Hunting Benin

Page Updated: Mar 2020

Hunting Benin can be tough but rewarding. You need to be fit, prepared to walk and tolerate some degree of hardship. Benin does not teem with game as in Tanzania or South Africa but there is still enough for a worthwhile hunting experience.

"The western savannah buffalo is a serious contender for the most dangerous of game. Where in Africa can you hunt a brace of Dagga boys all in for under ten grand?" PH Andrew Baldry

Before Booking A Hunt In Benin...

TRAVEL ALERT

March 2020: The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is advising against all travel to:

  • The Parc du W National Park and the contiguous hunting zones of Meêkrou and Djona. The Parc is tri-national and shares an open border with Burkina Faso and Niger. There is a risk of terrorist attacks throughout the Parc.
  • 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.
  • Read more


TRAVEL ALERT

March 2020: US Travel Advisory on Benin recommends reconsidering travel to:

  • Park Pendjari, Park W and adjacent hunting zones, and other areas near Benin’s northern border with Burkina Faso, due to terrorism and kidnapping.
  • The US government has limited ability to provide emergency services to US citizens in Benin’s northern border areas.
  • Read more


Benin Hunting Season

  • From December 15th to May 15th

Benin Climate

The Benin hunting season falls in the hot and dry months of the year.

  • The northern area of Benin stays hot and dry from October to April, with temperatures sometimes topping 40°C.
  • Southern Benin's rainy seasons in April to mid-July and mid-September to late October.
  • Northern Benin gets rain from June to early October.

Benin Current Weather Forecast

COTONOU WEATHER

Benin Map


Benin Hunting Areas Map

There are 5 hunting zones in the far north of Benin near the borders with Burkins Faso and Niger. These hunting zones are close to the National Parks and buffer zone game reserves.

Click map to enlarge
Benin Hunting Areas
Benin Hunting Areas

Getting To Your Hunt Area In Benin

The international airport where you will land, is in the capital city, Cotonou, which is way down on the south coast. This is where your outfitter or company representative will meet you and help with your firearm import. If you are using the direct Air France flight from Paris which lands in the evening, you are likely to have to overnight in Cotonou before your marathan 12 hour road trip north the next day. More on international travel to Benin.

Alternatively you want to ask your outfitter about charter flights into your hunt area.



Hunting Accommodation In Benin

Most hunting accommodation is in permanent camps with chalets with all mod-cons and French cuisine. Some even have swimming pools and air conditioning. Some outfitters do offer more rustic tented camps.

Benin Hunting Terrain

The typical savanna terrain is dry with bushes and small woodland areas that can be quite thick. There are usually plenty of watering places which are a great draw for buffalo and other game.

Benin Hunting Laws

  • The Benin wildlife authority allocates a strict species quota to each hunting block.
  • A maximum of two trophies per species may be harvested, per hunting client per hunting permit, excluding western roan antelope.
  • All trophy hunting to take place within the hours of daylight.
  • No hunting is allowed at night or with artificial light.
  • The minimum number of days for a hunting safari is set by the Government, based upon the species being hunted.
  • Shooting from a vehicle is not permitted.
  • Hunting is not allowed within 500 meters of water or salt lick.
  • Hunting permits must be issued prior to the hunt commencing.
  • A separate permit must be issued for each individual hunting client.
  • Hunting lion is done by tracking - baiting is not allowed.
  • There is no minimum calibre requirement for any game.
  • If an animal is wounded and not recovered you will have to pay double the trophy fee for that species.

Benin Hunting Species

Most hunters go to Benin for the special west African savanna animals which are unavailable in east or southern Africa. These include the western savanna buffalo, western roan and western kob.

Benin Hunting Trophy Export/Import Restrictions

A very small quota of CITES II lion has always been available to hunt in Benin. However, since February 2015, the EU Scientific Review Group has delivered a 'negative' opinion on wild lion conservation in Benin. Now most EU member states will require and likely deny an import permit for Benin lion hunting trophies as part of EU 'stricter domestic measures'. Australia has banned all lion trophy imports since March 2015.

Western Savanna Buffalo
Benin Western Savanna Buffalo - Black
(Photo courtesy of Andrew Baldry)

Get A Flavour Of Hunting Benin


Hunting Benin

More Hunting Benin Resources


  1. Home
  2. >
  3. Hunting Benin
Back to Top


Solo Build It!