Tanougou Falls
A waterfall in the Atacora hills near Pendjari, dropping into a pool below cliffs.
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The Tanougou falls drop off the Atacora escarpment in northwestern Benin into a pool at the foot of a rock amphitheatre, and after the rains they come down in real volume, which in this part of the country is worth the stop. The pool is deep enough to swim in and is the usual reason people come. The site sits on the road towards Pendjari, which makes it an easy break on the drive north.
What you actually see
- The fall - the water dropping off the escarpment into the pool.
- The rock amphitheatre - the cliffs enclosing the basin.
- The pool - the deep water at the base, used for swimming.
- The road position - a stop on the route towards Pendjari.
When to go
September to December is when the falls carry real water after the rains. By March they can be reduced to threads. The rains themselves make the track difficult.
Honest expectations
By late in the dry season there may be almost no water. Bilharzia is a risk in the pool. The site is crowded at weekends and litter is a problem.
Nearby
Natitingou is south, and Pendjari is north.
What to pack for Tanougou Falls
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
