Explore Benin | Waycarta

Exercise a high degree of caution

Exercise a high degree of caution in Benin due to crime.

FCDO advises against all travel; FCDO advises against all but essential travel

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Northern border regions. FCDO advises against all travel to the Parc du W National Park and the hunting zones of Mékrou and Djona. The park is tri-national, sharing an open border with Burkina Faso and Niger. There is a risk of terrorist attacks and kidnapping throughout the park.

FCDO also advises against all travel to:

the area between the Parc du W and the border with Niger
the Pendjari National Park and adjacent hunting grounds
all other areas within 5km of the border with Burkina Faso

Eastern Benin. FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the area between the Interstate Highway (RNIE) 2 from Tchaourou to Malanville and the Benin-Nigeria border, due to increasing criminality. Alibori and Atacora. FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the rest of the Alibori and Atacora departments.

Exercise Increased Caution

Exercise Increased Caution in Benin due to unrest, crime, terrorism, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Do Not Travel to areas of Benin bordering Burkina Faso
Niger
and the Nigerian states of Kebbi, Niger, and Kwara due to crime, terrorism, and kidnapping

Do not travel to the border region in northern or northeastern Benin for any reason.

U.S. government employee travel restrictions U.S. government employees working in Benin are not allowed to travel to the following areas without Ambassador approval due to safety risks:

Alibori Department
Atacora Department
Borgou Department in areas north, east, and west of Parakou
Donga Department in the area north of Djougou
Official travel in Borgou Department north, east, and west of Parakou as well as official travel in Donga Department north of Djougou is authorized for day trips only
Safety risks prevent emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in the areas of Benin bordering Burkina Faso
Niger
and the Nigerian states of Kebbi, Niger, and Kwara
There are no safety risks in Benin that would stop the U.S. government’s ability to offer routine or emergency services, except in the identified areas of concern

Crime Most coastal and southern areas of Benin are safe. However, violent crime can occur in remote locations. These crimes often happen at night and include kidnapping, assault, and armed robbery.

Stay aware of your surroundings in:

Urban areas and crowded markets
Areas near roadblocks, which may be manned by armed groups

Armed groups are present throughout the country. Terrorism There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Benin. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s country reports on terrorism to learn more. Terrorist and armed groups have attacked areas near the borders with Burkina Faso and Niger. There have also been kidnappings for ransom in areas of the Alibori and Borgou Departments near the Nigerian border.

Terrorists may target:

Places frequented by foreigners anywhere in the country
Popular hotels, clubs, and restaurants
Schools
Places of worship
International diplomatic missions
Local security forces

Unrest There have been instances of military activity and civil unrest that resulted in violence in Benin. This type of violence may lead to road and land border closures as well as impacted operations at the Cotonou International Airport. Although U.S. citizens have not been targeted, sporadic military activity or civil unrest may happen suddenly and poses a risk. Kidnapping Kidnapping for ransom occurs in Benin. Criminal groups and terrorist organizations target both locals and foreign visitors.

Level 4 - Do Not Travel - Benin’s northern and northeastern border regions Do Not Travel to areas of Benin bordering Burkina Faso
Niger
and the Nigerian states of Kebbi, Niger, and Kwara due to crime, terrorism, and kidnapping

Terrorists and criminal organizations carry out attacks in northern Benin. Foreign nationals and residents are at risk of kidnapping in this region.

The areas of greatest risk are:

Pendjari and W National Parks
Alibori Department
Atacora Department
The Forest of the Three Rivers
The Oueme Superior Forest
All areas east of Route Nationale 10 up to the Benin-Nigeria border, including the cities of Kalele, Nikki, and Segbana

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