Lake Nokoué, Protected wetland system near Cotonou, Benin
Lake Nokoué extends over 4,900 hectares in southern Benin, connecting to the Atlantic Ocean through the city of Cotonou and receiving water from the Ouémé River.
The lake and Porto-Novo Lagoon received designation as Ramsar Protected Areas in 2000 to safeguard their ecological value and natural resources.
Local communities around Lake Nokoué maintain traditional fishing practices using small dugout canoes and specific fish breeding facilities called Acadja.
The lake produces approximately two tonnes of fish per hectare annually, with optimal fishing conditions occurring between November and June during lower water levels.
The waters of Lake Nokoué support 78 fish species and maintain temperatures between 27 and 29 degrees Celsius throughout the year.
GPS coordinates: 6.43278,2.42556
Latest update: March 6, 2025 23:34
Benin brings together centuries of history with landscapes that shift from the Atlantic coast to protected wilderness areas inland. The country holds places where royal dynasties left their mark, like the Royal Palaces of Abomey with walls decorated by Fon artisans, and coastal towns such as Ouidah where Portuguese forts now house museums telling the story of the region's complex past. In the north, Pendjari and W National Parks shelter elephants, lions, and leopards across savannas that stretch into neighboring countries, while along the coast, beaches like Coco Beach and Fidjrosse offer access to the Gulf of Guinea. Daily life unfolds in spaces that reveal how people have adapted to their surroundings. Ganvié sits above Lake Nokoué, a settlement where wooden houses stand on stilts and canoes serve as the main way to move from place to place. In Cotonou, Dantokpa Market spreads out near the Ouémé River, filled with vendors selling everything from cloth to herbs. Churches built during the colonial era, including the red and white striped cathedral in Cotonou, punctuate the cities. Whether you're drawn to wildlife, the layers of human history, or the rhythm of markets and waterfront communities, Benin provides a window into West Africa that mixes old traditions with everyday moments still taking shape.
Monument Amazone
9.5 km
Dantokpa Market
6.7 km
Fondation Zinsou
7.8 km
Dantokpa Market
6.8 km
Place de l'Étoile rouge
7.1 km
Place du Souvenir
9.1 km
Fondation Claudine Talon
9.4 km
CanalOlympia Wologuèdé
6.5 km
Place Bulgarie
8 km
Hall des arts, Loisirs et Sports de Cotonou
8.1 km
Ancien Pont Bridge
8.4 km
Stade René Pleven d'Akpakpa
7.8 km
Pont Martin Luther King
7 km
Fidjrossè Beach
12 km
Pont Konrad-Adenauer de Cotonou
8.3 km
Route des peches
11.4 km
Herbier national du Bénin
9.2 km
Mosquée Zongo de Cotonou
8.4 km
Jet d’eau d’Akossombo
7.4 km
Saint Michel Church, Benin
7.4 km
Synchronisation musique et sport
7.5 km
Femmes allant et revenant du marché
5.5 km
Ménagère (statue)
7 km
Triangle réconciliation
9.5 km
Calvaire de Fidjrossè
10.3 km
UAC Start-Up Valley
8.2 km
Iroko FabLab
6.6 km
Route de la pêche
10.2 kmReviews
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