Major city · Benin
Malanville
Skip Malanville unless you have extra days in northern Benin; a day trip is possible but limited attractions.
Malanville is a dusty border town on the Niger River in northern Benin. The market (busy Friday‑Saturday) and cheap pirogue rides are the main draws. Travel from Cotonou takes 12–18 h, usually split at Parakou. With limited sights, one day is enough if you’re already in the north; otherwise it’s better to skip.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- XOF
- Best months
- Nov–Mar
- avoid Jul–Aug (rain), Apr–May (peak heat, 40 °C (104 °F))avoid Jul–Aug (rain), Apr–May (peak heat, 104 °F (40 °C))
- Airport
- COO
- Nights
- 1
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Malanville117 ▾
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 Malanville, 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
- SafetycheckThe town itself is calm, but northern Benin is under travel advisories and the Niger border is unpredictable: check current advice…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and restaurants; carry tissue elsewhere.Benin-wide
- Emergency numbers117 police · 118 fire and ambulance (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.
- AirportCOO Cadjehoun Airport, Cotonou (No airport at Malanville; most travellers fly into Cotonou and continue overland via Parakou, 12–18 h total.).
- Getting aroundThe town is small enough to walk; zémidjan motorbikes cover longer hops and the market.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedGuesthouse room, a night, per roomXOF 3,000
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse room, a night, per roomXOF 5,000
- High-end bedGuesthouse room, a night, per roomXOF 8,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget XOF 5,000 · Mid XOF 8,000 · High XOF 12,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
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
- COO Cadjehoun Airport, Cotonou (No airport at Malanville; most travellers fly into Cotonou and continue overland via Parakou, 12–18 h total.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Feb
Best
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Mar
Best
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
Apr
Avoid
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
May
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Jun
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Nov
Best
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Dec
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Best: Nov–Mar. Avoid: Apr–May, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)), coolest Jan (17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C) low), wettest Aug (15 rain days), driest Jan (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Malanville: 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)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
0 rd
Feb
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Mar
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
1 rd
Apr
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
3 rd
May
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
7 rd
Jun
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Oct
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
Nov
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Dec
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°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
The town is small enough to walk; zémidjan motorbikes cover longer hops and the market. Pirogues on the Niger River run short trips for about CFA 1,000. Long-distance taxis and buses leave from the gare routière.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Gogounou
cautionDoor to door: About 1–1.5 h
Shared taxi or bus south on the RNIE 2, about 1 h
Small market town; only worth it if you are already heading south.
Parakou
overnightDoor to door: 5–7 h
Direct taxi or bus south on the RNIE 2, 5–7 h on a good day
The usual break on the Cotonou run; sleep one night rather than pushing on.
Natitingou
overnightDoor to door: About 7–9 h
South-west via Djougou on the RNIE 3, usually with a change
Atakora base for Tanguiéta and the Pendjari side; a full travel day.
Djougou
overnightDoor to door: About 6–8 h
South-west on the RNIE 3, often via Parakou or direct shared taxi
Junction town on the way to the Atakora; no reason to stop otherwise.
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.
Town centre guesthouses
Basic rooms; limited options – check
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 5,000–8,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- CFA 8,000–12,000 excl. bed
- High
- CFA 12,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse room1 × 1 night × XOF 3,000 | XOF 3,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × XOF 5,000 | XOF 5,000 |
| Pirogue ride on the Niger River1 × XOF 1,000 | XOF 1,000 |
| Local meal at a street kitchen1 × XOF 2,000 | XOF 2,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data1 × XOF 5,000 | XOF 5,000 |
| Shared taxi Parakou → Malanville, one way1 × XOF 6,000 | XOF 6,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | XOF 2,200 |
| Trip total≈ XOF 24,200 per person per day, bed included | XOF 24,200 |
Basic, fan rather than air-conditioning
2026 estimate in CFA francs; long-distance transport from Cotonou excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Pirogue ride on the Niger River | CFA 1,000 |
| Meal at a local eatery | CFA 1,500–3,000 |
| Bottle of water (1.5 l) | CFA 300–500 |
| Zémidjan motorbike across town | CFA 300–500 |
| Shared taxi Parakou → Malanville | CFA 5,000–7,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Northern Benin carries travel advisories and the border with Niger can close at short notice: check your government's current advice before booking.
- Border town — carry your passport and yellow-fever card, and keep copies separate.
- Travel in daylight; avoid arriving after dark.
- Fuel and cash run short: fill up and withdraw in Parakou or Kandi.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 117
- Fire and ambulance
- 118
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
MalanvilleMalanville
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police117
- Fire and ambulance118
Embassy
No embassies in Malanville; the US and most missions are in Cotonou. Consular help for the north comes from Cotonou.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Pirogue ride on the Niger River: CFA 1,000 per short trip
- Shared taxi Parakou → Malanville: CFA 5,000–7,000, 5–7 h
- Zémidjan across town: CFA 300–500
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bonjour)
- Combien? — How much? (combien)
- Où est le marché? — Where is the market? (où est le marché)
- Merci — Thank you (merci)
- Je cherche une chambre pour une nuit — I need a room for one night (je cherche une chambre pour une nuit)
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 Malanville. 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: Nov–Mar · avoid Jul–Aug (rain), Apr–May (peak heat, 40 °C) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 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 Malanville
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