Major city · Benin
Gogounou
Skip as a base: pass through on market day (Friday) or for the Bariba fête in April. One hour is enough to see the market; stay in Kandi 42 km (26 mi) north.Skip as a base: pass through on market day (Friday) or for the Bariba fête in April. One hour is enough to see the market; stay in Kandi 26 mi (42 km) north.
Gogounou is a small market town on Route 2 in northern Benin, best known for its Friday bazaar where Bariba, Peuhl, Tuareg and Guando vendors sell everything from mangoes to traditional jewellery and voudoun remedies. The town has no reliable electricity or running water in most lodgings; most travellers sleep in Kandi (42 km north) and visit for a few hours.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- XOF
- Best months
- Oct–Jan (cool, dry); April for the Bariba fête
- avoid Mar–Jun (hot, dusty); Jul–Sep (rainy season)
- Airport
- PKO
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- West Africa ↗Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on any West African trip: several countries on the coast road demand it of every arrival, and the rest demand it after you have passed through a neighbour.
- West Africa ↗Cross land borders and drive between cities in daylight only; plan each crossing as a full travel day with cash for fees and passport copies for checkpoints.
- Benin ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Beninese government sources; an e-visa exists for many nationalities.
- Benin ↗Governments advise against travel to parts of northern Benin near the Burkina Faso and Niger borders, including areas around the national parks; check your own government's advice.
- Benin ↗Vodun is a living religion: ask before photographing shrines and ceremonies, and follow your guide's instructions.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Gogounou117 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Gogounou, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF), shared with other West African states and pegged to the euro (655.957 per euro).Benin-wide
- SIM or eSIMMTN and Moov Africa sell SIMs with passport registration at their shops.Benin-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap.Benin-wide
- TippingMaquis (local restaurant): Nothing; round up.Benin-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Benin-wide
- SafetyGogounou is generally safe for daytime visits.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and restaurants; carry tissue elsewhere.Benin-wide
- Emergency numbers117 police · 118 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany shops close 12:30–15:00; Sunday is quiet.Many shops close 12:30 PM–3:00 PM; Sunday is quiet.Benin-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckPKO Parakou Airport (About 2 h south by taxi; no scheduled flights confirmed — check).
- Getting aroundWalk: the market and main road are compact.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PKO Parakou Airport (About 2 h south by taxi; no scheduled flights confirmed — check)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Feb
not flagged
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Mar
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Apr
Care
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
May
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Nov
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Dec
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Best: Oct–Jan. Mixed: Apr. Avoid: Mar, May–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)), coolest Jan (19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C) low), wettest Aug (15 rain days), driest Jan (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Gogounou: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
0 rd
Feb
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
Mar
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
2 rd
Apr
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
4 rd
May
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Oct
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Nov
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
1 rd
Dec
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
0 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk: the market and main road are compact. Taxi-brousse (shared taxi) on Route 2 for longer hops.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Zoungou-Pantrossi
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Taxi or moto from Gogounou, about 21 km (13 mi) westTaxi or moto from Gogounou, about 13 mi (21 km) west
Bariba fête in April; wildlife viewing possible.
Kandi
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Taxi-brousse on Route 2, about 42 km (26 mi) northTaxi-brousse on Route 2, about 26 mi (42 km) north
Better lodging and supplies; market day is Saturday.
Parakou
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Taxi-brousse on Route 2, about 120 km (75 mi) southTaxi-brousse on Route 2, about 75 mi (120 km) south
Regional hub with airport, banks and hotels.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Kandi (42 km north)
The practical base: guesthouses with air conditioning and running water; 500 CFA taxi from Gogounou.
Homestay in Gogounou
Possible but basic: electricity only 16:00–00:00, no running water in some houses. Ask at the market.Possible but basic: electricity only 4:00 PM–12:00 AM, no running water in some houses. Ask at the market.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- CFA 5,000–10,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- CFA 15,000–25,000 incl. bed in Kandi
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| Taxi from Parakou to Gogounoucheck | CFA 2,000 |
| Taxi from Kandi to Gogounoucheck | CFA 500 |
| Bean balls and fried yamsRoad to Bagou | CFA 200–500 |
| Beninese home-cooked meal at bar/restaurant d34check | CFA 1,000–2,000 |
| Yam pilée (mashed yams)Village centre, across from market | CFA 500–1,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No reliable electricity or running water in Gogounou lodgings; plan to sleep in Kandi.
- Friday market is the main draw; other days the town is quiet.
- The Bariba fête date changes yearly — check locally or in Parakou.
- Northern Benin security advisories: check before travelling north of Parakou.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 117
- Fire
- 118
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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GogounouGogounou
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Au marché de Gogounou, s'il vous plaîtTo Gogounou market, please
Emergency
- Police117
- Fire118
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Parakou → Gogounou, taxi: CFA 2,000, about 2 h (check)
- Kandi → Gogounou, taxi: CFA 500, about 40 min (check)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bohn-zhoor)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-see)
- Combien? — How much? (kom-byen)
- Marché — Market (mar-shay)
- Où est le taxi? — Where is the taxi? (oo ay luh tak-see)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Gogounou. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Jan (cool, dry); April for the Bariba fête · avoid Mar–Jun (hot, dusty); Jul–Sep (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Gogounou
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