Zou Department

The heartland of the Kingdom of Dahomey, where the UNESCO-listed Royal Palaces of Abomey are a must-see for anyone interested in Benin's history.

Zou Department lies in south-central Benin and was the core of the former Kingdom of Dahomey. Its capital, Abomey, is home to the Royal Palaces of Abomey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where bas-reliefs on the palace walls and the historical museum reveal the kingdom's history, religion and art. Nearby Bohicon is a north–south transport hub and trading town. The dry season from November to March is the best time to visit. From Cotonou, take the national highway north; the drive takes about two to three hours.

Destinations

• Abomey
• Cotonou

Itineraries

• Ghana, Togo & Benin Coastal Cultural Journey – Travel from Accra to Cotonou, connecting coastal castles, Ashanti heritage, Voodoo culture, and stilt villages.
• Southern Benin Loop: Palaces, Voodoo & Lagoons – Starting and ending in Cotonou, this loop covers the stilt village, Porto-Novo, Abomey, Grand-Popo, and Ouidah.
• West African Coast: Lagos to Accra – Traverse four countries along the Gulf of Guinea, connecting slave trade heritage sites, Voodoo culture, and coastal ca…