Tanougou Falls

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's there

• 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.

Practical notes

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.

Key facts