Savè Hills

The hills at Savè are granite inselbergs, domes of hard rock left standing when the softer material around them eroded away, rising several hundred metres out of the plain in central Benin with bare rounded surfaces and vegetation only in the cracks. Several can be climbed from the town on scrambling routes, and the tops give a long view across the surrounding country. Rock climbing has been developed on some faces.

What you'll find

• The granite domes - inselbergs rising several hundred metres out of the plain.
• The bare rock - the smooth surfaces with vegetation only in the cracks.
• The summit views - the plain running away in every direction.
• The climbing routes - the faces developed for rock climbing.

When to go

November to February is the cool dry season and the best for climbing. Start early; the rock heats up badly. The rains from April make the surfaces dangerous.

Before you go

The rock is smooth and slippery and scrambling routes have real exposure. There is no shade on the domes. A guide from the town is worth taking.

Nearby

Dassa-Zoumè is south, and Parakou is north.