Benin Travel Risk

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.

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

Areas where FCDO advises against travel

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.

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.

Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Benin

Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Benin.

Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals such as:

• beach resorts
• hotels
• bars
• restaurants

Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.

There is a risk of terrorist attacks in the northern border regions, including throughout the Parc du W National Park, which is tri-national and shares an open border between Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger. Recent incidents in the region have targeted military bases and security installations. See Regional risks.

Examples of recent significant attacks include:

• in April 2025, 54 soldiers were killed in an attack against two military posts in Parc du W National Park
• in January 2025, 28 soldiers were killed in an attack against a military post in Parc du W National Park
• in 2022, 7 national park staff and 1 military personnel were killed and 12 people were injured when 2 separate vehicle convoys hit improvised explosive devices in the Beninese side of the Parc National du W
• in 2021, at least 2 people were killed in an attack in the northern border area of Porga

Terrorist kidnap

Foreigners, government officials and civilians have been kidnapped by groups originating in bordering countries including Niger and Burkina Faso. Groups include Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), who may travel across the region’s porous borders. There is a heightened risk of kidnap in areas bordering the Sahel, this includes northern Benin.

In 2019, 2 French tourists and their Beninese guide were kidnapped from Pendjari National Park. The guide was found dead, but the hostages were rescued in Burkina Faso a few days later.

British nationals are seen as legitimate targets, including tourists, humanitarian aid workers, journalists and business travellers. If you are kidnapped, the reason for your presence is unlikely to protect you or secure your safe release.

The long-standing policy of the British government is to not make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners builds the capability of terrorist groups and finances their activities. This can, in turn, increase the risk of further hostage-taking. The Terrorism Act (2000) makes payments to terrorists illegal.

This section has safety advice for regions of Benin. It only covers regions where the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has specific advice.

You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice.

Northern border regions

FCDO advises against all travel to the Parc du W National Park and the connecting hunting zones of Meêkrou and Djona. The park is tri-national, sharing an open border with Burkina Faso and Niger. There is a risk of terrorist attacks 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

There is a threat of kidnapping from terrorist groups operating in the region. There is a heightened risk of kidnap in Benin’s northern border region.

The authorities sometimes set curfews in northern Benin. Keep up to date with security measures and follow the advice of the local security authorities.

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, due to increasing criminality.

Risk level

Benin - Exercise a high degree of caution

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

Regional risks

Border areas with Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria and Togo - Avoid all travel

Avoid all travel to the following areas due to the threat of terrorism, banditry, and the risk of kidnapping:

• along the border with Togo in the Atacora Department west of the Boukoumbé-Tanguiéta axis
• within 50 km of the border with Burkina Faso
• within 50 km of the border with Niger and all the area north of the Interstate 7 motorway
• within 50 km of the border with Nigeria, north of the town of Nikki in Borgou Department

This advisory includes the W National Park and the Pendjari National Park.

Northern departments - Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid non-essential travel to the departments of Atacora and Alibori due to the threat of terrorism and the risk of kidnapping.

Portion of the Borgou Department along the border with Nigeria - Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid non-essential travel to within 50 km of the Nigerian border south of the town of Nikki in the Borgou Department.

Border areas with Burkina Faso, Niger and Nigeria

Armed groups operate along the borders with Burkina Faso, Niger and Nigeria, including in national parks, in the departments of Atacora, Alibori and Borgou, as well as the area north of National Highway 7. Attacks and kidnappings occur in these areas.

There is also a risk of incursion by Nigerian militants into the Nigerian border regions in the Collines, Plateau and Ouémé departments.

Crime

Petty crime

Petty crimes, such as purse snatching and pickpocketing, occur.

Theft is frequent in Cotonou:

• near the port and railroads
• in popular tourist areas, including beaches and the Dantokpa market
• near hotels frequented by foreign tourists

During your trip to Benin:

• ensure that your personal belongings, including your passport and your other travel documents, are secure at all times
• avoid showing signs of affluence or wearing expensive jewellery
• avoid carrying large sums of cash
• be aware of your surroundings, especially in busy tourist areas
• stay in accommodations with adequate security measures

Violent crime

Violent crime occurs occasionally. Incidents include:

• armed robberies, particularly at night in Cotonou and the Nigerian border region
• car and motorcycle hijackings
• sexual assaults

Tourists are usually not targeted, however you could be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

During your stay :

• be aware of your surroundings at all times
• avoid going out and driving after dark
• keep doors locked and windows closed at all times
• if attacked, don’t resist

贝宁现有黄色（中风险）地区2个，其他地区为蓝色（低风险）。具体如下：

一、黄色地区：阿塔科拉省、阿黎博里省。外交部提醒在贝宁上述地区中国公民密切关注当地安全形势，提高警惕，加强防范，注意安全。如遇紧急情况，请及时报警并与中国驻贝使馆取得联系。

二、蓝色地区：除黄色地区以外的其他地区。

外交部和驻外使领馆将继续密切关注海外安全形势变化，动态调整有关风险评估，并实时在中国领事服务网等平台发布、更新相应安全提醒，请持续关注。