Things to Do in Ganvie Stilt Village

Ganvie Stilt Village sits on Lake Nokoué, about an hour from Cotonou, and it's genuinely one of the most remarkable places you'll encounter in West Africa. The entire community - we're talking about 20,000 people - lives in houses built on stilts above the water, connected by a network of canals that serve as the village's streets. It's often called the 'Venice of Africa,' which feels a bit reductive honestly, because Ganvie has its own distinct character shaped by centuries of Tofinu culture and the practical realities of life on the water. The village was actually founded in the 16th century by people fleeing slave raids, who cleverly took advantage of the fact that their pursuers' religious beliefs prevented them from attacking settlements on water. Today, you'll find a thriving community where children paddle to school in dugout canoes, fishermen cast their nets from their front doors, and daily life unfolds entirely on the water in ways that might seem impossible until you see it for yourself.

Food options in Ganvie itself are limited to what local families might offer to share - usually fresh fish prepared with local spices, rice, and vegetables. It's simple but delicious, particularly the grilled tilapia and catfish caught right from the lake. Most visitors eat in Cotonou before or after their trip, though some tour operators can arrange a traditional meal with a local family as part of the experience. If you do eat in the village, expect to pay around 3,000-5,000 CFA francs for a simple meal. The food is generally safe if it's freshly prepared, but bring bottled water as the lake water isn't suitable for drinking.

The dry season from November to March offers the most comfortable conditions for canoe tours, with less rain and calmer water conditions. That said, the village is fascinating year-round, and the rainy season (April to October) actually shows you more of how residents adapt to changing water levels. Morning visits tend to be best regardless of season - the light is better for photography, the floating market is most active, and temperatures are more comfortable. If you're planning to fish with locals, the early morning and late afternoon hours are when fish are most active, so timing your visit around these periods makes sense.