Travelling to Benin Republic From Nigeria – All You Have to Know
If you’re planning to go to the Republic of Benin from Nigeria, this submit is for you. It can cowl every part you have to learn about crossing one of many busiest borders in West Africa. It can additionally cowl the fee, the place to remain, locations to go to and so on. The Benin republic/Nigeria border is in a city referred to as Seme. The Nigeria Benin border is popularly referred to 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 embrace 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 referred to as Dahomey. It was, nevertheless, 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 received its independence on August 1, 1960. The official language of the Republic of Benin is French.
The Republic of Benin is residence to pristine seashores, sturdy tradition, wildlife, and exquisite vacationer sights.
Necessities For visiting Benin Republic from Nigeria
For Nigerians planning on visiting Benin Republic, the next are the necessities:
- Nigerian Passport: Nigerians visiting Benin Republic must current their Worldwide Passport on the border. The Nigerian Worldwide Passports is a doc issued by the Nigerian Immigration Service.
- The Yellow Fever Card: The second requirement is the yellow Fever card. This yellow card is proof that you’ve got acquired a dose of the yellow fever vaccine. The cardboard can be for conserving information of vaccines required to go to different international locations. You possibly can solely journey after ten days of getting the dose.
Additionally Learn: How one can 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 should have points with the Port well being on the border. Whenever you go for the yellow fever vaccine, make sure you ask them for Meningitis too. They are going to in all probability repair one other date for that. These are the 2 fundamental vaccines you have to take earlier than visiting Benin Republic.
- Yellow fever vaccine: This vaccine is to guard you in opposition to yellow fever
- Meningitis Vaccines:
The Languages
French is the official language. The opposite languages embrace Yoruba, Fon and a Gbe languages. These are the indigenous languages of the Republic of Benin. They’re all thought-about nationwide languages.
Foreign money
The official foreign money of the Republic of Benin is Cefa, it’s also referred to 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 one can Get To the Republic of Benin By 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 on. They are going to deal with the border protocols, the stamping and so on. They provide air-conditioned buses.
Nevertheless, in case you are on a low finances or an adventurer like me, you may resolve 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 driving force you’ll cease on the border. Please be aware they might scare you that stamping is difficult, don’t thoughts them. Simply ignore and inform them to cease you on the border.
On the border, simply stroll straight into the advanced. 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’re coming from, in case you are 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 driving 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’re approaching the border’s small gate, flash your Passport, this may grant you entry into the premises and typically it’s possible you’ll get questioned by the Immigration officers on obligation. You possibly can transfer to the purpose the place you may stamp your passport.
To stamp your passport, you’ll be requested pay some cash. Effectively 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 can even attempt to test your baggage, then the NDLEA who can even test for medicine and different forbidden substances,
As soon as you’re clear, you’ll transfer to the Benin aspect the place you’ll undergo one other test.
Ideas Whenever you get to Benin
- Perceive the Nation: The very first thing you need to do is to know the nation, their foreign money, alternate charges and so on. You must also know some fundamental legal guidelines of the nation. Additionally, you need to familiarise your self with a number of the beliefs and tradition.
- Change your cash from naira to Cefa: The very first thing you need to do is to vary from Naira to Cefa. Please don’t depend on your ATM card. It could not work there attributable to CBN restrictions.
- Preserve Your Transport Fare: As a rule, guarantee you will have the transport that may take you from the border to your own home saved individually. That is to keep away from spending your transport fare if you journey.
Please hold your transport fare separate out of your different cash. - Get a SIM card: Nigerian networks don’t work over there except you roam them. Nevertheless, the community firm will excessively if you make and obtain calls. Subsequently it’s possible you’ll must get a Benin SIM card. I’ll counsel both MTN or Airtel. When you get that, you might load it up and activate web connections, this may prevent numerous stress.
- Get a Common Adapter: they use a distinct form of socket completely different from those we’ve got right here. You might want to get a common adapter that may help you plug in your system. This is essential, it could be tough getting one when you step out of the border.
- Get an English talking driver: Search for an English talking driver to take you to your vacation spot. This can aid you with the language barrier. If you’ll take one other bus after attending to your vacation spot, you may additionally inform the driving force that will help you out.
- Be taught fundamental Vocabulary: You need to study fundamental vocabulary like bonjour(good morning), Bonsoir (good night), Anglais (English). And so forth
Issues to Do at Benin Republic
- Benefit from the Avenue Meals: The very first thing you’ll discover if you go to Benin is the presence of road meals distributors in all places. Avenue meals is common right here. Get adventurous and have a style of the road meals.
- Go to the Python Temple: The temple of the pythons has turn out to be one of many main vacationer sights in Benin Republic.
- 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.
- 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.
- Attend a Pageant: The nation has a wealthy cultural heritage, you need to attend one in every of its cultural festivals.
- Go to the Seaside: Benin Republic is a coastal nation with completely different seashores. Benefit from the blue skies, the pristine seashore sand and the beauties of its stunning seashores.
The Price of Visiting Benin Republic
Transport to Badagry Between 1,000 to 2,000 (will depend on the place you keep in Lagos)
From Badagry to Seme 500 to 1,500 (Relies on whether or not you employ a bus, automotive or bike)
Crossing on the Border (between 1,000 and a couple of,500) will depend on your negotiation energy and in case you are utilizing a virgin passport or an already stamped one
From Seme to Cotonou (1500 to 2,500)
Complete – Between 4,500 and seven,000
Resorts In Benin Republic
Resorts are reasonably priced in Benin Republic, the price of a normal lodge in Benin varies from 6,000 Naira per night time to fifteen,000. Although there are dearer ones between 20,000 to 150,000 per night time.
Resorts in Benin Republic
- Le Jardin Secret
- Diaspora Auberge
- Lodge Dk
- Auberge de Grand Popo
- Lodge La Casa Cielo
- Lodge de la Diaspora
Vacationer Sights in Benin Republic
- There are such a lot of vacationer sights in Benin Republic
- Zinsou Basis Museum
- Pythons Temple
- Slave Street
- Bab’s Dock
- Ganvie
- Grand Popo
- Fidjirosse Seaside
- 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 main 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 main highways are tarred.
Facilities: They’ve fundamental facilities like good roads, road gentle, water and so on.
Improvement: By way of improvement, Nigeria is much extra developed than the Republic of Benin. It’s uncommon to see a brand new main development across the metropolis.
Information: Web Information is fairly costly right here within the Republic of Benin in comparison with Nigeria.
Street indicators: There are street indicators on each road, each freeway.
Driving: Driving right here is just 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 common technique of transportation on this nation. Additionally it is quite common to see girls using bikes.