W National Park

W National Park takes its name from a double bend in the Niger and spreads across Benin, Niger and Burkina Faso as one protected block, inscribed by UNESCO first for the Niger section and extended in 2017 to take in Arly and Pendjari. The Beninese portion is savanna and gallery forest holding elephant, buffalo, lion, hippo and a large antelope population, managed alongside Pendjari to the west under the same programme.

History

The W National Park of Niger, named after the W-shaped meander of the Niger River, was created by decree on 4 August 1954 and has been a World Heritage Site since 1996; the national parks of Niger, Benin and Burkina Faso that share the area now operate together as the W Transborder Park, and until 2008 their joint management was supported by the EU-funded ECOPAS project. The Benin section, more than 8,000 square kilometres, came under the full management of African Parks in June 2020, like the adjoining Pendjari National Park (Wikipedia, W National Park).

Highlights

• The transboundary block - one park shared across three countries.
• The Niger frontage - the river bend the park takes its name from.
• The elephants and lions - among the last populations of both in West Africa.
• The 2017 extension - the inscription bringing Arly and Pendjari into the property.

When to go

December to April is the dry season and the only period the park opens. The rains from June close it. Early morning and late afternoon are best for game.

What to expect

The park closes through the rains and access is seasonal. Facilities are limited compared with Pendjari. Guides and four-wheel drive are required.

Nearby

Pendjari is west, and Kandi is south.

Key facts