Benin visa requirements for Malians

Travel and visa requirements

Beninese Visa is not required for Malians

Stay Duration: 90 days

Entry Requirements

  • Mali citizens travelling to Benin with the intention to stay for 90 days or less do not require a visa.
  • Visitors are required to possess a valid passport for six months with at least one blank page for visa stamps.
  • Passport should be valid for six months beyond your departure date from Benin.
  • Passport photographs must meet the Consulate of Benin’s requirement which means that photographs must be recent with a size 2 x 2, a coloured type, taken from a visitor’s front view and with a plain or white background.
  • Visitors must also have in possession, a valid (International Certificate of vaccination for Yellow Fever and cholera followed with Malaria protection which is not required but recommended).
  • Visitors must hold proof of sufficient funds and onward/return travel tickets.
  • Benin is a tropical nation highly dependent on agriculture and is a large exporter of cotton and palm oil.
  • The majority of the Benin population lives on the small southern coastline of the Bight of Benin, part of the Gulf of Guinea in the northernmost tropical portion of the Atlantic.
  • Benin has two rainy and two dry seasons. The principal rainy season is from April to late July, with a shorter less intense rainy period from late September to November. The main dry season is from December to April, with a short cooler dry season from late July to early September. 
  • Prospective visitors hoping to travel to Benin can do so from the main international airport, Modibo Keita International Airport in Bamako, Mali.
  • The official language of Benin is French. However, indigenous languages such as Fon and Yoruba are commonly spoken.
  • The largest religious group in Benin is Roman Catholicism followed closely by Islam, Vodun and Protestantism. 
  • The Benin citizens are known for their Religious Syncretism (the act of practising the combination of elements from the Christian and voodoo religion).
  • Transportation within Benin is made by road, rail, water and air.
  • The Benin Republic uses the West African Standard time (GMT+1) thus, Benin is 1 hour ahead of Mali.
  • The crime rate is low, and most disputes are resolved by local leaders and only a few civilians have access to guns.
  • The estimated flight time from Bamako, Mali to Cotonou, Benin is 2 hours, 10 minutes.
  • Greeting people properly is considered the most important social norm in Benin, therefore, it is appropriate to shake the hand of each person present upon entering or leaving a place. People who are well acquainted may greet each other by kissing on the cheek
  • Public displays of affection between members of the opposite sex are discouraged but men frequently walk together holding hands.
  • Offering food and drink to visitors is a key element of hospitality and to refuse is considered rude to the Benin people.
  • Many people in Benin eat with the fingers of the right hand. It is considered bad taste to eat with the left hand or offer another person something with the same hand.
  • The basic meal is staple starch eaten with a sauce that contains vegetables and meat or fish. 
  • Food is prepared at least twice a day- at midday and in the evening. The morning meal may consist of warmed-up leftovers from the previous evening's meal or food purchased from roadside vendors.
  • One of the most beautiful spots for a drink is the terrace of the pub in Haie Vive, which serves as one of the biggest expat hangouts in town. 
  • Benin is known to play a key role in the development of the African slave trade and also recognised to be the birthplace of the voodoo arts. These two ingredients are just a small part of the recipe that makes the complex and rich history of the African nation.
  • Although, the nation is relatively small and has only a few large cities but Benin provides travellers or visitors with museums, wonderful architecture and markets in abundance for exploration.
  • The Benin Republic also has many recreational sites for visitors’ pleasure, especially for nightlife activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to visit Benin?

Benin is generally one of the safest places to visit in West Africa with one of the best wildlife experiences for tourists.

When is the best time to visit Benin?

The best time to visit Benin is from November to February because it is the dry season and you will be able to attend the annual Vodoun Festival in Ouidah in January.

How populous is Benin?

Benin is a relatively small country, the 101st largest in the world with a population density of 78 people per square kilometre.