Venice: A Second Time Around

Venice has always been my dream city. I got to visit for the first time a few years ago when I toured some parts of Europe. I’m afraid I didn’t do the city much justice at the time and I have always longed to return. Luckily, I got the chance to do so recently. I got the chance to revisit the city of my dreams, only this time, it had an entirely different name and was in a completely different continent. This time, I returned to Ganvie – The Venice of Africa!

Ganvie
OK, not a gondola but very very close!

Ganvie is a stilt village built on the Lake Nokoué in Benin Republic. It isn’t the only one of its kind but it is the largest, being home to about 20,000 people, and the most visited on the Lake. In a lot of ways, Ganvie is very similar to Makoko – also sometimes referred to as the ‘Venice of Africa’, but I found this place to much cleaner than its Nigerian counterpart and more primeval than the city it is nicknamed after.

women ganvie boats Ganvie BeninGanvie womanLife in Ganvie is conducted primarily on the water. The villagers here go about their normal businesses on boats. I suppose every household owns one. The village also contains schools, churches, restaurants and hotels where tourists can spend the night. Most choose however to visit from the cities nearby. I visited from Fidjrosse with Mark – my couchsurfing host and the drive to Ganvie took about 30 minutes.

Ganvie stilit village Ganvie market Ganvie hotelThe tour itself was pretty interesting. I don’t recall exactly how much it cost us but it was somewhere around 5,000cefa pp. I wonder how much of this actually goes back to the village and its inhabitants.

Ganvie boatWe completed our visit in about two hours which was just enough time to cruise on the lake, stop over at two places to get drinks and souvenirs before finding our way back to the mainland. Overall, my second visit to ‘Venice’ was just as interesting as the first!

Some points to note when visiting Ganvie:

  • Take pictures discreetly. If you want to take pictures of people, you may want to seek their permission first. Some hold the believe that taking their picture is akin to stealing their souls.
  • Plan to visit in the morning. We had the best weather and very few tourists when we visited.

Have you visited Ganvie or any other floating village? What was your experience like?

6 comments

  1. Hey tourist!!! I was wondering for a moment…if u were in Venice. HAHAHA!!! you got me there…What’s interesting about this piece is the way you captured poverty in its original form. I didn’t get to visit Ganvie but will make it next time. Thank you for this piece and keep exploring…

    1. Haha, I wish! I would really love to visit Venice again but for now, Ganvie would be my Venice. 🙂 I’d be on the lookout for your post about it when you do get to visit. Thanks for stopping by…

  2. Beautiful photos that underlies the poverty going on in that region. Beautiful but sad. Thanks for capturing it all. Greetings!

    1. Hiya, thanks for your comment. I really hope the people who live there somehow benefit from the inflow of tourists to their village.

  3. I literally laughed aloud when it hit me that it wasn’t actually Venice.

    Great Post.

    I do wonder if there’s a floating city in every African country.

    Would be interesting to note how come.

    1. A little click bait, sorry, LOL. I think most countries along the coast might have a floating village cos of their proximity to the water. This is my uninformed guess anyway.

I love to hear from you, Leave a comment here!

Close
Aesthetically pleasing spaces in Kenya 🍂🦒
Aesthetically pleasing spaces in Kenya 🍂🦒
17 hours ago
View on Instagram |
1/9
Kenya had dropped the paid ETA requirement for most Africans, including Nigerians. 💃🏾🎉

And in celebration of that, I'm sharing some of my favourite places to include in your Kenyan holiday itinerary!

Will you be visiting or have you been to any of these places?
Kenya had dropped the paid ETA requirement for most Africans, including Nigerians. 💃🏾🎉 And in celebration of that, I'm sharing some of my favourite places to include in your Kenyan holiday itinerary! Will you be visiting or have you been to any of these places?
1 day ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
This lodge in Taita-Taveta was such a great last-minute find for me!
___________________

I needed a quick break from Nairobi and thought to visit Diani and Tsavo. While finding accommodation in Diani was fairly easy, I struggled to find a place that fit my schedule, budget, and preference in the Voi/Tsavo area.

When I stumbled upon The Hildana Lodge, I couldn't be happier. Luckily, they had availability for the exact dates I wanted, a resident's rate, and no single supplement!

I stayed here for 2 nights but could have easily stayed longer! This place is magical, and I can't wait to return! ✨️
This lodge in Taita-Taveta was such a great last-minute find for me! ___________________ I needed a quick break from Nairobi and thought to visit Diani and Tsavo. While finding accommodation in Diani was fairly easy, I struggled to find a place that fit my schedule, budget, and preference in the Voi/Tsavo area. When I stumbled upon The Hildana Lodge, I couldn't be happier. Luckily, they had availability for the exact dates I wanted, a resident's rate, and no single supplement! I stayed here for 2 nights but could have easily stayed longer! This place is magical, and I can't wait to return! ✨️
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
As someone who enjoys travelling and pursuing a fulfilling career, I don't believe that you have to give up one for the other. ✈️🍂✨️

You can maintain a healthy travel life without forfeiting a career you love, and here's one of the best ways to do so ⤵️

Taking advantage of public holidays, combined with your vacation days. For example, there's a public holiday coming up next month.

It'll be a 2-day holiday, and if you take only 2 days off work, you'll get 6 vacation days! - perfect for this "Beach and Bush" holiday in Kenya! 🐚🐘🌊

Work-life balance is key, so find ways to do the things that are important to you now that you can!💙
As someone who enjoys travelling and pursuing a fulfilling career, I don't believe that you have to give up one for the other. ✈️🍂✨️ You can maintain a healthy travel life without forfeiting a career you love, and here's one of the best ways to do so ⤵️ Taking advantage of public holidays, combined with your vacation days. For example, there's a public holiday coming up next month. It'll be a 2-day holiday, and if you take only 2 days off work, you'll get 6 vacation days! - perfect for this "Beach and Bush" holiday in Kenya! 🐚🐘🌊 Work-life balance is key, so find ways to do the things that are important to you now that you can!💙
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
Weekends in Kenya that look like this! 🐘💙🦒

How wonderful!
Weekends in Kenya that look like this! 🐘💙🦒 How wonderful!
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
Here's what you can expect when you ride the premium class train from Nairobi to Mombasa and vice versa 🚅

It's a slow but scenic ride to the coast, but I love it and rather prefer it to flying. ✨️

PS: If you want great views of Tsavo National Park as you pass through (Nairobi > Mombasa), sit on the left side of the train (i.e., even numbered seats)

But be aware that some seats have partial window views. Seats 26, 21, 25, 15, and 6 are great!(Nairobi > Mombasa)

Seat on the opposite side on the Mombasa > Nairobi train. I couldn't keep track of all the good seats on this train 🥹.

The train also has a first and economy class coach, which are significantly cheaper than premium class. And once you're back in Nairobi, all "premium services end" 🤭😋

Have you gone on this train before? What was your experience like? 💬

Are team train 🚆 or flight ✈️?
Here's what you can expect when you ride the premium class train from Nairobi to Mombasa and vice versa 🚅 It's a slow but scenic ride to the coast, but I love it and rather prefer it to flying. ✨️ PS: If you want great views of Tsavo National Park as you pass through (Nairobi > Mombasa), sit on the left side of the train (i.e., even numbered seats) But be aware that some seats have partial window views. Seats 26, 21, 25, 15, and 6 are great!(Nairobi > Mombasa) Seat on the opposite side on the Mombasa > Nairobi train. I couldn't keep track of all the good seats on this train 🥹. The train also has a first and economy class coach, which are significantly cheaper than premium class. And once you're back in Nairobi, all "premium services end" 🤭😋 Have you gone on this train before? What was your experience like? 💬 Are team train 🚆 or flight ✈️?
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
The most relaxing staycation ever! Coastal vibes in Diani Beach and a wonderful safari in Taita-Taveta county! 🐚🐘

This trip was so easy to plan and embark upon from Nairobi. I travelled by rail from Nairobi to Mombasa and then to Diani. 🌊

On my return leg, I stopped in Voi and transferred to a super gorgeous lodge, where I spent the weekend enjoying massages, spotting elephants 🐘 and giraffes 🦒, and just having a swell and relaxing time!

Sharing details on my blog and IG stories!✨️
The most relaxing staycation ever! Coastal vibes in Diani Beach and a wonderful safari in Taita-Taveta county! 🐚🐘 This trip was so easy to plan and embark upon from Nairobi. I travelled by rail from Nairobi to Mombasa and then to Diani. 🌊 On my return leg, I stopped in Voi and transferred to a super gorgeous lodge, where I spent the weekend enjoying massages, spotting elephants 🐘 and giraffes 🦒, and just having a swell and relaxing time! Sharing details on my blog and IG stories!✨️
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
The Best of Both Worlds! 🥰

Just took the SGR again, and I got to try out the Premium Class coach - I loved the experience!

I'll be sharing all about this experience in my next blog post on www.travelwithapen.com -  what to expect from this train ride, the best seats for unobstructed views and elephant sightings in Tsavo National Park, and notable changes in the journey from Nairobi to Mombasa and Diani!

#diani #dianibeachkenya #sgr #railtravel #tsavo #tembeakenya
The Best of Both Worlds! 🥰 Just took the SGR again, and I got to try out the Premium Class coach - I loved the experience! I'll be sharing all about this experience in my next blog post on www.travelwithapen.com - what to expect from this train ride, the best seats for unobstructed views and elephant sightings in Tsavo National Park, and notable changes in the journey from Nairobi to Mombasa and Diani! #diani #dianibeachkenya #sgr #railtravel #tsavo #tembeakenya
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
Bougainvillea in full bloom in Nairobi 🌸, always a highlight of our strolls!
Bougainvillea in full bloom in Nairobi 🌸, always a highlight of our strolls!
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
9/9
Latest Posts
  • Safari and the Beach – Part 1: Diani Beach

  • 7 Best Day Trips to Take from Nairobi!

  • Naivasha Travel Guide: Everything You Need To Know!

  • My 2025 Wish List: 10 Places I Hope to Visit

  • An Afternoon at the Picturesque Kiambethu Tea Farm

Translate
Become an Insider!
Archives
Close

Travel with a Pen

Seek out New Adventures, Travel Differently

Travel with a Pen © Copyright 2025
Close