Natitingou, Benin

Capital City

With a population of just 53,284, Natitingou is a sleepy provincial capital that offers little to excite the average expat. The city's remote location, 645 km from the economic center of Cotonou, means navigating a persistent bureaucratic headache to access basic services. And during the Harmattan season, the climate can be brutally dry, with humidity dropping as low as 10% and temperatures plummeting to 17°C at night. While the surrounding natural beauty and wildlife of Pendjari National Park may appeal to some, overall Natitingou is best suited for those seeking a tranquil, traditional African experience, far from the cosmopolitan hustle of Benin's larger cities.