entry and two blank pages for visa stamping.
- South Africans under the age of 18 visiting Benin without their parents must have an original birth certificate as well as a letter of authorisation from their parents or guardian.
- Intending visitors can get to Cotonou, Benin from international airports in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Bloemfontein.
- Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, RwandAir, Kenya Airways, South African Airways, are some of the carriers that fly from South Africa to Belize.
- The estimated flight time from Johannesburg to Cotonou is 11 hours, 18 hours 50 minutes from Bloemfontein, and 14 hours 35 minutes from Cape Town.
- Euros is the easiest currency to convert to West African CFA Franc, at foreign exchange offices, banks or bureaux de change. ATMs are available in most parts of Cotonou.
- Benin has a hot and humid climate, with two rainy seasons and two dry seasons.
- Because Benin’s weather can sometimes be intolerable, the best time to visit is from November to February when the temperatures are more pleasant.
- Benin uses the West Africa Standard Time (GMT+1) making South Africa one hour ahead of Benin.
- Power sockets and plugs used in Benin are of type E. The standard supply voltage is 220 V, with a frequency of 50 Hz.
- Benin is home to diverse, multilayered religious beliefs ranging from Muslims to Roman Catholics, Protestants ( Celestial, Methodist, etc), Vodun, and others.
- There are many historical and natural beauties in Benin that makes it an excellent tourist spot.
- Getting around in Benin is possible with Bush Taxis, Taxis, Car rentals, etc, all under CFA 350.
- Beninese are primarily French, Fon and Yoruba speakers, although a vast majority also speak Pidgin English, which is basically a less formal kind of the English language.
- It would help to pick up a few basic French phrases so as to navigate courteous conversations and show that you are conscious of their existing means of communication.
- Beninese are very organized people, with rich, and highly interesting cultures evident in their food, mannerisms, clothes, etc. It is important to respect local laws assigned to tourists and visitors.
