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Benin visa - at the border?
Does anyone know if Benin still issues visa at the (Nigerian) border? We are driving to Benin from Nigeria and otherwise we will have to get our visa one of these days in Cameroon (assuming that this is possible in Douala).
Thanks a lot! |
this might not be too much help. i wasn't ware of particular issues on the Nigerian border. you can get a visa at the border but it is only valid for a very short period (2-3days) which you have can extend in cotonou. (this may only be possible at larger borders). i would recommend getting one in cameroon, if possible. just saves you the hassle of 2 stops. as well as any potential 'extra fees'!
hope this is somewhat helpful. :scooter: people feel free to correct me if i'm mistaken |
Thanks.
Has anyone recently applied for a Benin visa in Douala? According to Bradt guide, there should be a Benin embassy/consulate, but I can't find it on internet, which appears pretty strange to me... |
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My understanding is that 48 hour visa's for Togo and Benin are/were only available at the MAIN border crossing in the SOUTH near the COAST.
ie: on the main highway from Ghana to Nigeria along the coast. So better to get it in Nigeria beforehand in my opinion. As you really want to avoid southern Nigeria, head up to Abuja and get it there, then across to New Bussa and into Benin towards Nikki/Parakou. A lot less hassle going that way. Abuja is quite a modern city, easy to drive around, and you can camp at the Sheraton Hotel. |
Hi,
I got my Benin Visa at the main boarder coming from nigeria no problem but to get the Angola Visa will be a chalenge Riding the rough west coast through Africa - Transafrika part 3 Good luck, Tobi |
Hi Roamingyak, I am picking up my Nigerian visa on Friday 12th Jan at Cotonou. I was thinking of driviving back up to Parakou/N'dali and go to Abuja from there. How is the road ? Do they still alow camping at Sheraton in 2013 ? Do you know how easy is a Cameroon visa in Abuja ? Is it worth trying to get any other southbound visas there or pick them up later ? A lot of questions I know but would appreciate any up to date info you can pass on. Cheers.
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++ I was thinking of driviving back up to Parakou/N'dali and go to Abuja from there. How is the road ?
HIGHLY recommended to do this. Fine Tarmac to Parakou and up to the turning for Nikki. Dirt piste with corrugations to the border, fine fine. After the border you should turn off (left) the good sealed road after about 10-30km(??) (at a roundabout )and follow the dirt piste towards the dam/reservoir/New Bussa. Nice area, only one checkpoint in a village and avoids all the police hassle and trucks on the sealed road. If dry it is a little slow but fine fine. All in tracks4africa if you have it? Else email me. ++ Do they still alow camping at Sheraton in 2013 ? I believe so, but for a couple of dollars a night now - I think because of some idiots who camped previously. Definitely worth going, its fun ;-) If they do say no at the gate, go and politely ask the manager - gate staff don't always know what is happening. ++ Do you know how easy is a Cameroon visa in Abuja ? Madame Claire is a bit of a bossy bitch, but if your ultra polite and give her the illusion of having some power she will do in one morning for you - easy enough. ++ Is it worth trying to get any other southbound visas there or pick them up later ? Congo embassy is just a few houses down from Cameroon - did it in 10 minutes so worth getting unless you plan on spending 6 months in Cameroon/Gabon etc. Seems they charge more the better dressed you are at the Congo embassy?!?. Gabon was stupidly expensive in Abuja and took a week. Most get in in Yaounde, but they are arrogant pricks in the embassy there, you need to wear trousers, collared shirt, shoes etc. Angola no longer possible I believe. Try though?! DRC was possible in Abuja if you had your Angola visa in advance - try it anyway, they weren't that helpful and wanted money to lift a finger, you need to blab some bs to them - had it in one day in the end. Abuja is a modern city with hardly any traffic by African standards, and if you can camp at the Sheraton its worth doing as much as you can here- Yaounde is not a very nice city in my experience and the old Swiss bastard who runs the mission has ruined it as an overlanders place to stay. ++ A lot of questions I know but would appreciate any up to date info you can pass on. No problem, I'm sure you will 'dash me' when you can ;-p Keep your wits about you at all times in Nigeria, people are super friendly but there is a lot bubbling under the surface and plenty of dodgy police, be polite, smile a lot, super friendly, but very firm. Do not follow the police anywhere, or go to the station or any other such thing. You might get offers to be kidnapped at the Sheraton like I did! Have fun! Wish I was there again now!! |
Hi Roamingyak, that is mega helpful. I really appreciate it and have just run into( figuratively) another overlander heading the same route tomorrow, so will pass on you advice. Cheers !
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Benin visa
I got it in some kind of slum of Douala in about 10 minutes, really friendly lady. Camping at the Sheraton in Abuja Still possible, you have to fill in an official form at the squash centre of the hotel and you have to pay about 5 euro per night for 2 persons, but the minimum stay (or at least what you have to pay...) is for 5 nights. Not too bad, considering the fact that you lose a lot of time in Abuja if you're applying for various visa. |
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i got my congo and gabon visa in younde, easy but not cheap. DRC in libbreville, gabon. was almost too easy. i felt like it was going to fall though or something. just went there paid the money and they told me come pick it up in 3 days. i went in the next day asked if i could get it early and they gave it to me the next day. Angola- i couldn't get it anywhere and had to fly my bike to lumbumbashi to got to zambia etc |
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