A crowd cheers as Pope Benedict XVI approaches in Benin's main city Cotonou, November 19, 2011. REUTERS/Finbarr O'Reilly

Q: How can you get to Benin?

-- G. Espinoza, Mississauga

A: Situated in West Africa between Togo and Nigeria, Benin is a compact country -- slightly smaller than the state of Pennsylvania -- of about 9 million people. With connecting flights you can can get there via air France, BMi, Royal Air Maroc and, starting in May, a new flight from South African Airways (SAA).

Effective May 17, the South African Airways flight to Pointe Noire, Congo, will be extended twice a week to Cotonou, Benin's largest city and economic capital. For bookings, contact your travel agent.

South African Airways reports Cotonou will become its fifth new destination on the continent since last October. Ndola (Zambia), Kigali (Rwanda), Bujumbura (Burundi) and Pointe Noire (Congo) were other recent additions to its growing route network in Africa.